By: Mark Holtsberry 369th “Harlem Hell Fighters” I know this is not a Paulding County unit, but this unit caught my attention. This World War 1 unit was originally the 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment, a National Guard unit. June 2, 1913, a bill authorizing an all black National Guard regiment finally passed the…
By: Mark Holtsberry Hosea Gerald Hummell was an Antwerp boy who joined the Navy to serve in World War 1. Hosea was born January 25, 1897 in Antwerp, the son of LeRoy, born November 27, 1872 in Ohio, and Catherine Doyle (Fox) Hummell, born December 1874 in Ohio. LeRoy and Catherine were married in Paulding,…
By: Mark Holtsberry Weldon Aldrich was born in Paulding, Ohio, May 2, 1895. He was the son of Thomas W., born in 1863 in Ohio, and Nancy E. (Hoover), born February 4, 1865 in Ohio. Thomas and Nancy were married June 24, 1886 in Paulding, Ohio. By 1900, Thomas, Nancy and eight children, a ninth…
By: Mark Holtsberry Hoboken, New Jersey In my research on these World War 1 Veterans from Paulding County, I noticed when these soldiers were shipped overseas, most of them were on the ship, “Leviathon” and set sail from Hoboken, New Jersey! Well, now, for the rest of the story! On April 6, 1917, President Woodrow…
By: Mark Holtsberry George Keezer Bennett was an Oakwood fella who was born August 21, 1892 in Paulding County, Ohio. The son of James Buchanan and Sanorah Jane (Keezer) Bennett. James was born in Melrose, May of 1857. Sanorah or also known as Jennie, was born in Henry County, Ohio November 15, 1854. By…
By: Mark Holtsberry Harold George Stewart is an interesting fella who left the boxing ring to serve his country. Harold was born January 4, 1891 in Blue Creek Township, Paulding County, Ohio. The son of David Clinton and Mary S. (Coe) Stewart. David was born August 5, 1851 in Shelby County, Ohio. Mary was born…
By: Mark Holtsberry A story of travel, adventure and service. Rassie Wilford Beverly, also known as Erastus, was born in Columbus, Ohio, January 31, 1890. The son of Samuel and Samantha Ann (Smith) Beverly. This couple was married in 1869. Samuel served in the Civil War as a private in the Confederate Army from Virginia.…
By: Mark Holtsberry Recently a citizen of Antwerp reached out to me to see if I would write an article on someone he remembers as a child, so here it goes. Percy Perry Smith was born December 28, 1893 in Antwerp, Carryall Township, Ohio. The son of William and Della (Overmyer) Smith. This couple was…
By: Mark Holtsberry George William Outland was born February 21, 1895 in Payne, Ohio. The son of Frank Bruce and Barbara A. Kerns. Frank was born 1864 in Ohio, the son of Alonzo Outland, a Paulding County Civil War Veteran. Barbara was born April of 1871 in Ohio. Frank and Barbara were married in Paulding…
By: Mark Holtsberry Factual History of Company A. 148th National Guard up to 1938 Company A. 148th Infantry was first organized in 1907 as Company B. 2nd Ohio Infantry, with Captain Alfred N. Wilcox commanding, John N. Miller 1st Lieutenant and Dorr I. Gasser 2nd Lieutenant. Captain Charles A. Musgrave assumed command in 1910 and…
By: Mark Holtsberry Another Paulding County young man with a sad ending. Robert Patterson Staley was born May 17, 1895 in Paulding, Ohio. The son of Edward S. and Blanche (Patterson) Staley. Edward S. Staley was born in Lafayette, Indiana, March 7, 1858. Blanche was born July 25, 1867 in Fostoria, Ohio. Ed and Blanche…
By: Mark Holtsberry Terrible news strikes another Paulding World War 1 soldier. John William Essex was born January 22, 1895 in Paulding. The fifth of nine children born to Thomas Jasper and Catherine Irene (Bennett) Essex. Thomas was born October 4, 1857 in Union County, Ohio. Catherine was born March 3, 1867 in Highland County,…
By: Mark Holtsberry Carl Luther Olson was a Paulding County soldier whose grave was unmarked for 90 years. Carl Luther Olson was born April 10, 1895 in Ohio. The son of Jacob, born July 8, 1861 in Sweden and Emma Jeanette (Murphy) Olson, born October 20, 1868 in Ohio. Jacob and Emma were married December…
