Military history in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
John C. Silvers was born on September 1, 1888, in Payne, Ohio, the son of Lester Silvers, born February 20, 1861, in North Star, Darke County, Ohio, and Emma Belle (Patton) Silvers, born in 1858 in Ohio. The couple was married in 1881. By 1900, the Silvers family was living in Payne, Ohio. Lester was employed as a day laborer.
Lester and Emma were the proud parents of Susie M., born November 22, 1885; followed by John C., born September 1, 1888; Alvin V., born February 27, 1896; and Archie O., born in May 1899.
By 1910, Lester had moved his family—Emma, John, and Alvin—to Bryan Street in Hicksville, Ohio. Lester worked as a timber cutter, a trade that John also pursued. Alvin was still in school. John had never attended school.
On June 1, 1917, John registered for the World War I draft. He was described as medium height, medium build, with blue eyes and brown hair. He was working as a teamster for the Miller Manufacturing Company in Hicksville. Just a few days later, on June 5, 1917, John’s brother Alvin also registered for the draft. He shared the same physical characteristics as John and was working as a huckster for the Battershell Brothers in Hicksville.
On June 24, 1918, John joined the National Army in Defiance. With the rank of private, he was first assigned to the 158th Depot Brigade and served there until July 17, 1918. He then served with Company M, 336th Infantry until August 13, 1918, followed by a return to the 158th Depot Brigade until September 24, 1918. He was later transferred to Company D, 45th Battalion, United States Guards. He was honorably discharged on February 18, 1919.
Alvin entered the National Army from Defiance on April 25, 1918. He served with the 158th Depot Brigade until May 8, 1918, before transferring to Company C, 308th Engineers. On June 4, 1918, Alvin was shipped overseas on the transport ship Khyber. He served in France and was promoted to Private First Class on September 1, 1918. He saw combat in the Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, and Meuse-Argonne offensives. He served until June 26, 1919, and was honorably discharged on July 7, 1919.
By 1920, John was living on West Dixon Street in Hicksville, working as a log cutter at the local sawmill. On November 1, 1922, he married Alta Amelia Hook, who was born on April 23, 1891, in Hicksville, the daughter of John Ellsworth and Julie Etta (Simmons) Hook.
On April 12, 1923, John’s mother, Emma, passed away. She was buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Hicksville.
On March 30, 1925, John and Alta welcomed their first son, Paul Raymond Silvers, who would later serve in World War II. Their second son, Richard L. Silvers, was born on November 9, 1927. They also had a daughter who was stillborn; though her birth and death dates are unclear, she is buried in Forest Home Cemetery.
By 1930, the family was living at 408 South Bryan Street in Hicksville. John worked as a laborer at a candle factory.
On June 8, 1931, John suffered a heart attack and passed away. He was buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Lot 38, Grave 3. On November 17, 1931, his upright military tombstone was shipped to the cemetery for installation.
John’s wife, Alta Amelia Silvers, passed away on June 27, 1973, from a heart attack at the Allen County, Indiana Health Center. She was buried alongside John in Forest Home Cemetery.
