Lt. Curtis E. Markel Veteran of Border Campaign and World War One
Curtis Emery Markel was born on 27 October 1894, in Ironton, Ohio. His parents are James S. & Abigail “Gillie” (Willis) Markel. Curtis arrived in Marion, Ohio, in 1913. Shortly after arriving in Marion, on 30 May 1914, Markel joined D Company, Ohio National Guard (O. N. G.). He was listed as a member of D Company, when they returned to Marion, Ohio, from the Border Campaign.
When D Company reorganized for the deployment to the First World War, Curtis E. Markel was among the members, serving as a sergeant. He sailed to Europe aboard the U. S. S. Henry R. Mallory. The ship departed Hoboken, New Jersey, on 18 October 1917. While in Europe, Curtis Markel was serving as the First Sergeant with D Company, 166th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Division “Rainbow.” He was discharged on 3 May 1918, so he could accept the commission of a Second Lieutenant. On 8 November of 1918, Markel was promoted to First Lieutenant. On 8 June 1918, Lt. Markel was reassigned to H Company, 132nd Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division “The Prairie Division” “Golden Cross Division”. He remained with the 132nd until his return to the United States. Lt. Curtis E. Markel arrived back in the United States on 14 May 1919, aboard the Kasserin Auguste Victoria.
After returning to Marion, Curtis E. Markel married Ethel V. (Green) on 2 August 1919. In 1920, Markel was working as a machinist with the Marion Steam Shovel Company. On 16 May 1925 Markel was employed at the Marion Fire Department. In 1927, Markel was elected trustee of the Firemen’s Indemnity Fund, along with Owen A. Sifritt, Fred Reiff, Charles Thurston and James Rynn. In a 1928 article, the firemen of Central Station lauded Markel for his cooking, stating, “He could cook spaghetti that would raise a cheer from an Italian in Italy.” Markel resigned from the Marion Fire Department on 27 February 1929. An article from The Marion Star reported that Markel; would relocate to Columbus, Ohio. He worked as a machinist after leaving the fire dept.
Curtis E. Markel eventually relocated to California where he died on 26 April 1952, in Hayward, California. Curtis E. Markel is buried in The Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California.
Leroy W. Miller, Veteran of the Border Campaign, World War One and Retired Marion Fire Fighter
Leroy Wesley Miller was born on 22 November 1886, in Delta, Ohio. His parents are Lewis B. & Harriet “Hattie” L. (Ackerman) Miller. By the1900 Census, Leroy and his parents were living in Marion, Ohio. Leroy married Elizabeth A. (Duffey), in Marion, in 1906.
Leroy W. Miller initially enlisted into the Ohio National Guard in 1903. In July of 1913, Miller was serving as First Sergeant when D Company, Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, went to Camp Perry, Ohio, for the annual encampment. In 1915, L. W. Miller was promoted to First Lieutenant.
Lt. L. W. Miller was serving in D Company, Fourth Ohio National Guard when it served in the Border Campaign. After serving on the southern border and returning to Marion, Lt. Miller served as the recruiting officer of D Company. He was charged with recruiting and building up the manning of D Company in preparation for D Company being inducted into federal service for the First World War. D Company was then in the 166th Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division “Rainbow.”
Lt. Miller departed the United States for Europe aboard the U. S. S. Henry R. Mallory. The Mallory departed Hoboken, New Jersey, on 18 October 1917. While in Europe, Lt. Miller was transferred from D Company to Cardington’s A Company.
In March of 1918, the family of Leroy Miller had a scare. The Casualty list came out with a Leroy W. Miller, but of a different rank than Leroy. The family had not received an official notice from the government, but concern was high. They later found out the casualty was from Rhode Island.
Miller was honorably discharged 7 March 1918. Lt. Leroy W. Miller departed Brest, France, and arrived back in the United States, aboard the U. S. S. Covington, on 8 March 1918. He then was employed with the Erie Railroad as a detective for a time before becoming a fire fighter with the Marion Fire Department.
Leroy W. Miller was hired on the Marion Fire Department on 19 July 1922. During his career he was assigned to Engine Company No. 1, he drove the Chief’s car for a period and was also assigned to Engine Company No. 3.
Leroy W. Miller retired from the Marion Fire Department on 4 April 1947, with 25 years of service. Miller had served 13 years with D Company, ONG. He had also served as Post Commander Geran-Thomas, VFW 3313, and was a member of the Bird-McGinnis Post 162, American Legion.
Leroy W. Miller died on 8 August 1962, and is buried in the Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.
Sanford H. Whitlatch D Company Veteran, Border Campaign and World War One
Sanford Hobart Whitlatch was born 30 November 1897, in Coal Township, Jackson, Ohio. His parents are Will & Maggie (Culp) Whitlatch. It is not known when Sanford relocated to Marion, Ohio.
Sanford H. Whitlatch enlisted with D Company, Fourth Ohio Infantry, Ohio National Guard on 23 June 1916. Pvt. Whitlatch served with Marion’s D Company during the Border Campaign, which occurred just before the United States entered World War One.
Shortly after Whitlatch and D Company arrived back in Marion, the company was reactivated for service in World War One. Whitlatch was among those soldiers who went to Camp Perry for training in preparation to move with the 42nd Division “Rainbow” to Europe. The Fourth Ohio was reorganized as the 166th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Division.
At some point, Whitlatch was assigned to A Company, Fourth Ohio. While the regiment was at Camp Perry, Whitlatch and D Company soldier, Pearl Morris, returned to Marion on furlough. It was on 23 August 1917, that Morris and Whitlatch got into some trouble. They came to Marion and celebrated by getting intoxicated and got into a fight, that caused the police to arrest them. They were then sent back to Camp Perry, to have their punishment decided by the military. There it was reported by Captain George T. Geran, that the men were fine $40 and placed in the regimental guard house for 30 days.
On 18 October 1917, Pvt. Sanford H. Whitlatch and the 166th Infantry sailed aboard the U. S. S. Henry R. Mallory for Europe. While in Europe Whitlatch saw action in the Champagne-Marne; Aisne-Marne; St Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne; Defensive Sector. He was promoted on 1 February 1919, to Private First Class (PFC) and on 13 February 1919 he was transferred to the 165th Field Hospital, 117 Sanitary Train, until his return to the United States.
On 16 September 1919, PFC Whitlatch departed Brest, France, for the return to the United States. He sailed aboard the Sol Navis and arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on 26 September 1919. He was Honorably Discharged from service on 3 October 1919.
Sanford H. Whitlatch returned to Marion, Ohio, where he was employed with the Marion Steam Shovel Company in 1942. He retired as a brakeman with the Erie Railroad in 1949.
Sanford H. Whitlatch died on 9 April 1965, and is buried in Chapel Heights Memory Garden, Marion, Ohio.
Pvt. Frederick Felger Killed in Action, 1862
Frederick Felger was born in 1839. Felger enlisted on 28 November 1861. He was assigned to serve with the 82nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in Company D.
Private Frederick Felger was killed in action at the Battle of Groveton, Virginia, on 29 August 1862. Pvt. Felger is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His remains are located at Plot, Section 13 Site 9938.
Frederick Felger is remembered on the walls of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Chapel, located at the Marion Cemetery. His name is in Column 29 under Co. D.
(Note: the photo on the Arlington Site shows the headstone with T. Felger)
First Sergeant Henry Seas Dies of Wounds, Battle of Gettysburg, 1863
Henry Seas was born in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, on 12 September 1836. His parents are Heinrich & Gertrude “Drollinger” Suess. Henry Seas, Jr. was employed as a teacher prior to entering service.
Henry Seas began his military service early in the war. He enlisted on 20 November 1861. He mustered in with the 82nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He started out in D Company. By 10 March 1863, Seas was promoted to First Sergeant.
First Sergeant Seas fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was injured on 1 July 1863. 1st. Sgt. Seas was wounded on the first day, in the heat of battle. He wrote that he was wounded in the upper right leg. He said that the doctors reported the bone was not broken, so the leg may not have to be amputated.
After the Battle of Gettysburg, heavy rains soaked the area. There was a shortage of locations to place the many wounded, and the dampness left it difficult to keep the men comfortable. The dampness may have added to the difficulty in keeping the wounds properly dressed and clean. It was on the 10th of July that Seas reported in a letter that his leg had to be amputated. He wrote this the day after the surgery. He said that he was under chloroform and the surgery went well. He also said that he is being cared for well. His leg was amputated above the right knee. He stated concern that his mother might worry.
1st. Sergeant Henry Seas died of his wounds on 17 July 1863. It appears that the remains of 1st. Sergeant Seas was returned to Marion, Ohio. He is buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.
Henry Seas is remembered on the walls of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Chapel, located at the Marion Cemetery. His name is on Column 30, 82 Reg OVI, Co D.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 