MILITARY HISTORY IN PAULDING COUNTY
By: Mark Holtsberry
Andy Brandy Sigler was born in Leipsic, Ohio, on October 16, 1890. He was the son of William Nathan Sigler, born December 17, 1853, in Leipsic, Ohio, and Julie Ann (Leatherman) Sigler, born February 2, 1857, in Putnam County, Ohio. William and Julie were married on April 11, 1875, in Putnam County, Ohio.
This couple became the proud parents of Joel N., born in 1876, followed by John W. in 1878, James H. in 1879, Olive M. in 1881, Nora B. in 1884, Grover C. in 1886, Rosetta A. in 1888, Andy in 1890, Lillie in 1893, and Mary A. in 1898.
By 1900, the family was living at 331 Main Street, Liberty Township, Putnam County, Ohio. William was a farmer and teamster. Joel and John had moved out on their own. Andy was a student in school.
By 1910, the family was still living in Liberty Township. Only Lillie, Mary, and Andy were still at home. Andy had quit school after the eighth grade to help his father work the farm.
Andy’s father, William, passed away on June 30, 1911. He was buried in Sugar Ridge Cemetery in Leipsic, Ohio. After 1913, Andy moved to Antwerp and brought his mother, Julie, with him. Andy started his own farm.
On June 5, 1917, Andy registered for the World War I draft. He signed up at the East Carryall precinct. He was listed as 5’9” tall, of slender build, with brown hair, brown eyes, a light complexion, and single.
That all changed on November 28, 1917, when Andy married Edith Blanche Slusher, born July 28, 1887, in Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana. She was the daughter of Phillip C. and Emma Slusher. Edith graduated from Defiance College in 1909 and became a schoolteacher in a one-room schoolhouse. She taught until she married Andy.
How did they meet? Andy, driving to work, saw a girl walking down the road on her way to the schoolhouse, a trip she made every day. He stopped and asked if she needed a ride—and the rest was history.
On July 22, 1918, Andy joined the National Army out of Paulding. He served with Company M, 336th Infantry, until October 5, 1918. Edith gave birth to their son, Phillip Brandon Sigler, on October 26, 1918.
Andy then served with the 358th Infantry until January 27, 1919, and later with Company D, 142nd Infantry, until May 31, 1919. On May 19, 1919, Andy boarded the ship Pueblo at Brest, France, and set sail for Hoboken, New Jersey. The ship arrived on May 31, 1919. Andy was honorably discharged on June 11, 1919.
After returning home, Andy, Edith, and Phillip lived on Daggot Street in Antwerp. Andy worked as a truck driver delivering coal. A daughter, Edith May Sigler, was born in 1920, followed by Helen Fay in 1921. Walter V. was born in 1923 but passed away in 1928. Clyde B. was born in 1926.
Sometime after 1922, the family moved to Wilbur Street in Blissfield, Michigan. Andy worked as a painter. After 1935, the family moved to 315 Maple Street in Ogden, Michigan, where Andy continued painting.
Andy’s mother, Julie, passed away on September 24, 1935. In 1942, Andy registered for the World War II draft. Their son Clyde served in the Navy during World War II. At the time, Andy was working at the Gerity Adrian Ordnance Plant in Adrian, Michigan.
By 1950, Andy, Edith, and daughter Helen were still living at 315 Maple Street in Blissfield. Andy was working as a boiler operator at an automotive plant.
On August 27, 1958, Andy passed away in Blissfield, Michigan. He was buried in Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. His wife, Edith, passed away on December 31, 1973, and was buried beside him.
… Until Then
