Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Cloy M. Robinson was born in October of 1899 in Broughton, Ohio. He was the son of Alpheus D. Robinson, born September 1, 1850, in Crawford County, Ohio, and Susannah (Shupp) Robinson, born November 18, 1852, in Crawford County, Ohio. The couple married in 1874 in Crawford County. By 1880, they were living in Holmes County, Ohio.
They were the parents of Herman Cortis Robinson, born July 12, 1874; a daughter, Millie M. Robinson, born February 19, 1876, who passed away May 10, 1876, and was buried in Broken Sword Cemetery, Crawford County, Ohio; and Harry Levon Robinson, born March 7, 1877. On November 8, 1881, a son, Joseph Leroy Robinson, was born.
By 1890, the family was still living in Holmes County. Alpheus was working as a day laborer, and Harry was also employed in the same capacity. Herman had moved to Broughton, Ohio. In the spring of 1898, as the Spanish-American War began, brothers Herman and Joseph enlisted to serve with Company M, 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, out of Paulding. They both served from May 10, 1898, to February 10, 1899.
By 1900, the Robinsons had welcomed two more sons: Guy Levon Robinson, born October 25, 1897, and Cloy M. Robinson, born in October of 1899. The family had relocated to Broughton. By this time, Harry had returned to live with his parents, bringing along his wife, Pearl Robinson. On January 13, 1902, Alpheus and Susannah welcomed another son, Leroy Lester Robinson.
By 1910, Cloy had moved with his brother Harry, Harry’s wife Pearl, and brother Leroy to Bucyrus, Ohio, where they lived on Middleton Street. Cloy was enrolled in school. Alpheus and Susannah had also moved to Bucyrus and were living on Lucas Street. Alpheus was working in the insurance business. Son Joseph and his wife, Dorthea, were living with them. Meanwhile, Guy had moved in with his grandparents and remained in Jackson Township.
By 1915, the families had relocated to Dayton, Ohio. On April 20, 1917, Cloy joined the United States Army. He was stationed at Columbus Barracks in Columbus, Ohio, and was assigned to Company L, 26th Infantry. Cloy departed from New York for France on June 17, 1917, aboard the ship Momus. He was promoted to Corporal on February 22, 1918.
Cloy saw action at Montdidier-Noyon, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne Defensive Sector. He was wounded in action on July 20, 1918, and later killed in action on October 5, 1918.
Cloy’s body was returned to the United States through Hoboken, New Jersey, and brought back to Dayton, Ohio. The undertaker, Reisinger, took charge of the remains upon arrival. Cloy was laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, Dayton, Ohio, in Section 119, Lot 46.
On September 12, 1918, Joseph and Guy both registered for the draft, though neither was selected.
On Friday, June 25, 1920, at 1:30 p.m., Cloy’s brother, Leroy Lester Robinson, passed away at home at 26 Farley Street, Dayton, Ohio, from Spanish Influenza. He was buried in Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton.
Joseph Leroy Robinson passed away on June 21, 1929, and was also buried with his brothers.
Alpheus Robinson passed away on January 1, 1941. Susannah followed on February 2, 1943. Both were buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Bucyrus, Ohio.
