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 married in 1888. By 1900, the Smith family were living in Carryall Township with Percy being the only child. William was a farmer and Della a homemaker.
When Percy was in the eighth grade, he dropped out of school. By 1910, the family was still living at the same location. As Percy grew into a young man, his sense of adventure took him to a place called, Whitewater, Phillips County, Montana.
He was farming, as the world went to war. On June 5, 1917, Percy had to register for the draft. He was listed as 5’8″, medium and slender build, blue eyes and black hair. He had no wife or children to claim. His longing for home, brought Percy back to Paulding County. He met a gal named, Ressie Pauline Rumbaugh, born August 8, 1897. She was the daughter of James and Nancy (Foster) Rumbaugh. James was a Civil War Veteran, serving with Company A. 132nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Ressie and Percy were married in Paulding, December 28, 1917. Percy signed up to serve in the National Guard out of Paulding, July 22, 1918. Percy was sent to serve with 5th Company, 2nd Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade. He remained with this unit until August 8, 1918. He was then sent to serve with Company M. 336th Infantry, 84th Division, where he served with them until October 5, 1918.
Percy was sent to Hoboken, New Jersey, August 27, 1918 to be shipped to France. Percy served with 1st Depot Division at St. Aignan, France until October 12, 1918. Then served with Company C. 358th Infantry until June 10, 1919. He was then off to serve with Demobilization Group , 219th unit at Camp Sherman, Ohio until June 15, 1919, where he was honorably discharged.
Percy served in France in the Muese-Argonne Sector, September 9, 1918 to June 7, 1919. By 1920, Percy and Ressie were living in Antwerp with her parents on Canal Street, Percy was a carpenter. On April 24, 1920, adventure took ahold of Percy, as he traveled to Emerson, Manitoba, Canada. His goal was to purchase land. With $1850.00 in his pocket, it is unclear if he purchased land or not.
By 1930 while living in Antwerp, Percy took a job driving a truck. Ressie’s father passed away January 17, 1927. Her mother lived with Percy and Ressie until she passed away January 27, 1937. By 1940, Percy and Ressie were living on 303 West Canal Street in Antwerp. Percy was driving truck for the Antwerp Parlor Furniture Company on Railroad Street. Percy’s father was living with Percy and Ressie.
In 1942, Percy had to register for the World War 2 draft. February 8, 1948, Percy’s father passed away. By 1950, Percy and Ressie were still living in Antwerp. Percy was driving truck for Engineering Ordinance Plant (is that the Depot outside New Haven?). He was classified as a government worker.
On December 1, 1961, Percy filed for Social Security. Ressie filed for Social Security, January 1, 1962. They spent the remaining years in Antwerp. Percy passed away in the Paulding County Hospital, March 31, 1991. Ressie passed away, at 9:00 A.M. May 24, 1991 at a Nursing Home. They both are buried in Maumee Cemetery on the West side, they never had any children.
… Until Next Time!
