Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Clyde Burl Rhoad was born on April 5, 1894, in Hoytville, Wood County, Ohio. He was the son of William Myrtle Rhoad, born October 27, 1853, in Seneca County, Ohio, and Emma (Secrist) Rhoad, born in 1859. William and Emma were married on October 21, 1877, in Crawford County, Ohio. Children born to Emma and William include Anna, born in 1878, and Estella Mary, born in 1881.
It is not known whether William and Emma divorced, but she was still alive in 1880. William later met and married Frances (Wineland) Rhoad, born November 14, 1853, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. They were married on March 21, 1882, in North Shade, Gratiot County, Michigan. Children born to William and Frances include: Edward William (1882), Rosetta (1884), Val Henry (1886), Eva Frances (1889), John Archer (1891), Clyde Burl (1894), Roy Virgil (1896), and Floyd Herman (1900).
By 1900, the Rhoad family was living in Jackson, Wood County, Ohio. William was working as a farmer, and most of the children were attending school. Anna and Estella had married and moved out of the household. By 1910, the family had relocated to Blue Creek Township, Paulding County, Ohio. Clyde and his brothers were helping on the farm, while William worked as a railroad section hand laborer.
On June 5, 1917, Clyde registered for the World War I draft. He was described as 5’8” tall, with black hair, brown eyes, a fair complexion, and a medium build. He was slightly bald, single, and working for his brother Roy. Edward also registered for the draft on June 5, 1917. He was married with two children and was not selected for service.
On September 20, 1917, William passed away and was buried in Blue Creek Cemetery.
Roy registered for the draft on June 5, 1918. He served with the 158th Depot Brigade, 8th Company, 2nd Battalion, and was honorably discharged on December 13, 1918. Clyde also served with the 158th Depot Brigade, 8th Company, 2nd Battalion, and later with Company D, 334th Infantry. He was honorably discharged on August 7, 1918. His discharge listed him as 5% disabled, as certified by a surgeon.
By 1920, Clyde was living on his brother’s farm in Blue Creek Township, working as a farm laborer. Also residing there were Frances and brothers Roy and Floyd. Frances passed away on January 15, 1925, and was buried alongside her husband in Blue Creek Cemetery.
By 1930, Clyde, still working as a farmhand, was living with his brother Roy, Roy’s wife Marie, and their three daughters: Helen, Irma, and Priscilla.
By 1940, Clyde had moved to Chicago, where he purchased a small farm and attempted to make a living from it. During the last six months of his life, he was bedridden. On December 26, 1941, Clyde passed away from carcinoma of the vertex at Hines Veterans Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.
Clyde had united with the United Brethren Church in Dague, Ohio, as a child, and later with the Methodist Church in Latty, Ohio. He was buried in Blue Creek Cemetery.
