Military History of Paulding County
By: Mark Holtsberry
Wilbur Don Staley was born September 14, 1890, in Melrose, Ohio, the son of Clinton “Clint” John Staley, born December 1, 1851, in Allen County, Ohio, and Mary Emma “Emmie” (Kingery) Staley, born in 1857. The couple was married September 25, 1887, in Paulding. On August 1, 1888, they welcomed a daughter, Inez, and Wilbur was born in 1890.
By 1900, the Staley family was living in Melrose, where Clinton was a music teacher and the children were attending school. In 1907, Wilbur was working for the Pennsylvania Lines Hotel as a night clerk. In 1908, he was living at 58 Spy Run in Fort Wayne, Indiana. By 1910, Wilbur had moved back to Melrose and was living with his family on River Street. Inez was working for a tinsmith, and Wilbur was working odd jobs as well as laboring.
Sometime in 1913, Wilbur married Gladys Hakes, who was born April 24, 1894, in Oakwood, Ohio. She later became a school teacher. In 1914, the couple welcomed a daughter, Artemesia Staley. Sometime after 1915, Wilbur and Gladys moved to Troy, Ohio. On September 9, 1916, in Muncie, Indiana, they welcomed a son, Don E. Staley.
On June 5, 1917, Wilbur signed up for the World War I draft. He was listed as a self-employed painter of medium height and slender build, with brown eyes and dark hair. He was shipped overseas to France and served with Company G, 329th Infantry, until July 30, 1918. On that date, he was transferred to Company K, 104th Infantry, where he served until he was honorably discharged on July 23, 1919. He served in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne defensive sectors. He boarded the ship S.S. Rex on June 23, 1919, and set sail for home.
By 1920, Wilbur was living on East Main Street in Troy, Ohio, working as a painter and house decorator. At some point, he was divorced from his wife, Gladys, though the year is unclear.
On January 26, 1925, Clinton Staley passed away and was buried in Little Auglaize Cemetery. On May 29, 1926, Wilbur married Ellen Shisler, a dressmaker. She was born in August 1895 in Ohio and was the daughter of Arthur and Ervilla Shisler of Oakwood. On September 12, 1927, a son, Arthur Clinton Staley, was born. Arthur would later serve in World War II.
By 1930, the family was living on Celina Street in Oakwood, where Wilbur worked as a painter, painting railroad bridges and buildings. In 1935, Emma Staley passed away and was buried in Little Auglaize Cemetery.
On March 27, 1936, while driving his 1934 Ford, Wilbur collided with another car on Main Street in Fort Wayne. He was taken into surgery, where he passed away at 2:50 a.m. from a crushed chest and multiple fractures. On March 29, 1936, Wilbur was laid to rest in Prairie Chapel Cemetery, Lot 36, Grave 6. On April 27, 1936, his military upright tombstone was ordered and shipped June 10, 1936. The Dan Giltz American Legion Post #341 handled the tombstone arrangements.
Ellen never remarried and passed away February 27, 1986, in Toledo. Her burial site is unknown. Their son Arthur passed away February 6, 1993. Wilbur’s children from his first marriage, Artemesia and Don, passed away in 1989 and 1974, respectively.
…Until Next Time!
