Border Campaign

Lt. Curtis E. Markel Veteran of Border Campaign and World War One

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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

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May 1935

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.

From The Marion Daily Star 6-1-1917

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.

From The Marion Daily Star 3-16-1918

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.

Driver-Leroy Miller, Behind Light-Unknown, Sideboard-Harold “Dutch” Monnette

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

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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. Floyd E. Shirk – Dies of Spanish Influenza After Surviving War, 1919

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Floyd Everett Shirk was born on 30 September 1895, in Hepburn, Ohio. His parents are Oliver & Emma Shirk. Floyd E.
Floyd E. Shirk served with D Company, 4th Ohio Infantry, Ohio National Guard during the Border Campaign, 1916. While at Camp Willis he was discharged due to a physical disability. Yet, due to his patriotic sense of duty, he continued to make attempts to enter service.

Shirk was accepted into service from LaRue, Ohio, on 29 April 1918. He would go to Camp Sherman, Ohio, for training. At Camp Sherman, he would be assigned to 13th Company, 4th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade until 3 May 1918. Private (Pvt.) Shirk would then be assigned to E Company, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. He would depart New York City, aboard the RMS Carpathia on 12 June 1918, for Europe. Note: the RMS Carpathia would be sunk on 17 July 1918, after being struck by three torpedoes from the German Submarine U-55. On 24 June 1918, Pvt. Shirk was reassigned to L Company, 162nd Infantry Brigade, 81st Infantry Division “Wildcats”. Pvt. Shirk was assigned to the Paris peace conference. He was a guard and cared for the vehicles of President Wilson and other dignitaries.
Pvt. Floyd E. Shirk would die of pneumonia on 10 February 1919, in France. Pvt. Shirk was buried in a soldier’s cemetery in Paris, France.

On 6 August 1921, Pvt. Floyd E. Shirk’s remains would depart Antwerp, Belgium, aboard the U. S. A. T. Wheaton. The Wheaton was a United States Army Transport Funeral Ship returning remains of soldiers who died and were buried in Europe. Families could choose to have the remains of their veterans returned for burial in the United States. Pvt. Shirk’s remains would arrive in Hoboken, New Jersey, and then arrive in LaRue, Ohio, on the morning of 3 September 1921. Pvt. Shirk was buried in the LaRue Cemetery, LaRue, Ohio.

Pvt. Floyd E. Shirk is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

Clayton A. Parr – World War One Veteran

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Clayton Albert Parr was born 17 March 1892, near Agosta, Ohio. His parents were Samuel & Sarah E. (Clayton) Parr of Marion, Ohio. He was married to Altie (McKibben) Parr.
Clayton Parr served with D Company, ONG, during the Border Campaign, prior to World War One.
Clayton (Clay) Parr would also serve with D Company for service in World War One, in Europe. He was overseas from 18 October 1817 until 5 September 1918. Private (Pvt.) Clay A. Parr would received an Honorable Discharge, on 3 February 1919. Pvt. Parr had served as a cook for the 166th Infantry while overseas.
Clayton Albert Parr died on 1 December 1934 and is buried in the Chapel Heights Memory Garden in Marion, Ohio.

Obituary from Marion Star