MILITARY HISTORY IN PAULDING COUNTY
By: Mark Holtsberry
Mandus Leland Reeb was born on December 18, 1890, in Antwerp, Ohio. He was the son of Adam Jason Reeb, born in November 1856 in Missouri, and Sarah Jane (Peffly) Reeb, born in December 1862. The couple was married in 1882. By 1890, they were the parents of Harry Hamilton Reeb, born March 30, 1884; Thomas Jefferson Reeb, born September 29, 1885; Carrie Catherine Reeb, born April 16, 1887; and Mandus.
By 1900, the Reeb family was living in Antwerp, where Adam worked as a farmer. Adam and Sarah were blessed with two more children: Hattie C. Reeb, born April 7, 1894, and Oliver Wendell Reeb, born April 12, 1896. Mandus, along with his older siblings, was attending school at that time.
Mandus graduated from Antwerp High School in 1908. That same year, his mother Sarah passed away on May 28, 1908. She was buried in Maumee Cemetery in Antwerp. By 1910, Adam and his children—Thomas, Mandus, Oliver, Hattie, and Carrie—were living on South Main Street in Antwerp. Carrie passed away on June 23, 1911, in Hicksville and was laid to rest beside her mother in Maumee Cemetery. Adam continued farming with help from his sons.
On June 5, 1917, Mandus registered for the World War I draft in the Antwerp precinct. He was described as 5’8” tall, with black hair, dark brown eyes, a medium build, and was single. At the time, he worked as a bank clerk at the Antwerp Exchange Bank. On August 6, 1918, he joined the National Army out of Paulding and was assigned to Headquarters Company, 67th Infantry, 9th Division, until January 8, 1919. He was then assigned as a Musician 3rd Class and was honorably discharged on February 11, 1919. As a side note, Mandus’s brother Oliver also served, joining the National Guard out of Hicksville and serving overseas.
By 1920, after returning home from the war, Mandus was living with his sister Hattie and her husband Russell Brown on Canal Street in Antwerp. He continued working as a cashier at the bank. His brothers Thomas and Oliver, as well as his father Adam, were also living in the household.
On August 22, 1922, Mandus married Gertrude Reising in Paulding. She was the daughter of Lorenz Francis and Caroline Barbara Reising, born on June 10, 1899. On March 1, 1924, Mandus and Gertrude welcomed their first child, Louise Barbara Reeb. Their son, Russell Adam Reeb, was born on February 18, 1926; he later served in the Navy during World War II. A daughter, Sarah Jane Reeb, was born on July 2, 1928.
By 1930, Mandus, Gertrude, and their children were living on West River Road in Antwerp. Another daughter, Martha E. Reeb, was born on August 30, 1930. Mandus was still employed at the bank. In 1932, his father Adam passed away and was buried beside his wife, Sarah. On October 2, 1933, another daughter, Roseann Reeb, was born.
By 1940, the Reeb family was living at 114 South Cherry Street in Paulding, where Mandus was working as treasurer for the R.E.A. In 1942, he registered for the World War II draft.
By 1950, Mandus, Gertrude, and their children Russell and Roseann had moved to Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas, where Mandus owned a newspaper stand. He passed away on December 13, 1952, in Corpus Christi. Funeral services were held on Tuesday morning, December 16, and he was buried in Seaside Memorial Park Cemetery in Corpus Christi. His grave is marked with a military tombstone. His wife, Gertrude, passed away on October 14, 1989, and is buried beside him.
… Until Next Time!
