USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Shelby County in the World War > Part 12
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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
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ARTHUR CARROLL
A resident of Shelby county but enlisting in Billings, Mont., Arthur Carroll went forth to foreign soil to fight for freedom, and there fell a victim, not to shot or shell of the German enemy, but to the deadly disease, pneu- monia. His death occurred in an overseas hospital on the 10th of October, 1918, about two months after he landed in France.
Carroll was a son of John D. and Carrie Belle Carroll, who live near Shelbyville. He was born February 13, 1887, at Moweaqua, and was reared on the farm. He went to Montana and was employed there when the United States went to war. On the 28th of June, 1918, he enlisted at Billings, and was assigned to Company A, 160th U. S. Infantry. Ile was first in Camp Lewis, Washington, and later in Camp Kearney, California. After only five weeks, however, he was sent east and in August sailed for France. There he was in the trenches a period of five weeks before contracting the disease which caused his death. For three years before the war he was in the Coast Artillery at Ft. Flagler, Washing- ton. His complete service record is unknown, and could not he learned for incorporation in this sketch. It is known, however, that he served faithfully and well for as long as it was given him to follow his officers and accompany his comrades. It was with sad hearts the good people of Shelby county placed a star of gold on the service flag in his memory.
Truth is open to all men ; she is not as yet borne away all; there is much of her left for posterity to find out. -Seneca.
Justice is what is established; and thus all our estab- lished laws will be regarded as just, without being exam- ined, since they are established.
-Pascal.
GLEN CARROLL
Glen Carroll, another Shelby county boy who laid his life on the altar of his country and hesitated not when the complete sacrifice was exacted of him. did not reach France, and in that was disappointed. He was still at Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Mich., when he was stricken with bronchial pneumonia and died. His death occurred September 20, 1918, and as soon as military and health regulations would permit, the body was returned to Mo- weaqua for burial near his old home in Flat Branch town- ship.
The funeral was held from the home of the young man's father-in-law, Stephen Hastings, at 10 o'clock Sat- urday morning, October 19. The service was brief, and the Sanner Chapel choir furnished the music. The casket of the dead soldier was draped with the American flag, the Home Guards of Assumption under the command of Captain Shan acted as escort, and Herman Foster sound- ed "taps." The casket-bearers were chosen from among the young man's friends, and were, namely : Arthur San. ner, William Bohlen, Milton Bridgman, Fred Elmers, Raymond Coulter and Corry Simpson.
The germs of all truth lie in the soul, and when the ripe moment comes, the truth within answers to the fact without as the flower responds to the sun, giving it form for heat and color for light.
-Robert Browning.
Liberty is the parent of truth, but truth and decency are sometimes at variance. All men and all propositions are to be treated here as they deserve, and there are many who have no claim either to respect or decency. -Johnson.
Truth conquers with itself; but opinion conquers among those who are eternal.
-Epictetus.
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GENEVA CASSTEVENS
On Shelby county's roll of "those who did not comc back" appears the name of one woman-Miss Geneva Casstevens, who laid down her life in a foreign land that others might live. Spending every ounce of energy in alleviating the distress of the patients in the army hospi- tal at Liverpool, England, Miss Casstevens, a nurse at- tached to the Major 1). M. Ottis Ilospital Unit, con- tracted the influenza, which quickly developed into pneu- mnonia and on October 14, 1918, only a week and a day after she was stricken, caused her death.
Miss Casstevens was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Casstevens of near Fancher, and was born February 20, 1891, near Etna. From her second year her home was in Shelby county. Completing the rural school course she went to the home of a sister at Moscow, Idaho, where she took the high school training. In 1909 she entered the Nurses' Training School at St. Luke's hospital, Boise, Idaho, and for four years after her grad- uation in 1912 she nursed in that state. In 1916 she came to Springfield, Ill., where she served as a Red Cross nurse for a year. Then she volunteered for overseas service and sailed for England on April 18, 1918. She was assigned for duty in Military Hospital No. 40 at Liverpool, where she performed her duties assiduously and efficiently.
()11 August 31, 1919, a memorial service was held in the United Brethren church at Fancher. In the audience were her brother, Don Casstevens, her brother-in-law, Dr. E. W. Brooks, and her nephews, Glen and Jesse Sculley of West Frankfort, all of whom served also in the war. One of her ancestors was David Crockett, of Alamo fame, and her maternal grandfather fought and died in the Civil war.
Miss Casstevens is survived by her parents, five sisters and three brothers. The latter are Mrs. Maude Sculley of West Frankfort, Ill., Mrs. Nellie Brooks of Beecher City, Ill., Mts. Edna Shinn of Spokane, Wash., Mrs. Frances Schaub of St. Elino, Ill., Mrs. Georgiana Mc- Gilligan of Shelbyville, J. M. of Beecher City, T. H. of Mt Vernon, la., and Don of Fancher.
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HERBERT J. COLLINS
Private Herbert J. Collins, a Shelby county recruit of January, 1918, failed to realize his ambition to fight the Hun from the air. Within twenty-four hours after reach- ing Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, to which he was transferred from Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where he had been assigned to Company 16, Aviation Corps, after his cnlistment at Decatur and successful passing of the phy- sical examination, he was stricken with pneumonia and despite the fact that for nine long weeks he made as brave a fight for life as he had anticipated making for democracy, he died on April 2, 1918. Death followed an operation for empyemia, into which his illness had devel- oped.
Collins was born in Shelby county, October 9, 1898, and was the only son of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Collins. They, with two daughters, Avis and Bertie, survive the young man. The latter was reared at the old homestead, near Assumption, and following his demise at Kelly Field his body was brought back there, to be laid away where those who mourn his untimely passing may in melancholy satisfaction visit its resting place from time to time. The body was accompanied from Kelly Field by his mother, whose privilege it was to be with and minister to him during four weeks of his illness, and Sergeant Major Frank I. Glenn of Kelly Field.
The funeral was held from the Presbyterian church in Assumption, of which he had been a member since his profession of faith in 1914, and the services were more largely attended than any of like character in the history of that church. The young soldier's body was clothed in the uniform he had expected to wear on the field of bat- tle, and the casket was draped with the flag which he had sought to defend. Troop 1, Assumption Boy Scouts, attended the funeral in a body, and each Scout, living symbol of a comrade who fain would have stood at the hier, dropped a flower into the grave. Taps were sounded.
Collins' career as a soldier was brief and uneventful ; hut while he did not get to the battle zone and was not under fire, he gave his life for the great Ideal as truly as the man who fell in Flanders.
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ARTHUR HOWARD CORSON
Arthur Howard Corson. the only son of W. S. and F. J. Corson of Tower Hill, died of pneumonia on the 15th of November, 1918, at Pauillac Gironde, France, and was buried in the Pauillac cemetery with full honors.
Corson enlisted in his country's service May 11, 1917, and was called to service as yeoman of the second class on the 4th of the following September. He was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training School, where he re- mained until July 25, 1918, when he was transferred to the navy yard at Philadelphia, Pa. About September 15 he was sent to France, and after arriving there was made a yeoman of the first class. Two months after his land- ing in France, he yielded to disease and passed away.
Mr. Corson was born in Pleasant Plains, Ill., Nov. 5, 1895, and come to Tower IIill when about 12 years old. After completing his course in the puhlic schools there, he entered Sparks Business College in Shelbyville, taking the stenotypy course. Graduating therefrom in June, 1915, he took employment with the Big Four Railroad company and until his enlistment in the navy was en- ployed in the office of the superintendent at Mattoon. In June, 1918, he married Miss Martha A. Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Williams of Mattoon, and in dying was survived by her and his parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Corson received a letter from Glenn R. Ward, one of the young man's comrades, who in testify- ing to the splendid character and the popularity of their son. said :
"I worked in the same office with your son from the time he reported at this station until his death, and de- sire to state that he created the impression among his many shipmates that he was one of the most manly, ener- getic and ambitious men in our group, and his death was a shock that will always be felt by his friends. He gave his life for his country and died for a true and just cause." Subsequent to receipt of the word of his death, memor- ial services were held, both at Mattoon and in Sparks Business College, where fitting tributes were paid to the memory of the dead yeoman.
CHARLES COX
Charles Cox of Windsor died of spinal meningitis in an army hospital at Recey-sur- Ource, Cote d'Or, France, January 27, 1919, according to an announcement received by the young man's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Linza Cox. Later a letter from Captain Henry T. Kent, 52d Infantry, U. S. A., of whose company Cox was a memher, wrote the parents a letter of condolence, in which he stated, among other things: "Ilis death takes from the company one of our best soldiers. Always faithful to duty, we have never known him to shirk any responsibility- prompt at formations and drill and in every way a good soldier. While in active service in the Argonne forest he conducted himself in such a way as to bring com- mendation upon him. He died doing his duty, than which there is no nobler death."
Charles Cox was 25 years old, having been born in Cheyenne Co., Kansas, September 11, 1893. He was a graduate from the Windsor high school, completing the course with the class of 1912, and was president of the Alumni from 1912 to 1918. He was an active member of the Methodist church and was president of the men's class of the Sunday school. He belonged to the Red Men lodge. On June 27, 1918, he was inducted by the local hoard, and on the following day entrained with nearly 200 men for Camp Taylor, Ky. Soon after arriv- ing there he volunteered for overseas service, and was sent to France August 6, 1918. At Camp Taylor he was assigned to Company 53, 14 Bn., 159 Depot Brigade, later was transferred to Company F, 155 Inf., then to D, 154 Inf., and later to Company A, in which company he served 20 days in the trenches and in many skir- mishes, and of which he was a memher at the time of his death. Selected at Camp Taylor as one of twelve men from the company for expert rifle practice, he was transferred to Camp Beauregard, La., and later to New- port News, from whence he sailed to France August 6, 1918. A memorial service was held at the Methodist church Dec. 14, 1919. Cox was a fine civilian, and a most excellent soldier.
OTA D. CURRY
To serve valiantly through three of the biggest battles of the World War, on the Marne. at St. Mihiel and in the Argonne front, then to fall prey to pneumonia was the fate of Ota I). Curry of Ash Grove township, who enlisted at Champaign, Ill., September 21, 1917, and ar- rived in France July 6, 1918. After his induction he was sent to Camp Dodge, where he was assigned to the 347th Infantry. Later he was transferred to Camp Pike, with the 345th, and later to Camp Merritt. On the 19th of June, 1918, he sailed from Hoboken, and landed at Bor- deaux July 6. Thirteen days later he was assigned to the 30th Inf .. 3d Division, and went at once to Ilead- quarters company, attached to a signal platoon. He was in the American counter attack on the Marne until about the 26th of July, then went to the St. Mihiel front, and after a few days was sent to the Argonne-Meuse front.
Mr. Curry was taken ill at Salzig on December 13 and went to the infirmary, but after a day in bed started on a hike with his battalion. He was compelled to fall out of line, however, and was taken in the ambulance to Coblenz, where he died December 23.
Ota D. Curry was the son of Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Curry of Gays, and a twin brother of Oda E. Curry, who also served in the army in France. lle was born near Gays October 6, 1887, and before his enlistment was conductor on the street railway in Champaign,. Ill. On November 12, 1916, he married Miss Edna 1 .. Waggoner, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Waggoner of Gays. The parents, wife, four brothers and five sisters survive the death of the brave young man, who gave himself to sacrificial ser- vice to the world. The brothers are Oda E. Curry, al- ready mentioned. Artie, Frank and Leslie Curry. The sisters are Mrs. M. H. Cullen, Mrs. Robert Delong, Mrs. Russell Armantrout, Mrs. Myrtle . Ilouston of Champaign, and Miss Elva Curry. The young man was possessed of splendid character. Ile was a member of Gays Camp, Modern Woodmen of America.
Mrs. Curry, who during the service of her hushand in France and since his death there has been a teacher in Moultrie county schools, had two brothers in service.
NOAH F. FARRIS
Seven days after the signing of the armistice, Noah F. Farris, son of John II. and Mattie B. Farris of northern Shelby county, gave up his life in a foreign army hospi- tal. Ilis death occurred at Gondercourt, France, Nov- ember 18, 1918, and was due to spinal meningitis, con- tracted while in service. According to direct word re- ceived by his parents, the body of the young man lies in a beautiful American cemetery, though in foreign soil. Mr. Farris was born December 29, 1893, on a farm in Todd's Point township, where his parents still reside. He was reared on the farm, and was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits before he was inducted into military ser- vice at Shelbyville, June 27, 1918. With his comrades of the contingent, he was sent to Camp Taylor, Louisville, Ky., and there was assigned to the 159th Depot Brigade. Later he was transferred to Fort Benjamin Harrison, at Indianapolis, Ind., where he was placed with G Com- pany, 22d Engineers, with which he remained throughout his service.
After a period of training at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Farris was sent overseas, and sailed from New York. He landed at Liverpool, Eng., and then proceeded to La Havre, France, where he arrived some time in August, 1918. Ile was in training overseas several months.
Young Farris was the third of three brothers to enter military service. The first was John W. Farris, who was inducted October 3, 1917, and sent to Camp Taylor, where he was hield for special work and did not realize his ambition to go overseas. The second brother was Thomas J. Farris, who was inducted April 30, 1918, and sent to Camp Dix, N. J. lle was assigned to the 308th Field .Artillery, and saw service in France. He reached home on Decoration Day, 1919, and his brother John arrived the following day. Only the presence of the valiant lad who had given his life was needed to make the family circle complete and happy. Mr. Farris is sur- vived hy his parents, the two veteran brothers, and the following brothers and sisters, namely: Lewis Mckinley Farris, Charles .\. Farris, Mrs. Jennie B. Cole of Mo. weaqua, and Miss Della May Farris.
JAMES W. FLINN
"Ile was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow," can be said of Corporal James W. Flinn of Dry Point township, as it was of the son of the widow of Nain. Moreover. it may be said of Flinn that he was the only son of Dry Point township who lost his life in action during the World War. He was killed October 24, 1918, in the Argonne, where he was fighting with his company, F of the 354th Infantry, 89th Division. in which he had been made a corporal and placed in charge of a detail of thirteen men a short time before. Pre- vious to that he had been a liaison runner. connected with both battalion and regimental headquarters and per- forming ltis perilous duties with bravery and efficiency than won favorable comment from his superior officers and comrades.
Corporal Flinn was a son of Mrs. Mary Flinn of Dry Point township, and was her only support. Before the war he was manager of a brokerage house in Oklahoma City, Okla. He registered at Denver, Col., and left for service from the home of an uncle, E. W. Rider, a former resident of Shelby county. He entered the service on August 26, 1918, and was sent to Camp Funston. After short training there and on the rifle range, he was trans- ferred to an eastern embarkation camp and left for over- seas, arriving in France about July 1. On August 2 he was on the firing line, and was made liaison runner. The need for experienced men after the depletion of his company, led to his transfer back to the company and his rank as corporal. He was in the hard fighting of St. Mihiel and the Argonne, and men and officers who were associated with him declare that he acquitted him- self as a brave and patriotic soldier. Major General Winn wrote his mother, subsequent to the young man's death, that he was a fine soldier, did all that was asked of him, and died bravely. Flinn was survived by his widowed mother and one sister. Mrs. Nell Ensor of Cowden.
EARL A. GARRETT
Corporal Earl A. Garrett, son of Peter Garrett of Windsor, Ill., died May 31, 1918. from the effect of wounds received while commanding a gun in the capture of a village occupied by the Germans on May 28 and 29. Ilis captain writes that "he did splendid work keeping his gun in action and looking after his squad, although under the most severe shell fire." A\ shell fell in the trench where he was, killing two and wounding three, of whom he was one. He died shortly after being evacu- ated to the hospital.
Garrett was born September 20, 1889. On Sept. 23, 1910, he enlisted in Co. 1 .. 23d Infantry, and at the ex- piration of his three-years enlistment was honorably dis- charged Sept. 26, 1913. On March 18, 1914. he re- enlisted at Columbus Barracks, Columbus, Ohio, and served in Panama from March 25, 1915, to Aug. 18, 1915, when at his own request and because of his excellent service he again was honorably discharged. Under the draft law in 1917 his number was the 11th drawn at Washington and the 3d in Shelby county. However, as the son of a volunteer in the Civil war, he waited not for the operation of the machinery of the draft, but on July 27, 1917, enlisted at Indianapolis in the 46th Inf. When the commanding officer called for volunteers for the 28th regiment, part of which already was in France. he was the first to step forward. Later he was asked to go to Camp Taylor as top sergeant to train men for France; but to his commanding officer he said: "I am ready for action, but if I am to be of any use to my country, let me go to France," and on Oct. 27, 1917, he sailed. Over there he was assigned to 2d Co., Di- visional Machine Gun Battalion, 1st Div., A. E. F., and fell in the desperate fighting for the capture of Catigny. His body lies in Cemetery No. 170, grave No. 172, at Bonvillers, on the Oise.
To Garrett's father his captain wrote: "Ile died in action, nobly performing his duty for his country, and you can well be proud of him, as 1 am."
JAMES A. GOOD
James Abraham Good, a Shelbyville soldier at Camp A. A. Humphreys, Va., died Sunday, October 6, 1918, of Spanish influenza and pneumonia.
Young Good was a son of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Good. and was born in Rose township, just west of Shelbyville, September 9, 1896. Ile was reared on the farm. In 1914 he matriculated with the Shelbyville high school, and completed the course in the spring of 1918. Immed- iately he enlisted in his country's service, was accepted and sent to Camp A. A. Ilumphreys, where at the time of his death he was a member of Company F, 2d En- gineers Training regiment. His death occurred at the base hospital at the training camp.
James Good was a young man of splendid character, honest and industrious, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He is survived by his parents, four brothers and three sisters. The brothers are Winfred Good of St. Louis, Clint Good of Kansas City, Ruel M. Good, who holds a civil service position at the reforma- tory at Pontiac, Ill., and John Good, who served with the American army in France. The sisters are Miss Mabel Good, holding a civil service appointment at the Southern Illinois hospital at Anna, and the Misses Emma and Elizabeth Good of Shelbyville.
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The hody of James Good was returned to Shelbyville on Sunday, October 13, and because of health restrictions was held at a mortuary until the hour of the funeral, 2 o'clock p. m., Monday, October 14. It was then con- veyed to Glenwood cemetcry, where it was given a semi- military burial. The colors were borne by Former Color Sergeant John Wilburn, and the Shelbyville Commercial Club and the high school class of 1918 served as a guard of honor. "Old Glory" floated at half mast near the grave, and the services were peculiarly impressive. Rev- eille, retreat and the call to the colors were sounded, and as retreat was sounded the flag was lowered and the flower- and flag-draped casket found its resting place in the grave. Following the benediction taps were sounded.
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LESTER GORDON
Lester Gordon, farmer and soldier, died October 8, 1918. His death was due to organic cardiac disorder, and took place at St. Elizabeth's hospital, Lafayette, Ind., to which institution he was taken from the train when his condition became critical, as he was en route to his home in Findlay from Camp Sevier, S. C., where he received his discharge the preceding September 30.
Lester Gordon was born at Moweaqua, Il1., October 7, 1891, and was a son of Jesse and Melvina Gordon, now of Shelbyville. He was reared on the farm, and followed agricultural pursuits before his military service. On De- cember 21, 1912, he married Miss Hazel Underwood, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Underwood of Findlay. He was inducted February 22, 1918, for army service and with 53 other Shelby county boys was sent to Camp Tay- lor, Ky., where he was assigned to the 18th Co., Depot Brigade. In the following month he was transferred to Camp Sevier, S. C., where he was placed in the 119th Inf., 30th Division. In May of the same year he was transferred to Company A, 1 Provisional Dev. regiment at Camp Sevier. Ile was made company clerk, and was given rank of sergeant.
The climate at Camp Sevier did not agree with Ser- geant Gordon, and serious heart trouble developed. I.Ie finally received an honorable discharge for disability, and started on the homeward journey that was destined to be interrupted by death. Following the death of Gordon at Lafayette, the body was taken to Findlay, arriving there on Thursday, October 10. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day the funeral was conducted from the Christian church at Findlay, conducted by the Rev. Myrtle Storm of Bethany.
Besides the parents and wife, Mr. Gordon is survived by three sisters and four hrothers, namely: Elza, Wil- liam, Charles and Alva Gordon, all living in or near Findlay, Miss Della Gordon, living at home, Mrs. Dora Salmons of Shelbyville and Mrs. Barbara Stockdale of Tower Hill.
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CECIL GORDY
Cecil Gordy, a son of Ben Gordy of Clarksburg but who was at work in lowa at the time of the registration and induction of the young men of the country, was re- ported by the war department to have been killed in action in France on either the 23d of Octoher. 1919, or the 4th of November following. The only definite infor- mation concerning his death, and that is meagre, is from a friend and comrade, who states that four of them were in a shell hole, when young Gordy was killed by an ex- ploding shell. The place and battle are unknown to the young man's relatives.
Gordy was horn April 26, 1889, in Douglas county, Ill., and when he grew up followed agricultural pursuits. Ile enlisted August 29, 1918, at Cedar Rapids, Ia., and was assigned to Co. C, 4th Inf., Replacement regiment, Camp Gordon, and went overseas about October 1, 1918. In France he served with Company C, 163d Infantry, American Expeditionary Force.
Gordy's mother is dead. Ile is survived by his father, three brothers and three sisters. The brothers are Wil- liam Gordy of Tuscola, Ill., Leonard Gordy of Iowa, and Mearl Gordy of Montana. The sisters are Mrs. Grace Barger of Montana, Mrs. Ada Wood of Arthur, Ill., and Mrs. Laura Stroll of Clarksburg.
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