By: Mark Holtsberry
Frank Myers was born February 26, 1894 in Paulding. The son of Frederick born April 23, 1838 in Germany and Caroline Theresa (Hohenberger) born March 30, 1853 in Defiance, Ohio. Frederick was a Civil War Veteran serving with Company L. 4th Ohio Cavalry. This couple was married January 23, 1877 in Defiance, Ohio.
By 1900, this couple along with children, Frederick Jacob, born February 18, 1880, Ella Mary born July 18, 1884, Emma A. born December 30, 1886, Rosa T. born in 1889, Lewis Henry born August 27, 1892 and Frank. They were living in Jackson Township, Paulding County. A daughter, Margaret born January 9, 1878, had married and moved out of the home, Frank was a student in school. In 1901, a daughter, lla was born.
By 1910, Frank was a laborer working on the family farm. I believe he had quit school. On September 19, 1916, in Paulding, Frederick passed away, he was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance. On June 5, 1917, Frank went to Jackson North Precinct and registered for the World War One draft. He was listed as 5’7″, brown hair, blue eyes, light complexion and a self-employed farmer and single. Franks brother, Lewis, also registered for the draft. He was not selected.
On July 22, 1918, Frank enlisted in the National Army out of Paulding. He served in the 5th Company, 2nd Training Depot, 158th Depot Brigade. On January 17, 1918, Frank married a gal named Theresa Estella Brown, born April 12, 1898. She is the daughter of Daniel and Lucy Brown from Auglaize Township. He served with the 158th until August 8, 1918 then transferred to Company K. 335th Infantry. He served until October 17, 1918. He then transferred to serve with Company B. 320th Infantry. Attaining the rank of private, serving in the Muese-Argonne sector. Wounded in Action severely November 1, 1918. He served until May of 1919, during the occupation of Germany. Frank was honorable discharged, June 3, 1919.
On January 4, 1919, a son, Frank Richard Myers was born in Jackson Township. By 1920, Frank, Theresa and little Frank, were still living in Jackson Township. In January of 1923, Frank developed pneumonia. On January 10, 1923, Frank passed away. He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance in Lot 182, Block 33, Grave 1. Theresa remarried a fella named Richard Klein, July 16, 1927 in Paulding. Richard Klein passed away in 1960 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.
On September 10, 1944 in Van Wert, Frank’s mother, Caroline passed away. She was buried with Frederick in Defiance. Frank’s wife Theresa, passed away June 3, 1947 in Auglaize Township and was buried with Frank in Riverside Cemetery in Defiance. Son Frank Richard Myers, registered for the World War Two draft. October 16, 1940.
Listed as 5’6″, 145 pounds, dark complexion, black hair, brown eyes. He served in the Navy in Hawaii, 1945-1946. I remember him, a very nice guy, who served as a Jackson Township Trustee, serving with my mother. I knew him as Rich, passed away August 4, 1993. I also know his son, he also served as Jackson Township Trustee, he is a great guy too. Must run in the family.
