Military history in County Paulding

By: Mark Holtsberry

Burl Simpson Brown, I know, isn’t known to anyone, but maybe he has relatives living in the county. I found it very interesting, I hope you do too.

Burl Simpson Brown was born on October 19, 1893 in a small town called Saltillo near Zanesville, Ohio. His parents were Erastus H. and Alta M. (Rambo) Brown. As a child living in Ada, Ohio in 1900, Burl and his sister Mildred J. were educated not only at school but also at home, as his father was also a teacher. But Burl and his sister couldn’t do stunts at school!

Burl advanced in his studies and graduated from Bloomdale High School in 1909. He then went to Ada High School, where he graduated in 1910. Burl thought he could learn more, as he felt that ‘an extra year would be beneficial later in university work. Burl became a student at Ohio Northern University, where he graduated in 1914. Burl went on to obtain a Master of Arts degree from Ohio State University, majoring in political science and educational administration.

Burl was the superintendent of Grover Hill School for the 1916 and 1917 school years. He remained with John Busick as a “boarder” during this period. In Grover Hill, he conducted the Zion Methodist Church Christmas Cantata and organized a community choir.

As the world went to war on May 28, 1917 at Grover Hill, Burl entered the draft. Single, short and slender, with dark blue eyes and light hair, this young man ended up serving. On May 25, 1918, Burl found Burl at Camp Sherman, Ohio, serving the 158th and 159th Depot Brigades. Burl received an honorable discharge on December 12, 1918.

Burl found himself a daughter, Linda E. Kobs, born June 26, 1897. The daughter of Herman W. and Anne (Lingelbach) Kobs. They were married on June 11, 1919 in Erie, Ohio. By 1920, Burl and Linda were living in Delphos, Ohio on West Fifth Street. Burl was a schoolteacher and Linda was a housewife. A daughter, Ruth Carolyn Brown was born on September 30, 1921 in Shelby, Ohio. Burl continued to teach and work in school administration until 1926, when he became a minister of the gospel in the Methodist Church.

A son, Walter Paul Brown was born July 13, 1927 in Essex Union, Ohio. In 1930, the Brown family were living in Claibourne, Ohio, where Burl was a Methodist pastor.

By 1940 the Brown family were living in Brookfield, Ohio, Burl was still in the ministry. In 1942, Burl had to register for the project. On July 13, 1945, his son Walter entered the draft. He served in Korea 1952-1953.

Burl retired from the ministry in 1960 and settled in Ada, Ohio. Burl and Linda lived at 307 South Johnson Street, Ada, Ohio, until Burl’s health deteriorated. He died July 12, 1972 at Hillside Acres Nursing Home, Willard, Ohio. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada, Ohio. Linda died on September 14, 1973 and was buried with Burl. Their daughter Ruth died on February 23, 1957. Their son Walter became a pastor and died on June 9, 1994.

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