Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Cletus Joseph Brady Sullivan was born February 21, 1896, in Payne, Ohio. He was the son of John Sullivan, born in June 1856 in Pennsylvania, and Ellen (Brady) Sullivan, born February 1858 in Ohio. John and Ellen were married February 24, 1884, in Paulding.
The couple were the parents of Michael Leo, born in 1889; Eugene C., born in 1892; Cletus, born in 1896; and Margaret, born in 1900. By 1900, the Sullivan family was living in Payne on Merrin Street. John’s father, Michael Sullivan, a widower, was also living with the family, as well as Anna Sullivan, John’s sister. Anna was a schoolteacher in the Payne school system and later started a dress shop in Payne.
By 1910, the Sullivan family was still living on Merrin Street in Payne. John was operating a hardware store. Anna had quit teaching and was running her dress shop. Sons Michael and Eugene were working as clerks at the hardware store, while Cletus and Margaret were attending school.
Eugene, Michael, and Cletus all registered for the World War I draft on June 5, 1917. Cletus was listed as medium height, slender build, with blue eyes and black hair, and working as a clerk in his father’s hardware store. Eugene was not selected due to being married with three children and because he was bedridden with tuberculosis. Michael was selected and served in the military.
In 1918, Eugene passed away and was buried in St. John’s Cemetery outside Payne. In May 1918, Cletus reported to the United States Naval Station in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was later sent to the Naval Training Station in Newport, Rhode Island. He served there until August 30, 1918, before being transferred to the Naval Operating Base in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served until November 11, 1918. He served as a landsman in the aviation electrician and demolition corps. On December 30, 1918, Cletus completed his term of service with the Navy.
By 1920, Cletus was living with his parents on East Merrin Street in Payne and was working with his father and brother at the hardware store. On September 1, 1922, at 10:00 a.m., John Sullivan passed away and was buried in St. John’s Cemetery.
By 1930, Cletus was running the hardware store in Payne and remained single. On April 14, 1934, Ellen Sullivan passed away and was buried with John and Eugene in St. John’s Cemetery.
By 1940, Cletus was living at 223 North York Street in Elmhurst, Indiana, and was the owner of Sullivan Automotive Equipment Company. In 1942, Cletus registered for the World War II draft but was not selected due to his age.
On September 1, 1949, in Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois, Cletus passed away. He was buried in St. John’s Cemetery outside Payne.
…Until Next Time!
