Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Charles Frederick Pio was born October 25, 1881, in Harrison, Hamilton County, Ohio, the son of Charles Louis Pio, born in 1856 in Indiana, and Falista Victoria “Fay” (Barbier) Pio, born in 1857 in Ohio. This couple was married on June 12, 1877, in Paulding, Ohio. By 1880, they were living in Harrison Township, Paulding County, Ohio. Their children included Catherine J., born October 19, 1877, in Payne; John Edward, born January 5, 1879, in Payne; and Franklin Justin, born March 6, 1880. At that time, Charles Louis Pio was working as a laborer.
By 1890, the family had grown with the addition of Charles Frederick (1881), Eva L. (1886), and Ida M. (1888). Father Charles had become a farmer. By 1900, the Pio family was still living in Harrison Township. Charles Louis was still farming, and by then, children Catherine, John, and Charles Frederick had moved out of the house.
In 1900, Charles Frederick Pio enlisted in the United States Navy at the recruiting station in Chicago. Five years later, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. By 1910, Charles was serving aboard the U.S.S. Nebraska, working in the Mail Service. In 1912, he was promoted to Gunnery Mate 1st Class. He re-enlisted and served as a recruiting officer in both Albany, New York, and Akron, Ohio.
On July 31, 1913, Charles was stationed at the United States Naval Rendezvous in Washington, D.C. On April 6, 1917, he re-enlisted once again and was stationed in New York, serving at the Navy station. He served there until June 30, 1917. With World War I intensifying in Europe, a national draft was imposed. Charles’s brothers, John and Frank, registered on September 12, 1918, but neither was selected.
On June 30, 1917, Charles re-enlisted and was stationed as a shipping clerk and recruiting officer at the recruiting station in Albany, New York. Over the course of his career, Charles re-enlisted five times, served on eighteen different ships, and visited all parts of the world. He served in Albany until November 11, 1918.
In 1920, Charles was living on Crooked Road in Suffield, Portage County, Ohio, working as a recruiting officer for the United States Navy. Later, in Charleston, South Carolina, with the rank of Chief Gunnery Mate, Charles was honorably discharged on May 27, 1921, upon the expiration of his term of service. During the war, he had served aboard a submarine, making several trips below the surface. In the later days of the war, he was appointed an inspector of Eagle boats and submarine chasers.
Following his discharge, Charles re-enlisted in the Naval Reserves for a period of ten years. He served as a special officer at Metropolitan Park in Cleveland, Ohio.
In April of 1924, Charles fell ill. He was taken to Grace Hospital, where he received care from the best physicians and consultants of the time. Though his condition initially seemed to improve following a planned operation in mid-May, it later worsened. On Thursday, June 20, 1924, Charles Frederick Pio passed away.
His body was brought home to the family residence north of Payne, where many family members, relatives, and friends came to pay their respects. Rev. M.A. McFadden delivered a beautiful sermon. Charles was laid to rest in Wiltsie Cemetery, Lot 295, South Block, Grave 5. Pallbearers were members of the Payne American Legion—World War I veterans who stood at attention at the church entrance and conducted themselves with great professionalism.
…Until Next Time!
