Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Joseph Victor Turner
This fella was born May 30, 1895, in Briceton, Ohio. The son of John Henry Turner, born December 24, 1837, in Ohio, and Alcy Victoria (Dungan) Turner, born November 15, 1851, in Darke County, Ohio. John was a Civil War veteran, serving with the 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
This couple was married October 21, 1870, in Darke County, Ohio. By 1880, this couple was living in Paulding. John was working as a laborer.
They were the parents of Clara Belle, born 1871; Ebon Haul, 1873; Melvin Albert, 1875; and Isaac, 1877. By 1890, the Turner family was still living in Paulding. John was working as a day laborer. The family had grown with the birth of Ollie Damaris, 1881; William Adison, 1885; Goldie May, 1887; Grace Eleanor, 1889; and John Jr., 1890. By 1900, still living in Paulding, the Turner family had grown again. James Russell in 1893, Joseph Victor in 1895, and Jessie Irene in 1897. Joseph quit school after the eighth grade. By 1910, the Turner family was still living in Paulding. John was working odd jobs. Four of the children were still living at home. The children all were working jobs to have an income of their own. On February 2, 1915, Joseph joined the National Guard out of Paulding. He served in Company B, 2nd Ohio National Guard. This unit was assigned to Company B, 145th Infantry, National Army. On August 23, 1916, while serving in the National Guard, Joseph was promoted to Principal Musician. He served in the National Guard until consolidation into the 145th, 37th Division, on October 27, 1917. He was promoted to Private 1st Class November 5, 1917, then to Corporal May 12, 1918. Joseph was shipped to France in 1918. After arrival, he was promoted to Sergeant October 25, 1918. He served in the Ypres-Lys, Meuse-Argonne Defensive Sector. On March 30, 1919, Joseph departed from Brest, France, on the ship “Aquitania” and set for home.
He arrived in New York on March 30, 1919. He was honorably discharged April 22, 1919. After returning home, Joseph worked odd jobs. On August 11, 1919, Joseph’s father, John, passed away. He was buried in Live Oak Cemetery. By 1922, Joseph had moved to Ramsey, North Dakota. On December 5, 1922, he married Ruth H. Travnicek.
She was born August 22, 1902, in Minnesota. Joseph was working for the Great Northern Railway Company. They lived at 812 School Avenue, Devils Lake, South Dakota. On August 20, 1925, a son, Raymond Joseph, was born. In 1929, this family welcomed a daughter, Helen Lucille. By 1930, this family was living at 2705 North Ninth Street, St. Louis, Missouri. Joseph was running a laundry service company. The family had grown with the births of Albert Norman, 1931; James Dewayne, 1933; and David, 1935. By 1940, this family had moved to 808 West Harrison Street in Paulding. Joseph took up work as a day laborer.
On June 15, 1940, Joseph’s mother, Alcy, passed away. She was buried in Live Oak Cemetery. In 1942, Joseph, while working as a painter, registered for the World War Two draft. By 1943, the family had moved to Jackson, Michigan. By 1945, Joseph and family were still living in Jackson, Michigan. On April 1, 1948, in Battle Creek, Michigan, Joseph passed away. He was brought to Paulding and buried in Live Oak Cemetery. Joseph’s sons, Albert and James, served in Vietnam in the Air Force.
…Until Then!
