Marion County Remembers

Remembering PFC John Yelcich (Fairmont) June 5, 1922 - May 13, 1944 ---- PFC John Yelcich (service # 35744765)  was born June 5, 1922 in Fairmont to Thomas and Mary (Ribic) Yelcich. Thomas, born in Yugoslavia, worked as a coal miner.  In 1930, the family lived in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, but by 1935 had moved back to Fairmont, where they lived at 133 Bourbon Street. John was the oldest of eight children-- three boys, five girls. The 1940 census shows that John had only attended his freshman year of high school before entering the work force, most likely at Barnes School or Fairmont Senior High School. Military Service: On June 30, 1942, John entered the draft. He is listed as being 5' 10 1/2" and 155 lbs, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a dark complexion. At the time, he was working for Bethlehem Steel's Industrial Collieries Corporation in Barrackville, WV, Mine #7. John enlisted in Clarksburg on November 30, 1942, and became a member of the 338th Infantry, 85th Div...

Remembering Tec5 Howard Raymond Vincent July 15, 1912- April 10, 1945 ---- Tec5 Howard Raymond Vincent (service number 35739911) was born July 15, 1912, in Fairmont, West Virginia, the son of Andrew and Laura (Rudy) Vincent. He attended Quiet Dell School, but according to his enlistment records did not attend high school.  In 1920, Andrew (who went by his middle name, Merrick) was working as a truck driver while the family resided at 640 Clay Street, near the current Gateway Connector. By 1930, the family was running a "general farm" on what is now appropriately referred to as "Merrick Vincent Road," off 310. In the 1940 census, it was listed as "Vincent Road." Somewhere in the early 1930s, Howard married Della Sephronia Sloan. They had three children: Martha, Goldie, and Merrick. Military Service: Howard registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. At the time, he was working for the Fairmont Box Company. He listed himself as 5'7" and 140 lbs, w...

Remembering PFC Jennings Owen Chriswell (Fairmont) January 12, 1921 - October 8, 1944 ---- PFC Jennings Owen Chriswell  (Service #35386762) was born in Fairmont, WV on January 12, 1921, the son of Jennings (William) and Katherine (Amama) Chriswell.  Jennings W. was an engineer for the Traction Company in Monongah (1920 census). In August of 1920, Jennings W. and Katherine announced that they had married secretly the previous October, before welcoming baby Jennings in January of 1921.  By 1930, their family had moved to Mill Fall, and Jennings W. was serving as a Power Plant Superintendent. Katherine died August 31, 1931 at age 32 of eclampsia, seven months into her last pregnancy. She was preceded in death by one child, one-year-old Paul, and survived by her husband and three kids under the age of 13. Jennings William remarried, adding two more half-siblings to their blended family. Education and Marriage: Jennings Owen graduated from Fairmont Senior High School in 1940. ...

PVT Woods Elbert Hayes (Mannington) August 6, 1911 - October 1, 1944 ---- Early Years and Marriage: PVT Woods Elbert Hayes (Service #35761762) was born in Mannington, WV on August 6, 1911, the son of  Henry and Nancy (Gump) Hayes. Henry was a farmer (1900, 1920 Census) and their family lived in the Broom Field area of Marion County, near Rachel (Lincoln District, 1920 Census). By 1930 their family, including 17-year-old Woods, was living on Dickson Street in Mannington. Henry (58) was no longer a former, with Nancy (54) instead doing "general housework" for a local family. On May 12, 1932, 20-year-old Woods Elbert Hayes married 22-year-old Opal Marie Staggers in Fairmont, WV. Their wedding was officiated by Rev A.H. Elsey, the first pastor of what is now the Fairmont First Church of the Nazarene (at the time housed in the old Dunbar School). Woods and Opal had two children: Marjorie (1936) and Elaine (1941). Military Service: PVT Woods Elbert Hayes entered the draft on Octobe...

Remembering PFC James Edward Monroe (Worthington/Fairmont) July 7, 1922 - September 8, 1944 ---- PFC James Edward Monroe (Service #33554254) was born in Chiefton, WV (near Worthington) on July 7, 1922, the son of Arch and Lura (Post) Monroe. Their family spent most of James' life in the Grant District of Marion County, where Arch worked as a "mining machine" operator (1920 Census) and farmer (1930 census). The 1935 Fairmont City Directory shows a brief detour to the Westchester area of Fairmont, but by 1940 they were back in the Grant District, this time specifically on a side road near Boothes Creek/ (Old) Monongah Road (1940 Census). At that time Arch was working as a "coal loader" (1940 census).  Military Service: James entered the draft on Jume 30, 1942 in Calvert County, Maryland. At that time he was living in North Beach, Maryland and working at "Uncle Billy's Amusement Park." James was 6'1 1/4" and 191 lbs, with gray eyes, brown hai...

Remembering PFC Ray Hern December 29, 1908 - September 2, 1944 ---- PFC Ray Hern (Service #35739799) was born in Erie, WV (Harrison County) on December 29, 1908, the son of John "Jack" and Tennessee (Wilson) Hern. Ray grew up in Worthington where Jack was an "oil field worker" (1910 Census) and on Rarker Run Road in the Paw Paw District, where Jack was a farmer (1920 Census). Ray only attended school through 7th grade. On June 22, 1928, Ray married Ida Leo Wilson in Clarksburg, WV. At the time, they were both living in Enterprise, just over the border of Marion County into Harrison County.  The 1930 Census found them living with Leo's mom, Sarah, in Bingamon near Worthington, WV (Marion County). At the time, Ray was working as a coal miner. The duo then lived in Hutchinson on New Hill Road, where Ray worked as a coal loader (1940 census). Military Service: Ray entered the draft on October 16, 1940. He listed his hometown as Worthington and his employer as Consol...

Remembering PVT Charles William Reynolds (Fairmont/Crossroads) March 16, 1914 - August 27, 1944 ---- PVT Charles William Reynolds (service #35847826) was born in Fairmont, WV on March 16, 1914, the son of William and Lessie (Lake) Reynolds. William, a farmer, lived with his family on what was listed on census records as Goose Creek (1920-1950 censuses), but more specifically, on what is now Levels Road, near Cross Roads. In 1929, Charles' only brother, Robert, died at age 17 of influenza and pneumonia. Charles attended East Fairmont High School for three years (Enlistment Record), and likely would have been in the graduating class of 1932 if he had completed his time there. Charles married Pauline Emma Tatterson on July 27, 1933. Three years later, in 1936, they welcomed a daughter named Patricia. Their family lived next door to Charles' parents, William and Lessie, on the family farm, while Charles worked as an apprentice mold maker at Owens-Illinois (1940 Census, Draft Card)....

Remembering PVT Howard Alexander Brown (Fairmont) July 10, 1912 - August 1, 1944 ---- PVT Howard Alexander Brown (service # 35934127) was born in Clarksburg, WV on July 10, 1912, the son of Alexander and Georgia (Thorne) Brown. When Howard was born, his family was sharing a house on 169 Elliott Street in Clarksburg with Alexander's family: his parents, his sister, her husband, and Howard's two older sisters- five adults and three children (1910 Census). Alexander and his father both worked at the local glass factory, with Alexander working as a glass blower. Howard's immediate family remained at 169 Elliott Street through at least 1927 (1920 Census, 1927 City Directory), but by 1930 had moved to Fairmont (1930 Census). According to the 1930 census, Alexander was a laborer at the bottle factory. Education and Marriage: Howard graduated from East Fairmont High School in 1930. At some point in 1935, Howard married Jeanette Nuzum, and the duo moved to 114 Pleasant Street. They ...

PFC Frank Albert Cosco (Monongah/Fairmont) August 21, 1919 - July 12, 1944 ---- PFC Frank Albert C osco (Service #35213852) was born  August 21, 1919 in Monongah, WV, the son of Calabrian immigrants Domenick and Mary Teresa (Mascara) Cosco. When Frank was born, his father was working as a coal miner in Monongah, and they lived at 148 Pike Street (1920 census). By 1930, the family had moved to 1209 Speedway Avenue. During their time there, Frank attended East Fairmont High School (enlistment records show that he attended for two years). Military Service: Frank registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. He was 5'6" and 175 lbs, with black hair, black eyes, and dark skin. At the time of registration, he was working for Owens Illinois Glass Company in the mold shop (1940 Census). 364 days later, Frank enlisted in the military in Huntington, WV.  PFC Frank Albert Cosco  was serving with the 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, Company C in the Northern Marianas ...

  Remembering PFC Harry Millard Kuhn, Jr (Metz/Mannington)  August 25, 1917 - July 6, 1944 ---- PFC Harry Millard Kuhn, Jr (service # 15072213) was born on August 25, 1917 in the Lincoln District of Marion County, the son of Harry Sr. and Lucy (Davis) Kuhn.  Harry Sr. was a laborer in the gas field industry (1920 census), an occupation he continued through the rest of his life. The 1930 census shows the family living in the "Farmington Suburbs," but by 1940 they were living near Flat Run Road in Mannington (closer to Metz) on a farm, working as farmers. By then Harry, Jr. had dropped out of school and was also working on the farm. The 1940 census lists his highest level of education as 7th grade. (Note: Harry, Sr.'s 1967 obituary lists him as a "retired oil driller.") ---- Military Service: Harry registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. He was 5'8" and 140 lbs, with brown hair, brown eyes, and light skin. At the time of registration, he was working...

Remembering PVT Arthur Hudson Gault (Mannington) June 27, 1910 - July 3, 1944 ---- PVT Arthur Hudson Gault (service # 35761754 )  was born in Sutton, WV on June 27, 1910, the son of John and Neoma "Susie" (Rose) Gault. In 1910, John was a foreman at a cooperage company in Otter, WV (Braxton County). By 1920, their family had moved to Plum Run in Marion County, where John worked as a laborer at the gasoline plant. The Gaults later moved to Hope Hill in Rachel (1930 census), and though the 1940 census vaguely describes their 1935-1940 address as "Rt 250," Arthur's 1940 draft card indicates that their family remained in Rachel. Arthur graduated from Mannington High School, likely around 1937 or 1938. Arthur entered the draft on October 16, 1940. At that time, he was working as a laborer for Jones Collieries, Inc. He is listed as being 5'8" and 150 lbs with blue eyes, brown hair, and ruddy skin. Military Service On September 30, 1943, Arthur enlisted in the...

Remembering SGT Robert Wayman Simpson (Fairview/Daybrook) January 15, 1918 - June 28, 1944 ---- SGT Robert Wayman Simpson (Service # 35208334) was born January 15, 1918 in Daybrook, WV, the son of Edward and Bessie (Park) Simpson. Edward was a farmer in Daybrook (1920 - 1940 census). Unfortunately, Bessie died in 1929 at age 39 of pulmonary tuberculosis. Robert attended Daybrook High School for 3 years (consolidated into Clay-Battelle High School in 1939) Military Service: He entered the draft on October 16, 1940. At the time that he completed his draft card, he was 5'8" and 149.5 lbs, with hazel eyes and blonde hair. He gave his address and that of his father's as (R.F.D. 2) Fairview. Robert enlisted in the military on June 23, 1941 in Clarksburg, WV. The book Young American Patriots  shows that Robert was trained/stationed at Fort Still (Oklahoma) and Fort Thomas (Kentucky) before serving in the South West Pacific Theatre.  Battle of Lone Tree: In June of 1944, Rob...

Remembering PVT Paul Wade Fowler (Mannington) July 2, 1912 - June 1, 1944 ---- PVT Paul Wade Fowler (service # 35760510)   was born July 2, 1912 in Mannington, WV, the son of James and Zeffie (Harden) Fowler. Paul was the middle child of five kids- four sons, one daughter. The family lived on Glover Gap Road. Paul's father, James, was a carpenter who worked on oil rigs in the United States and Mexico. Unfortunately, James died on April 7, 1920 in Lewis County. Paul married Frances Olive Currey in 1935, and they remained in Mannington. Paul entered the draft on October 30, 1940. He listed himself as 5'10.5" and 145 lbs with blue eyes and brown hair. At the time, Paul and Frances were living at 232 Grant Street in Mannington, and he worked at Bowers Pottery. He enlisted in Clarksburg, WV on August 27, 1943. He is listed as a semi-skilled miner or mining machine operator who completed grammar school. While in the military, Paul served in the 179th Infantry, 45th Division.  PV...

CPL Richard Edgar Shurtleff was born June 6, 1909 in Fairmont, West Virginia, the son of Richard Aaron and Gladys (Kile) Shurtleff. The  youngest of 3 children, Richard lived with his parents on the West Side of Fairmont, first at 608 Sixth Street (1910 Census), then 1124 Field Street (1920 Census). His father, Richard A. Shurtleff was a shoe merchant who owned his own store. Unfortunately, he died at age 42 while in Boston attending the National Shoe Dealers' Convention. This left Gladys alone with their three children, ages 19, 12, and 10.  Gladys remarried a traveling electrical appliance salesman named Richard B. Berry in 1922, and the family moved to 5 Sunset Drive (1930 Census). Gladys and Richard Berry had one daughter together, Barbara, born in 1924 when Richard Edgar Shurtleff was 15. Education: Richard graduated from Fairmont Senior High School in 1927. While there, he performed in "El Bandido," and "The Trysting Place," as part of the Dramatics Club, ...

PVT George Odbert "Obbie" Cozard (service #35783751) was born March 8, 1926 in Fairmont (Watson), West Virginia, the son of Walter and Georgia (Arnold) Cozad. He was the younger of two sons, with his brother John Odis Cozad only a year older than him (born March 2, 1925). The Cozad family lived in Watson until sometime in the 1930s, when they moved to Lancaster, Ohio. Walter continued working as a glass factory employee, this time at Anchor Hocking Glass. The 1940 Census for Lancaster indicates that they'd been living in Lancaster at least since 1935. By 1943, the family had returned to Watson, and Walter was working (again) at Owens-Illinois, this time as a mold maker. Time at Fairmont Senior High School: During this time, George was attending Fairmont Senior High School. The 1943 FSHS Maple Leaf says by George's junior year photo: "Obbie' came to us from Lancaster High School. His ambition is to become a book-keeper and we think that he will fit perfectly i...

Remembering PFC Glenn Erlin Nichols August 28, 1918 - April 16, 1945 ---- PFC Glenn Erlin Nichols (service # 35082055) was born August 28, 1918 in (North View) Clarksburg, WV, the son of Rev. Ira and Julia (Debroux) Nichols. Ira was born in West Virginia, and Julia was born in Belgium.  In the 1920s, the family was living in North View in Clarksburg at 1216 North 17th Street, while Ira worked as a mold maker at a glass plant. Unfortunately, Julia died in 1929, leaving Ira with five kids under the age of 14 to raise alone, four sons, and one daughter. Ira married Edith Cork on May 31, 1930, in Fairmont. Their home addresses are both listed as Fairmont, WV on the marriage certificate. Unfortunately, Edith died less than 8 years later at age 25, on February 9, 1938. Ira remarried one last time on June 3, 1940, in Virginia. Ira's 1940 address is listed as 1321 Speedway Avenue, Fairmont, and his bride, Ethel Louise Thomas, hailed from Carolina. At that time, Ira was working at Owens Ill...

Tec5 Denzel Odes Hayes was born April 13, 1918 in Curtisville, WV (outside of Mannington) to Charles and Rosa (Williams) Hayes. Denzel had five older sisters (including one who died at birth), four older brothers, and one younger brother. The 1920 census places the family at a farm near Buffalo Creek, and Charles working on a farm as part of a driving team. By 1930, they were living at Glade Fork Road (still in the Curtisville area). Rosa died in 1935. They continued living there through the 1940 census, with Charles working as a farm owner and operator for the duration of the time. During the 1940 census, Denzel's brother Harry was also working as a kiln placer in the Sanitary Pottery business-- likely working for Bower's Pottery. Denzel registered for the draft on October 30, 1940. He listed himself as 6' and 140 lbs, with blue eyes, blonde hair, and a scar on his right knee cap. His employer was listed as the Civilian Conservation Corps, Company 3527 out of Morgantown. C...

Staff Sergeant Angelo Henry Crescenzi was born in New York on May 30, 1915, the son of Pietro "Peter" Paul and Katie Dale (Floyd) Crescenzi. Peter, born in Italy, was a railroad employee with the B&O Railroad in Bellview from at least 1920 through his death in 1957. The family lived at 129 Main Street in Rivesville for that span of time, according to census records. Angelo was the oldest son of 9 children, with 7 sisters and 1 brother. Angelo was 18 years older than his youngest sister. Angelo attended Rivesville High School, and went on to attend Fairmont State University (then "Fairmont State Teachers College). Time at Fairmont State: While at Fairmont State, Angelo participated in baseball (1935-1938) and football (1935-1938). During the fall 1938 football season, Angelo was the Captain of the "Fighting Teachers," as Fairmont State was known then.  It is interesting to note that Angelo played football with Fairmont State legend "Deacon" Duvall....

Corporal Edward Lee Bane was born December 14, 1911 in Murraysville, Pennsylvania to Kelly Herman Bane and Jesse (Masters) Bane. Unfortunately, his mother died March 9, 1916 of pneumonia following several days of lagrippe and measles, leaving behind three children-- Fred (7), Edward (4), and Marguerite (2). By 1920, Edward (8) was living on Dunkard Mill Road just outside of Farmington, where his father was working as an engineer at the local gas plant. By then, Kelly had married Rose Bradley, with Edward's half-brother, Robert Harry Bane, soon to arrive.  Edward registered for the draft on October 16,1940. He listed himself as 5'8" and 160 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, and light brown skin. By then he had married Elizabeth Hoskinson and was living at 511 Rose Avenue in Fairmont, West Virginia. He was working at the Fairmont Supply Company on 10th Street. In 1941, Edward and Elizabeth were living at 411 1/2 Walnut Ave, and both were still working at the Fairmont Suppl...

Remembering 1LT Harry Blackstone Colborn (Fairmont) September 3rd, 1921 - February 5, 1945 ---- 1LT Harry Blackstone Colborn was born September 3rd, 1921 in Fairmont, West Virginia, to Andrew J. and Martha (Hutchinson) Colborn. During the 1930 census, the family was residing at 322 Locust Avenue, and Andrew is listed as a lawyer. Harry was the oldest of 4 living siblings, all born within an 8 year time period. The 1941 Fairmont city directory lists Andrew as living in the same Locust Avenue home but serving as the vice president of the Hutchinson Coal Company, a step up from the 1939 city directory that lists him as the lawyer for the Hutchinson Coal Company. In the same directories, Harry and his younger brother Melville are listed as students. While attending West Virginia University (WVU), Harry received a B.A. in Political Science (class of 1943) and was a member of the Sphinx men's honorary for seniors, Phi Kappa Psi, and President of the Interfraternity Council. Harry also se...