By: Mark Holtsberry
Chester Earl “Smokey” Kite was born in Payne, Ohio May 23, 1894. The son of Andrew McClelland born May 5, 1862 in Champaign County, Ohio and Rose Ann (Bodey) Kite born June 26, 1872 in Shelby County, Ohio.
This couple was married December 19, 1889 in Paulding, Ohio. By 1900, this couple along with sons, Chester and William Wesley, born April 11, 1899, were living in Payne, Ohio. By 1910, the Kite family was living in Payne, on Maple Street. Andrew was the mayor of Payne, the boys were in school. Also living with the Kite family was Isabelle Kite, Andrew’s mother.
On June 4, 1917, Chester joined the National Guard out of Hicksville. He served with Company E. 2nd Ohio National Guard, which later was Company F. 145th Infantry National Army. On June 10, 1917, William W. Kite joined the National Guard out of Paulding.
He served in the Headquarters of the whole army of the 2nd Ohio National Guard. On September 1, 1917, William was assigned to the machine gun company until October 2, 1917. William was promoted to Bugler September 4, 1917, then promoted to private October 4, 1917.
He then was sent to Camp Sheridan, Alabama, October 26, 1917, transferred to Company E. 146th Infantry 37th Division. Something happened to Chester while serving in the National Guard. He was Honorably Discharged January 26, 1918. He was listed as 2% disabled, with a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability. On May 24, 1918, William was promoted to Bugler then sent overseas to serve in France.
He served in the Muese-Argonne Defensive sector. On September 12, 1918, Chester registered for the draft. Chester was listed as medium height and stout build, brown eyes, black hair, working as a truck driver for the National Safe and Lock Company in Cleveland, Ohio. He was not selected because of his disability.
As for William, he was wounded September 30, 1918. He boarded the ship, U.S.S. Maui at Brest, France, March 18, 1919, and set sail for Hoboken, New Jersey. On March 31, 1919, William lands on American soil. He was Honorably Discharged April 13, 1919. On November 27, 1921 in Paulding, Chester and William’s mother passed away. She was buried in Lehman Cemetery. On June 20, 1923, Chester married a gal named, Florence Marie Spriggs in Champaign, Ohio. She is the daughter of Alex and Rosie (Shadley) Spriggs. On June 30, 1923, Andrew remarried a gal named Adella May Hall.
On January 20, 1930, Chester and Florence, were welcomed with the birth of a daughter, Ruth Eileen Kite. A daughter Betty Rosalee, was born in 1924, a son, Chester Earl Kite Jr. was born October 23, 1925, and Norma Mae October 26, 1927. By 1930, the Kite family was living in Saint Paris, Champaign County, Ohio. Chester was working as a painter. On November 14, 1934, Chester passed away from heart failure. He was buried in Lehman Cemetery, lot 210, block A., grave 5. On December 13, 1934, Chester’s military tombstone was shipped January 28, 1935. His father handled the shipping arrangements. Chester’s wife remarried and passed away in 1984 and is buried with her second husband in Champaign County, Ohio.
Chester’s son, Chester Jr., served three years in World War Two. He passed away in 1984.
… Until Next Time!
