By: Mark Holtsberry
Charles Chester Shinaberry was born on December 21, 1892, in Grover Hill, Ohio. He was the son of Robert Newton Shinaberry, born in 1854 in Ohio, and Sarah Florence (Kinkade) Shinaberry, born on October 21, 1864, in Ohio. The couple was married on June 23, 1882, in Paulding.
By 1890, they were the proud parents of several children. Their first child was stillborn in 1883. They later welcomed James Albert, born on June 28, 1884; Henry Lawrence, born in 1886; and Catherine R., born on September 11, 1888.
The Shinaberrys were a farming family. In 1892, their family grew with the birth of Charles Chester Shinaberry. A daughter, Hazel, was born on November 8, 1896, but sadly passed away on June 3, 1897. Another child, Esley, was born in 1898 and passed away in 1899. Their mother, Sarah Florence, passed away on February 9, 1899. All are buried in Middle Creek Cemetery.
By 1900, the family was living in Grover Hill, Ohio. Son Robert had become a farm implement dealer. Charles, still in school, went to live with his grandparents, Arouna and Rachel Kinkade, in Jackson Township, Van Wert County.
By 1910, Charles had moved to Latty, Ohio. He was living with his father and working on the farm, alongside his brother, sister-in-law, and niece.
On June 5, 1917, Charles registered for the World War I draft. He was single, of medium height and build, with gray eyes and black hair. He joined the National Army out of Paulding on June 25, 1918, and was assigned to the 158th Depot Brigade, 84th Division. He served until July 18, 1918.
On September 17, 1918, Charles was shipped out to France from Brooklyn, New York, aboard the ship Nester. He was assigned to Company F, 309th Ammunition Train, serving until December 6, 1918. He was then transferred to the 234th Company, Military Police Corps, and promoted to Private First Class on December 14, 1918. He served until June 5, 1919, and was honorably discharged on June 11, 1919.
By 1920, Charles was living in Section 24 in Latty, Ohio, with his brother James and his family. Charles was working as a farm laborer. By 1930, he had moved with James and his family to Grass Lake, Michigan, after they sold the Latty Township farm around 1927.
By 1940, Charles had sold his share of the farm, and his whereabouts during this time are unclear. In 1942, he was living at 2161 Grass Lake, Michigan, and registered for the World War II draft. He listed Mrs. Ida Watson as his employer—perhaps he worked as a handyman for her.
On August 18, 1951, Charles passed away in Allen Park, Wayne County, Michigan. He was buried in Grass Lake West Cemetery, Grass Lake, Jackson County, Michigan. Later that year, he received a flat military grave marker. Robert D. Woodward, who was working as the County Administrator at the time, signed for the stone. It is assumed that Woodward ensured the stone was placed at Charles’s grave.
… Until Next Time!
