USA > Illinois > Fayette County > Fayette County in the World War > Part 6
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WILLIAM E. ROTHE
Private William E. Rothe was born at St. Peter, Ill., Dec. 21, 1888, where his parents, Henry Rothe and Winnie Rothe, were engaged in farming. William was educated both in English and German at the Luth- eran parochial school in St. Peter. When he grew to manhood he also engaged in farming and upon enter- ing the service left behind a young wife to wait for the day of his return, which day never came until his body was returned to be laid to rest in his native soil more than two years after his death.
He was of the draft contingent of June 24, 1918, to Camp Taylor. He died of bronchial pneumonia in Camp Hospital No. 1 France, Oct. 8, 1918, being at-
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FAYETTE COUNTY
HONOR ROLL
JOHN PRESTON JANES
REID E. WELLS
ELZA L. WILLIS
ALMY BRYANT KING
FLOYD H. WRIGHT
JOHN E. REISS
CLIFFORD G. MATTES .
HOWARD GLEN LAWLER
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tached at the time of his death to Co. H, 22nd Engi- neers.
ALMY BRYANT KING
Almy Bryant King was the son of Robert and Anna King and was born in Loudon township February 28, 1891. In early life he attended public school and helped about the farm, which occupation he followed when grown to manhood.
He was one of the contingent leaving for 'camp June 24, 1918. After a short stay at Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky., he was transferred to Camp Mcclellan, Ala. He was a member of Bat. C, 34th Field Artillery. Here at Camp Mcclellan he contracted pneumonia which proved fatal Oct. 21, 1918.
Funeral services were held at the Mt. Zion ceme- tery Sunday afternoon Oct. 27th, conducted by Rev. D. F. Burrus.
Private King professed faith in His Saviour early in life and lived a consistent and upright life. His par- ents had preceded him in death, but there were left to mourn their sad loss his young wife, formerly Miss Pearl Smith, two sisters, Mrs. Edith Ricket and Mrs. Plenisha Matson, two half-sisters, Mrs. May Brown and Mrs. Nevada Logue, and two half-brothers, John and Nolen.
GEORGE JAMES SMITH
Although less than nineteen years of age at the time of his death the subject of this sketch met death in battle. In May, 1917, he enlisted in Co. I. 130th Inft. It was with that organization that he was serv- ing when he came to his untimely end at the front. With his lieutenant, Merlin Dappert, he was advancing in the line north of Consenvoye near the Bois-de- Chaume on the morning of Oct. 10, 1918. The artil- lery barrage proved ineffective and they encountered a machine gun nest. They lay down to escape the ma- chine gun barrage when an Austrian 88 exploded near- by killing four members of the squad and wounding George and two others. George's wound resulted in his death in the hospital four days later.
He is survived by his father, Charles Smith, a bro-
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ther, Jesse, and a sister, Effie. His mother and a sister, Vonita, preceded him in death.
The body was returned to his father and funeral services held in the Christian church at Brownstown, Feb. 19, 1921. The services were conducted by the American Legion assisted by Rev. R. R. Finlayson, pas. tor of the church.
WILLIAM HENRY ANDERSON
William Henry Anderson, First Class Private, son of William and Eliza L. Anderson, was born near Bayle City, Ill., Sept. 13th, 1892. Here he grew to manhood assisting his father on the farm and attending the pub- lic school nearby.
He entered the services of his country with the con- tingent that left Vandalia for Camp Taylor on June 24, 1918. He was later transferred to the 4th Co., 15th Veterinary Hospital Unit at Camp Lee, Virginia. His company was detained from going overseas because of quarantine for measles. During this time he was strick- en with Spanish influenza which developed into pneu- monia. After an illness of fifteen days he died at the Base Hospital, Camp Lee, Virginia. His body was sent home to his parents and laid to rest in Pope cemetery near Bingham, Oct. 28, 1918.
William was of a cheerful and hopeful disposition, always ready to be of service to those in need. He was a devoted follower of his Saviour whom he accepted in the fall of 1917 and Whom he faithfully followed to the end.
ELZA L. WILLIS
Private Elza L. Willis, of Co. I, 130th Inft., son of Henry and Rachel Willis, was born near Louisville, Ill., March 3, 1893. He enlisted in Co. I, 4th Ill. Inft., at Vandalia July 19, 1917. Death came as the result of wounds received at Forges Woods, France on October 6, 1918. He was buried in an American cemetery one- half kilometer east of Senon Court (Meuse) but the body was later returned to his parents and laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Effingham, Ill.
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IN THE WORLD WAR
JESSE WALTER MORRIS
Jesse Walter Morris was born in Avena township, Sept. 26, 1887. He was the son of W. M. and Elizabeth Morris. From early childhood till the time of his death he lived near Loudon in Loudon township. Death was due to lobar pneumonia, following Spanish influenza which he contracted at Camp Taylor, Kentucky. He was a member of Battery F, 5th Regiment, F. A. R. D. His lieutenant writing his father from Camp Taylor un- der date of Nov. 1, 1918 says: "I personally regret the sad death of your brave son who gave his life for his country just the same as if he had died on the bat- tle field of France. He was a faithful and obedient soldier and his death is regretted by all who came in contact with him."
CHARLES COOK
Charles Cook was born March 24, 1895, in Sem- inary township, his parents being John and Emma Cook of near Mulberry Grove. From childhood when he became old enough to help on the farm he spent his time either attending the public school or assisting his father on the farm. When he reached maturity he continued in his chosen calling and was farming at the time he was drafted into service in Sept. 1918. At that time he was inducted into service and sent to Camp Custer, Michigan. Here it was his privilege to serve only a few days more than one month when he fell a victim to the dread Spanish influenza and bronchial pneumonia of which he died Oct. 14, 1918. He left his young wife, Elizabeth Cook, and a little six-months-old daughter, Myrtle, besides his parents and many friends.
CARL JACKSON
Carl Jackson was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Jackson of Brownstown. He was born in Clark County, Illinois, Nov. 23, 1893. Died after a four week's illness of pneumonia at Base Hospital, Camp Dodge, Iowa, April 19, 1918. The body was laid to rest at South Hill Cemetery, Vandalia.
In April 1916, he left home and went to the North- west and took a claim but later settled in Iowa where he was engaged in farming at the time of his enlistment.
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He enlisted at Orange City, Iowa, Jan. 23, 1918, and was assigned to Hqr. Troops, 88th Div. N. A.
Carl finished his common school education at the age of 14 and then took one year of high school work. He was a fine young man, loved by all and made friends wherever he went. In Sept. 1918, he was home for a short visit with his parents and friends. During his sickness his father and mother visited him. He bore his illness patiently, always looking on the brighter side. He is survived by his father, mother, five broth- ers and five sisters.
HOWARD GLEN LAWLER
Howard Glen Lawler was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Lawler. He was born near Vanburens- burg in Sharon township, Dec. 10, 1887. He was in- ducted into service on June 13, 1918, and left the fol- lowing day with twelve other boys for Kansas City, Mo., for technical training in Rahey's Auto Army School. Since having measles more than eight years before he had never known a well day but was subject to nervous spells of great intensity. It was one of these which occurred after he arrived at Kansas City that resulted in his untimely death.
He had followed farming all his life, was a lover of fine stock and especially nice horses. He was espec- ially gifted as a mechanic which fact was responsible for his being sent to train as an auto mechanic.
The funeral was held from the Methodist church in Vandalia, conducted by Rev. Smith of Hagarstown, assisted by Rev. W. I. Terhune, of Vandalia.
JOHN PRESTON JANES
John Preston Janes, son of Thomas and Jemima Janes, was born in Flat Branch township, Shelby Coun- ty, Illinois, Dec. 22, 1894, where he lived on the farm with his parents until sixteen years of age when they moved to Fayette county. He enlisted in the U. S. N. at Chicago, Dec. 13, 1917, as a third class fireman at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Here he be- came a victim of influenza which developed into pneu- monia of which he died Sept. 14, 1918. He was buried at South Hill Cemetery, Vandalia, Sept. 18, 1918. He
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was a member of the Baptist Church of Vera and a respected young man.
FERDINAND FEDERMAN
Ferdinand Federman, son of Gustave and Katie Federman, was born near Vera, January 17, 1896, and died in the service of his country at Camp Custer, Mich- igan, Oct. 12, 1918. He was at the time of his death a member of the Headquarters Troops of the 14th Divi- sion.
His illness was of short duration but of great in- tensity from the beginning. His mother and his cousin, Miss Mabel Hoffman, a municipal nurse of St. Louis, were at his bedside when the end came.
He professed faith in Christ as his Saviour in 1913, and united with the German Baptist Church of which he was a faithful member until his death. "Ferdie," as he was familiarly called, was of a cheerful disposition. "To know him was to love him," could be truthfully said of him.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. O. R. Nelson at the German Baptist church of which he was a member. The casket, draped with the flag for which he died was borne to the Hoffman cemetery and laid to rest by the side of his father. He is survived by his mother, two sisters, Mrs. Frankie Wollerman and Mrs. Violet Federman, and an aged grandfather.
CLARENCE CHARLES MARKS
Clarence Charles Marks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Marks was born at Hindsdale, Ill., July 26, 1895. He came to this county with his parents when he was eleven years old and has since made this his home.
He was one of the contingent of 200 to leave for Camp Taylor, June 24, 1918, several of whom were never again to see home because of the dread influenza. He was later transferred to Camp Mcclellan, Ala., and assigned to Headquarters Company of the 34th F. A. Here he fell a victim to influenza and pneumonia Sept. 26, 1918. His body was returned and buried in Beth- lehem cemetery.
He left besides his other near relatives, his young
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FAYETTE COUNTY
wife a bride of only a few months to mourn his early going.
WENDELL CAUSEY
Wendell Causey, the eldest son of George W. and Mary P. Causey was born in this county March 27, 1896. He was reared on the farm and worked on the farm and attended the public school where he received his education. When his country called he volunteered for service and enlisted with Co. I, 130th U. S. Infantry.
He left Vandalia in September 1917, for Camp Logan, Texas. There he contracted bronchial pneu- monia and died Feb. 4, 1918. The body was brought home and laid to rest in McInturff cemetery, Feb. 10, 1918.
Wendell was a young man of sterling worth, re- spected and loved. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, in the work of which order he took an active part.
FLOYD HAROLD WRIGHT
Floyd Harold Wright was the son of James M. Wright of Bear Grove township. He was born near Mulberry Grove, April 15th, 1897. Prior to his enlist- ment he was an employee of the Illinois Pipe Line Com- pany. He was drafted and sent to Camp Forest, Ga., Sept. 11, 1918. He was later transferred to Camp Mer- rit, New Jersey, and left for overseas Oct. 29, 1918. After being in France for only a short time he contract- ed pneumonia which proved fatal. At the time of his death he was a member of Company E, 116th Engi- neers and was stationed at St. Naziaire, France. He was buried in American Base Cemetery No. 21, Grave 499, Plot F. The body was returned to his home and was buried in Bethlehem Cemetery in Bear Grove township, October 1920.
CLARENCE A. TEDRICK
Clarence A. Tedrick was born in Seminary town- ship, September 3rd, 1895. His parents are Isham and Mary E. Tderick. He was raised on the farm and fol- lowed that occupation until the time of his entering the service. He was in the September contingent, 1918,
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and was sent to Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan. On Oct. 28th, he died there having contracted pneu- monia. The body was returned and buried in Seminary cemetery. A sad fact in connection with his death was the death of his young wife who on having been noti- fied of his illness left immediately for Camp Custer. While there she also contracted influenza and died two days after the death of her husband. She was formerly Miss Lucy M. Revis.
He was a private in the 4th Company, 154th Bn., 160th Depot Brigade.
DELMER WEHE
Delmer Wehe, the son of J. W. and Mary Wehe, was born in Farina, Sept. 2, 1892, died Nov. 22, 1918. At the time of his entering the service he was em- ployed as a fireman at a coal mine in Hudson, Wyoming. He was drafted in June 1918, and sent to Camp Lewis, Washington. From there he was sent to Camp Perry, California and was later sent to New Jersey. After remaining there a short time he was sent across. He was first a member of Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry. Soon after landing in France he was transferred to Headquarters Detachment, 162 Field Artillery Brigade. At the time of his death he was a member of Company F, 317th Infantry.
As to the details of the manner of his death noth- ing is known, his parents having only been notified of his death. He was buried in the American Cemetery, Brizeaux, France. The body will be returned home.
PEARL T. COWGILL
Pearl T. Cowgill was born near Hanson, Jan. 18, 1892. His parents were John I. Cowgill, deceased, and Margaret M. Cowgill. He was raised on a farm and received his education in the country schools of Fay- ette County.
At the time of his entering the service he was em- ployed on a farm near Adaza, Iowa. He was sent first to Camp Gordon, Ga., was later transferred to Camp Merritt, New Jersey and sailed for France on or about Sept. 19, 1918. He landed in Brest and was taken from the transport ill with bronchial pneumonia and
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died at Base Hospital No. 65, Kerhuon near Brest, Oct. 5, 1918. He was buried at Lambzellec cemetery a few miles from Brest. The body has never been returned.
FRED EUGENE GELSINGER
The subject of this sketch was born June 25, 1893, in Wilberton township. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Gelsinger. He was a farmer by occupation. When the call came for volunteers at the time of America's entering the war he enlisted in Company I July 24, 1917. He received his first training at Camp Houston, Texas. He was killed in action on the French front Oct. 10, 1918, in the same battle in which Ivory Bush and Chesser Brown also of Company I, were killed.
He is survived by his parents and by ten sisters and two brothers.
WILLIAM MARION RHODES
William Marion Rhodes, who was the son of Jacob and Mary Rhodes, of near Beecher City entered the service of his country through the selective service and was sent to Camp Custer, Michigan. After being in training here only a short time he fell a victim of Span- ish influenza and died there Oct. 19th, 1918, at the age of 21 years.
CLAUD WATSON
Claud Watson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Wat- son of Shobonier, and whose real name was Claud Pet- it, as he was the son of Mrs. Watson by a former hus- band, entered the service of his country in the National Army and after a short period of training in this coun- try was sent overseas. He died of disease in France, his mother not knowing of his death until she saw his name in the casualty list. .
EDGAR E. BULKA
Edgar E. Bulka, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Bulka of Hurricane township, was one of the first draft contingent to leave here and was a private in the In- fantry. After a short period of training in this country he was sent overseas and saw service on the French
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FAYETTE COUNTY
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HONOR
ROLL
CARTER H. SEARS JOHN P. WEAKLY FRED STUBBLEFIELD
CHESSER W. BROWN
WILLIAM ROTHE
JESSE WALTER MORRIS
CLAUDE V. WATSON WALTER BOLDS
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front. Here he was wounded in action and died of his wounds August 6th, 1918. He is survived by his father and mother, three brothers and three sisters.
AUGUST HENRY STOLTE
August Henry Stolte was the youngest son of Frederick and Sophia Stolte. He was born in Shelby county, Sept. 14, 1890, died Oct. 29, 1918, at Camp Cus- ter, Michigan of pneumonia. He entered the services of his country at Camp Custer in the National Army,. Sept. 6, 1918. On July 12th, 1918, he was married to Miss Lena May Craig of St. James who together with an infant daughter, Fern Annabell, is left.
August was baptized in infancy at St. Paul Luth- eran Church at Strasburg, Ill. He was a dutiful son, a kind brother and a loving husband. He was a mem- ber of Camp 2354 Modern Woodman of America at St. James.
JOHN JACOB BAUERLE
.John Jacob Bauerle was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bauerle of Hurricane township. En- tered the services of his country as a member of the National Army in 1918. He was sent to Camp Custer, Michigan, where he contracted influenza which proved fatal Oct. 16th, 1918. The body was returned to his parents and the funeral held at the home. He was 24 years of age.
IVORY BUSH
Ivory Bush was one of the Company I boys who saw service on the border. When Company.I was pre- paring for service in the World War he re-enlisted and was a loyal and brave member of the same. He lost his life on the French front Oct. 10, 1918, being killed in · action. His parents both having died, he made his home with his uncle, Willard Jolly, of Seminary town- ship until the time of his entering the service.
WALTER R. BOLDS Walter R. Bolds was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas.
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W. Bolds. He was born in Sefton township, Sept. 27, 1892.
He entered the service of his country as a volun- teer at Champaign, Illinois. It was not his privilege to see overseas service for he was one of the many vic- tims of influenza and pneumonia, which disease he con- tracted while in a camp in New York. His body was sent home to relatives and the funeral held at Old Lib- erty Church in Sefton township.
He is survived by his father, G. W. Bolds, three brothers, Wesley, Everett and Wyley and three sisters, Myrtle, Ruth and Almeda. His mother died in Jan- uary 1900.
BENJAMIN HUMES
Benjamin Humes, private, Co. I, 346th Infantry, son of Peter and Mary Humes, was born May 16th, 1888, on a farm near Patoka and died at Camp Pike, Ark., Dec. 17th, 1917, aged 29 years, 6 months and 1 day.
Sept. 19th, 1917, he in company with other young men left his home for Camp Taylor, Kentucky. After nearly three months of intensive training he was trans- ferred to Camp Pike, Ark., and on the 17th day of De- cember word was received of his death. His body ar- rived December 19th after an absence of three months.
To leave home in the prime of life for a training camp and return three months later, alone and silent in death is one of the vicissitudes of life which no human being can foretell or change.
His body rests near his loved ones in the little cemetery at Patoka, Illinois.
JOHN W. SIDWELL
John W. Sidwell, private, Co. M, 119th Infantry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Sidwell, was born April 4th, 1895, near Brownstown, Illinois, and was killed in action August 27th, 1918. The circumstances related to his death seemed to indicate that he was struck by machine gun bullets.
The young man grew up to manhood on the farm. His life's hopes were high and he always hoped to be able to serve his country, little thinking that he was
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destined to render the highest service possible for men to give.
He left Vandalia with a contingent of drafted men for Camp Taylor, Kentucky, February 22nd, 1918. He sailed from the United States in June 1918 as a member of the 119th Infantry of the 30th Division.
He was buried temporarily near where he fell and later his body was sent to the United States for per- manent burial arriving April 16th, 1921. The funeral took place Sunday April 17th, with full military honors, and his body now lies at rest in the Pilcher cemetery near the home of his boyhood.
ELMER SUMMERLOT
Elmer Summerlot was born August 28th, 1902, in Kaskaskia township. He with his parents moved to Otego township. Here Elmer grew up to young man- hood. Most of his schooling was received at Four Mile Prairie. He like many other young men felt the call of his country and gave up his place in civil life to take his position in the ranks.
Here he served faithfully and well, until, in answer to the summons of the Great Commander, he joined the Army of the Dead, November 6th, 1918, at Nitro West, Va. His life was short in years but he made the su- preme sacrifice while in line of duty and his name will be among those whose sacrifice made possible the safe- ty and strength of our Nation and whose example will inspire the future generations to deeds of valor and patriotism.
CLARENCE E. LAWLER
Clarence E. Lawler, the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Lawler was born in Fayette county, July 3, 1887. Dur- ing his school days he attended the Bluff City school. He assisted his father on the farm and later engaged in that calling for himself. He left Vandalia with the July 10th contingent 1918. He showed an aptitude as . a soldier and soon attained the rank of corporal. He went overseas in September 1918, and was attached to a labor battalion. Death was due to pneumonia which he contracted while at Brest. He was laid to rest in the cemetery at Brest and his body was returned to his
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people and placed for its final rest in Bear Creek ceme- tery in February 1921. Crawford-Hale Post of the American Legion had charge of the services and buried him with military honors.
ALBERT GOODMAN .
€ Albert Goodman was the son of Jefferson and Sar- ah Goodman. He was born near Hagarstown, Illinois, March 1891. He spent most of his life in Fayette coun- ty where he attended the public schools and on arriv- ing at manhood engaged in farming.
On Feb. 23, 1918, he left Vandalia with the con- tingent of that date for Camp Taylor. He was later transferred to Camp Sevier, S: C., and was there as- signed to Co. L, 119th Infantry, 30th Division. He sailed for France in June 1918, where his organization was assigned to the British army. He was killed in action at Ypres, Aug. 31, 1918. His body was returned to his parents in May. 1921.
CARTER HARRISON SEARS
Carter Harrison Sears was born at Bingham, Ill. in 1895. At the age of five years he was left .mother- less. The father then took his three little sons and one daughter and for a short time they made their home with W. S. Sears, the grandfather of Carter. The chil- dren were placed in the Vandalia schools. Unfort: unately at this period in their life the father died and they were left with no means of support. Carter was then 15 years old. Making his grandfather's home his home he went to work and worked wherever work was to be found until the war. He enlisted in the autumn of 1917 and was sent overseas in the spring' of 1919. He was wounded by shrapnel and the wound apparently. healed. He continued to suffer, however, from rheu- matism and was invalided home. Arriving at New York his ailment became more malicious and death ensued à short time later. He is reported to have fallen from his bed striking a bath tub which so affected the old wound that death followed soon after. He is survived by two brothers, Clinton and Roscoe and one sister, Mrs. U. S. Meyer of Bingham.
FAYETTE COUNTY
HONOR ROLL
WENDELL CAUSEY EDWARD B. HALE JOHN W. SIDWELL
FRED ROWLAND
BEN HUMES
FRANK A. DIAL
CLARENCE A. TEDRICK EMIL WODTKE
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JAMES HENRY BUSH
James Henry Bush was born in Jasper county, Illi- nois, Sept. 24, 1889, and died at Camp Merritt, N. J., December 10,.1918. James Henry, who was a brother of Ivory Bush, who lost his life at the front enlisted in Iowa in July 1918. He with his brother was raised by W. C. Jolly near Shobonier. After enlisting in the army he showed the same devotion to the task before him that characterized him in his work on the farm and frequently wrote to his foster father, Mr. Jolly, of his work with the rifle. He soon became known as a fine rifle shot and won honors in his company in marksman- ship.
The cause of his death was bronchial pneumonia. The body was returned and laid to rest in Shiloh ceme- tery at Willow Hill, Illinois, near the place of his birth, December 14, 1918.
CHESSER W. BROWN
Chesser W. Brown was born near Springfield, Illi- nois, March 15, 1899, the son of W. F. and Clara B. Brown. Only one year of his life was spent in Fayette county, when he with his parents lived on a farm be- longing to his grandfather, Robert Blankenship of near Jimtown. At the end of that time, 1912, the family moved to Paragould, Arkansas, where they still reside. When the call came for volunteers in the late war Ches- ser was anxious to join the colors and took his father into his confidence. After being unable to enlist at home owing to the absence of the recruiting officer he came to the home of his grandparents in Fayette coun- ty and enlisted in Company I, 130th Infantry. He met his death while bravely facing the enemy at the front in France, Oct. 10, 1918, in the same engagement in which Eugene Gelsinger and Ivory Bush, also members of Company I, were killed. The body was later re- turned and laid to rest in the Britton cemetery near Springfield. He is survived by his father and mother, three brothers and seven sisters. A brother, Don P. Brown, who was drafted from Cass county, Illinois, died in camp at VanCouver, Washington, of bronchial pneumonia complicated with scarlet fever Aug. 6, 1918.
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