Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
James Alfred Powers was born on November 24, 1887, in Paulding, Ohio. He was the son of John Powers, born August 14, 1854, and Mary McNamara Powers, born May 21, 1858, both Ohio natives. John and Mary were married in Paulding on April 18, 1882, and made their home in the small rural community of Emerald Township, where they raised their family and worked the land.
Life on the farm was steady but not without hardship. John and Mary’s first children, Thomas and Elizabeth, were born in the early 1880s. Elizabeth’s life was short, passing away in 1891 at just six years old. James arrived in 1887, followed by Robert, Margaret, Ethel, and finally Clair. Several of the children died young, as was all too common at the time—Robert at age seven and Margaret just a year old. The surviving children grew up helping on the farm and attending the local schoolhouse. James completed his education through the eighth grade before leaving school to work alongside his father.
By 1910, the family had moved into town, settling at 402 Baldwin Street in Paulding. John continued to farm, while James found work as a waiter in a restaurant. Industrious and ambitious, James soon purchased the family’s 80-acre farm back in Emerald Township, ensuring that the Powers name would remain tied to the land where he grew up.
When the United States entered World War I, James registered for the draft on June 5, 1917. The record described him as five feet eight inches tall, stoutly built, with blue eyes, black hair, and a ruddy complexion. At the time, he managed the Powers Brothers Garage with his younger brother Clair. The two were well-known in Paulding for their mechanical skill and community spirit.
In April 1918, James joined the National Army and reported to Camp Sherman, Ohio, for training with the 158th Depot Brigade. Later that year, he was assigned to Company B of the 8th Battalion, United States Guards—a home defense unit responsible for guarding critical facilities during the war. His leadership earned him a promotion to sergeant on August 1, 1918. He served honorably until his discharge on January 3, 1919.
Returning home, James continued to work hard and stay close to family. He spent several years in Defiance and cared for his widowed mother after his father’s death in 1929. By 1940, James had moved to Antwerp, where he owned and operated a restaurant and bar on West River Street. He became a familiar face in town, known for his good humor and dedication. Though he registered for the World War II draft in 1942, at age 54 he was not called to serve.
Life changed again in 1946 when James married Florence Rose Thiel of Defiance. Florence, born in 1902, worked as a bookkeeper for the local utilities company. Together, they settled in Defiance and began a quieter chapter of life. But happiness was short-lived. Not long after their marriage, James developed a brain tumor. He underwent surgery first in Fort Wayne and then at the hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Recovery proved difficult, and though he spent a brief time in Cheboygan and planned to relocate to Indian River, he returned to Defiance, where his health declined.
On November 25, 1947—one day after his 60th birthday—James Alfred Powers passed away at 1:00 p.m. at Defiance Hospital. Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and he was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery. Florence lived on for more than four decades, passing away on Christmas Day in 1989. She now rests beside her husband, together again after a long life marked by faith, family, and quiet perseverance.
…Until Next Time!
