Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Delta Hugh Reeb was born June 4, 1894, in Antwerp, Ohio, the son of Joseph Edward Reeb (born January 1894 in Ohio) and Jennie Elora (Oswalt) Reeb (born September 9, 1877, in Carryall Township). Joseph and Jennie were married April 20, 1894. They became the parents of Delta (1894), Gayetta (born September 3, 1895), and Irene Marie (born 1898). Joseph and Jennie were farmers in Carryall Township.
By 1900, Joseph and Jennie were living in Carryall Township with their children and a niece, May B. Doering. May passed away in 1903 and was buried in Maumee Cemetery. She was the daughter of Willoughby H. Doering and Della Reeb. In 1900, Joseph and Jennie welcomed daughter Bernice M., who passed away April 17, 1901, and daughter Eva B., born March 20, 1900 — likely making them twins.
The family later grew to include three sons and one daughter: Herman, born September 18, 1905, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; Virgil, born 1907, who passed away in 1910; Wilbur, born August 16, 1909, who also served in World War II; Leona Mae, born October 24, 1912; Edward, born August 10, 1914.
By 1910, the family was still farming in Carryall Township. Delta quit school after the fifth grade to help on the farm.
On March 8, 1914, Delta enlisted in the National Guard out of Hicksville and served in Company E, 2nd Ohio National Guard. He was listed as 5’10” tall, with auburn hair, blue eyes, a fair complexion, single, and working as a farmer. He served in Company E until October 1, 1916, then transferred to the Supply Company, 2nd Ohio National Guard, serving until August 12, 1917.
As World War I intensified, the Ohio National Guard was federalized into the National Army, and Delta became part of the 166th Infantry, 42nd Division, also known as the “Rainbow Division.” He was assigned as a supply clerk and promoted to Wagoner on August 12, 1917. He was briefly promoted to Private on August 15, 1917, but reverted to Wagoner on August 28, 1917.
On August 29, 1917, while on leave, Delta married Irene Mable Bennett in Allen County, Indiana. Irene was born January 31, 1897, in Latty, Ohio, the daughter of George Bennett and Dora May (Davis).
Delta was shipped overseas and severely wounded in action twice — first on July 15, 1918, and again on October 16, 1918. He also lost his left arm in an Army truck accident. Delta served until February 15, 1919, and was honorably discharged on April 12, 1919, on a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability.
By 1920, Delta was living in Vincennes, Indiana, where he attended the Reppert School of Auctioneering and worked as an auctioneer. Delta and Irene became the parents of: Madeline Rafern Reeb, born March 6, 1917, in Latty, Ohio and Edward Dallas Reeb, born December 9, 1919.
On August 9, 1926, Delta’s sister Eva passed away and was buried in Maumee Cemetery.
By 1930, the family was living at 225 Stone Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and welcomed two more daughters: Betty Jane Reeb, born July 29, 1924, in Fort Wayne and Clarice Ann Reeb, born in 1930.
By 1935, the Reeb family had returned to Antwerp, living on Erie Street. Their youngest daughter, Carol J., was born September 10, 1936.
In 1940, Delta registered for the World War II draft while living in Antwerp. During the war, he worked at the Casad Ordnance Depot.
By 1950, Delta’s health had begun to fail, and he worked as a night watchman at the Weatherhead Company in Antwerp. In October 1951, he was admitted to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Fort Wayne, where both of his legs were amputated in an attempt to save his life. He suffered from diabetes and passed away on December 13, 1952, from complications including diabetes, pulmonary heart issues, and arteriosclerosis.
Delta was a founding member of the Cottrell-Boylan American Legion Post in Antwerp and was buried in Maumee Cemetery, Antwerp.
… Until Next Time!
