On Sept. 12, 1918, 18 year old Herbert Joseph Smithberger of R.F.D. #1, Harriettsville, Noble County, Ohio filled out a U.S. military draft registration card. Herbert gave his birthdate as January 14, 1900. He was a farmer working for August Smithberger of the same address. August was also listed has Herbert's neares relative. Herbert was described as being of medium height and build with brown eyes and brown hair, with no obvious physical disabilities.
In 1930, 30 year old Herbert Smithberger lived with his wife, Anna H. (21) in a rented home (rent $15/mo.) at 220 North Seventh Street, Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio. Based on census data, they had been married for about 8 years. Living with them were their children Bernard (7), Margaretta (5), Virginia (2 yrs 6 mos) and Robert (7 mos). Herbert worked as a laborer for a "safe cabinet" [Co.]. Also living in the house was 33 year old Clifford Leisure, his wife May A. (21) and their children Betty G. (1 yr 5 mos.) and Mary L. (3 mos). Based on census data, Clifford and May had been married for about 3 years. Clifford worked as a laborer for "boat." Clifford Leisure and Anna Smithberger were brother and sister as were Herbert Smithberger and May Leisure. all members of the household were born in Ohio. The household did own a radio set.
Bernard Smithberger never married. He worked as a painter in the construction industry.
In 1918, 20 year old farmer, William Michael Smithberger of RFD31, Harrietsville, Noble co., Ohio registered for the military draft. According to his draft registration card he was born on August 20, 1898. His nearest relative is listed as his father August Smithberger of Harriettsville who is also listed as his employer. His physical description is given as tall, slender, gray eyes and brown hair.
In 1930, 30 year old farmer, William Smithberger lived with his wife, Minnie M. (28) and children, William Jr. (2 yrs 11 mos) and Doris M. (11 mos) on a rented farm in Franklin Twp., Monroe Co., Ohio. Based on census data, William and Minnie had been married for about 4 years. All members of the household were born in Ohio. The family did not own a radio set.
In 1930, 33 year old Clifford Leisure, his wife May A. (21) and their children Betty G. (1 yr 5 mos.) and Mary L. (3 mos) lived in a rented home (rent $15/mo.) at 220 North Seventh Street, Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio. . Based on census data, Clifford and May had been married for about 3 years. Clifford worked as a laborer for "boat." Also living in the house was 30 year old Herbert Smithberger lived with his wife, Anna H. (21) Based on census data, they had been married for about 8 years. Living with them were their children Bernard (7), Margaretta (5), Virginia (2 yrs 6 mos) and Robert (7 mos). Herbert worked as a laborer for a "safe cabinet" [Co.]. Clifford Leisure and Anna Smithberger were brother and sister as were Herbert Smithberger and May Leisure. all members of the household were born in Ohio. The household did own a radio set.
From "Letters From The Boys" folumn in the Caldwell Press, 8 Jan 1919:
Lemans, France
Nov. 24, 1918Mr. A.H. BAKER
Dear Father,
will write you a short letter today as this is the day we are all
expected to write to the old man. We left the state on June 14th
and landed the 21st sailed on the Olymphic, it is as large a steamer
as they have got. We landed at Southampton, Englad, stayed one
day and came over to Havre. Came on a small fast boat, took us
about one night to cross the channel and two days to go to the
Swiss border, only stayed two weeks and came to the town where
we are located at now, population nearly as large as Akron. We are
traveling all the time in box cars with hard tack and bully beef, but
we are having plenty to eat at present. We have been working most
of the time at the camp hospital, several of the boys had the Spanish
Influenza. I have never been sick a day since I have been in France
and like the country fine. There was no fruit at all this year and
nothing at all to hunt. We have a small black pup in our Co. He
sleeps in my tent every night, sleeps with one of the boys down
under the covers on his feet. You were asking if I ever see anyone
i know. I have seen several, here from Orange every week. The 84th
division has all went through the classification barracks in town.
Think I know where Orange is at, out only about 8 miles from town
will now the next letter I get from him. Think we will start home in a
few weeks, if we don't we are going up in Germany sure would enjoy
the trip, would be cold but we are equipped for any kind of weather
have heavy wool socks a pair of rubber hips boots and a leather coat,
think we are well equipped as any company in the A.E.F.We certainly had a fine trip coming over seemed as if we were down in
a low place in the water, could look up and see the big sharks riding the
waves. Did you ever get the company picture I sent. I was cooking at the
time the picture was taken, am standing in the kitchen in one picture.I was on a truck most of the time when we were at Chaumaunt and seen a
good deal of the country. There were five hundred patients who left the
hospital last night for home, went on an American train. The U.S. has several
locomotives over here, they certainly show the French trains up in England.
Their engines are about the size of Springer's tractors. The only thing they
French have are good roads. They are all as good as the paved roads at home.
We have the best football team around in this country, have never lost a
game this season.Have never seen a bill of corn since leaving the states, the principle crops in
France are grapes, wheat and hemp. Hemp is what they make their rope out
of. We built us a nice brick stove in our tent yesterday, the other one burnt
out, would smoke us out before bed time and freeze us out before time to get
up in the morning.You were asking if we had anything to read, there are three english papers
printed in this country. We also have plenty of magazines. Do not worry if
I don't write often. Although I have all the time necessary I hate to write, am
ashamed I don't wrote to several of the home folks that I have heard from.
Recieved a letter from the girl where I worked at Hartville. It is dinner time
here and only six o'clock at home. Tell everyone around home I am sending
them my best and will write sometime. Will close for today wishing you a
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.With the best of love I remain as ever your loving son Floyd To dad and all.
Pvt. Floyd BAKER 329 Field Hospital 308 Sanitary Train A.P.O. 762 A.E.F.
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In 1930, Floyd Baker (33) owned a farm worth $200 in Elk Township, Noble County, Ohio. Living with him were his wife, Alice C. (26) and children Evelyn P. (8), Ruby K. (6), and Robert (4 yrs 4 mos). The girls attended school. Floyd's occupation was "farm laborer." This distinguishes him from other men on the same page of the census who were "farmers." It suggests that Floyd primarily worked on someone else's farm for pay. Unlike most of their neighbors, the Baker family owned a radio set. The family of Ray (or Roy?) Baker lived next door, and Floyd's father, Andrew H. Baker was two doors away.
Floyd Baker’s obituary was published in the Zanesville Times Recorder on 10 May 1966:
Floyd Baker, 69, of Fultonham died at 2:!0 a.m. Monday (May 9) at his home after suffering an apparent heart attack.
Mr. Baker, a retired employee of Columbia Cement Corporation, had been in failing health for the past three years. He was born May 31, 1896, in Monroe County, a son of Herman and Emma Miller Baker. Mr. Baker moved to the Fultonham area in 1939, and had resided at his present home the past 20 years.
He was a veteran of World War I.
Mr. Baker was a member of United Lime and Gypsum Cement Workers Union, Local 24.
Surviving are his widow, the former Alice Smithberger; a son, Robert Baker of East Fultonham; three daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Evelyn) Choban of Akron, Mrs. James (Ruby) Reed of Fultonham, and Mrs. Raymond (Mary) Mable of Fultonham; a brother, Ray Baker of Lower Salem; a sister, Mrs. Della Heisler of Lower Salem; and nine grandchildren.
Friends may call at William Thompson and Son Funeral Home in White Cottage 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Rev. Stanton Smith officiating. Burial will be in Fultonham Cemetery.
The obituary of Alice Smithberger Baker was published in the Zanesville Times Recorder on 27 Aug 1970:
MRS. ALICE BAKER OF FULTONHAM DIES
Mrs. Alice Baker, 66, of Fultonham, died at 6:40 a.m. Sunday (April 26) at Good Samaritan hospital where she had been a patient since March 25. She had been ill several years.
She was born Jan 13, 1904 in Marr, a daughter of August and Eliza Miller Smithberger. She moved to this area in 1940. Mrs. Baker attended Fultonham United Methodist Church and was a member of its WSCS.
She leaves a son, Robert Baker, of East Fultonham; three daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Evelyn) Choban of Moore Haven, Fla., Mrs. James (Ruby) Reed and Mrs. Ray (Mary) Mahle, both of Fultonham; 11 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, a sister, Mrs. Leora Sallaz of Woodsfield and Mrs. Mary Ullman of Bartlett; two brothers, Herbert Smithberger of Marietta and Pepe Smithberger of Kent. Her husband, Foyd (sic) Baker died in May 1966.
Friends may call at William Thompson and Son Funeral Home in White Cottage 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
In 1920, 34 year ofl farmer Clyde M. Haskins lived with his wife Leora K. (25) on a farm they rented on Paw Paw road in Liberty Twp., Washington Co., Ohio. Living with them were their children Woodrow C. (7), Myrtle M. (5) and Blanch D. (2 yrs 5 mos). Also living with them and working as a servant was a divorced woman, Letha G.Pincher (20) and her daughter Mary G. (1 mos). All members of the household were born in Ohio.
Obit:
Leora Catherine Sallaz, 91, of Holiday Avenue, Woodsfield, died March 7 at the Fairview Manor Nursing Home, Beverly. She was born May 5,1894, at Sycamore Valley, Noble County, the daughter of the late August and Eliza Miller Smithberger.She was a Catholic by faith. She was preceded in death by four sisters, three brothers and on granddaughter. She is survived by three daughters,Mrs. Gale (Blanche) Ridgeway of Marietta, Mrs. George (Myrtle) Day of Woodsfield, Mrs. Charles (Pearl) Boyd of Newton Falls; one son, Woodrow Hoskins of Warren; one sister, Mrs. Mary Ullman of Bartlett; six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren.
Friends were received at the Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, Woodsfield, where services were held Monday with Father Vincent Huber officiating. Burial in the Stafford Cemetery.
On 8 Jun 1917, 22 year old Milbert Keeley filled out a US military draft registration card in Trumbull County, Ohio. He was an employee of Standard Boiler.
According to the Ohio online death certificate index, Milbert Keeley was a divorced resident of Trumbull County at the time of his death.
Obit:
Leora Catherine Sallaz, 91, of Holiday Avenue, Woodsfield, died March 7 at the Fairview Manor Nursing Home, Beverly. She was born May 5,1894, at Sycamore Valley, Noble County, the daughter of the late August and Eliza Miller Smithberger.She was a Catholic by faith. She was preceded in death by four sisters, three brothers and on granddaughter. She is survived by three daughters,Mrs. Gale (Blanche) Ridgeway of Marietta, Mrs. George (Myrtle) Day of Woodsfield, Mrs. Charles (Pearl) Boyd of Newton Falls; one son, Woodrow Hoskins of Warren; one sister, Mrs. Mary Ullman of Bartlett; six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren.
Friends were received at the Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, Woodsfield, where services were held Monday with Father Vincent Huber officiating. Burial in the Stafford Cemetery.
Obit:
Leora Catherine Sallaz, 91, of Holiday Avenue, Woodsfield, died March 7 at the Fairview Manor Nursing Home, Beverly. She was born May 5,1894, at Sycamore Valley, Noble County, the daughter of the late August and Eliza Miller Smithberger.She was a Catholic by faith. She was preceded in death by four sisters, three brothers and on granddaughter. She is survived by three daughters,Mrs. Gale (Blanche) Ridgeway of Marietta, Mrs. George (Myrtle) Day of Woodsfield, Mrs. Charles (Pearl) Boyd of Newton Falls; one son, Woodrow Hoskins of Warren; one sister, Mrs. Mary Ullman of Bartlett; six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren.
Friends were received at the Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, Woodsfield, where services were held Monday with Father Vincent Huber officiating. Burial in the Stafford Cemetery.