John Earl Borland I (1924-1986)



John Earl Borland I (1924-1986) US Navy, World War II; Beer Worker at Ballantine Brewery, New Jersey (b. May 16, 1924, Bowerston, Carroll County, Ohio, USA - d. November 10, 1986, Leesville, Carroll County, Ohio, 44639, USA) Social Security Number 283208195.

Birth
John was the son of Weldon Earl Borland (1906-2002) and Elizabeth Marie Forbes (1905-1983). His parents were never married. With respect to his first name, he was likely named after Elizabeth's only brother John Price Forbes. The middle name Earl was passed down from his father Weldon, who in turn was named for his maternal uncle, Earl Smith Miller.

Youth
John was raised by his mother and resided with her on the Forbes farm in New Hagerstown, Orange Township, Carroll County, Ohio. The farm was owned by Elizabeth's parents Francis Morrison Forbes and Pearl Beatrice "Dolly" Price. In his youth, John was very close to his first cousin and best friend Patricia A. Forbes (daughter of his uncle John Price Forbes and Ethel Trimmer). Pat described the relationship as akin to that of brother and sister.

Navy
John Earl Borland joined the Navy prior to 1944, and was a veteran of World War II.

First marriage
While stationed near Jersey City, he met and later married Helen Eloise Freudenberg (1928-1989) and later they divorced. Helen was pregnant with a child fathered by Eddie Ganlan, the son of the local butcher. John took Helen home to Leesville, Carroll County, Ohio where she had the child. She registered the birth under the name of her sister, Selma.

Jersey City
Helen and John lived on Grace Street in Jersey City, New Jersey. John worked for the Ballantine Beer Company. He enjoyed outdoor barbecues and he nearly always had multiple dogs as pets.

Second marriage
John married Geraldine Marie Winblad (1928- ). Geraldine was the cousin of Helen Eloise Freudenberg. They moved to Leesville, Carroll County, Ohio, and resided in the house he inherited from his deceased mother.

Hospital
When John was in the hospital in Ohio the nurse told him there was another Borland in another room, and asked if he knew him. It was John's father, Weldon. At first he didn't want to talk to him, but his children convinced him to talk to his father. Weldon, who outlived his son by nearly an entire generation, expressed on numerous occasions how he had wished he had a relationship with John, and regularly visited John's grave leaving flowers.

Burial
John was burried in Leesville Cemetery. A World War II veteran plaque commemorates his service.