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 16
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Fourth Loan
In September 1918 the finance committee was notified that the town's quota of $28,200 must be met and all distriet committees gathered at the hall to formulate plans accordingly. It was decided that Supervisor Bauer make arrangements for a patriotie meeting to be held in the hall which was done in early October. W. H. Winn, John B. Crabtree and W. E. Wingert pressed home the fact that all would be known by what they gave to back up the boys over there. The slacker was the one who strove to see how much he could get out of the war and how little he could give.
At a meeting of the committee a quota was allotted to each and directions made to make it of a volunteer nature by each going to their various schools and subscribe the quota assigned which was largely done in a single day.
Red Cross
At the opening of the war a Red Cross auxiliary was organized in Walnut, Bureau County, Ill. This is the community center of the south half of Hamilton. This resulted in the larger part of this territory affiliating with this chapter assisting as officials and mak- ing contributions of horses, colts, calves, pigs, grain and cash to help carry on. In return every soldier in this zone when called received a sweater, helmet and other comforts made by loving hands at home. These associations were hard to break when the drive for member- ship was made in the winter of 1917 and 1918 under charge of W. W. Edson. Notice that our quota was 150 members met the response of 160 adults. One hundred percent banners were conspicuous everywhere. However, many still remained with Walnut on account of faets above mentioned.
The drive for relief work and for the raising of $856 in May 1918 was the first real call made that demanded the town's notice. The finance committee, jointly with the district associates, made a quota for each school district based on the number of families each contained.
The second drive for membership in December 1918 was conducted by each school teacher and pupils being a committee to do the work and was most effective. The little ones were enthusiastic; everyone of the first distriets were 100 per cent for Red Cross and the adult membership was 207.
Y. M. C. A. and Associates
During the month of December, 1917 W. W. Edson, John Wells, and H. G. Keigwin made a house to house canvass for the Y. M. C. A. that totalled nearly $200.
In October 1918 the various relief organizations' needs were united into one drive and the quota of each state, county and township made known. Hamilton's quota of $853 was distributed by the finance committee and the school buildings named as a place where payments would be made and November 12 saw $904 paid for this noble work.
War Stamps
On January 1, 1918 war stamps were put on the market and later a quota for each state, county and town made as in loans and drives. A meeting was held at the Pope
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School in June to explain the nature and necessity for this feature of work where Rev. A. B. Whitcombe, and Judge Crabtree made vigorous appeals to all to back up the boys to the limit. The solicitors made a visit to each home and in a few days reported a good SUIn.
Registration
In May, 1917, Supervisor Bauer, John Foss, and H. C. Keigwin were notified they were to act as officials to register those from 21 to 30 for the draft on June 5, 1917. In- eluding those registered on Sept. 12, 1918, there were in all 115 registered. From this number 18 were inducted into the service.
NICHOLAS A. KNAPP- Called in April to Camp Grant, was soon transferred to Camp Funston when he was assigned to Co. C, 353d Inf. He was sent to France in June where the organization was soon sent to the front battling continually in the St. Mihiel and Argonne contest and in the latter place "Niek" was killed Oct. 25, 1918 being the only casualty that is reported to Hamilton. Nick was town clerk and most efficient in the capacity, being a fine penman. Thus the community lost a splendid citizen and official, the neighborhood a friend, his family a noble son and brother, his county a brave soldier, but their loss is Heaven's gain.
CHAPTER XXXI Harmon Township
BY GEORGE ROSS
While our boys were fighting in France and receiving their training for the conflict, we, who remained at home, did what we could to back them up.
The members of the Finance committee who worked hard to put over all the financial drives, were W. H. Kugler, chairman; Elmer Hess, of Van Potten, R. W. Long, T. P. Long, E. J. Watkins and Geo. E. Ross. Miss Ada Dewey, although not an official member, was tireless in the aid she gave the committee.
Liberty Loan Drives
The First Liberty loan, the quota for Harmon Township being $6000, was taken care of by the Harmon Bank and a few of its friends. The amount subscribed was $7000. At the beginning of the Second Liberty loan a patriotic meeting was held in Long's hall. The use of this hall for all meetings held was donated to the committee by the owner, Edward F. Long.
E. J. Mannion presided at the meeting, at which Attorneys Harry Edwards, John Devine and A. H. Hanneken, gave able addresses. At the close, an opportunity was given to all who so desired to sign up for bonds. The quota for the township was $39,500. This was overseribed by $12,550. This sum was raised by solicitors who made a house to house canvass. The committee was assisted by P. H. Kugler, A. A. Conner, E. J. Morrisey and A. A. Mekeel.
Y. M. C. A. Fund Campaign
The first Y. M. C. A. drive was not the success that it should have been, as the solic- tors, Geo. E. Ross and John Graham, waited in vain until the last day for the supply of buttons, then went out and got $47. Some of the citizens subscribed in other towns, as they were unaware that each town was assessed its quota to raise.
We have been unable to learn how much Harmon contributed to the K. C. as solic- tors from Harmon, Sterling, and Dixon were here at work.
Mrs. Joseph MeCleary of Dixon came to Harmon and met the ladies of the township at the Frank Hettinger home and organized a working auxiliary of the Red Cross. Mrs. V. Hettinger was chosen president, Miss Mary Giblin, secretary; and W. H. Kugler, treasurer. The ladies met every week at the president's home and made slings, band- ages and knit sweaters for the boys; also gave the boys a nice Christmas present.
The drive for members for 1918 was led by E. J. Mannion. One hundred and eighty- three persons became members.
The drive for funds for the Red Cross was conducted on the Volunteer plan. Misses Celia and Emma O'Brien received the subscriptions at the bank, while Elmer Hess attended to those who came to his store at Van Petten. The neat sum of $1207.50 was raised. At the close of the drive the ladies of the community served an elaborate banquet in Het- tinger and Smallwood's garage, the use of which was kindly donated by the owners. At this banquet, W. H. Kugler presided. Patriotic speeches were given by Harry Warner, John Devine and John Crabtree of Dixon; Father Thomas Moore of Harmon, and Rev.
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Thornton of Naperville. A musical program, consisting of solos, duets, drills and choruses was also given. Over $150 was added to the fund by the banquet.
The Harmon school, under the leadership of John Graham, received a United States flag for selling more Red Cross Christmas seals for the number of pupils enrolled, than any other city school in the county.
Loan on Quota Basis
The finance committee decided to apportion the quota for the township, for the Third Liberty loan according to the school districts and let the directors receive the subserip- tions. Those who had the good fortune to be school directors, and jumped into the collar, were R. W. Long and John Murray, Alfred Clatworthy and P. F. Talty, A. A. Mekeel, assisted by Elmer Hess, Charles Nicklans and J. R. McCormick; George E. Ross assisted P. H. Kugler and J. P. Long. John W. Graham, scout master, and the Boy Scouts were given the opportunity of working in this drive. Ellis Kugler, Douglas Considine, Nelson Connery and Thomas Drew were the boys who hung on until the slacker came across. The amount raised for this loan was $24,900.
War Savings Stamps
In the spring of 1918 three rural mail carriers, E. T. McCormick, George E. Ross and Joe Smallwood, under the supervision of Ada Dewey, postmistress, made a house to house canvass on their routes, for the sale of war savings stamps. They had fair suc- cess but not enough to complete the township quota. Then the finance committee sent the directors to work in the school districts. Those taking active part were D. T. Hill and Will Kranov, R. W. Long and John Murray, Wilbur Gatehel and Charles Nicklaus. E. T. McCormick, T. P. Long and Elmer Hess. The value of stamps taken was $18,755, being $1705 more than the township's quota.
During this drive a rally was held in Long's hall. At the meeting Father Moore, with Attorneys Edwards and Hanneken, furnished the oratorical fireworks.
Fourth Liberty Loan Drive
At the beginning of the Fourth Liberty loan drive a mass meeting was held in Long's hall. Mrs. Will Kranov and Mrs. Gertrude MeInnery favored the audience with pat- riotic solos. Miss Stella Long gave a reading, while Rev. J. B. Kenna, Edward Vaile and Attorney Winn were the speakers.
The volunteer plan was adopted for the drive, the citizens coming to the Bank at Harmon and Hess's store at Van Petten. The subscriptions at the bank were taken care of by Charles Kent, I. H. Perkins, Miss Nellie Burns, Teresa Jeanquenat, Celia and Emma ('Brien. At Van Petten, P. P. Talty and Miss Vera Donahue helped Mr. Hess take the subseriptions. The amount received was $42,600.00, being $1450 over the top.
As the volunteer plan had worked fine in the former drive it was continued at the same places for the war activity drive, and was a success, as $1360 was given for this work.
Two hundred and nineteen persons joined the Red Cross for the year 1919.
Activities of W. C. C. N. D.
Mrs. George E. Ross was appointed township chairman of the Woman's Committee Council of National Defense. She appointed Miss Mary Giblin, secretary, and Mrs. R. W. Long, registration officer, Mrs. John Graham, Mrs. Will Kranov, with the seere- tary, registrars. Other workers were Mrs. W. H. Kuglers, Mrs. Tom Mannion and Mrs. Elmer Hess. On November 9 and 10, 1918, one hundred thirteen women of the township came to the village council room and registered.
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WAR HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
On September 27, Miss Puterbaugh was here, measured and weighed over eighty children in the child welfare work. Ray Parker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Parker, was the nearest correct in weight and height.
Several of the women made dresses for the Belgium orphans.
A boy's working reserve was formed. John Graham being registration officer, Dr. Lund, physician. The boys who registered being Stanley Stewart, Glenn Camery, Clare Smith. Francis Long, Joseph G. Long.
Thomas P. Garland Makes Supreme Sacrifice
THOMAS P. GARLAND, son of Lawrence Garland. was engaged in farming when his call to arms came. He turned his lease over to his father and brothers and went to Camp Gordon, where he received his preliminary training as a soldier. He went to France with Leroy Kent and B. F. Faley. While in France he had the welfare of his father in mind, as he sent him what money he saved from his wages. He got to the front and went into action, where he gave his life for the freedom of the world. He was the only Harmon boy who was called to pay the full price. The people of the community sympathize with the father and brothers and sisters in the loss of the son and brother.
CHAPTER XXXII Lee Center Township
BY S. L. SHAW
Among the very first of the war activities in Lee Center township was the raising of money for the "Comfort Fund" that was used to purchase extra supplies for the boys at Camp Grant.
This subscription paper was circulated by W. H. Wellman, one of the few that wore three stars on his service pin. Preceding the campaign for the first Y. M. C. A. war fund J. Der Kinderen addressed a meeting at Lce Center in the interest of the Associations' plans for work in the camps and at the front.
A committee consisting of William S. Frost, Jr., S. L. Shaw, E. J. Gray, C. H. Henschel, S. A. Sandberg, L. A. Bedient, Ned Bedient, Rev. J. D. Kempster, A. B. MeCrea and Joseph Nicholson secured $407.49 for this fund.
Upon the call of the Allied Relief for contributions to a bazaar to be held at Dixon, Lee Center citizens responded with cash and supplies that were valued at a goodly sum. Lee Center township stood near the top in the list of townships, outside of Dixon, as to the value of its contributions.
There was not much of an effort made to secure subscriptions to the First Liberty loan and there seems to be no record available as to the amount subscribed, if any, to this loan. The subscriptions to the Second loan were secured by William S. Frost Jr. and W. H. Wellman and the amount subscribed was $6250.00.
After the State Council of Defense completed its organization it was much easier to carry on the work of securing subscriptions and help for the various war activities.
The county organizations appointed Kyle C. Miller, William Callahan and S. L. Shaw as members of their committee for Lee Center township.
Acting on instructions from the county organization this committee appointed a com- mittee for each school district, and the success of the work from this time on was largely due to the faithful work of these district committees that township's quotas were subscribed.
The following constituted the school district committees:
District 92-William S. Frost, Jr., W. H. Wellman and C. H. Henschel.
District 93-A. H. Hill, John Vivian and Joseph Nicholson.
District 95-Frank Ford, Eri Conibear and Mrs. Hiel Brunson.
District 96-Clem Miller, George W. Frost and Orville Tiffany.
District 97-Julius Bernardin, Fred Biggart and Fred S. Dale.
District 98-E. E. Turner, Richard Willey and Amos Leffelman.
District 99-Joseph Auchstetter, Frank Delhotal and P. C. Reinhart.
A certain per cent of the township's quota was apportioned to each district and dis- triet No. 99 has the record of raising its quota every time and reporting before any of the other districts.
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The township subscribed to the war activities as follows:
Second Liberty loan $6,250.00
Red Cross work . . $1.140.00
Third Liberty loan 21,550.00 War Savings Stamps 18,665.00
Fourth Liberty loan . 47,450.00 United War Work fund 1.346.22
Fifth Liberty loan 38,550.00
Total $134,951.22
The people of Lce Center and vicinity gave receptions in honor of most of the boys who went into the service from the township and the neighborhood, supplying the most of them with comfort kits.
There were several meetings held in the interest of the war work. Among the speakers that addressed the meetings were: W. B. Brinton, Rev. E. C. Lumsden, John Erwin, J. P. Devine, Harry Edwards, H. C. Warner, Sergeant Campbell, Martin Gannon, Judge J. B. Crabtree, A. H. Hanneken and J. Der Kinderen. Among the Dixon people who assisted with music in making the meetings a success were: James Cledon, Prof. A. H. Stoddard and others.
The Trustees of the Congregational church and of the Odd Fellows hall were always ready to offer the use of their buildings for the meetings.
The record of war work for Lee Center township would not be complete without a report of the activities, both the Red Cross and the Council of National Defense receiving assistance as calls eame.
Knitting for the Red Cross began in August, 1917, but sewing and the making of surgical dressings were not undertaken until the following spring. Rooms in the Congregational church in Lee County were nicely fitted up for their use and during the summer one after- noon a week was devoted to Red Cross sewing and the making of surgical dressings. Miss Eda Sandberg acted as secretary of the auxiliary.
No accurate record of the knitting was kept by the women save a good account of themselves. Four barrels of clothing were collected and shipped for the Belgian Relief.
Work for the Council of National Defense began with the registration of the women in October 1917, Mrs. S. L. Shaw acting as chairman. In March 1918, a generous dona- tion was made to the Allied Bazaar held in Dixon, and in May, sewing and the making of surgical dressings were taken up. Over 3000 surgical dressings were made besides a goodly number of other articles, one afternoon a week being given to the work.
One day was spent in weighing and measuring the babies of the township.
Mrs. A. F. Jeanblane was chairman of the committee for the Fatherless Children of France and as the result of the work four children have been adopted.
It is not known that the fuel administration had a representative in the township. The Food administration was represented by S. L. Shaw.
CHAPTER XXXIII History of Marion Township War Activities
BY REV. C. F. CONLEY
The initial attitude of Marion township towards the "winning of the war" was normal; that is to say, it was an attitude typical of the normal American farming community that suffers neither from hot nor from cold extremities. The townsmen, neither disting- uished themselves for patriotic endeavor nor made themselves notorious for entire lack of it. Without exception, they were reasonably certain of America's entry into the great struggle within ten days after Dixon newspapers had first attempted to spread the rather important information. But belligerent headlines were not new and the fresh relations they bore to home interests produced no sudden, neurotic awakening. There followed, indeed, a pretty general stir of passive patriotism and here and there some evidence of the presence of a human "nerve" tingling under the stress of a dangerous irritant. But Marion awoke to action slowly for Marion is 100 per cent agricultural. Perhaps when the present cycle of "reconstruction" has passed the farmer will make "panting time toil after him in vain" in his readiness to seize a mental concept and to transmit it into practice; but he has not yet outlived a reputation for tempermental tardiness. So just naturally Marion seemed to be lagging, at the start, and the fault was so characteristic of farming communities that no journalist, with a trained instinet for the unusual, paid any attention to it.
The first Red Cross drive prompted eighteen men and women to make an embryonix sacrifice. The First Liberty loan came as a "feeler" and four felt it. Some, crude floating machinery was installed to handle the Second loan but still fifty percent of the "potentials" were out of step. However, in proportion as the nebulous plans of the Lee County Fin- ance committee took on definite shape, the township evolved an efficient organization that finally reached out to the individual. Its successful working was first demonstrated in the Third loan. When the drive opened each school district committeeman had his list of names and quotas and a fair knowledge of the "goods" for which he was to be the authorized agent. Within twenty four hours Marion was "over the top", with second place to her credit. In the various drives that followed, some neighboring township would invariably make a sensational spurt and capture first honors but a succeeding nat- ional call for financial aid usually found the honored township panting somewhere towards the rear. Marion, on the contrary, held her rank consistently among the first and never, thereafter, fell below the eighth place in subscribing her quota.
The chief credit for this excellent record is due to the fine spirit of patriotism and co- operation that existed among the members of the Neighborhood Council of Defense. Special mention is deserved by the following men:
Township Finance Committee-Rev. C. F. Conley (chairman); Charles F. Welty; and John J. Morrissey.
School District Committee-A. E. Kecfer, John J. Blackburn, C. J. O'Malley, John Lally, George MeDermott, James F. Dempsey, A. D. Cahill, P. H. Dunphy, (chairmen), M. J. Kent, James McCoy, George White, M. J. Fielding, Carl Ackert, E. J. O'Malley Adam Heldman, M. J. Conroy, J. C. Lally, Edward Lyons, P. H. McCaffrey, E. W. Mor- rissey, John Farley, Thomas Morrissey, George Welty and John T. Wolcott.
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However, valuable assistance was rendered by the Woman's Committee Council of National Defense among whose local members the following deserve recognition:
Mrs. J. J. Morrissey (chairman) ; Mesdames Carl Ackert, John Dempsey, Grace C'ad- well Petticrew, James Dempsey and Misses Mary Leonard, Marie Morrissey, Nellie C'ahill and Anna MeCoy.
A detailed record of Marion township's war fund contributions may prove an interest- ing memorandum.
Government Loans
Red Cross Campaigns
First Liberty loan
$50.00
First Drive S 20.00
Second Liberty loan
13,150.00
Second Drive 967.26
Third Liberty loan
20,950.00
First Roll Call 220.00
Fourth Liberty loan
35.250.00
Second Roll C'all 243.00
War Savings Stamps
15,825.00
Total
$86,025.00
Total
$1.450.26
Social Agencies
Y. M. C. A. Drive
43.00
K. of C. Drive
273.25
United War Work campaign
1,245.10
Total
$1,561.35
Service Flag is Great Pride
It is to another side, however, of her war activities that the township points with the greatest pride. It is to the sacrifice symbolized by the nineteen stars upon her service flag-one of them silver now and two of them gold, and gold in honor of the first two Lee county boys to sacrifice their lives at the front. Surely it is a fine, though sad, dis- tinction to have furnished the first two heroes that were "killed in action." Private Claude Heldman and Private George (. Grohens head the list and they were both noble sons of Marion. The silver star was in honor of Private Herbert MeDermott who was severely wounded in action and later died at his home. These distinguished lads had responded to the first call for troops and were among the eight who represented the town- ship-the largest contingent furnished by any township outside of Dixon. A list of the men who entered their country's service during the great world war is as follows:
('LAUDE EDWARD HELDMAN- Son of Adam and Olga Heldman, was born near Eldena, Lee Co., Ill., December 13, 1892, where he continued to reside until September 3. 1917, where he was called into service at Camp Grant. Here he became a Sergeant of Co. M. 342d Inft., and on April 20, 1918, was transferred to Camp Merritt, N. J. He remained at this camp one month, when he sailed for France. The last letter received by his parents was dated June 20, 1918, giving news of his safe arrival in France, that he enjoyed the voyage very much, expected to be at the front very soon, and had been transferred to Co. K, 131st Inft. On Sept. 6, 1918, the father was officially notified by telegram from Washington, D. C., that his son had been killed in action July 20th, 1918. Inquiry as to what battles he had fought in, and place of death and burial, have been unavailing. Claude Edward Hellman was the first soldier from Lee County to give his life for the great cause of humanity.
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WAR HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
HERBERLT D. MCDERMOTT-Corporal, son of Martin and Mary MeDermott, was born in Marion township, Jan. 2, 1897 and resided in that vieinity until ealled to the colors-September, 1917, leaving Dixon for Camp Grant with the first eontingent from Lee county for service in the world war. He was in training at Camp Grant a member of Co. M, 342nd Infantry until March 6, 1918 when he was transferred to Camp Greene, Charlotte, S. C. where he joined Co. C 58th Infantry and was promoted to corporal and leaving Camp Greene with his regiment for over there, the boat sailing May 24 and landing in England the regiment parading in London and proceeding to France.
Corporal MeDermott was attending gas school in France June 2. His regiment was selected to parade in Paris July 4, on their way to the front, leaving Paris July 5 for the firing line. His regiment was a part of the Fourth division, First Army corps and was one of the first American divisions to take the line. Corporal McDermott entered the battle at Chateau Thierry, remaining in battle the first time up for about 18 days and being relieved because of loss of men, his company having only 54 fighting men left out of the original 265, during the battle a shell struck so elose to him that a piece of it struck his rifle breaking it to pieces but he got out without a scratch.
On July 26 his regiment, having been filled up with new men, went over the top again and by the 7th of August had advanced to the Vesle river where the enemy fire was so hot that bridges could not be built, the doughboys were ordered to swim the river, which they did under the enemy artillery and machine gun fire. After advancing 40 rods from the river Corporal MeDermott was hit on the hip by a piece of high explosive which knocked him down, stunned him but did not cut the hide. He went on and had advaneed to 20 rods of the main road where the Germans were entrenched, when he was hit by a machine gun bullet striking him in the head over the right eye, going thru his steel helmet. He was senseless for a few minutes and arousing seeing his comrades pressing forward and noting his vaeant place in the line grabbed his rifle and went forward to join them. The enemy was routed and retreated under the American boys' fire. Corp. MeDermott having fired his rifle 150 times after being wounded only pausing to wipe the blood out of his eye when his captain came up and seeing his wound told him to have his head band- aged and to dig in. While he was digging in a piece of shell came along and took a piece of his arm causing a light wound. When evening came he went baek to the first aid station where a piece of steel helmet was removed. He stayed there two days and was sent to Angers, France Base Hospital No. 27 and remained there two weeks, was transferred to the cemetery and after being there 15 days was marked class A full duty and was to leave to join his regiment as sergeant having been aeting sergeant at the time he was wounded. On the morning he was to leave the wound in his head broke and he was sent to base hospital No. 72 for an operation where the bullet was removed and after staying there a short time he was notified he was to return to the states and in November arrived in Hoboken.
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