Samuel Haskel Jackson United States Colored Infantry Veteran, Civil War

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Samuel Haskel Jackson was born on 5 November 1844, in Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio. His parents are James & Elizabeth Jackson. He was married to Elizabeth (Johnson) in Marysville on 5 May 1870.

Together they had a son, William and three daughters; Sarah E., Amanda A. and Emma. At some point Samuel relocated to Pleasant Township in Marion County, Ohio. He was listed on the 1880 census, as being married to Eliza H. Jackson. Living with them was his mother, Elizabeth Jackson, aged 70 years old. Also, listed was William J. Jackson, age 9 years old.

It appears that Samuel H. Jackson was veteran of the Civil War. He was one of Marion’s colored residents to have served his county in the Civil War. He is listed on the Soldiers and Sailors Chapel as having served with the Second Regiment United States Colored Infantry. But, in his obituary he is listed as having served with the Fourth Maryland Volunteer Infantry, H Company.

Samuel H. Jackson died on 16 August 1921, in Marion County Ohio. He was a Marion resident for sixty years. He is buried in the Old Singles Section, of the Marion Cemetery.

Samuel’s Service in the Civil War is remembered on the walls of the Soldiers and Sailors Chapel, on Column 3.

Staff Sergeant Gerald R. Marine Killed in Action, 1943

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Gerald R. Marine was born 21 February 1923. His parents are Berlin H. & Bessie (Barger) Marine, of near Marysville, Ohio. Prior to enlisting, Gerald R. Marine was employed at Standard Oil on S. State St., Marion, Ohio. He was married to Loree Marine. Gerald had a twin brother, Harold E., who also served during World War Two.

Gerald R. Marine enlisted on 17 March 1943, at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He went on to graduate as a gunner/engineer from Keesler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was assigned to a B-24 crew in England. He served as waist gunner with the 566th Bomber Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group. His aircraft was B-24 #42-95029.

Staff Sergeant Gerald R. Marine was listed as Missing in Action since 7 July 1943. He was later returned and buried in the Hopewell Cemetery, Magnetic Springs, Union County, Ohio.

Crew Members of B-24 #42-95029:
Lt. Ralph S. Baney, Pilot
Lt. Richard A. Borling, Navigator
Lt. William A. Carter, Co-Pilot
SSgt. Paul D. Early, Ball Turret Gunner
Lt. Henry C. Gulmi, Bombardier
SSgt. Gerald R. Marine, Waist Gunner
SSgt. Jerry L. Maruca, Tail Gunner
Tech. Sgt. Walter J. Quinn, Top Turret Gunner
Tech. Sgt. Abe J. Robichaux, Radio Operator
SSgt. John F. Solberg, Waist Gunner

Thomas J. Phez, Freed from Slavery and Relocated to Marion, Ohio

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Thomas J. Phez was born on 25 August 1852 in Hanover County, Virginia. His parents are Henry & Elizabeth Phez. Thomas was first married to Barbara (Cloud), who died in 1900. In March of 1903, he married Della (Grimes) from Delaware. Della died about 24 years prior to Thomas dying. He had a daughter Amy J. (Phez) Adams and Thomas Phez.

Thomas was born while his parents were slaves in Virginia. Thomas has a brother who was opposed to the life of slavery. His brother tried to escape slavery and was shortly found to have run away. The slave owner then sent out the dogs to track him. The story went that the dogs found him and killed him before the search party arrived at the scene.

Thomas J. Phez was only twelve years old when the civil war began and he was brought north to freedom. Thomas arrived in Marion, Ohio, shortly after being sent to freedom. When Thomas was raising his children, he told of his life in slavery. He shared with his daughter, Amy about the foods they had to eat. He said the main foods included corn, bread, molasses and salt pork. They also received small portions of flour at Christmas for wheat bread.

When Phez arrived in Marion, Ohio, he had found work for three years as a chore-boy at a stone tavern owned by a Mr. Ferris. This tavern was located at the site of the Hotel Marion, prior to it being built.
He then went to the Fish Farm in Pleasant Township. Phez worked there at the Fish Farm for many years.

Thomas Phez was a member and trustee of the Bethel M. E. Church on North State Street. He was also an employee of the city of Marion. He worked until he was about 70 years old. He lived the last years of his life with his daughter’s family, at 473 North Greenwood Street.
Thomas J. Phez died on 16 July 1931, and was buried in Fish Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio.

Richard Napper, Civil War Veteran, Fifth Regiment United States Colored Infantry

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Richard Napper was born in December of 1814, in Virginia. Richard was a slave and answered the call of his country. Richard was married to Mary Jane (Black) in 1856. Richard and Mary arrived in Marion, Ohio, in 1866.

Richard Napper enlisted in the Union Army on 22 June 1863. Pvt. Napper served with the Fifth Regiment United States Colored Infantry, Company H. He served until his discharge in January 1865.

Richard Napper lived on North State Street in Marion. This home suffered fire damage to the roof on 20 May 1913. Richard died on 18 September 1913, at the age of 98 years old. Richard Napper was buried in the Fish Cemetery, south of Marion. There was no marker located when the author visited in 2024.

Fish Cemetery was founded by Samuel Fish. Fish owned some of the largest tracts of land in Marion County. He developed and farmed as much as 700 acres in Pleasant Township. Samuel Fish employed many Black farm workers in the area. Many of these Black farmers lived in cabins on his farm. One of the first known burials in this cemetery is dated in 1828. Originally a cemetery for the burials of the Fish family, there were also other pioneer families and negroes buried in the cemetery.

Richard Napper may have worked for the Fish Farm, as he is reported to be buried in the Fish Cemetery. Another former slave Thomas J. Phez, was buried in the Fish Cemetery, in 1931.

Richard Napper is remembered for his service on the walls of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Chapel, located at the Marion Cemetery. His name is in Column 3.

PFC Audley L. Fox Killed in Auto Accident While Home on Leave, 1945

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Audley L. Fox was born on August 1, 1920, in Hillman, Michigan. His parents are Paul C. & Margaret (Stoddard) Fox of Hillman, Michigan. Prior to enlistment Audley L. Fox was employed as a doorman. He enlisted on 25 October 1945.

The Marion Star reported that he had been married to Bessie, and had returned to Marion, Ohio, over Easter of 1944, to visit her. At that time, he was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Later PFC Audley L. Fox was assigned to Wright Field near Dayton, Ohio. PFC Fox was assigned to Squadron 1 and served as a bulldozer operator. On 29 January 1946, while home on leave, Audley and Floyd Argetsinger, of Toledo were killed in a truck vs train accident. The accident took place near Mansfield, Ohio. Audley L. Fox left behind his wife and a seven-year-old daughter, who were residing in Marion, Ohio.

Audley L. Fox is buried in the Marion Cemetery.