By: Mark Holtsberry
Arthur Roy Yenser was born in Oakwood, Ohio on October 20, 1889. The son and fourth child born to John Franklin and Anne M. (Green) Yenser. This couple was married in Defiance, Ohio February 16, 1883 John was born in 1863 and Anne October 10, 1858 in Emerald Township. She became a school teacher. This couple had fourteen children. Two daughters and four sons dieD in infancy.
By 1900, the Yenser family J. Franklin, Anne and seven children were living in Auglaize Township on a farm. Arthur Roy was ten years old working on the farm. By 1910, the Yenser family, with six children still living at home, were still working on the family farm. Arthur Roy had quit school to work the farm.
On June 5, 1917, Arthur went to the Auglaize Township precinct and registered for the World War 1 draft. He was listed as stout build, brown eyes and dark hair, single and self employed working as a laborer farming.
On June 25, 1918, Arthur signed up in Paulding to join the National Army. Arthur was assigned to serve in Company D. 334th Infantry, 84th Division. September 2, 1918, Arthur was shipped out from New York on the ship, Aquitania, and set sail for France. Arthur served as a private with the 334th until October 9, 1918. He was assigned to serve with Company C. 16th Infantry until September 5, 1919. He was honorably discharged, September 25, 1919.
By 1920, Arthur finds himself back home in Auglaize Township, with his parents a sister and a brother back working on the family farm. By 1930, Arthur still living with his parents as a laborer on the farm.
February 5, 1934 his mother, Anne, passed away due to a heart attack. She was buried in Sherman Cemetery on the East Side of the road in Row 10. In 1937, his father, John Franklin, passed away due to kidney and heart failure. John Franklin was well known in two counties for his portable thrashing machine and portable saw mill, which he had started at twelve years old.
By 1940, Arthur, brother Gale and sister Alice were renting a house in Auglaize Township. In 1942, Arthur had to register for the World War 2 draft. Because of his age, 52, he was not selected.
On December 1947, Arthur applied for Social Security. May 29, 1950 at 8:10 A.M., while living in a trailer near the Auglaize Stone Company, three tons of dynamite exploded. The blast rocked a 30 mile radius. The blast killed three men, which included Arthur and his brother Charles, who was visiting.
Arthur and his brother, Charles had joint services at the M.E.Church, Junction, Ohio by the Rev. C.H.Wallack. Mansfield Funeral Home in Defiance, Ohio took care of the services. Burial was in Sherman Cemetery beside his parents. Arthur was never married.
…Until Next Time!
