By: Mark Holtsberry
Ernest Adolph Schacko was born on August 14, 1894, in Defiance Township, Defiance, Ohio, Ernest was the son of Frederick August Schacko, born in 1853, and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Pingle) Palm Schacko, born on August 15, 1852, in Defiance, Ohio.
Minnie’s first husband, Carl Palm, passed away in 1871. She married Frederick in 1873. By 1890, Frederick and Minnie were the parents of Wilhelmina (born May 12, 1879), John Herman (born January 27, 1877), and Lucille C. (born April 8, 1890). The family was living in Defiance, Ohio. By 1900, Ernest had been born in 1894, and the family had moved to Auglaize Township.
Frederick passed away in 1896, and in 1900, Minnie married William Groh. By 1910, Ernest had quit school after the eighth grade. He was living on his own, taking on odd jobs to make a living. By 1915, he had moved to Junction.
On June 5, 1917, Ernest registered for the draft at the Auglaize precinct. He was listed as 5’9”, of medium build, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a medium complexion. At the time, he was a farm laborer working for his stepfather and was single.
In 1918, Ernest married Amanda “Mandy” (Farris), who was born on September 7, 1900, in Lincoln County, West Virginia. On April 28, 1918, Ernest traveled to Paulding, where he was inducted into the National Army. He was sent to serve with the 158th Depot Brigade until May 3, 1918. On June 12, 1918, he boarded the ship “Anchises” at Hoboken, New Jersey, and set sail for France.
He was assigned to Company F, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, serving with this unit until July 26, 1918. He was then reassigned to Company L, 101st Infantry, 26th Division. Ernest served with the rank of private at St. Mihiel and in the Meuse-Argonne defensive sector. He continued his service until April 5, 1919, and was honorably discharged on April 29, 1919.
In 1920, Ernest and Amanda moved to Junction, Ohio. On March 10, 1920, their daughter, Helen Violet Schacko, was born. Their son, Morten M., was born on June 10, 1922; he would later serve in World War II. Another daughter, Virginia E., was born on November 18, 1923. Their son, J. Raymond, was born on February 6, 1925, and also served in World War II. Their children continued with Ernest F. (born October 1, 1926) and Myrtle Marie (born July 13, 1928).
By 1930, the family was still living in Auglaize Township, with Ernest working various odd jobs as a laborer. Their daughter, Ruth E., was born on February 9, 1930, followed by August Herman (born March 5, 1932), Justine L. (born December 20, 1933), and Bobby Lloyd, who was born and passed away on May 31, 1935. That same year, the family moved to Emerald Township, where most of the children were attending school.
On March 28, 1939, Ernest’s mother, Minnie, passed away. She was buried in Riverside Cemetery.
In 1942, Ernest registered for the World War II draft. By 1943, the family had moved to 424 Ruff Street in Defiance, where Ernest took a job as a welder for the Arnold Haviland Company.
By 1950, Ernest’s health had declined. On January 11, 1952, he suffered a heart attack at home and passed away at 1:05 p.m. that same day. His funeral services were conducted by Rev. O.A. Schroder of St. John’s Church. He was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Defiance, in Lot 17, Grave 26.
In 1952, Ernest received an upright military tombstone in recognition of his service. Amanda passed away on April 3, 1974, and was buried alongside Ernest.
…Until Next Time!
