By: Mark Holtsberry
Carl Pursel was born November 11, 1875 in Paulding. The son of Valentine V. Born May 1, 1838 in Virginia and Amanda Malvina (Shafer) Pursel born February 2, 1844 in Indiana. This couple was married July 20, 1867 in Paulding by Minister Thomas Elcock.
By 1870, while living in Paulding, this Paulding couple was blessed with two more children, Jessie Lillian born 1868 and Frank V. born in 1870. Valentine was the County Auditor. This family was still living in Paulding in 1880. But Valentine was engaged in farming. His wife, Amanda, was working at a store.
By 1898, America was being drawn in to protect Cuba and the Philippines from a Spanish Government takeover. Paulding had lobbied in Columbus to form a company of men to serve in the Spanish American War. Company M. 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry was formed in
Paulding. Carl Pursel was voted to serve as Orderly Sergeant and mustered into service. His record states he was bedridden October 3-10, 1898.
While the company was stationed in Georgia, Carl was the correspondent for the Paulding Republican Newspaper. He spoke of food gathering, men’s activities and growing a beard in which the other
soldiers thought he looked like a tramp. Carl was mustered out with the company February 10, 1899.
By 1900, Carl was back at home on Emerald Pike, (Emerald Road) with his parents and all three siblings. Carl was working as a lawyer, as he did have one year of college. On October 11, 1911, his father Valentine passed away and was buried in Live Oak Cemetery.
Carl moved to Oklahoma at P.O. Box 146, Muskogee, Oklahoma, to work for an oil producer. On June7, 1918, Carl registered for the World War draft. Listed as tall in height, medium build, grey eyes, brown hair and working for Lynder Darby at 504 Cosden Building, Tulsa, Oklahoma. He stayed in the oil business all through the 1920’s.
His mother, Amanda, passed away April 16, 1927 and was buried beside Valentine. By 1930, Carl was living in Tulsa, Oklahoma at 1813 South Carson Street working in oil production. By 1940, Carl was living in San Antonio, Texas at Robert E. Lee Hotel at 311 West Travis Street. He was working as a land maintenance employee.
His sister Ruby E. (Shiflet) passed away November 4, 1940. On September 14, 1943, Carl was taken to Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio with heart issues. He passed away September 15, 1943 from Coronary Sclerosis. His body was brought home and laid to rest in Live Oak Cemetery.
His sister Jessie Lillian, passed away April 27, 1944. She, too, was buried in Live Oak Cemetery. His brother Frank passed away April 7, 1949 in California. He is also buried there.
…Until Next Time!
