Military History in Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Earl Tracy Vena was born on March 25, 1897, in Latty, Ohio, the son of Andrew Vena, who was born in Ohio in 1868, and Maude Edna “Minnie” Goings, who was born in Indiana in March 1869. The couple married on January 26, 1890, in Paulding, Ohio.
By 1900, the family was living in Center Township, Delaware County, Indiana, where Andrew worked as an iron worker. Andrew and Minnie were the parents of Russell A. (born 1890), Lola V. (1892), Ethel (1894), and Earl T. (1897).
By 1910, the family had returned to Paulding, where Andrew was employed as a teamster. Earl was living on Caroline Street in Paulding with his grandmother and several cousins.
On June 5, 1917, Earl traveled to Paulding’s North Precinct to register for the World War I draft. At the time, he was employed by J. O. Jones, a ditching contractor. His draft registration described him as being of medium height and build, with dark brown eyes and black hair.
On July 18, 1918, Earl was inducted into the National Army. He served in Company D, 802nd Pioneer Infantry. During that same year, Earl’s father, Andrew, passed away and was buried in Mound View Cemetery in Knox County, Ohio.
Earl departed from New York aboard the Carmania on September 1, 1918. He served in the Meuse-Argonne sector and was promoted to Private First Class on February 17, 1919. Earl received an honorable discharge on July 17, 1919.
By 1920, Earl’s mother, Minnie, had remarried. Her new husband was George Salsbury, and together they operated a junk shop. Earl had moved to North Water Street in Paulding, where he boarded with Michael and Ida Simons while working various odd jobs.
Later, Earl relocated to 918 Brady Whitley Street in Muncie, Indiana, where he worked as a wireworker. Around 1925, he married Jessie Anderson. They made their home at 1401 North Penn Street in Muncie.
On June 6, 1928, Jessie gave birth to their daughter, Norma Jean Vena. She would later graduate from Ball State University, move to California, and establish a celebrated career.
Sometime afterward, Earl and Jessie apparently divorced. By 1930, Earl was living at 1800 Hines Street in Muncie as a boarder in the home of Miles and Corrine Green. He was employed as a stocker at a wire mill. During this period, Earl also became a member of the Leonard Nichols Post No. 165 Colored American Legion, where he was elected service officer.
By 1940, Earl had returned to Latty, Ohio. In 1942, he registered for the World War II draft. At 46 years of age, he was not selected for military service.
By 1950, Earl was still living in Latty, residing in Apartment No. 10 along the railroad tracks. He was employed as a road worker for Rad Construction Company. Also living with him was his nephew, Ray Goings, a World War II veteran.
At 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 1964, Earl passed away at Paulding Memorial Hospital shortly after being admitted. Funeral services were held Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Baptist Church in Latty, with the Rev. C. W. Buford officiating. Crowell-Den Herder Funeral Home handled the funeral arrangements. Earl was buried in Middle Creek Cemetery near Grover Hill, Ohio, where a flat granite marker identifies his grave.
