MILITARY HISTORY IN PAULDING COUNTY

By: Mark Holtsberry 

Gaile Clinton Ritchie was born on March 27, 1882, in Columbia Center, Ohio. He was the son of a future mayor of Oakwood, Ohio—State Ritchie, who was born on February 3, 1859, in Ohio—and Elsie (Wright) Ritchie, born in 1861 in Licking County, Ohio.

This couple was married on May 26, 1881, in Licking County. They became the proud parents of three children: Gaile, born in 1882; Thomas Hall Ritchie, born in 1883; and Mark, born in 1887. In 1897, Elsie passed away. On May 24, 1898, State Ritchie remarried. His second wife was Annie M. (Walters), born in 1876 in Ohio. By 1900, State and Annie had a daughter, Doris, born on April 2, 1900.

Now, bear with me as I share what I stumbled onto.

Doris went on to marry a man named Alvin Maddock. On April 6, 1926, they had a daughter named Helen Maddock. I knew Helen—she was a great, very intelligent, and nature-based person! A Master Gardener, she spent a lot of time at Fort Brown. A flagpole was dedicated in her honor at the fort. I had the privilege of speaking at the dedication—what an honor that was. She passed away on June 4, 2019.

Okay, back on track. The Ritchie family was living in Brown Township. Gaile was working as a salesman at a dry goods and grocery store. His brother Thomas was a student. By 1910, the family had moved to River Street in Oakwood, Ohio. Gaile was working odd jobs, while Thomas had gone off to Ohio Northern University to become a teacher. After college, Thomas returned home and then moved to Latty, Ohio, to teach school. State Ritchie became a real estate agent, and Doris was attending school. Mark, who had health issues, passed away in 1914 and was buried in Prairie Chapel Cemetery.

On July 12, 1918, Gaile was serving in the United States Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, with the 18th Recruit Company. He was a Private, listed as 5’5” tall, with light brown hair, blue eyes, a ruddy complexion, and single. He was working as a painter. That same year, on September 12, Thomas registered for the draft. He was teaching in the Latty School District. He was described as short in height, medium build, with blue eyes and light hair. He was single and ultimately not selected for service.

By 1920, Gaile was still living with his father, stepmother, and sister on Auglaize Street in Oakwood and working as a painter. Thomas passed away in 1923. He had become the superintendent of the McComb School District and was buried in Prairie Chapel Cemetery.

By 1930, Gaile was still living on Auglaize Street and still working as a painter. More family members had moved into the Ritchie home, including Doris and her husband, their three daughters, and Alvin Maddock’s father. By 1935, Gaile, still single, had moved out on his own, though he remained in Oakwood. In 1936, his stepmother Annie passed away and was buried in Prairie Chapel Cemetery. On April 12, 1939, State Ritchie passed away and was also buried in Prairie Chapel Cemetery.

By 1940, Gaile remained single and continued working as a painter. In 1942, he was employed by Brown Township. That same year, Gaile registered for the World War II draft at the age of 60. He was not selected for service.

On October 28, 1944, Gaile Clinton Ritchie passed away. He was buried in Prairie Chapel Cemetery alongside his family. His grave is marked with a military tombstone.

… Until Next Time!