By: Mark Holtsberry
Russell Erx Pease was born on July 1, 1899, in Latty Township, Paulding County, Ohio, the son of Joseph Edgar Pease and Cora Isabelle (Elston) Pease. Joseph was born in February 1863 in Ohio, and Cora was born in March 1870 in Ohio. The couple married in 1888.
By 1900, Joseph and Cora were the parents of several children: Cynthia Ann (born 1891), Levi Edgar (born 1891), Delila May (born 1892, who passed away in 1894), Vern William (born 1897), Russell (born 1899), and Ina J. (born 1900). Joseph worked as a farmer.
By 1910, the family lived near Grover Hill, where Joseph continued farming and ran a ditching business. Two more children had joined the family: Homer (born July 29, 1905) and Beulah Catherine (born February 24, 1908). Russell, along with his brothers, helped out on the farm. He had left school after completing the sixth grade. Two additional siblings followed: Opal Bernice (born June 13, 1910) and Gerald (born 1916).
On July 21, 1917, Russell joined the National Guard in Paulding, serving in Company B, 2nd Ohio National Guard. He was inducted into the National Army on May 23, 1918, and served with Company K, 146th Infantry. On May 26, 1918, he was shipped overseas and assigned to Company A, 135th Machine Gun Battalion. As a private, Russell served in the Ypres-Lys and Meuse-Argonne defensive sectors. He was severely wounded in action on November 11, 1918, and was listed as 10% disabled. He was honorably discharged on January 25, 1919.
By 1920, Russell was living with his parents and siblings in Putnam County. He married Mary Ocie Moser, who was born on July 3, 1897. They had three children: Pauline (born 1921), Bernice (born 1924), and Robert (born 1925). By 1923, Russell had moved his family to Fort Wayne, Indiana, residing at 332 Baker Street.
On September 16, 1926, Russell’s father, Joseph, passed away and was buried in Middle Creek Cemetery. On October 27, 1929, Russell’s wife, Mary, also passed away and was buried in the same cemetery.
By 1930, Russell had relocated his family to Brandriff Street in Fort Wayne. In 1931, he married Anna Grace Auand. Tragically, on August 1, 1931, Anna fell from a car and suffered a fatal skull fracture. Her death was ruled accidental.
In 1932, Russell married Lucy Mae Delong. Together, they had two sons: Glen J. (born 1933) and Earl Dee (born 1935). By 1940, the family was living in Haviland, Ohio, where Russell worked as a carpenter. On February 15, 1942, Russell registered for the World War II draft. He was described as 5’8”, 180 pounds, with a fair complexion, light brown hair, and blue eyes. He was not selected for service due to his prior war injuries.
By 1950, Russell, Lucy, and their children were still residing in Haviland. Russell worked at the Haviland Clay Works as a fireman in the tile mill.
Russell passed away at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 18, 1956, at the Veterans Hospital in Fort Wayne, having been admitted just hours earlier. His body was taken to the Didrick Funeral Home in Grover Hill. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home, with Rev. Robert Bryan officiating. Russell was buried in Middle Creek Cemetery.
