USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Shelby County in the World War > Part 14
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GEORGE E. MOORE
Corporal George Ellsworth Moore of Tower Hill was killed in action in the Argonne, September 5, 1918. The shell which caused his death also killed his captain and a major. That he met his death in this manner was not at first credited by his relatives in this country, as shortly before that time they had received word from him to the effect that he was in the mail service in France, and because of this they had felt some confi- (lence in his safety. He had been transferred, however, and was in the thick of the fighting.
Moore was a son of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Moore, and was born in Shelbyville, January 17, 1892. Five years ago he entered the railway mail service, passing the civil test at the head of a long list of applicants. He was given a fast mail run on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad between Chicago and St. Louis. Ile held that run for three years.
Corporal Moore was inducted by the Shelby county exemption board on the 30th of April, 1918, and left Shelbyville as leader of a squad in a contingent of men entrained on that day for Camp Dix, N. J. After only a month's training there he was sent overseas, arriving in France June 9. Because of his experience as a mail clerk, he was given duties in that line, and according to the statement of his superior officers and in keeping with his well known reputation, he performed all his tasks with fidelity and efficiency. His death was a severe hlow to his family and myriads of friends. A memorial service was held for him at Pana in the spring of 1919, with exercises appropriate to the occasion and attesting the popularity of the young hero.
Moore is survived by his parents, two brothers and one sister. The brothers are Frank Moore, who also was in service and was at Laredo, Texas, when his brother was killed, and Floyd Moore, a Shelby county school teacher. The sister is Miss Hazel Moore, who holds a responsible position with the express com. pany at Springfield.
AARON E. MORRIS
Private Aaron E. Morris was born in Bethany, Moul- trie county, Illinois, and while he enlisted at Decatur and was sent to a training camp from that city, his home was at Westervelt, Shelby county. He was born De- cember 20, 1889.
Morris enlisted August 5, 1918, at the age of 18 years. He entered the service as a truck driver, and was assigned to Truck Co. 539, Motor Supply Train No. 427, A. P. O. 723, at Camp Johnston, Florida. After sixty days' training there he was transferred to overseas service and sailcd from New York City. He was taken ill on the voyage, and was sick four days be- fore he landed at Brest. Ilis arrival there was on the 14th of October, and he was placed in a hospital, where he was given every possible treatment in an effort to check the bronchial pneumonia with which he was suf- fering. Remedies were unavailing, however, and on the 24th of October he passed away. He was buried in the American cemetery at Tambezella, Finisterre, France.
Above all other things is justice; success is a good thing; wealth is good also; honor is better; but justice excels them all. -David Dudley Field.
To have the power of forgetting, for the time, self, friends, interests, relationship; and to think of doing right toward another, a stranger, an enemy, perhaps, is to have that which man can share only with the angels, and with Ifim who is above men and angels. -David Dudley Field.
But when you view everything with reason and re- flection, of all connections none is more weighty, none is more dear, than that between every individual and his country. Our parents are dear to us; our children, our kinsmen, our friends are dear to us; but our country comprehends alone all the endearments of us all.
-Cicero.
FRED W. NIPPE
Shortly after receiving a card which told of the "safe arrival" of their son overseas, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nippe of Strasburg were notified officially that their boy, Fred W. Nippe, was dead and that his body was at an eastern port of embarkation, awaiting their orders. It was an- nounced that Nippe died on the high seas after leaving an American port, and that his body was returned to land. Apparently the card telling of his arrival in France was released for mailing, with many others, as soon as the transport reached the foreign port, and hefore those in whose hands the cards had been left learned of his death.
In accordance with the wishes of his parents, the body of the young man was dispatched immediately to Strashurg under escort of Private Curtis Gordon of Camp Merritt. Upon its arrival there flags were sus- pended at half mast, and the whole village turned out to the simple but impressive service that was held at once in St. Paul's cemetery.
Fred W. Nippe was born at Strasburg January 21, 1894, the son of Fred J. and Mary A. Nippe. Ile grew to manhood on his father's farm, where he was em- ployed at the time of his enlistment, June 24, 1918. He entered the service at Lincoln, Ill., and was in train- ing with Company E, 121st Inf., four months at Camp Wheeler, Va., and Camp Mills, L. I. IIe sailed for France Octoher 2, 1918, eager to face the foe and strike his blow for the freedom of the world. He was doomed to disappointment, however, for his voyage ended quickly in his death, as stated above. IIis death occurred Oc- tober 12, and was due to bronchial pneumonia.
Nippe is survived by his parents and one brother, whom he had bade farewell with the words: "I am ready and willing to answer my country's call, so I must be up and away. Later in his letters he expressed himself: "If we have no occasion to meet again on earth, let us pray for a happier and more glorious meet- ing in the heavenly home ahove." He was a member of the Lutheran church, and an exemplary Christian.
OSCAR P. ORBERG
Oscar P. Orberg, a son of Peter Orberg of Shelbyville, died of disease in France on the 24th of August, 1918, his death being due to pneumonia, according to the offi- cial statement of the military authorities.
Orberg was born in Chicago, May 30, 1893, and after the removal of his father to Shelbyville the young man made his home in that city. In 1917 he was employed as a shoe salesman in Flint, Mich., and on the 4th of June went to Detroit and enlisted in the ordnance di- vision of the army. On December 6 of that year he was summoned for service, and was sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he was assigned to the Depot Brigade. Later he was transferred to Camp Dodge, Ia., and from that point to Camp Merritt, N. J. After three months of training he sailed from Hoboken, March 15, 1918, and landed at Bordeaux April 3.
The last letter received from Orberg by his relatives bore date of August 8, and at that time he stated that he was in the best of health. The later message an- nouncing his death was therefore a distinct shock to them, as they had no intimation that he was ill. At the time of his last writing the young man was still at the supply base in France, but stated he expected soon to be sent nearer the front.
Mr. Orberg was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church in Shelbyville, and of its choir and Sunday school. He had a wide circle of friends. He is sur- vived by his father, his stepmother, two sisters and one brother. The sisters are Miss Lillian Orberg and Mrs. Esther Holland of Chicago, and the brother is Russell Orberg, who also served in the United States army in France.
A memorial service for the dead soldier was held in the Methodist church of Shelbyville, and a gold star in his memory was placed on the service flag of that church.
C. CLO OSBORN
Corson Clo Osborn, Shelby county's first selective service man to die in training camp, passed away at ('amp Taylor, Ky., Tuesday, December 11, 1917, where for several days he was ill with spinal meningitis, fol- lowing an attack of measles and mumps. He was a member of the county's second contingent of service men, and was sent to Camp Taylor with 63 other men on the 19th day of September, 1917. There he was assigned to Battery D of the 327th Field Artillery, and was in training with that outfit until stricken with the illness which proved fatal. His body was returned to Tower Hill, arriving there on Friday, December 14, and in the afternoon of that day was laid away in the Eiler cemetery, two miles south of that village.
Mr. Osborn was a son of William and Lucy Osborn, and was born in Shelby county, September 26, 1891. He was born and reared on the farm, and followed agricul- tural pursuits until called to the direct service of his country. Besides his parents, Osborn is survived by one sister, Mrs. Flora Lee of Delavan, Ill.
Mr. Osborn, father of the dead soldier, received a let- ter from Frank W. Bryant, captain of the company in which his son was in service, in which the following comforting statement was made:
"It had not been my privilege even to have met Pri- vate Osborn since I arrived at this post, as he was in the hospital. But I have made careful inquiry into the matter, and want to assure you that he had the best of medical care and nursing attention. His fellow soldiers feel this deeply, and desire to state that his unfortunate death is a source of genuine sorrow to all."
Courage, considered in itself or without reference to its causes, is no virtue, and deserves no esteem. It is found in the best and the worst, and is to be judged according to the qualities from which it springs and with which it is conjoined.
-William Ellery Channing.
ORLANDO F. PATIENT
Orlando F. Patient spilled his life's blood on foreign soil in conflict with the German horde that his country and the whole world might be safe from Prussianism. He was killed in a trench on the Champagne front, Oc- tober 3, 1918, about ten miles north of Suppes, France. Hle was in action with Company G, 346 Inf., with which' he had been sent overseas.
Patient was one of the first men of the county to be called, and left Shelbyville for Camp Taylor on the 19th of September, 1917. After training at Camp Taylor for a while, he was transferred to Camp Pike, Ark., where he completed his training in a home camp and then was transferrd to the east. He sailed July 5, 1918, and ten days later set foot on French soil. He was soon in ac- tion, but twice was laid up in the hospital, once by an automobile accident and the second time from exposure in the trenches. Recovering, he returned to the front line, only to meet death at the hands of the foe on Oc- tober 3, at the age of twenty-four years.
Patient was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Patient, who live north of Findlay, in Shelby county, and was born in 1894. He spent almost his entire life in the vi- cinity of Findlay, and was well and favorably known. He was engaged in farming near Prairie Home when he was called to the colors. After his arrival in France his parents received a letter from him, but for some little time before they received the notice of his death, no word had come from him.
Mr. Patient is survived by his parents, one brother, Harry Patient of Bethany, and three sisters. The latter are Mrs. James Whitacre of Gays, Ill., Mrs. Earl Will- iams of Montana and Miss Gertrude Patient, who re- sides with her parents.
To bear other people's afflictions, every one has cour- age enough and to spare.
-Benjamin Franklin.
HENRY F. W. PIEPER
Henry Fred William Pieper, a son of Mr. and Mrs. IIenry Pieper of near Strasburg, was born March 14, 1892, and died December 8, 1918, at the age of 26 years, eight months and 25 days. His death occurred at the base hospital at Camp Taylor, Ky., where he was stricken with illness. a week before the end came. His death was due to pneumonia.
Young Pieper was inducted into service by the Shelby County Board on the 28th of June, 1918, and dispatched to Camp Taylor with the county's largest contingent, 185 men. IIe was transferred from Camp Taylor to the Remount Depot, Auxiliary 319, Louisvile, Ky., where he remained until the 3d of December, when he was taken sick. He was taken to the base hospital at Camp Taylor, dying there five days later. He was survived by his parents, four brothers and four sisters. One brother, Martin Pieper, died of influenza in March, 1919. The surviving brothers arc William, Walter and Edwin Pie- per, and the sisters are Mrs. Fred Beitz, Jr., and Mrs. William J. Mueller, both of Stewardson, Ill., and Hulda and Lena at home. The young man's parents were with him when he died, and they made arrangements for the transfer of the body to their home, where it arrived on Tuesday, December 10. The funeral was held December 12 from St. Paul's church, conducted by Rev. C. Keller and Rev. M. F. Buenger, while burial took place in St. Paul's cemetery at Strasburg.
Henry Pieper lived an exemplary life. On the 27th of March, 1892, when an infant only thirteen days old, he was baptized, and on the 8th of April, 1906, he re- newed his baptismal covenant by confirmation. He held the confidence and respect of all who knew him, and his untimely death was considered a loss by the entire community.
Courage of the soldier awakes the courage of woman. -Emerson.
MAXWELL PUGSLEY
Maxwell Pugsley was another of Shelby county's heroes who died at the front, a victim of the deadli- ness of the Hun warfare. He was wounded October 31, 1918, in the battle of Olseme, Belgium, receiving com- pound fractures of both legs. A day later, November 1, he died.
Pugsley was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Pugsley of eastern Shelby county. He was born at Crossplain, Ind., February 22, 1888, and moved with his parents to a farm in Shelby county, near Neoga, in February, 1903. He continued to make his home there until called into military service. He was inducted by the local board and accompanied other selective service men to Camp Dix on the 2d of May, 1918. After only a few weeks' training there he was sent to Camp Lee, Va., where he was assigned to Company B, 148th U. S. Inf., 37th Division. Early in July he sailed for France, and imme- diately upon his arrival there was dispatched to the front, where he served valiantly and well until he was struck down by the enemy shell.
He responded willingly, fought bravely, and died that others might enjoy the blessings of perfect freedom.
Courage multiplies the chances of success by some- times making opportunities, and always availing itself of them; and in this sense Fortune may be said to favor fools by those who, however prudent in their opin- ion, are deficient in valor and enterprise. -Coleridge.
I like to read about Moses hest in th' Old Testament. He carried a hard business well through, and died when other folks were going to reap the fruits; a man must have courage to look after his life so, and think what'll come of it after lie's dead and gone.
-George Eliot.
CHARLES EDWARD REISS
Charles E. Reiss, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Reiss of Shelbyville and for several years a school teacher in the county, died October 8, 1918, in the hospital at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., where he was ill of influenza for only a couple of days. The first message of his ill- ness reached his parents on the preceding Sunday. IIis father went to him immediately, and on Monday wired hone that the boy was distinctly better. The young man took a sudden turn for the worse, however, and died almost at once.
Charles Reiss was born in Shelbyville March 18, 1894, and was the only son of his parents. He was graduated from the Shelbyville high school in 1912, entered tlie University of Chicago the following year and still later took the university correspondence course while teaching the Sandy Hill school in Rose township, where he did notable work in educational and community betterment lines. During the summers he attended the Eastern Illinois State Normal school at Charleston or the Uni- versity of Chicago. He taught in Findlay a year, and then took another course in the University of Chicago. Deciding to enter the ministry of the Lutheran church, he matriculated with Capitol University at Columbus, Ohio, but remained there through only one semester. For two years before his death he was principal of schools at Tower Hill, where he did fine work. While in the midst of work at the Chicago university to win his degree, he was called for limited service, and on the 4th of September was sent to Camp Grant, where he was soon to die, thus closing a very promising career.
The body of the young soldier was returned to Shelby- ville, where the funeral took place at Glenwood cemetery on Friday, October 11. He was given military honors, while hundreds of sorrowing friends assembled to do him honor.
Mr. Reiss was survived by his parents and three sis- ters, Miss Marie Reiss of Shelbyville, Mrs. Ililda Peck of Chicago and Mrs. L. C. Austin of Memphis, Tenn.
CLIFFORD A. RODGERS
Clifford A. Rodgers, a son of James Rodgers, died of influenza at Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Mich., Octo- her 16, 1918. IIe had been transferred to Custer from Fort Benjamin IIarrison, after he had gone to the lat- ter training camp with a contingent of Shelby county men on the 23d of June, 1918. It was his desire to see overseas service, hut his hopes were not realized. 1Ie was a member of Headquarters Company, 10th Inf.
Rodgers was born May 1, 1896, in Franklin county, Kansas, but for two years before his call to military service he had lived and was employed in and near Tower Hill. He was a youth of splendid character, and it has been said of him that he made a splendid soldier, cheerful, willing and obedient to his officers, and that through his kindly disposition and brotherly love to all around him he won many warm friends. When the influenza broke out in camp, he gave of his service to alleviate the distress of others, and many a comrade felt the effect of his kindly ministrations.
The young man is survived by his father, four sis- ters and one brother, residents of Rantoul, Kansas.
As a rule, he fights well who has wrongs to redress; but vastly better fights he who, with wrongs as a spur, has also steadily hefore him a glorious result in pros- pect-a result in which he can discern balm for wounds, compensation for valor, remembrance and gratitude in event of death.
-Lew Wallace.
Manhood begins when we have, in a way, made truce with necessity : begins, at all events, when we have sur- rendered to necessity, as the most part only do; but begins joyfully and hopefully only when we have recon- ciled ourselves to necessity, and thus in reality triumphed over it, and felt that in necessity we are free.
-- Carlyle.
ANDREW E. RUFF
Near Bellicourt was the scene of the death of An- rew Edwin Ruff of Strasburg, who was killed during a battle on the Hindenburg line, September 29, 1918, while he was serving with the American Expeditionary Force. He was a rifleman with Company K, 119th Inf., 30th Division, and landed in Liverpool, Eng., May 27, 1918, after a perilous voyage in which the transport Laomedia, on which he sailed from Boston May 12, was attacked by a submarine. Fortunately, however, the vessel was not torpedoed, and she and her human freight escaped unharmed.
Ruff, who was a son of Martin F. and Flora Ruff of Strasburg, was born in that place January 28, 1896. He was reared on his father's farm, and was a tiller of the soil when called to the colors, February 23, 1918. He was inducted by the local board at Shelbyville on that date, and was sent to Camp Taylor, Ky., where he was assigned to 18th Company, 159 Depot Brigade. In March he was transferred to Camp Sevier, S. C., where he was placed in Company K of the 119th. After two and one-half months of training in these camps, he was sent to France. After arriving there he completed his training near Yeuse, and about July 22 realized his ambition to get into the trenches. For two months he served on the Ypres front near Popperinge. and was actively participating in a hattle on the Hindenburg drive when he was killed. His particular work was as a rifleman, and he was an expert. Twice he was in the hospital-once afflicted with the mumps, and again after he was gassed by the enemy. Recovering, he re- turned to his outfit about September 20, and only a few days later sacrificed himself in the great cause for which he and his comrades were fighting.
Mr. Ruff stood well in his home community. In in- fancy he was baptized in the Lutheran faith, and later took the confirmation vows and became a member of St. Paul's church. He was survived by his parents, a brother, Carl Ruff, and one sister, Miss Alma Ruff.
NOAH RUSSELL
Noah O. Russell, a private in Company B, 130th U. S. Inf., was wounded by accidental gunshot January 1, 1918, and died from the effects more than a year later. His death occurred in the hospital at Maywood, Ill., to which he returned from a visit with relatives in Shelby county, following his discharge at Houston, Texas, in March, 191 .. His death occurred February 2, 1919.
Russell was a son of Noah and Mollie Russell of Trowbridge, Shelby county, Ill., and was born near Strasburg March 8, 1892. Before his enlistment, which took place at Maywood, Ill., September 19, 1917, he was employed as a mechanic at Maywood, though be- fore that time he had been a farmer. From Maywood he was sent to Camp Grant and later was transferred to Camp Logan, Houston, Tex., where he was assigned to Company B of the 130th. Following his accidental shooting he was discharged, and spent nearly a month at his home. Returning to the hospital at Melrose Park to suhmit to an operation for the removal of the bullet from his brain, he died very suddently. Hope of his ul- timate recovery from the effects of the wound were en- tertained because of his condition over quite a period of time between the date of the accident and his death, and the sudden termination of his life was a surprise and shock to his family and friends.
When moral courage feels that it is in the right, there is no personal daring of which it is incapable. --- Leigh Hunt.
To hope for safety in flight, when you have turned away from the enemy the arms by which the boly is de- fended, is indeed madness. In battle those who are most afraid are always in most danger; but courage is equivalent to rampart.
-Sallust.
LEROY SARVER
LeRoy Sarver, the second son of Ed and Minnie Sar- ver of Hlenton, Shelby county, was over the top four times during his active service overseas, was wounded in his fourth battle and died from the effects of his wounds on the 20th of June, 1918. This in brief is the record of the valiant service and complete sacrifice which this young soldier made for his country and the peoples of the old world.
Sarver enlisted at St. Louis, June 18, 1917, for service with the marines, and was sent to the marine barracks at Port Royal, S. C., and later to Quantico, Va., from which point he sailed on February 1, 1918. He landed at Brest, and was one of the splendid fighting men who wrote the name of the United States Marines high on the roll of fame and checked the enemy in his advance on Paris and civilization.
Following his death from wounds received in action after three months at the front, Sarver's body was buried June 20, in cemetery No. 241, grave No. 90, at La Ferte, Department of the Marne et Seine. Those who have seen the place declare it to be a beautiful place, and after the burial an American flag was placed above the resting place of the young hero.
Sarver was born in Shelhy county, March 18, 1895, and was reared on his father's farm near Henton. He developed a splendid character, and was upright and in- dustrious, a joy to his parents and respected by all. He was survived by his parents, five sisters and two broth- ers. One of the brothers is Charles E. Sarver, also in the service, and the other is Russell Sarver, at home. The sisters are Mrs. Pearl Small and the Misses Ollie, Alta, Dorothy and Velma Sarver, all of Menton.
A memorial service was held in honor of the dead hero on July 20, 1918, when patriotic music and addresses. with an eulogy of the young man, were features of the exercises.
Courage is, on all hands, considered as an essential of high character.
-Froude.
WILLIAM SARVER
William Sarver of Herrick was another Shelby county overseas soldier who lost his life in a foreign country through disease. Ile died of pneumonia, following in- fluenza, at Visernay, France, about March, 1919. He was a brother of John D. Sarver, and the two were in- ducted at the same time by the Shelby County Exemp- tion Board, and left Shelbyville together on the 30th of April, 1918. Their destination was Camp Dix, Wrights- town, N. J. After a short period of training there they were sent overseas with the 308th Field Artillery. Sar- ver was in the battles of St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Ar- gonne, and acquitted himself splendidly. Some time after the signing of the armistice and the cessation of hostilities, and while he was awaiting orders to return to his native land, he was stricken with the deadly in- fluenza, to which he fell a victim.
Sarver was well known in the southern part of Shelby county, and was well respected.
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