By: Mark Holtsberry
John Raymond Perl was born on March 18, 1892, in Paulding, Ohio, the son of John D. Perl, born in 1863 in Ohio, and Carrie M. (Crocker) Perl, born in 1864 in Ohio. This couple was married on December 27, 1888, in Paulding, Ohio. By 1900, they were living in Payne, Ohio, along with their children: Ralph E. (born March 1890), John R. (March 1892), Alice (March 1892), Charles (May 1894), Ethel (1896), Harry W. (1897), and Agnes (1899).
In February of 1902, John D. Perl passed away. He was buried in Wiltsie Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. In 1903, before John’s grave was even settled, Carrie M. Perl also passed away. She was buried alongside John in Wiltsie Cemetery. After their parents passed away, the children went to live with their aunt and uncle, Adolph and Alice Heck, in Payne. John quit school after completing the eighth grade.
By 1910, John Raymond Perl and his brother Charles had moved out on their own. On June 3, 1917, John joined Company B of the 2nd Ohio National Guard out of Paulding. He was listed as 5’9” tall, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a light complexion. He served until August 12, 1917, when he transferred to Company B of the 4th Ohio National Guard. When World War I broke out, Company B of the 4th Ohio National Guard became part of Company B of the 166th Infantry. John was promoted to Private First Class on September 22, 1917.
He was shipped overseas, where he served in the Aisne-Marne Defensive Sector. John was severely wounded in action on July 23, 1918. On March 14, 1919, he boarded the hospital ship “Manchuria” at St. Nazaire, France. He served until March 24, 1919, and was honorably discharged on April 18, 1919. He was listed as 15% disabled and received the Silver Star.
By 1920, after returning home from France, John was living with William and Cory Heck. He worked as a farm laborer and lived on Johnson Road in Jackson Township, known locally as “Lagoon Road.” By 1930, John was living in Grover Hill, working as an electrician. By 1940, he was still living in Grover Hill and working as an electrician.
In 1942, John registered for the World War II draft at age 50, but he was not selected. On January 20, 1947, John was found dead in his home. He lived alone, and it was believed that he passed away due to heart issues. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 22, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Paulding. He was buried in Wiltsie Cemetery, Payne, Ohio, in section 1, row 13.
…Until Next Time!
