Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Michael Leo Sullivan was born November 30, 1889, in Payne, Ohio, the son of John Sullivan, born June 10, 1856, in Pennsylvania, and Ellen (Brady) Sullivan, born in 1858 in Ohio. This couple was married February 26, 1884, in Paulding. John was working in a barrel stave factory in New Haven, Indiana. The couple moved to Payne by 1888.
This young couple started a family with the birth of Michael in 1889, followed by Eugene in 1892, Cletus J. in 1896, and Margaret H. in 1900. By 1900, the Sullivan family was farming. John’s father, Michael, and John’s sister, Anna Sullivan, were living with them. Anna opened a dress shop in Payne. John’s sons, Michael and Eugene, were attending school.
By 1910, John had opened Sullivan’s Hardware Store in Payne. The family was living on Merrin Street in Payne. Anna was still running her dress shop and dry goods store. Michael and Eugene were living at home and working in the hardware store. Cletus and Margaret were in school.
On June 5, 1917, in the Payne North Precinct, Michael, along with brothers Cletus and Eugene, registered for the World War I draft. Michael was listed as 5 feet 9 inches tall, of medium build, with light blue eyes, black hair, and slightly balding.
Eugene was suffering from tuberculosis and was bedridden. He passed away in 1918 and buried in St. John Catholic Cemetery in Payne. He left behind a wife and three small children.
On June 15, 1918, Michael went to the University of Valparaiso in Indiana as an S.A.T.C. student. This stood for the Student Army Training Corps. The program trained potential Army officers. He entered the program as a private and was honorably discharged on December 21, 1918.
By 1920, Michael found himself back in Payne, living with his parents on Merrin Street. He continued to work at the hardware store. In 1922, Michael’s father, John, passed away. He was buried in St. John Catholic Cemetery.
On July 4, 1923, in Paulding, Michael married Bernice M. Cullen. She was born October 28, 1893, in Paulding. Her brother, Seth Cullen, was a World War I veteran who passed away in 1950. He served in France as both an artilleryman and a wagoner. Sorry, I got stuck going down that rabbit hole again.
By 1930, Michael and Bernice were living in Payne on North Main Street. They were operating the hardware store on Merrin Street.
On April 14, 1934, Michael’s mother, Ellen, passed away. She was buried beside John in St. John Catholic Cemetery.
By 1940, Michael and Bernice were still living in Payne and operating the hardware store. In 1942, Michael had to register for the World War II draft, but at the age of 52, he was not selected.
With the long hours of running a hardware store, Michael’s health became an issue.
On April 1, 1949, Michael Leo Sullivan passed away. On April 4, 1949, he was laid to rest in St. John Catholic Cemetery.
Bernice continued to operate a hardware store, but in Paulding. She was living at 627 North Williams Street in Paulding with her parents, William and Lula Cullen. Bernice passed away in 1981 and was buried alongside Michael.
…Until Next Time!
