Coulter Genealogy

COULTER CONNECTIONS

The "Elusive" John A. Coulter

My husbands grandfather was John Abraham Coulter, born February 8, 1919 and died May 10, 1973. Little is known of John A. Coulter because he left his young family in 1944. It is my hope to fill in his life between 1944 and 1973.

What I do know:

Born Feb. 8, 1919 to McClellan David (M. C.) and Beethe Coulter.

____________________________

The family is found in Buffalo, Putnam County, West Virginia in the 1920 census. (See image here.)

Coulter, M. C.     Head           Male   White   44   WV    WV    WV
    Bethee            Wife           Female     23
    Carie               Daughter    Female    14
    Oscar               Son            Male         13
    John                Son             Male           1
(NOTE: It would appear that McClellan was married prior to Beethe as Carie and Oscar would be too old to be her children.)
____________________________
The family is in the same area for the 1930 Census. (See image here.)

Coulter, David M.    Head    Male    White    53    WV    OH    WV
    (Age at first marriage listed at 18.)
    Betha Wife    Female   33 (Age at 1st marriage 21.)
    John    Son    Male    11

John A. Coulter's WWII Enlistment Record:

Name: John A Coulter
Birth Year: 1919
Race: White, citizen
Nativity State or Country: West Virginia
State: Ohio
County or City: Franklin

Enlistment Date: 8 Mar 1941
Enlistment State: Ohio
Enlistment City: Fort Hayes Columbus
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life

Education: Grammar school
Civil Occupation: Automobile Serviceman
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 71
Weight: 147

Columbus Ohio is where John A. Coulter meets his wife:

John A. Coulter and Elizabeth Lehman marry on April 22, 1942 in Canal Winchester, Ohio. But before the birth of their second child, John David Coulter, Nov. 10, 1944, John Coulter has left the home.

John A. Coulter is buried in Kansas:

John A Coulter 8 Feb 1919 10 May 1973 Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery, KS
Name: John A Coulter
Veteran's Rank: PVT
Branch: US Army
Last known address: Fort Leavenworth , KS 66027
Birth Date: 8 Feb 1919
Death Date: 10 May 1973
Interment Date: 23 May 1973
Cemetery: Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery
Buried At: Section R Site 823

Photo 1     Photo 2     Photo 3

It was John's mother's claim that she never heard of him after he left Ohio and his wife certainly never did. Given the time span until he died, he could have had another family for all we know. We'd love to make a connection on this line, so if you have any information on this John Coulter, please email me.