Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Vern Franklin Sanderson was born in Grover Hill on May 9, 1894, the son of George W. Sanderson, who was born December 10, 1861, in Paulding County, Ohio, and Sarah E. (Clark) Sanderson, born May 19, 1856, also in Paulding County, Ohio. The couple married in 1881.
Sarah’s first husband was Alexander Kelsey, a Civil War veteran, who passed away July 18, 1881, and is buried in Little Auglaize Cemetery, Melrose, Ohio. Sarah and Alexander had a daughter, Margaret Ellen Kelsey, who was born in 1878. By 1890, George, Sarah, and Margaret were living in Washington Township, where George was a farmer.
George and Sarah became the parents of Daniel, born September 13, 1883; Ada M., born April 26, 1885; and John Clifton, born August 1889. By 1900, the family was still farming in Washington Township. George and Sarah added more children to the family: Henry R., born March 30, 1892; Vern in 1894; Golda M., born September 12, 1896; and Dewey Delmar, born March 26, 1899.
By 1908, George and Sarah had divorced. George later married Sarah Corintha Zeiglar on July 27, 1908, in Jackson, Michigan. Sarah was born November 21, 1869, in Ohio. The Sanderson children continued to live with their mother on the family farm in Washington Township, though John and Ada had married and moved out of the household. Vern was still attending school and working on the farm.
As World War I approached for America, John registered for the draft on June 5, 1917, at the Washington West precinct. Being married with five children, he was not chosen. Russell registered the same day at the Latty East precinct and was also not chosen, as he too was married. Vern registered on June 5, 1917, at the Washington West precinct. He was listed as tall and of medium build, with light blue eyes and light hair, a farmer, and single.
On May 25, 1918, Vern joined the National Army in Paulding. He served in the 150th Depot Brigade until August 13, 1918, when he was transferred to Company D, 15th Battalion, United States Guards. He served until December 21, 1918, when he was honorably discharged.
By 1920, Vern was living at home with his mother, Sarah E., and his brother, Dewey Delmar, on the family farm. Vern and Dewey worked the land together. On June 1, 1920, Vern married Bertha Irene Hoover, who was born April 11, 1905, in Allen County, Indiana, the daughter of Hillery and Ida Hoover.
Vern and Bertha’s first child, a son named Franklin, was born in 1920 but passed away the same year. He is buried in Mellinger Cemetery. Their daughter, Mary Arlene Sanderson, was born December 28, 1921, and passed away April 28, 2003.
On Saturday, September 12, 1925, at 1:30 p.m., Vern was working at the Haviland Clay Works operating a tile crushing machine when the machine exploded. The blast caused Vern to fall four and a half feet from a platform onto a timber framework, striking his head. He was found in a semi-conscious state and taken to Dr. Mouser’s office in Latty, where it was discovered he had suffered a brain injury. Vern was taken home, where he passed away the next day, September 13, 1925, from a fractured skull. He was buried in Middle Creek Cemetery.
Bertha later remarried Kester Foust in 1926. She passed away at the Paulding County Hospital on September 16, 1975, and was buried alongside Vern in Middle Creek Cemetery.
… Until Next Time!
