By: Mark Holtsberry
Accident kills young Antwerp man. Daniel Boylan was born June 8, 1893 in Antwerp, Ohio. The son of William Nelson and Julia Ann (Rumbaugh) Boylan. William was born in Paulding County, August 25, 1861. Julia was born in Ohio March of 1859.
The couple married, August 25, 1886 in Paulding, Ohio. By 1900, the happy couple were the parents of four children, with Daniel being the youngest. Daniel, at the age of six, was at home along with brother Guy, while brother Earl and sister Clara were at school.
William was a farmer and the family lived in Crane Township. By 1910, the Boylan family added a daughter, Marie, born in 1902. Daniel quit school and was living on Perry Street in Antwerp. He was a laborer working on the family farm.
On June 5, 1917, Daniel, while working as a barber in Ft. Wayne for Charles Shultz, registered for the draft. This medium built, dark blue eyed, light brown haired fella had plans to join the National Guard out of Paulding. He did so on July 28, 1917. Daniel became a member of Company B. 2nd Infantry, Ohio National Guard. He remained there until October 4, 1917, where he was assigned to serve with the 11th Company, 3rd Training Battalion. He served until October 27, 1917.
He then he was assigned to serve with Company I. 145th Infantry. Daniel was promoted to Private 1st Class, January 25, 1918. Daniel was shipped out June 15, 1918 from Hoboken, New Jersey to serve in France. He set sail on the ship, “Leviathan”, with the service number 1519613. Daniel was promoted to Corporal, July 12, 1918.
Daniel served in the Defensive Sector in France. On August 23, 1918, Daniel was killed by an accidental discharge of a hand grenade in Keravor, France. His father William was notified of his passing. Daniel was brought home and buried in Maumee Cemetery, Antwerp, in Lot 152 Old Block, Grave 1.
Daniel’s mother, Julia, passed away in 1907 and his father William, passed away, February 27, 1933. Both are buried in Maumee Cemetery. This story does not end here, an American Legion Post 253 was formed in Antwerp and the post name, Cottrell.-Boylan.
…Until Next Time
