USA > Illinois > Lee County > War history of Lee County, Illinois, 1917-1919 : a history of the part taken by the people of Lee County, Illinois, in the World War, 1917-1919 > Part 12
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CHAPTER XXIV Bradford Township BY ANDREW ASCHENBRENNER
The town of Bradford did its part in winning the war. This is a purely rural township without a city or village. It does not have a large population but it met all of the calls for men and money.
The Bradford organization of the State Council of Defense was composed of the follow- ing persons:
Township Committee.
Andrew Aschenbrenner, chairman; Peter A. Kelly, Charles Wagner.
The Neighborhood Committee of the State Council of Defense was organized by school districts and was as follows:
District 84-George Mong. 1. H. Schmucker, C. F. Huyett.
District 85-Clarence D. Sanders, Roland P. Eisenberg, Adam Fonnerman.
District 86-Henry Newman, John G. Griesse, William Messer.
District 87-George Hann, Harfey Heibenthal, J. W. Baldwin.
District 88-Ed Herwig, William G. Krug, Charles Wagner.
District 89- Benjamin Richwine, Charles J. Hart, John W. Nass.
District 90-R. Aschenbrenner, George A. Perry, William E. Jones.
District 91-John J. Vaupel, Clarence Hart, Frank Butler.
District 94-Louis Wiser, George Lahman, William E. Taylor.
The subscription to Liberty Loans made by the people of the town aggregated the following:
Second Loan $27,600
Third Loan 22,850
Fourth Loan 51,350
Fifth Loan 38.700
Total
$140,500
The State Council of Defense organization was not in existence when the First Liberty Loan was sold and the town does not have credit for subscriptions but the people of the town bought bonds to a considerable amount through the banks at Ashton, Amboy and Franklin Grove.
War Savings Stamps to the amount of $18,442.75 were bought in 1918. There were Red Cross donations of $1260.75 and to the United War Work fund of $1530.30. Besides these there were other donations to a considerable amount the record of which can not be obtained.
In addition to money donations the Red Cross Chapter met regularly and did a great amount of sewing and knitting.
So as a whole Bradford's record of service is first class and her people did their fair portion toward winning the war.
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CHAPTER XXV Brooklyn-Viola Townships (Comprising the western one-half of both townships). BY OLIVER L. GEHANT
That old adage, "You cannot tell by the looks of a toad how far he will jump," can well be used with reference to the work done by the people of Brooklyn and Viola town- ships during the war.
From the beginning these people were liberal contributors towards the needs of the war and they set about their work with a spirit which made their efforts appear very small. Like the toad who makes his leap so easily that the real effort he has expended seems as nothing, so it is with these patriotie people in Brooklyn and Viola township" They set about their work so willingly, they did their work so well, that the real effort required of them seems small.
In these two townships are found people of all extractions. Yes, even many who were born within the boundaries of those countries with which we were at war. But this proved no handicap in doing the work set before them and in most instances their foreign birth urged these people onward all the more.
Many of them had left the home of their birth because of such grievances as caused this war and they could now see an opportunity to aid those they had left behind by helping to win this war. They felt it a duty to aid their former countrymen to throw off the yoke of a mighty emperor and help secure for them a freedom such as is enjoyed in America. These people therefore had a two-fold reason for helping to win the war and contributed in no small way towards its success.
When the war broke out Brooklyn and Viola were like the entire county-unprepared for meeting the demands to be made upon them, but despite this their people contributed well from the very first. Their boys were leaving for the training camps along with those of every community and those who remained at home dug deep down into their pockets to help in a financial way.
The first subscriptions for Red Cross work and for the Soldiers Comfort fund, also the First Liberty loan, were launched before any form of organization was perfected within the two townships but this did not prevent them from being successful. There were but fifteen or twenty persons who subscribed to the First Liberty Loan in West Brooklyn, whose territory comprises Precinct No.1 of Brooklyn township and much of Viola town- ship, but yet this small band proved equal to the occasion and subscribed all the quota asked of their townships. A government loan was a new and unheard of thing for most of the people and with no organization of any kind to boost their cause and explain their purpose, it stands as a great credit to these people to find that even the very first loan was a success within their borders.
After these first efforts had been put forth and it was realized that we were in a war which would tax our resources to the very utmost, it was decided to perfeet some sort of organization within the county so as to be better able to handle the various war activities which must come.
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WAR HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Therefore we find at West Brooklyn the following executive committee named by the county organization :
Oliver L. Gchant, F. W. Meyer and Dr. E. C. White, with the first named being the chairman.
This committee was termed the Finance committee of the State Council of Defense and had charge of practically all the war work during the balance of the war. It had as assistants a neighborhood or sub-committee within each school district.
In Brooklyn township, District No. 130 had John C. Henkel, Peter Barnickel, C. C. Schnuckel, and J. G. Halboth on its committee.
District No. 131 had C. A. Jeanblanc, William Schnuckel, and Arthur Foulk as the members of its committee.
District No. 125 had August Bettner, L. L. Philips, Louis Montavon and Fred Gilmore.
District No. 124 had the same members on its committee as constituted the executive committee.
In Viola township T. C. Kelly, Henry L. Gehant, John Montavon and Frank G. Knauer, with the first named as chairman, were selected as the executive committee and the follow- ing were the various neighborhood committees:
District No. 119, Joseph P. Sondgeroth, Louis L. Gehant and Joseph B. Bauer.
District No. 120, Henry J. Lipps, Charles W. Clopine, and Henry Kehm.
Distriet No. 117, J. W. Ackland, William Danekas and S. E. Anderson.
Distriet No. 122, Oscar Ikens, S. J. Holdren, B. A. Hartley, and Christ Mossiman.
Distriet No. 164, Charles Mackin, W. E. Taylor, and Carl Gardner.
These sub-committees did a vast amount of good in helping with the education of the public to the needs of the government for the proper conduct of the war and to them belongs practically all the merit for the success of the Second Liberty Loan and the War Savings Stamp campaign. When the volunteer plan for raising the quotas was decided upon before the Third Liberty Loan the work of the sub-committees was mostly done away with but the effects of their earlier canvasses remained and to their eredit belongs a great part of the success attained in the work which continued until the end of the war.
Of equal importance to the above is the work done by the Red Cross. The West Brooklyn auxiliary of the Lee County chapter was organized in the spring of 1918 and as a result of some earnest soliciting on the part of a few patriotic women, we find that nearly everyone in the community joined the Red Cross. The women gathered each week to work for the soldiers and much knitting and sewing was done.
Dr. E. C. White was president of this auxiliary; Mrs. A. L. Derr, secretary and Oliver L. Gehant, treasurer.
It was supported financially by various donations made by the people of the com- munity and by the Business Mens' association of West Brooklyn. On May 23, 1918 the business men held a big benefit bazaar and this undertaking was so well patronized and proved so successful that the association was able to finance all the needs of the auxil- iary for the remainder of the war.
The Woman's Committee Council of Defense was well represented at West Brooklyn. Mrs. E. C. White was the chairman and had for assistants in handling the work most of the women of the township. On her committees we find the following:
Mrs. Amel Henry, Mrs. A. L. Derr, Miss Ruby Johnson, Miss Leafy Gehant, Miss Madolyn Derr, Miss Frances Meyer, Mrs. H. A. Bernardin, Mrs. Frank Herman, Mrs. Prosper Gander, Mrs. F. M. Yocum, Mrs. Frank Hoggard, and Mrs. Catherine Fassig.
These women took charge of the registering in their precinct and so ardently did they
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WAR HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
set about their work that we find only thirteen women who refused or failed to volun- teer their services to their Country as members of the Woman's Committee Council of Defense.
They did much sewing, making 38 hospital garments, 36 suits or 72 pieces of pajamas and 36 day shirts, a total of 144 articles.
Mrs. Catherine Fassig was the champion knitter and made many pairs of socks for the soldier boys. These ladies also did much relief work, sending many bundles of clothing to headquarters for the benefit of those suffering as a result of the war. They also had charge of the weighing of the babies during the better babies movement and were instru- mental in procuring ten of the women of West Brooklyn to adopt a little French orphan. Their work is deserving of much praise.
When the government sent out a call for the conservation of food and other materials essential for the war, the people of Brooklyn and Viola eagerly did their share to save and help provide these necessities. Practically every farm had more acres planted to crop and those who had retired from work for several years, went out again and did their share. Food reports were handed in at the churches on Sundays and one family would hope to out-do another in the number of meatless and wheatless meals served during a week. Oliver L. Gehant was the local food administrator.
Dr. E. (. White, the post-master at West Brooklyn, had charge of the sale of War Savings Stamps during the war and the fact that approximately $20,000.00 of these stamps were sold during the year of 1918 proves how well he handled the campaign. In his work he was aided by the H. F. Gehant Banking Co., Inc. and the government awarded both Dr. White and the bank, a handsome certificate showing their appreciation for the work done in selling the war stamps.
The bank also received a certificate of distinguished financial service for its work in aiding the Fourth Liberty Loan by purchasing 100 per cent of its quota of the certi- ficates of indebtedness put out by the Treasury department in anticipation of that loan and the previous issues.
West Brooklyn and Viola township's financial contribution to the war is represented by the following figures which are secured from the records of the bank and are as near accurate as it is possible to get them.
First Liberty Loan $13,000.00 Y.M.C.A. and K. of C. . $1,000.00
Second Liberty Loan 28,000.00 Red Cross, 1918 1,500.00
Third Liberty Loan 32,700.00
United War Work Fund . 2,500.00
Fourth Liberty Loan 66,700.00
War Savings Stamps 20,000.00 $5,000.00
$160,400.00
It can be seen by the above that the people of these two parts of townships did well and certainly must have worked together in a harmonious manner. But yet their work is not to be compared to that of the boys who left for the training camps and for the army or navy. These are the ones who have made the sacrifice and it is to these that we wish to dedicate this bit of history touching upon the work of the people of that community during the war. The soldier had the help, but it was left to him to save for us that free- dom for which our forefathers fought and bled. We owe him a debt of gratitude which money can never repay.
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WAR HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
HONOR ROLL
HARRY EUGENE LAHMAN -- eldest son of Edgar E. and Geneva Lah- man was born at Delavan, Ill., Nov. 11, 1893 and in early life moved to Lee County. He was inducted into service at Dixon. He was a mem- ber of Co. D, M.G. Bat. 88. He was transferred to Mott, N. D. and from there to Camp Dodge, Ia. He remained there but a short time when he was sent to Camp Upton, N. Y. From there he sailed for Eng- land and from there went to France, arriving there about Sept. 1, 1918. He soon went into action and during a heavy bombardment near Hagen- baek on Oct. 12, 1918 was killed. He was buried at the Hagenback cemetery.
HARRY K. WATTS-private, was the son of Edgar and Agnes French Watts. He was born Nov. 26, 1894 in Jefferson County, Illinois. En- listed in the service of his country on June 24, 1918 and was sent to Mt. Vernon, Ill. From there he went to Camp Taylor, Ky .; thence to Camp Buerguard, La. Then he went to Camp Mills, N. Y. In September 1918 he went overseas as a member of the 400th casuals, A. E. F. While in France he was taken ill with pneumonia and died Oet. 8, 1918.
CONRAD MILLER-the only information available is that Conrad Miller was inducted into the army from West Brooklyn June 24, 1918; that he served and was killed in France.
Among the injured are Privates James E. Kelly, Raymond Gwenip, and Jesse Aughen- baugh. These heroes received their wounds while fighting on the front lines with General Pershing's army on the western front in France.
BROOKLYN TOWNSHIP (Second Precinet) BY CHAS. BRADSHAW
When war was declared against Germany by the United States only a few people realized what the far reaching effects of this action meant. A great many did not realize that the responsibility of carrying it on successfully should be equally divided. Educa- tional work was needed. Publie speakers and the newspapers began to enlighten the people and to arouse the spirit of true Americanism. Every citizen was urged to assume his full obligation. Some of the best young men of the land stepped forward to make the supreme sacrifice, if necessary. Men and women soon began to see the necessity of individual cooperation and war work committees and organizations were immediately formed and put in operation.
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WAR HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
The first registration board consisted of John W. Banks, Charles Bradshaw and John S. Areher. The first registration was held June 21, 1917 and the second, Sept. 12, 1918. The work of this board was conducted in a fair and impartial manner.
The local Council of Defense consisted of the following members:
Charles Bradshaw, J. W. Banks, S. O. Argraves, J. S. Richardson, John S. Archer and Louis C. Bauer.
The work that fell upon this committee was very heavy and was handled in a very commendable manner. These men whenever necessary left their business and gave their time and talent to war work. Many times they could be found at work during the greater part of the night. The work handled by this committee will be summarized later.
A local organization, known as the "Business Mens' association" was also formed for the purpose of aiding in war work. The officers were:
J. W. Banks, President; Charles Bradshaw. Secretary.
The members were C. L. Ogilvie, W. H. Dishong, Charles Stout, E. A. Kettley, J. S. Archer, Jesse Fox, W. N. Hills, Joseph Kaufman, Robert Anglemier, S. O. Argraves, Arthur A. Anglemier, William Webber, H. M. Chaon, Dr. C. G. Pool, Guy D. Archer and Roy Tribbett.
The principal work of this organization was the raising of money for Red Cross and other purposes. Charles Bradshaw was appointed as chairman of a committee to hold a fair. He organized teams and under his direction every one in the community was solicited. A large amount of eggs, butter, poultry, sheep, hogs, cattle and other articles was donated for this sale.
Through the efforts of Mr. Bradshaw the 342nd Infantry band, of Camp Grant, was secured for that day. This was a great treat for a town the size of Compton. This band was highly appreciated and went away feeling they were treated royally. Dinner was served by the ladies of the O. E. S. for the band and also the committee. The auctioneers who donated their services were W. A. Webber, Howard Blair and James Larabee. The receipts of this fair amounted to the neat sum of $2263.72.
The Y. M. C. A. officers were J. W. Banks, chairman, and S. O. Argraves, Secretary. Mr. Banks appointed the following committees to assist him:
J. S. Richardson, W. A. Webber, John Eggers, Fred P. Gilmore, Clifford Ogilvie, J. W. Burd, Delos Butler and Roy Miller. The amount raised by this organization was $274.75.
The Women's Committee Council of Defense consisted of Daisy D. Paine, chairman; Emma Fox, Secretary and Treasurer, Mae Bradshaw, chairman of registration committee. The registrars were Mesdames Alexander Beemer, Elizabeth Banks, Daisy D. Paine, Marie Miller, Amy Dishong, Ruth Carnahan, Edna Cole, Misses Gladys Carnahan, Roma Krebbs, and Nellie Oderkirk. Two hundred ninety-three women registered for war work. On Christmas, 1917, the school children, under the supervision of the Woman's Council of Defense, sold $23.75 worth of Christmas seals. This amount was sent to the Illinois Tubereular Fund. Under the babies welfare department, thirty-five babies were weighed and measured. This work was under the supervision of Dr. C. G. Pool, and the women doing this work were Mesdames Florence Pool, Edna Cole, Ruth Carnahan and Daisy Paine.
A general survey of all the war work will show that the people of this precinct did their full duty and more. Every loan drive, every Red Cross drive and every other demand for money was fully met and more. They gave their quota in money, they gave their time and talent and their boys offered their lives. Could they have done more?
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WAR HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
The First Liberty loan was handled mainly by the First National bank. There were only a few subscribers to this loan, and most of the bonds were taken by the bank. The Second loan was handled in a similiar manner, with a larger number of outside subscribers, but the bank assumed a larger part of the quota.
The third loan was handled by the local Council of Defense, J. W. Banks acting as chairman. This loan was taken by the people. Everyone in the precinct was asked to take his proportionate share of bonds. This made the work very heavy on Mr. Banks and his committee. The quota of this loan was fully subscribed.
The Fourth loan was also handled by the Local Council of Defense, with Charles Bradshaw acting as chairman. This loan was fully subscribed, Brooklyn township being third in the county to report.
The Victory loan was handled in a similiar manner except that the subscriptions were voluntary. Joseph Richardson acted as chairman of this loan and the loan was over- subscribed.
The above named committee handled the sale of W. S. S. in a similiar manner to that of the sale of bonds. The amounts raised were:
First Liberty loan S 6,000.
Business Mens' Ass'n. . $2,263.72
Second Liberty loan 16,000.
Y. M. C. A. 274.75
Third Liberty loan
20.150.
Red Cross 3,223.20
Fourth Liberty Loan
45,000.
Women's Com. Council of Def. 47.05
Victory loan
31,250.
W. S. S.
20,600. $5,808.72
$139,000.
Grand total of all money raised $144,808.72.
This precinct assumed and raised not less than 60 per cent of the quota for Brooklyn township.
The first public meeting was held September 19, 1917 at the time the boys' of the first draft were called. This meeting was held on the street and was well attended. The speakers were Harry Warner and John H. Byers of Dixon, Clarence White of West Brooklyn and J. W. Banks of Compton.
The next meeting of much importance was held in the opera house at the time of the Third Liberty loan. Henry S. Dixon and John E. Erwin of Dixon were the speakers.
The fourth loan was started off with a meeting, Charles Bradshaw presiding. The speakers were John H. Byers and Harry C. Warner of Dixon, and Herbert Chapman, a Canadian soldier, who had seen overseas service. The house was crowded, many being turned away. Unusual interest and good will toward war activities was shown.
The Red Cross was organized at Compton, July 17, 1917 and included precinct No. 1 of Brooklyn. The officers were:
J. W. Banks, president; Mrs. Emil Henry, secretary, and Charles Bradshaw, treasurer. The Trustees were:
Mrs. Prosper Gander, Rev. M. B. Krugg, F. W. Meyers, U. G. Dysart, Mrs. George Webber, Andrew Little, Rev. A. Biederman, Rev. Ella Niswonger, and Rev. William Kaufman.
The total number of members up to the time of division was 683. The total amount collected was $1455.42. Work done: several sweaters, 51 wristlets, 87 scarfs, 89 helmets, 52 pair of socks, 4812 pieces of muslin, and 8589 pieces of gauze.
In May, 1918, this organization was dissolved and a new one formed in each of the
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WAR HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
two precincts. The officers of the second precinct were W. A. Webber, President; Mrs. J. W. Banks, Secretary, and Charles Bradshaw, Treasurer. Mae Bradshaw was appointed chairman of the work committee. This meant a heavy responsibility and very much work. She gave nearly all her time to this work as long as it was needed. She also saw that every soldier was supplied with a complete knitted outfit when he left for service. The amount of work done was: 265 sweaters, 97 searfs, 60 pair wristlets, 150 pair socks, 80 helmets, 15 pair stump socks, thousands of surgical dressings and muslins for bandages, consisting of many sizes of compresses, wipes slings, head bandages and a number of relief garments.
The amount of work done shows that this department was well managed and was also well supported by the ladies of the precinct.
East Half of Viola Township
Viola township, being without a town within its limits, was handicapped somewhat in organizing for war work. Much of the land is owned by non-resident owners. These conditions made the burden of the war work fall more heavily upon them than other pre- einets. But there was no lagging in the spirit of true patriotism. People readily step- ped forward to assume their equal share of the burden. The township was divided near the center, and the east half of the township united with Compton and worked with them in the Red Cross work. They are entitled to their full share of credit in the work that was accomplished at Compton. The First and Second loans were handled by the township as a whole working together. U. Grant Dysart and T. C. Kelly did most of the soliciting for this loan. These men also solicited for the Red Cross.
The third and fourth loan in the east half of the township was handled by T. C. Kelly with the following school directors as committeemen:
Julius Kugler, Jay Stiles, Milo Stevens, Henry Kehm, Charles Clopine, B. W. Hunt, Charles Walter, T. C. Kelly, John Galliseth, Zene Johnson and L. H. Lutz.
These men were very faithful in handling every loan drive or Red Cross drive.
The soldiers from this half of the township were:
Eugene F. Henry, Elmer Jeanguenat, Oscar Schoenholtz, Privates.
CHAPTER XXVI
Account of China's Activities During Period of World-War
BY DR. F. M. BANKER
In writing a brief history of the part China township has taken in the war with Germany, I wish to pay tribute to the loyalty, patriotism and cheerful attitude its citizens have displayed. During the past eighteen months China has responded to every call made upon her with courage and determination, whether the demand was for her sons, her money or any other requirement, she has readily responded in the most creditable manner.
When war was declared between the United States and the Central Powers, April 1917, the situation in China township was much the same as elsewhere; many of its citizens being of the opinion that the war would not effect them much, the battle front was three thousand miles across the sea and that conditions here would remain about the same.
At the time the first liberty bonds were placed on sale, very little interest was mani- fest, only a few of our citizens making any purchase. The Franklin Grove Bank, however, having assumed the responsibility of taking over the balance of the allotment, created renewed interest and confidence to such an extent that the succeeding issues met with a more ready response and at the third and fourth issues, more money was offered than the allotment required. The same may be said of the war offerings; money for the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A. and other organizations being donated freely and cheerfully, the result showing a determination to contribute in every way to the vigorous prosecution of the war and its successful termination. The sacrifices and economics practiced by the citizens of Franklin Grove and China township were numerous and varied in character and throughout the entire period their citizens have never faltered, but responded in a most splendid manner to each and every call.
China township furnished sixty nine men to help Uncle Sam win the war; four of whom have given their lives in defense of home and country. Two of these are buried in France, the other two are buried in our beautiful little cemetery. Six have been wounded, two of whom have suffered the loss of their right arms.
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