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 17
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He was transferred to General Hospital No. 11 at Cape May, N. J., arriving there Nov. 30, 1918 where he received treatment. On Feb. 17, 1919 an X-ray was taken and an operation was performed on the wound in his head. He remained there until April when he was discharged from the hospital and sent to Camp Grant arriving there April 13, where he received his discharge.
His conduct on the battlefield was such that it moved his commander, Colonel John
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C'linnen on returning from France, to state publicly in Chicago that if any man deserved the medal of honor it was Corporal McDermott.
Corporal MeDermott arrived home from Camp Grant. Easter morning and stayed at home until his death which resulted from the wound received in the head, being sick a short time and passing away June 17, 1919. His funeral was held at Harmon and he was laid to rest in the Holy Cross cemetery at that place.
PRIVATE GEORGE GROHENS, Co. G, 47th Infantry. Killed in action, Ang. 10, 1918.
Various publicity features were employed to bring our war aims and the purpose of the different financial campaigns forcefully to the attention of the people of the township. A "four minute" talk was given nearly every Sunday during the war at the local church. Attorneys John P. Devine, Harry Edwards, Henry S. Dixon, Grover Gehant, Rev. C. F. Conley, Edward Vaile, Albert Borst addressed large audiences at the hall on various occasions. Stereoptician lectures on "The Training Camps," "With the Boys at the Front", "Ruined Churches and Cathedrals of France" "U-boats and Airplanes" and "The Capture of Palestine" helped to visualize war activities and deepen impressions. Major Hendershott and son, reputed among the world's greatest drummers and fifers, contributed an evening's patriotic performance that will long be remembered. Thirty- five of the young people presented the "Bright Side of Camp Life", with military drills and semaphore signal work, on three occasions to a crowded house. And a "worker's banquet " brought the active leaders into eloser harmony and furnished an opportunity for some effective patriotie speeches. All these features were of inestimable service in creating and sustaining a high publie morale. Without them, even the most efficient organization could scareely have attained its purposes.
The Walton Red Cross unit ineluded 40 ardent women workers among its members. The directing officials were, Nellie Cahill, president; C. F. Welty, vice-president; Veo- lanta Dempsey, secretary and Rev. C. F. Conley, treasurer. The secretary reports work as follows: 130 sweaters, helmets, etc., 53 convalescing robes, hospital bed shirts and pa- jama suits, 1172 bandages, slings, ete., 500 lbs. refugee garments collected. The foregoing report does not include 64 sweaters and other garments made for the Allied Relief, prior to the establishment of the local Red Cross unit. A noteworthy donation to the Red Cross was made by William McCarty. It was a registered pig which sold for $192.50. ---
The eight district schools of the township merit commendation for their Red Cross work, their help in the live stock survey and other war enterprises.
The office of local food administrator was well taken care of by Augustine D. Cahill. It was an important task and he was constantly on the alert to enforce, as far as local conditions would permit, the mandates and recommendations of the food administration.
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For all the sacrifices, which the great war has entailed and which have been so cheer- fully made, the people of Marion feel amply compensated in the victorious peace that has dawned. But they have, moreover, purchased for themselves an experience that may prove a valuable asset in days to come. They have seen exemplified the power of organization and the methods by which it may be accomplished. And, conscious of its value, they may now undertake to apply it to the solution of problems concerned with better roads, more efficient schools, and general farming and marketing. They have been encouraged to make a detailed study of their income and expenses and thereby trained to thrift and forethought, to more efficient management. Working together for a great common interest, they have become more neighborly. May the result be a "League of Families" in work and in play, in happiness and in sorrow.
CHAPTER XXXIV Township of May BY REV. C. J. KIRKFLEET
The township of May has every reason to be proud of her record during the Great War, first on account of the large number of men who have joined the colors from Maytown and secondly on account of the enthusiasm shown by the Maytown people to do their full share in every war drive. No less than 22 of her boys were willing to sacrifice their all, while the people at home "went over the top" whenever they were asked to con- tribute to the great causes.
Committees Named
Finance Committee-Rev. C. J. Kirkfleet, chairman; James Buckley, Sr .; Louis Faivre, Sr .; Jacob Becker, Sr .; Thomas Dorsey.
Neighborhood Committees:
District 74-Frank Emmons.
District 75- William Avery, G. W. Barnes, John F. Ryan.
Distriet 76- Phil Tyrrell, Walter Ackert.
District 77-James Buckley Sr., A. H. Montavon, Charles E. McFadden.
District 78-Jacob Becker Sr., Charles Eccles, Charles Mclaughlin.
District 79- Thomas J. MeGovern, Sr., W. J. Sharkey, George Quest.
Workers for Victory Boys and Victory Girls campaign:
James Buckley Jr., Mark Sharkey, Irma Becker, Frank Buckley, Clarence Becker, Lucy Sharkey.
The Woman's Committee Council of National Defense was organized in May town- ship during the month of May, 1918 by Mrs. J. G. Ralston of Dixon, Illinois. The officers were:
Township Chairman-Mrs. F. K. Emmons.
War Relief chairman-Miss Agnes MeFadden.
Chairman for knitting-Mrs. W. J. Sharkey.
Civilian Relief chairman-Mrs. Joseph Schmehr.
War Drives
Concerning the first and second Liberty Loan drives very little can be said. Things were not organized at the time and unfortunately no records were available. The third and fourth Liberty loan drives went "over the top" by a good margin as also did the W. S. S. drive, the Red Cross and the drive for the United War Work campaign, the latter by 25 per cent. On November 26, 1918 the treasurer of the Lee County Finance com- mittee, Tim Sullivan, wrote among other things to the chairman of the Finance com- mittee of May township, the Rev. C. J. Kirkfleet :
"We wish to congratulate you on the splendid work you have done and the fine show- ing made in your township."
Word to the same effect was also written by W. B. Holliday, county director of the Victory Boys campaign, during which campaign the Maytown boys went over double their quota. Likewise the Victory Girls made a splendid record and went over their quota.
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Until July, 1918, the chairman of the different war drives was Rev. F. S. Porcella at present of Maple Park, Illinois. He was transferred at that time and succeeded by the Rev. C. J. Kirkfleet, who also gladly gave his time and services to help along the great cause.
List of Maytown Boys
Two gold stars show on Maytown's service flag, representing Carl Veggo Jensen and his brother, Christian William Jensen, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jensen.
CARL VEGO JENSEN was born in Soro, Denmark, May 1, 1896 and came to America in 1899. He was drafted and on April 2, 1918 left for Fort Terry, N. Y. Nine days later he died of pneumonia and his body was returned home. He was buried in Ohio, Illinois.
CHRISTIAN WILLIAM JENSEN, another son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jensen was born June 17, 1893 and was drafted at the same time as his brother. He left home for Camp Gordon, Ga., on May 27, 1918. He was transferred to Camp Merritt, N. J. soon afterward and was sent across, landing in France August 4, 1918. He died at Camp Hospital 52 on March 1, 1919 at Le Mans, France.
CHAPTER XXXV Nachusa Township BY REV. W. N. KING
Nachusa township is located east of Dixon, and is divided nearly in the center by the Lincoln Highway and the main line of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad. It is located in the midst of a very fertile and productive agricultural section of the state. The chief industry therefore being farming and stock raising.
When the first word came that war was declared upon the Central Powers, excitement was found everywhere, in shop, on the farm; wherever men and women met, the conversa- tion was on the war. Nor was it all talk but when the eall came for volunteers it found some of our young men ready to go. Not only from the farm but also from other occupa- tions. Neither was patriotism found wanting in the homes. While many could not go into the army they did what they could in all lines of war requests. There were 18 young men from the township enlisted and were inducted into the army. They all, how- ever, did not get over to France but all were willing to have gone if the need would have come and many were disappointed that they did not get over.
ALBERT JOHNSON-son of Dick and Elsie Sloter Johnson, was born Aug. 19, 1895, at Prophetstown, Whiteside Co., Ill. He went to the army Sept. 20, 1917. at Camp Grant and stayed there one month. From there he went to Camp Logan, Houston, Tex., and from there to France, the latter part of May, 1918. He was in the 108th Trench Mortar Bat- tery, 33rd division. He was wounded in action and died from the effects of same on September 25, and was buried at Souilly, Meuse, France.
We honor all those who went to help us win the war, but while they were gone the home fires were kept burning. In every way the home-folk tried to help the men and women win the war.
When the first Liberty Bond was asked for E. L. Crawford was appointed chairman of the township to raise its share. This office he held throughout the war. During the two years that the war raged again and again appeals came to subscribe for Liberty loan bonds or contribute towards the Red Cross, Y. M. C. A. and the United War work cam- paign, and buy War Saving Stamps. Each time Nachusa met her quota and in a number of the requests went over the top by several hundred dollars.
The amounts subscribed for the different objects are as following:
First Liberty loan $12,500. Red Cross $1,189.75
Second Liberty loan 23,900. Y. M. C. A. 1,343.00
Third Liberty loan 40,250.
K. of C. 1.00
Fourth Liberty loan 52,400.
Victory loan 30,600.
War Savings Stamps 19,575.
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The women of the township were also busy. The Women's Committee Council of National Defense organized a unit at Nachusa, with Mrs. W. N. King, chairman, and Wednesday of each week they met in a room given to the unit's work by Mrs. Louis Welty as a sewing room. Here they would sew from morning to night on supplies for the boys and garments for the French and Belgium children.
Along with this a great number of garments for women and children, both new and made-over, were made ready and sent.
There was also some work done for the Red Cross. A number of the ladies of the northern end of the township united with the Kingdom Bend Community Cirele which met each week for work.
While every man, woman and child in Nachusa was trying to do their part, and tried to keep all the requests of the government, and with but little complaint, I doubt not there were a few people who were more glad when the word came that the war was over. As a township we are glad that we could help a little in winning the war.
CHAPTER XXXVI Nelson Township
BY W. W. HARDEN
Fourteen Nelson township boys served in the world war and all returned safely. Two were wounded and one suffered a severe attack of pneumonia, but they survived the ordeal. While these heroes were taking their places in the fight against autocracy, home folks were carrying on their part of the war activities by subscribing to loans, relief funds and otherwise performing patriotic deeds.
Nelson township, like others in Lee county, was organized by the Lee county Council of Defense, the organization extending into the several school districts. The finance committee of the township was composed of W. W. Harden, chairman; Thomas Drew, C. C. Buekaloo, W. J. Hartshorn and Merritt School. Local committees in the school distriets were as follows:
Walker school-F. E. Fischel, C. E. Poisel, Joy Atkinson.
King school- Howard Sweitzer, J. R. Clymer, Joseph Geiger.
Cook school -- Arthur Missman, C. C. Buzzard, Leroy Ransom.
Hill school-S. S. MeCleary, M. H. Scholl, Harry Freed.
Nelson school -- William Hartshorn, J. B. Stitzel, John Emmitt.
These committees were untiring in their efforts to carry out the plans of the govern- ment, in a financial, as well as patriotie way.
When our country's call eame for the Second Liberty loan, every effort was put forth by our committee to secure the quota in a limited time, and in response our township went over the top with a loan of $15,400.
A township meeting was held at Nelson in the school building for the benefit of the Third Liberty loan. The speakers, Edward Vaile, County chairman, Albert Borst and Rev. E. C. Lumsden, delivered their addresses to a very large audienee, and the quota was soon subscribed and over the top for the third loan of $21,200.
When the Fourth Liberty loan call came another meeting was held at Nelson and one at Zion Church, with John Byers, John Erwin, Harry Warner, A. P. Armington and Albert Borst, speakers at Nelson, and Clyde Smith and Albert Borst at Zion church. Both meetings were largely attended, the speakers, emphasizing the great need of our government in this loan. The township was not long in subscribing, going over the top with a quota of $35,900. The ladies of Zion served a lunch in the basement of the church after the meeting in the Zion church.
Red Cross Report
Late in the month of August 1917, the Nelson Social Circle voted to work for the Red Cross. Work was supplied by the Dixon chapter, and not having a work room, the meetings were held at the homes of members, every two weeks.
Much work was accomplished at the meetings, by this small society and some of the members being unable to attend the meetings, turned in a great many knitted articles.
Early in the summer of 1918, the society was given instructions in the gauze work and several bolts of this material were cut and folded. No account was kept of any of these articles as they were all turned over to the Dixon chapter. The ladies of Zion,
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not being able to attend the Nelson Social Circle, formed a small circle of their own and accomplished much necessary work.
Nelson township had a Red Cross membership of 324 not including 17 junior members, from South Dixon, and 13 junior members from Harmon school districts.
Distriet No. 9, donated to the Red Cross work, besides 83 members, paying $1; three members paying $2, $15 in donations. In the drives that followed close behind the Lib- erty loans, Nelson township contributed the following amounts to the different societies.
First Y. M. C. A. drive 604.60
United War Work drive 954.50
War Savings Stamps 15,355.00
Second Liberty loan 15,400.00
Third Liberty loan 21,200.00
Fourth Liberty loan
35,900.00
Second Red Cross drive 1,082.00
Victory loan quota $22,660, secured 27,600.00
Much credit is due the committees for the good work done in the township and school, as in each Red Cross drive the school districts were all 100 per cent.
CHAPTER XXXVII Palmyra Township
BY FRED LAWTON
When the war came upon us, Palmyra was not organized satisfactorily to handle the propositions of raising money. The first method used was to allow each individual to subscribe what he thought best. This proved very unsatisfactory as some who were well able did not subscribe their share. Later financial committees were appointed and asked to fix the quotas of each person. The different committees met at the different school houses in the township on set dates and the citizens were invited to attend and subscribe their quotas. This method was followed in all drives and proved satisfactory. To create interest, meetings were held at the town hall, and addresses were delivered by speakers from Dixon and elsewhere. Many meetings were held, but the most impres- sive one was when the Germans were driving the allies back and the war seemed about to be lost. The citizens seemed for the first time to realize the seriousness of the situation and gathered in groups, after the meeting, to discuss this seeming critical period.
The success of all the drives for Bonds, Red Cross, United War Work and others were due in a great measure to the township financial and district committees.
The Township Finance committee consisted of John P. Drew, Wallace Eatinger, Ira Rutt, Edward MeGrath and Fred Lawton.
The men who served on the district committee were: William Straw, Jessie Sivits, William Maxwell, Frank Beede, Frank Sills, Keith Swartz, A. J. Prindaville, Russell May, Herman Hughes, Wallace Eatinger, Mart Lenox, Fred Gilbert, Samuel McGaffey, Ben Smith, John McKenna, Ira Rutt, Paul McGinnis, Fred Fredericks, John Lawrence Jr., Austin Powers, William Andreas, Lloyd Shawgur, Bert Beede, Edward Rhodes, Charles H. Lawton, Edward MeGrath and Horace Gilbert.
Miss Luella Powers, chairman of the township Woman's Committee Council of National Defense, gave great assistance in these drives.
The ladies of Palmyra were no less patriotie than the men and did valiant work in various ways to help the boys at the front.
Red Cross
In responding to the call for money for the Red Cross and war activities the record of Palmyra is one to be proud of. In the first drive there was no organized effort, and all money raised was subscribed at the near-by towns, and no account kept.
In the second drive there were 219 subscribers, $1.443.50 being raised.
The 1918 Palmyra's $1 membership drive amounted to $755.00, every person over six years of age becoming a member. This made our township 100 per cent at a time when the roads were blockaded with snow and the weather very severe. The member- ship reached double the number asked, and Palmyra won the Red Cross banner offered to the township having the greatest membership, according to population.
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In the Red Cross roll call of 1919, the $1 memberships amounted to $350.00 and the junior 25 cent memberships $17.25, making a total raised in all drives of $2,575.75.
Y. M. C. A. and K. of C.
The Y. M. C. A. drive raised $952.00.
The K. of C. drive raised $332.50.
United War Work Charities
Palmyra gave $1,827.50 to the United War work fund, with 217 subscribers, making a total given by the various organizations of $5,687.75.
In regard to the raising of money Palmyra could always be counted on to do her part. Liberty Loan
In the First Liberty loan campaign there was no organized efforts made, and the money raised was subscribed at the local banks.
In the Second Liberty loan drive, Supervisor John P. Drew was appointed chairman of the township, and with the help of a few others raised $25,850.
The Third Liberty loan found the township well organized with a good financial com- mittee, and three men in each district were appointed to solicit. This loan, like all others, was oversubscribed; $46.800 being raised, while our quota was but $24,000.
The Fourth Liberty loan of $57,800 was subscribed.
The Victory loan of $41.500 was easily secured.
Two hundred twenty-seven subscribers took war saving stamps to the amount of $20,025.
Pahyra township citizens loaned to the government during the war $191,975.
Financial Report
Red Cross
$2,575.75
Second Liberty loan $ 25,850
Y. M. C. A.
952.00
Third Liberty loan 46,800
K. of C.
332.50
Fourth Liberty loan 57,800
United War Work
1,827.50
Fifth Liberty loan 41,500
War Savings Stamps
20,025
$5,687.75 $191,975.
RECORD OF COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE Work Done in Palmyra Township BY MISS LUELLA POWERS
The first war call that came to the women of Palmyra to unite in closer friendship to help our boys in the camps and "over there" was the appeal to the women to register, and to state what they could and would do in the line of service work. Palmyra, as a township, was unfortunate in one respect-she has no town which serves as a central meeting place, so it was somewhat difficult to reach all the women of the township. Two places of re- gistration were chosen and 110 women responded to the call and pledged themselves to do as much as possible.
Early in January, 1918, the Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense perfected their plans for relief work, knitting and refugee sewing. About a week later Mrs. Wuerth and Mrs. Forsythe accepted an invitation tomeet the ladies of the Prairie- ville Social Circle, at the home of Mrs. William Andreas. They brought with them samp-
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les of the garments to be made, and found an eager and enthusiastic audience. The Prairie- ville Social Cirele began work on refugee garments at their meeting, two weeks later, Later on they took up the work of making hospital shirts, day shirts, pajamas, bandages, and knitting. They continued with this work until the Council of Defense closed its war- work in December, 1918. It was impossible to keep a complete record of the work done. as some would go to the Council of Defense rooms and get yarn or other work without saying it was for Palmyra township.
The record of the knitting done by the ladies of the Prairieville Social Circle is ineom- plete because so many of the knitters went to the Council room, secured their yarn, and returned the completed article themselves, without reporting it to the township chair- man.
In July, 1918 the ladies of the Wolverine district organized for work. They met at the various homes and hold the enviable record of making 18 hospital shirts at each time of meeting. During the busy time of silo filling they did not hold their meetings for a few weeks, but altogether they have splendid reason to be proud of their work. They accomplished more in proportion in the few weeks they met than the other organizations of the township.
No record was kept of the knitting done by the women of the Wolverine district.
The ladies of the Palmyra Mutual Aid of Sugar Grove worked almost entirely for the Red Cross until late in the fall of 1918. Their knitting was also done for the Red Cross. No matter which society it was made for, if it kept our boys warm or in any way gave them comfort, it was blessed.
For the work of the Council of Defense Palmyra township had four natural divisions, the Oak Forest district, the Wolverine distriet, Sugar Grove Mutual Aid, and Prairie- ville Social Cirele. Each division was anxious to work and each turned in splendidly completed articles.
When the Third Liberty loan campaign was launched the township chairman was asked to appoint women to assist the men in this work. This was done in part of the school districts and would have been done in all had the telephone been working properly. In the Third Liberty loan the women in their soliciting took subscriptions for over $8,000 in Liberty bonds. During the Fourth loan we were asked to turn all the money solicited by the women over to the men who were soliciting, so no separate account was kept of it. In the Fifth loan the subject matter, badges, ete., were received so late that part of the districts had already made their quota and all had been solicited before the women re- ceived their directions. Only about $300 were solicited by the women during the Fifth loan.
All during the war the Council of Defense urged "conservation" and to this end the women of Palmyra responded loyally.
Had we known a permanent war record was to be published we would have been more careful in having everything reported, but the women of Palmyra were not working for honor and a big name; they were working for their boys and their neighbor's boy and all the brave boys who went, not only from Lee county but from every county in this beautiful country.
Two Gold Stars in Flag
The most essential part of all was the man power of the nation, and to ascertain this power in the great world war the government caused all men between the age of 18 and
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45 to register. In the town of Palmyra 182 were registered. Thirty-one entered the army and two the navy.
GILBERT EMMERT-son of William L. and Emma Emmert, was born at Rock Falls, Illinois, June 26, 1898. He entered the army at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., on March 1, 1917. He was there but a short time when he was taken siek with pneumonia, and died March 27, 1917, at Jefferson Barracks hospital. His remains were returned to his home and laid at rest in the Sterling cemetery.
MISS RUTH SEAVEY-daughter of Fletcher and Evaline Eastwood Seavey, was born in Palmyra township June 6, 1877. She entered the service as a nurse at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Ky., on October 6, 1918, and was taken ill with pneumonia, which resulted in her death, on the 16th day of that month. Her body was returned to her home and laid at rest in the Palmyra cemetery.
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