Home > United States of America > Ohio > Champaign County > Westville > Nettle Creek Cemetery > Paul Alden Ward

Paul Alden Ward

Birth	:	21 Dec 1894 Champaign County, Ohio, USA
Death	:	6 Oct 1918 France
Burial	:	Nettle Creek Cemetery, Westville, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.0957985, -83.8396988
Description	:	Paul Alden Ward was born on December 21, 1894, in Westville, OH, to Clement Vallendgham and Anna Barbara Lutz Ward. He was the youngest of 5 children and attended the local public schools of the area, and helped on the farm. He attended parties, celebrations and family reunion into his teenage years. But when he was only 15, his sister died from a sudden heart attack. Still grieving from the lost of his sister, one year later, his brother, Clarence, who was two years older than he, died from pneumonia. He worked in a meat store in Westville. Charles Weizel... Read More	Paul Alden Ward was born on December 21, 1894, in Westville, OH, to Clement Vallendgham and Anna Barbara Lutz Ward. He was the youngest of 5 children and attended the local public schools of the area, and helped on the farm. He attended parties, celebrations and family reunion into his teenage years. But when he was only 15, his sister died from a sudden heart attack. Still grieving from the lost of his sister, one year later, his brother, Clarence, who was two years older than he, died from pneumonia. He worked in a meat store in Westville. Charles Weizel had a meat store on the Northwest corner of Westville, W Rt 36 and North Rt 560 in the 1900's. This may be the same one. Also his brother, Albert, too, worked in a meat store. In 1913, Paul was 18 years old, and most likely still living at home and working in the Johnson Company at Urbana. This same year, the Great Flood hit the area and Paul and his family may have had to leave their homes for awhile until the waters subsided. By 1914, Paul and his brother Wilbur moved out and were employed in road construction near Zanesville. But Paul wanted to be closer to home and decided to go into business with Frank Bull and purchase a pool room from Elijah Hazlett. That enterprise did not last long and Paul and his brother Wilbur left home and found work in Portsmouth and Cincinnati. They visited their family and friends back home on weekends, and Paul joined the Magrew Lodge K of P and became one of the officers. When the US declared war, Pauls thoughts turned to fighting but little did he know that WWI would be his demise. All three Ward brothers signed up for the draft and waited eagerly to “do their bit” to defeat the enemy. While waiting, Paul looked for work and moved to Dayton, where he worked as a locomotive fireman on the Big Four Railroad in Springfield, OH. Albert and Wilbur were drafted and left for Camp Sherman in the fall of 1917 and all the community came out to send them off in a grande way. In the spring of 1918, Paul was drafted and left for Camp Sherman, He was only 23 years old. With all three ward boys fighting in France, tears of sorrow and joy were shed when letters from the front made their way back home. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive, also known as the Maas-Argonne Offensive and the Battle of the Argonne Forest, was a major part of the final Allied offensive of World War I that stretched along the entire Western Front. It was fought from September 26, 1918, until the Armistice of Nov 11, 1918, a total of 47 days. And in those 47 days, Paul lost his life, Oct 6, 1918, fighting the Huns. He never married. Two months later, the news of his death reached his parents. He had been with the 83rd division, but had been transferred to the First or Rainbow division as a member of the 16th Infantry, when killed. Three years later, Paul's body was shipped back home to rest. His parents were away on a trip to California, most likely visiting Wilbur and family, when the news came. Paul was buried with full military honors with more than 2000 people present. The body was escorted by about fifty ex-service men in uniform and removed to Nettle Creek Church, where funeral service were held. Tabs was played and three volleys were fired in honor of his memory. BELATED NEWS BRINGS SADNESS-PAUL WARD AMONG THOSES KILLED IN FRANCE--NEWS JUST ARRIVING TO THAT EFFECT.--Though the great war of the world has ended, belated reports on deaths in action in far-off France, continue to come to loved ones at home and such was a message received Friday by Mr and Mrs CV Ward of Mar River Township. Official word from Washington conveyed the sad intelligents , that their son Paul, one of the three sons in France, had been killed on October sixth, while fighting the Huns. Paul Ward was originally of the 83rd dividion, but had been transferred to the First or Rainbow division as a member of the 16th Infantry and was with that organization when killed. Later word as to the manner in which he met his death will be anxiously awaited by the bereaved parents and other friends. This information will probably come from companions who were with him when the end came. There is no doubt, however, but that the young hero sustained the traditions of his country and fellowmen and died with his face the fighting to the last. August 31, 1921---SOLDIERS' BODY TO COME; PARENTS AWAY ON A TRIP-PAUL, SON OF MR AND MRS CV WARD TO BE BURIED WITH HERO'S HONORS. RC Gardner undertaker of this city, received a telegram Wednesday morning telling of the arrival of the body of Paul Ward from France in New York, and that it would be sent to Urbana at once. The body will probable arrive the latter part of the week. Paul Ward, son of Mr and Mrs CV Ward, of Westville, who are making an extended visit in California, was killed in action, Oct 3, 1918, at the battle of the Argonne. He was a member of Co 1, 16th Infantry. The deceased was almost 27 years of age at the time of his death and besides the parents, is survived by two brother, Albert Ward, of Springfield, Wilbur Ward of California. Funeral arrangements have not been completed and will not be until word is received as to the exact time of the arrival of the remains, Henry Pearce Post, American Legion of Urbana will have full charge. Sept 27, 1921---MANY PRESENT TO HONOR HERO--MEMORY OF PAUL WARD GETS FINE TRIBUTE--MORE THAN 2000 PRESENT--LEGIONARIES AND PYTHIANS HAVE CHARGE OF SERVICES NEAR WESTVILLE SUNDAY---More than two thousand people turned out Sunday to pay their respects to the memory of PAUL WARD, son of Mr and Mrs CV WARD of Westville, who was killed in France in 1918. The body arrived in Urbana Friday evening and was taken in charge by Undertaker RC Gardner who removed it to the home of the parents in Westville. Sunday the body escorted by about fifty ex-service men in uniform was removed to Nettle Creek Church, where funeral service were held at two o'clock in charge of Reverend Whitemore, Methodist pastor of Westville and of Henry Pearce Post No 120, American Legion of Urbana. After a beautiful sermon by Reverend Whitmore, the choir of the church rendered several hymns. "TAPS" IS SOUNDED---After the service, the cortege proceeded to the cemetery where Westville Knights of Pythias had a part in the services, followed by the American Legion service, the firing of three volley and taps. The deceased is survived by two brothers, Albert of Westville and Wilbur of Oakland, California, both of whom were in the army with him, but neither of whom knew of his death until so informed by their parents, through letters Inscription: 16th INF Co I AEF

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Paul Alden Ward's memorial?
Paul Alden Ward's memorial is located at: Nettle Creek Cemetery, Westville, Champaign County, USA.
When did Paul Alden Ward death?
Paul Alden Ward death on 6 Oct 1918 in France
Where are the coordinates of the Paul Alden Ward's memorial?
Latitude: 40.0957985
Longitude: -83.8396988

Family Members:

Parent

Clement Vanlandingham Ward

(1863 - 1929)

Anna Barbara Lutz Ward

(1863 - 1955)

Siblings

Rosa Melvina Ward Curry

(1884 - 1910)

Clarence C Ward

(1892 - 1911)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Nettle Creek Cemetery
Westville, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0957985, -83.8396988

2. Snyder Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1010960, -83.8380430

3. Owens Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0872002, -83.8422012

4. Stevens Cemetery
Westville, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1099620, -83.8378850

5. Shockey Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0764008, -83.8221970

6. Idle Cemetery
Mad River Township, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0743283, -83.8565889

7. Jenking-Kite Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0957985, -83.8818970

8. Taylor Cemetery
Westville, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1156760, -83.8810230

9. Prince Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0985985, -83.8906021

10. Harbour South Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1356010, -83.8386002

11. Kenton Pioneer Cemetery
Concord Township, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1303550, -83.8131950

12. Cook Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0508003, -83.8480988

13. Myrtle Tree Cemetery
Saint Paris, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1204030, -83.8928380

14. Zimmerman Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1333008, -83.8852997

15. Terre Haute Cemetery
Terre Haute, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0520000, -83.8800000

16. Shaffer Cemetery
Terre Haute, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0467540, -83.8848430

17. Concord Cemetery
Saint Paris, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1573770, -83.8416430

18. Snowhill Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1472015, -83.7853012

19. Rector-Gard Cemetery
Mad River Township, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0291750, -83.8364310

20. Pence Family Cemetery
Saint Paris, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1375140, -83.9095820

21. Grafton Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0783005, -83.9255981

22. Zerkle Cemetery
Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0428009, -83.8981018

23. Old Grave Yard
Urbana, Champaign County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1113598, -83.7486448

24. Dear Cemetery
Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0271940, -83.8070750