USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Shelby County in the World War > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
The Salvation Army raised $375, the Y. M. C. A. $346.50 and the United Charities $1,671.
By popular subscription a large iron flag post was procured, which was placed in the central part of town and "Old Glory," 10 by 20 feet, presented by W. M. Thompson, the druggist, was kept afloat to the breeze daily until the war was ended.
The post office disposed of 8,869 war stamps and the Tower Hill Bank sold $1,745 worth of liberty bonds.
SERVICE FLAGS
The service flag of the Masonic lodge of Tower Hill shows fourteen blue and two gold stars, rep- resenting the following:
Fay Corley Earl Goatley
Fred Evey
Lester Cannon
George Moore
Elmer Allen
Arthur Corson Frank Moore
Albert Barth
Roma Brownlee
Lester Meredith
Dr. Walter Howard
1 lovd Read
Orley Hilsabeck
The hero dead of Masonic lodge are George Ells- worth Moore, killed by bursting shell Sept. 10. 1918, at Hart Court, France, and Arthur Corson, who died with pneumonia at Polliac, France, Nov. 15, 1918.
The Odd Fellows lodge had two stars.
The K. of P. service flag had seven blue and two gold stars, for the following:
Dr. F. A. Martin Roy Ellison Levert Waters
Howard Jester Orley Hilsabeck Clifford Rodgers
Lloyd Pollard Alvie White
The records of Jester and Rodgers, who died of disease, are found in the Gold Star section of this book.
The Tower Hill Miners' Local service flag had nineteen blue and two gold stars, for the following:
Alma White Andy Sarco I.loyd Pollard
Earnest Jones
Thomas S. Jester Leveret Waters
Roy Guinnee
Frmen White
Albert Duchy
John Tower
Homer Riley
Elmer Allen
Otis Lockard lawrence Smith Lon Bramer
Brvan Bechtel Howard Jester
Clifford Rodgers
Ruby Widdows Fred Guyot
The following are named on the Methodist Epis- copal Sunday School service flag:
Windfield Evey Bliss Clausen Pr. F. A. Martin
Ruby Widdows Fred Evev Roy Elison
Lee Heunter
Howard Jester Roy Gearhart
Alma White Ray Guinnee Ira Nichols
Albert Rust Frel Guyot Lester Cannon
Alvey Riley Rob Brownback Lloyd Pollard
Al Godman Ermine White Tan Classen
Claude Woods Fred Mclean Fay Corley
Frank Moore Ilomer Riley Elhert Earl Twiss
Charley Milles Pr. John Green Orley Hilsabeck
Earl Pitzer John Tower Earl Darst
Levert Waters C'ecil Hemphill Lloyd Pitzer
The Presbyterian service flag had one blue star, for Max Telly.
The Christian Church and Sunday School flag contained eight blue stars for the following:
Sam Patterson Sydney Morgan
Lon Bruner William Jones
Tohn Wirey
Eugene Rolley
Walter Rolley Norma Jones, nurse to Siberia
THE RED CROSS
The working committees of the Red Cross were: Buying committee-Mrs. Minnie Eiler and Mrs. Joe Cannon.
Hospital Supplies-Mrs. J. A. Killam and Mrs. Lee Patton.
Knitting -- Mrs. R. H. Bullington.
Cutting Committee-Mrs. Mary Clegg, Mrs. E. S. Mc Lean, John Pitzer and Mrs. H. H. Runkel.
Page Fifty-Seven
'SE.
CLOTHING
A
Edward Schoch Dr. Franklin A. Martin
While fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers of the soldier boys were noticeable by the non-appear- ance of their names in the make-up of the several organizations, their activities were none the less
ardent, for they hoped, prayed and worked for vic- tory, and as a whole Tower Hill community need have no regrets for the part it took in an endeavor to make the world safe for democracy.
Strasburg's Service Record
(By Kathryn M. Richards)
During the World War Strasburg did its part, and did it well, giving of her time, her money and the best of her boys.
In the different Liberty Loan drives the patriot- ism of the citizens was emphasized by the fact that the community went "over the top" in the Third, Fourth and Fifth loans, though like so many other towns and communities, there was a shortage of her quota in the First and Second loans, before the people really awoke to their government's ne- cessity.
The Red Cross worked valiantly to send in the necessary supplies, and besides the regular work the Branch provided each boy that left for camp with a comfort kit.
Of the scores of boys who went from this vil- lage, one was killed in action, one went down on the ill-fated Moldavia in the English Channel, one died on the sea while en route to France, and one died of pneumonia at Camp Taylor.
The first victim of the enemy was Henry C. Lading, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lading. His record is to be found in the Gold Star section, as are those of Strasburg's other dead heroes, An- drew E. Ruff, Frederick W. Nippe and Henry Fred W. Pieper.
While they will always be missed in home, church and community circles, it was just such he- roes as these that made peace possible. And as other boys returned from the battle fields of Eu- rope, heroes were found among them-some of them cited for heroic service and others having been formally commended by their superior officers. Susa M. Risser, son of Dr. and Mrs. W. F. Risser, was officially cited for valiant service.
Elmer P. Richards, a former Strasburg boy, was the recipient of three medals. The first was a Dis- tinguished Service Cross, presented by the general
for heroic services rendered after he had been wounded. Later he was awarded two French deco- rations, the Meadille Millitair and Croix de Guerre, with Palm.
llarley Gill was wounded slightly and in the hospital a short time, and Herman Doehring was gassed, which sent him to the hospital for several weeks.
All of the boys who entered the service from this town have returned and are quietly slipping into the old grooves. Truly it can be said of the boys of Strasburg and vicinity that they were all patriots-not a one of them a conscientious objector, but on the other hand among them were many who voluntarily enlisted for early service.
ARMISTICE DAY AT STRASBURG
Strasburg observed Armistice Day, 1919, with a big celebration under the auspices of the Liberty Post, American Legion. The festivities opened promptly at 11 o'clock with the ringing of all the bells and blowing of all the whistles in town. The Red Cross women served a chicken dinner to thirty- five service men in uniform.
At 1 o'clock the service men formed a review parade and with the Strasburg band marched through the town. Following the parade Mayor William W. Engel made a short welcome address and introduced F. Roy Dove of Shelbyville. Mr. Dove was elected as one of the delegates to the constitutional conven- tion on Nov. 4 and he took this opportunity to thank the voters for their support, as well as to pay tribute to the soldiers and sailors.
Pony races, a basketball game, a 5 o'clock supper by the Red Cross and a dance at night in the fire en- gine house were other features of the day's celebra- tion. In addition to these, G. W. Gill conducted a shooting match in A. W. Young's pasture.
Cowden and Vicinity (By Mrs. Nellie L. Jewett)
Cowden and vicinity were not behind other com- munities in meeting their full share of the sacrifices due to the world war. Men in large numbers, money in great amounts and ardent service by Red Cross and other organizations demonstrated clearly the patriotism of our people.
Three of our young people gave their lives for the cause of universal liberty. These were:
Will Flinn, killed in France,
Lane Tressler, died at Fort Logan H. Roots, Ark.,
Geneva Casstevens, Red Cross nurse, died from disease "over there."
As marks of honor for the boys who entered the service, service flags were prepared and dedicated by the community and the Methodist Episcopal church, the stars on which stood for the following named persons:
Miss Eva Casstevens Roy Carlisle
Harlan Askins Don Casstevens
Henry Banning Dr. T. E. Cherry
Cecil R. Burrus Floyd Christy
Herman Williams C'loyd Wright B. McGee
Ray Willey
Marvin E. Burrus
George Rich
Joe Larton
Arnold Montooth
Clyde E. Ilome
Lloyd McDennith
Robert E. Nichols
Ward Phillips
Miss Mary Buzzard
Claude Phipps
Tony G. Ethridge
Everett Cress
Ed Reimann
Marian E. McNear
Fred Curtiss James Davis
Ray Dush
Elza Ginger
Rollo Flenniken
Claude Barr
Ralph Fowler
Hubert Garrett
George Heath
Clark Walters
Wallace Holin
C. K. Henry
Fowler Horner
Grant Bechtel
Ed Horn
Noble Moore
Delmer Tucker
Oral Horn
Carl Moore
James Kroninger
Louis Nichols
John Kroninger
Clarence Spracklin
David Boyd
Esco Jones
Ralph McMahan Velarous Phipps Edgar Frye
The community flag was dedicated in a service at the Christian church, and was placed in the post office lobby.
Miss Mary Buzzard was a Red Cross nurse who served at a base hospital near Paris, France.
Robin Stamper
Roscoe T. Clark
Sylvester McGee Don Mitchell
Martin Riggs
Fay R. Ellington
Vivan Roadarmel
Ernest Cosart
Leverett Stamper Rayburn Steagall
Miles E. Taylor Lane Tressler
Oarl Nance
Cecil Wants
Esco Dill Will Flynn
Ralph Conrad
Frank Lawhorn
Merritt Nance
Page Fifty-Eight
WM. Ross BECK TONY BECK
MISS ANNA MAY BECK
MISS FLOSSIE A. BECK
The Beck Family
The Beck family of Windsor furnished four mem- bers to the service.
ANNIE MAY BECK
Shelby County was represented in the Yeomanette service by Miss Annie May Beck, daughter of W. W. and D. A. Beck of Gays, Ill., who enlisted as a Yeo- manette (Landsman) in the United States navy at Washington, D. C., Oct. 8, 1918, for a term of four years. She was assigned to duty in the Award Sec- tion, Bureau of Supplies and Accounts, Navy De- partment, at Washington. She had passed the over- seas examination and was available for service in Europe, but the armistice was signed while she was awaiting orders. She remained in the service, how- ever, and at Washington has charge of all bids for supplies for the Navy. She was promoted to Third Class Yeomanette Feb. 1, 1919.
She had two brothers in the service-William Ross Beck, who died from wounds received in ac- tion Oct. 9, 1918, and Tony Beck, who also saw over- seas service, returning to the United States and receiving his discharge July 24, 1919.
Miss Beck is a charter member of Betsy Ross Post, American Legion, Washington, D. C., the first female post in the country.
FLOSSIE A. BECK
A sister, Miss Flossie A. Beck, also is in the service of her country, but in a civil capacity. She entered the Navy Department in Washington March 21, 1918, as clerk, was made assistant manager on June 1, 1918, and later manager of the Emergency Purchase Division of the Navy, supplying all war equipment and all urgently needed material for the fleet, navy yards, naval training camps and stations, naval hospitals, naval air stations and training camps, aviation fields, proving grounds, marine stations, submarine bases, ship repair bases, radio stations, etc., both in America and Europe.
She was honorably mentioned for meritorious service by Admiral Samuel McGowan, Paymaster General of the Navy. She is still in the government service in Washington, and it will be conceded that Miss Beck has been performing a "man-size" task.
Tony Beck's war record is shown in the Service Record section, and that of Wm. R. Beck appears in the Gold Star section of this history.
Windsor and Vicinity
(By H. S. Lilly)
To write a history of the war-time activities of Windsor community is a difficult task, because Wind- sor community embraces parts of four townships lying in Shelby and Moultrie counties. Thus some of the activities that could be credited justly to the community have been just as fairly credited to the township of Windsor, Ash Grove or Richland, lying in Shelby County, or to Whitley township, Moultrie County.
However, Windsor community responded bravely to every call-whether it was the offering of her sons, the pouring out of her money or other material resources to the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A. and the allied war organizations, or the loaning of her finances to the government. Not in one instance did she falter.
On several occasions the Shelby County men who had been called to the colors passed through Wind-
sor on their way to camp, being joined here by the selects from Moultrie County. On every one of these occasions the men were given rousing and patriotic farewells at Windsor. The city would be decorated and the Strasburg band would be procured to play. Once a special trainload of soldiers de- trained at Windsor as they were on their way from Camp Funston, Kansas, to the Atlantic seaboard. The news that the men would detrain at Windsor for exercise reached the citizens less than an hour be- fore their arrival, but Windsor was ready for them with wide-open arms. Fruit, lemonade, sandwiches, coffee, cakes and "smokes" were served in abundance.
Public meetings were held only occasionally. One of these was held on the night before the Third Lib- erty Loan was launched. Enthusiasm ran so high at this meeting that the township's quota of $78,000 was subscribed at once.
Page Fifty-Nine
For thirty-five years Windsor has held a harvest picnic and homecoming on the last Thursday in Au- gust. With the war touching so many homes the 1918 picnic took on a different phase, and a com- munity service flag, bearing at that time 154 stars (several have been added since) was dedicated with appropriate patriotic services, thousands of people being present.
The Methodist church's service flag bears thirty- one stars, three of which are of gold. They are for Earl Garrett, killed in action in France, May 29, 1918: Charles Cox, died of disease in France in October, 1918, and Vern Edwards, died of disease while in training at Peoria in October, 1918.
The Christian church also has thirty-one stars on its service flag, the Masonic lodge ten, the Red Men's lodge eight and the Odd Fellows' flag three stars.
THE WOMEN
The noble women of Windsor community met all demands made upon them, whether by the Red Cross or other interests connected with the winning of the war. There was a local chapter of the Woman's Council of National Defense, which did much ex- cellent work.
But in the Red Cross work they were extremely active, and their activities have been carried on to the present day, for they have contributed much in the way of food and dainties to the canteen service maintained at the railroad stations in Mattoon.
OTHER MEN WHO SACRIFICED ALL
Besides the three young men whose names ap- pear above in connection with the gold stars, the fol- lowing from this community also laid down their lives on the altar of their country:
Bert P. Walker; Died at Camp Taylor, Oct. 7. 1918.
Clarence I. Sutton: Died in France of wounds, Aug. 15, 1918.
William Ross Beck: Killed in action in France. Oct. 9, 1918.
William Lucas: Killed in action in France, Oct. 1918.
lvan Abbott: Died of wounds.
Harry L. Nichols: Died at Camp Taylor, Oct. 19, 1918
FIRST TO CELEBRATE PEACE
Windsor has the distinction of being the first city in Central Illinois to hold a formal, dignified celebra- tion of the victory over the Huns. At 1 o'clock in the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 11, 1918, the celebra- tion of the signing of the armistice started, and continued for two hours. The event had been care- fully planned, and while in Windsor and elsewhere there was a general outburst of joy incapable of be- ing restrained, the formal demonstration here was the first.
There was a big parade, with decorated automo- biles, floats and other features, led by the Windsor concert band. The fugitive kaiser was present in effigy, and was burned. At the park a formal pro- gram of music, speeches, the raising of "Old Glory," prayers, readings and the raising of the community service flag, was given. Business was suspended throughout the afternoon, and for that matter nearly all day.
Windsor was glad that the war had ceased.
WINDSOR ENTERTAINS SOLDIERS
Twenty-six soldiers, sailors and marines of Wind- sor and vicinity were feted by the appreciative and patriotic people of that city when they were given a banquet and reception in the social rooms of the First Methodist church there in March, 1919. The
National colors and flowers were used in the decora- tions of the rooms, and plates were laid for 175 per- sons. The signal to proceed to the dining rooms was given by Bugler Howard Lemons, who sounded "Attention," then "Recall," and the banqueters were led to their places by Lieutenant H. B. Woods and Sergeant Wendell B. Wallace.
The feast, at which Editor Hugh S. Lilly of the Windsor Gazette, acted as toastmaster and which consisted of a delicious and bounteous menu, was preceded by the singing of "The Star Spangled Ban- ner," an address of welcome by E. G. Munsell, presi- dent of the Business Men's Association, a song by the Windsor Ladies' Liberty Quartet, and prayer by Rev. C. W. Gant. The courses were interspersed with toasts from a number of men. Several of the returned soldiers spoke briefly. Rev. W. I. Griffith paid tribute to Windsor and vicinity's, ten fallen heroes, and Clyde L. Bowen of the Spanish-American war, James Ellis of the Civil war and W. W. Grif- fith of the Sons of Veterans gave short talks at the banquet table.
THE CECIL BROTHERS
No Shelby County home sacrificed more of its members to the active military service than that of Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Cecil of Windsor, from which four splendid young men went to war. These were Eugene Cecil, a locomotive fireman: Dr. Dwight L. Cecil, a veterinarian: Irl Hicks Cecil, also a loco- motive fireman, and William C. Cecil, a farmer. All but Dr. Cecil realized their ambition to get into the fighting overseas, but the one, bowing as he must to military orders, performed his service on this side of the waters. Fortunately none of the boys was in- jured, though one of them. Irl, was in the hospital with a siege of pneumonia.
Returning from service, three of the boys re- sumed their pre-war civilian pursuits, but Eugene Cecil was instrumental in organizing the Shelby County Aero Service company, becoming the prin- cipal stockholder and pilot in the enterprise, which is meeting with great financial success.
Page Sixty
SHELBY COUNTY'S SERVICE FLAG
The Service Mflan
(By William Herschell in Indianapolis News)
Dear little flag in the window there, Hung with a tear and a woman's prayer Child of Old Glory, born with a star- Oh, what a wonderful flag you are!
Blue is your star in its field of white,
Dipped in the red that was born of fight; Born of the blood that our forbears shed To raise your mother, The Flag, o'erhead.
And now you've come, in this frenzied day, To speak from a window-to speak and say: "I am the voice of a soldier-son Gone to be gone till the victory's won.
"I am the flag of The Service, sir
The flag of his mother-I speak for her Who stands by my window and waits and fears,
But hides from the others her unwept tears.
'I am the flag of the wives who wait For the safe return of a martial mate, A mate gone forth where the war god thrives To save from sacrifice other men's wives.
"I am the flag of the sweethearts true; The often unthought of-the sisters, too. I am the flag of a mother's son And won't come down till the victory's won!"
Dear little flag in the window there, Hung with a tear and a woman's prayer; Child of Old Glory, born with a star- Oh, what a wonderful flag you are!
The Service Flag
No prettier nor more significant recognition of the men who gave themselves definitely to the sal- vation of the world from oppressive autocracy, than the Service Flag was seen during the war. A border of red and a center of white on which rested a star of blue, constituted the flag which told silently that from this home or that business firm, clerkship, pro- fession, church, fraternity, club.or other organization had gone forth a patriot to lay his life on the altar of his country, that democracy might live in all its fullness throughout the earth.
The little flag of one star in the window of the humble home on retired street or in rural com- munity told as eloquently of sacrifice on the part of him whom it represented and those who remained behind, as the pretentious field of white dotted thick- ly with the scores, aye, even hundreds of stars de- noting the service of many men from the organiza- tion to which it belonged. The individual Service Flag appeared everywhere throughout the county where there was a home in which was a youth of age and physical fitness qualifying him for military service; and also here and there throughout the county were organizations of one character or an-
other which through the Service Flag proudly did honor to its members who represented them on bat- tlefield or in camp.
THE COUNTY SERVICE FLAG
The largest Service Flag displayed locally na- turally was the one representing the service boys of the entire county of Shelby. This flag was pro- cured by the Shelbyville Chautauqua Association, by which it was first displayed at the auditorium at Forest Park during the Chautauqua Assembly of 1918. It was formally dedicated on Friday, August 1, and at that time bore 884 stars, eight of which were gold. signifying that at that time an equal number of service men had lost their lives. Later the number of both blue and gold stars was greatly augmented.
As an orchestra struck the first strains of "The Star Spangled Banner," the county service flag was unfurled, and catching the spirit of the occasion the audience took up the national air and made a rous- ing chorus. Representing the county, Honorable John W. Yantis made a brief but eloquent address, paying beautiful tribute to the boys represented by
Page Sixty-One
the stars in the Service Flag and urging that one hundred million American people "do their utmost until the Stars and Stripes arc floating from every castle on the Rhine, the German bands are playing 'Yankee Doodle' in ragtime, and the liberty of the people of the world is guaranteed." This Service Flag still is in the custody of the Shelbyville Chau- tauqua Association, though a movement has been launched to have it taken over by the county and hung permanently in the county building.
SPARKS BUSINESS COLLEGE FLAG
Sharing in the service by which the County Ser- vice Flag was dedicated was that of Sparks Business College and Conservatory, representing the former members of faculty and student body of that insti- tution who were then in the service. As the County Flag was unfurled, the S. B. C. Service Flag was borne into the auditorium and placed conspicuously. It was bedecked with stars representing the follow- ing named men then in the service:
Aichele, W. F.
Miller, J. Glenn
Armer, Virgil
McColley, William
Austin, Glen
Moherley, Grider
Baird, Glenne
Mix, Sam
Brown, Forest
Matliias, Carl
Boling, Clem
Montague, Lawrence
Blackstone, Gay
McCoy, John A.
Buckler, Paul
Bridges, Howard
Bodine, George
Carpenter, Walter
Corson, Howard
Cole, W. C.
Powell, Hubert
Courtright, Vance
Cihak, Willis
Courtright, Harry
Parish, Ben
Carter, James
Pick, Wm. R.
Ditzler, Decie
Pogue, Delmar
Douthit, Everett
Roberts, Michael
Dihel, Sam
Ruff, Harmon L.
Downs, Harry Davis, Sam
Stallings, Richard
Douthit, Jasper L.
Stettebacher, Glenn
Duensing, Roy
Smysor, Lawrence
Eiler, Verner
Storm, Clair
Ernst, Frank
Smith, Claude
Edwards, J. M.
Schmidt. William
Fortner, Frank
Snook, Ben
Frazer, Bernard
Stretch, Leonard
Frazier, Rennie
Stretch, George
Good, John L.
Sparks, Charles
Gleason, Lawrence
Simms, Glenn
Gregory, Thomas
Stirewalt, Newman C.
Gibbons, Russell
Thompson, Henry
DeWeese, Pearlie
Miller, George
Hoehn, John
Triece, Harry
Fought, Ellsworth
Miller, Ray
Herron, Murphy A.
Tallman, Leverett
Hubner, William
Thom, Steward
Huffmaster, Clifford
Underwood, Wilse
Hurst, Frank
Venters, Roy
Hinton, Miles
Westervelt, Floyd C.
Hendrix, Arthur
Wakefield, Everett
Jackson, Louis A.
Worley, Edmund
Kingston, Ray
Wallace, Ogden
Kull, Roy
Williams, George
Kull, Carl
Worley, Raymond
Kull, George
Whitaker, H. Baird
Klauser, Arthur
Waggoner, William
Lipe, Roscoe
Yoakum, Herman
Meinzer, Milo
Younger, Russell
Moore, Frank
BAPTIST SERVICE FLAG
Among the early dedications of Service Flags was that of the Baptist Church, which in March, 1918, was represented by sixteen men in various branches of the military service. The dedication of the flag was a feature of an impressive patriotic service conducted Sunday evening, March 10, under the direction of the pastor, the Rev. C. H. Shepherd, Th.D. The service opened with the Processional, the choir singing "America, the Beautiful," and thirty-five children carrying the American flag, while "Old Glory" and the Service Flag were carried at
the head of tlic column. The men represented by stars on the Service Flag were:
Auld, Frank P.
Johnson, James
Burnett, George
Johnson, Robert
Barton, Ray
Johnson, Roy
Becker, Milton A.
Shuff, Earl
Dill, Arch Tull, Tom
Hudson, Andy
Worley, Raymond
Hudson, Elmer
Wakefield, Everett
Hudson, Nelson
Wallace, Ogden
Eight of the above-named men were with the 130th U. S. Inf. At that time Roy Jolinson was with the U. S. Marines, Wallace with the American forces in China, Becker with the aviation corps and Dill at Camp Taylor.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH SERVICE FLAG
Twenty-five stars originally bedecked the Ser- vice Flag of the Shelbyville Christian Church at the time of its dedication and the unveiling of the Honor Roll, Sunday, December 2, 1917. Later a number of other stars were added, representing men who sub- sequently entered their country's service. This church was the pioneer among local institutions and organizations in providing a Service Flag in honor of its "boys" in the military and naval cstab- lishment, and not only adopted the Service Flag in their honor, but grouped individual pictures of the men in a large frame.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.