Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Dennis Orda Thrasher was born March 10, 1885, in Indiana, the son of James N. Thrasher, born March 16, 1853, in Ohio, and Elmira “Myra” Clarica (Thompson) Thrasher, born 1858 in Indiana. This couple was married December 31, 1877, in Indiana.
After their marriage, the couple moved to Brown Township, as James had bought ground and began farming. A son, Clarence Clitton Thrasher, was born July 14, 1878, followed by the birth of Edna in June 1880, Arthur Ray on April 28, 1882, Ollie in 1883, Dennis in March 1885, Orra in December 1888, and Blanche A. on July 23, 1889.
On December 12, 1889, James passed away. He was buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Putnam County.
Elmira remarried on April 14, 1895, to Charles A. Barnes, a widower from Brown Township. Charles’s wife, Sarah Emma Bidlack, had passed away in 1894. By 1900, Dennis had quit school after the seventh grade. Charles and Elmira became the parents of Ross, born December 1891, and Alonzo, born in 1893, who passed away in 1894. Ivy was born in December 1895, and Lena in March 1899.
By 1900, the family was farming in Brown Township. Daughters Hazel Viola, born in 1900, and Revella Agnes, born in 1903, were later added to the family.
On February 20, 1908, Dennis enlisted in the National Army, serving in Company B, 19th Infantry. He was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Dennis was listed as 6 feet tall, a farmer, with blue eyes and brown hair. He was discharged February 19, 1911, at Ft. McDowell, California, on expiration of service, with excellent character.
Dennis reenlisted and served in the 18th Infantry until 1916. Dennis was living in Grass Lake, Michigan, when he registered for the World War I draft on February 16, 1918. He served with Company F, 49th Infantry, with the rank of Sergeant out of Michigan. On July 26, 1918, he was sent to Hoboken, New Jersey, to board the ship Taormina and sail for France.
On January 16, 1919, Dennis boarded the ship Belgic in France and sailed for home. He was honorably discharged February 15, 1919.
After returning home from France, Dennis moved back to Michigan, where he worked odd jobs for a living.
On October 8, 1922, in Lucas County, Ohio, Dennis married Viola Roberts Mansfield. She was born August 13, 1881, in Fremont, Michigan.
Before 1930, they moved to Toledo, Ohio, where they lived on Andrus Road. The couple had a daughter, Nora Eileen, born October 13, 1923. They also welcomed Shirley Ann on July 13, 1925.
By 1930, the Thrasher family was living in Milan, Michigan, where Dennis was farming. Viola’s mother was living with them.
By 1940, the Thrashers had moved to Washington Township in Paulding County. Dennis was still engaged in farming, and the girls were attending school.
In 1942, Dennis registered for the World War II draft. At age 57, he was not chosen.
On August 12, 1947, Dennis passed away at home. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 14, 1947, at the Roselm Church. He was buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Putnam County.
…Until Next Time!
