USA > Minnesota > Fillmore County > In the World War : Fillmore County, Minnesota > Part 14
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FRONT RANK: Diebolt, Krause, Lewis, Ibach, Rappe, Kerr, Cole, Schibursky, Darling, Fraser, Harm, Kamp, Ramer, Yanzer, Pickett, Miner, Langworthy, Titterud, Olson.
REAR RANK: Clark, Schoenbaum, Ibach, Meighen, Blotter, Langum, Pooler, Highum, Wedmer, Cambern, Peterson, McKnight, Becker, Mullane, Newman, Hutton, Markstad, Mordal, Garrett, Ebert. Members of company not present at the time of taking photo: Spies, Austin, J. A. Johnson, D. Darling, Larson.
HONOR ROLL
FILLMORE COUNTY
Preston Home Guard
The Preston, Minn., Home Guard Company was organized in July, 1918, with the intention of becoming part of the state organization of Home Guards as authorized by a special war time measure passed shortly before this by the legislature.
The company was recognized when recruiting had filled the quota and was assigned as Company G of the 7th Battalion, Minnesota Home Guards.
The work was greatly handicapped as blanks and forms used in the ad- ministration of such units were delayed in reaching the company until it was in the grip of the influenza epidemic. Rifles were obtained, as well as uni- forms for the men. Regular drill was engaged in, but, due to the spread of the epidemic, the work could not be carried on with a full quota of men at all times.
Considerable training was given the members in military tactics and drill. This was made possible by the earnest effort of the men in the company and the painstaking work of the men in command of the men.
When the Armistice was signed, Nov. 11, 1918, the organization was deemed no longer necessary and the company was mustered out. At the time the personnel of Company G consisted of seventy-six men and three officers.
Chatfield Home Guard
Chatfield had the honor of being the home of a Home Guard company first authorized as state militia in July, 1917.
The unit was designated Company D, 5th Batallion, Minnesota Home Guards, by the state authorities.
The company was quickly raised, having an enlisted personnel of sixty men. Ably handled by Captain Cyril Delaney and Lieutenants Joseph Un- derleak and L. M. Thurber, the men rounded out into a well drilled and dis- ciplined company, capable of efficient work.
Loss of a large number of men at various times by their entry into the Federal service hampered the work of the company as it made necessary the training of new men to fill the vacancies.
At no time was it necessary to call upon the company for active duty to quell riots or disturbances. At the close of the war the company was dis- banded there being no further necessity for the organization.
Spring Valley Home Guard
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COMMANDING OFFICERS, FRONT ROW: Lieutenant O. C. McClary, Captain W. H. Smith, Lieutenant R. E. Shephard. FRONT RANK: Geo. Cady, Wm. McCullen, Rollow Warren, Harry Row, Fay Hamlin, Wm. Postle, Carl Week, Harry Washburn, Harold Silker, Ernest Dotzenrod, Raymond Dennstedt, Stewart Rose, Robert Ely, Wilbur Rathbun, Glenn Langworthy, Frank Waskasky, Archie Low, Sandy Simmons, Devillia Johnson, J. D. Wiseman, C. V. Percival.
REAR RANK: Lloyd Kendricks, Geo. Gullickson, Ludwig Gul- lickson, Ernest Ackley, Stanley Pubym, Francis Graling, Joe Guise, Fred Schumaker, Elger Berg, H. A. Farnsworth, Gerald Carson, Walter Christensen, Earl Franc, Philip Viall, Harold Gilbert, Bart Bender, Albert Colby, Delbert Glover, Clifford Culp, Floyd Scott, Elmer Berg, Everett Spratt.
HONOR ROLL
FILLMORE COUNTY
Spring Valley Home Guard
THE HOME GUARDS in spring Valley, Minn., was organized in the lat- ter part of June, 1918. The company was shortly afterwards recognized by the state authorities and assigned as Company E of the 7th Battalion, Minnesota Home Guards.
For a long time after the United States entered the war, people in rural communities did not fully realize what was about to take place. Large num- bers of people had never seen a military organization and knew nothing of the principles and discipline which go along with it.
The various Home Guard units not only helped to bring about a feeling of loyalty and patriotism but it also served as a means of giving the rudimentary principles of military science to men who were about to enter the army.
A large number of men in Company E were later in the service of their country and found their Home Guard training of benefit to them in securing advancement.
The Spring Valley company of Home Guards was not called upon to quell any disturbance or rioting. Most of their efforts were put forth in helping to raise money for the Red Cross and other forms of war work.
Enough money was saved out of the general fund raised for the company to enable them to tender the returning soldiers of Spring Valley a large public welcoming reception.
The company was mustered out of service shortly after the signing of the Armistice.
HONOR ROLL
Harmony Concert Band
HARMONY CONCERT BAND
Tor Row: Hcrace Olson, Harry Reuter, Leland Hellickson*, Norval Helle. Orval Hellickson, C. Bramer. THIRD Row: A. Steen, T. Quammen, F. Applen, E. Tollefson, Director Guy C. Donnelly, C. Bastian*, J. Grande, A. Strand, E. Hoiness.
SECOND Row: Thomas Ryan, Tosten Applen, Norman Oftedahl, Cecil Fosburgh*, Arthur Lund*, Telmar Gil- lund*, H. Gregorson, F. Minges.
FIAST Row: John Pulver, Clarence Munger, Orin Helle*, Albert Gregorson. (Note: Those marked with star were in service).
Members of band that were in service and not in photo are: Ralph Spencer, W. Fosburgh, B. Scrabeck, C. R'c. M. Hcisness, E. Steffensrud, and Clyde Barnes. Members of Band committee: E. B. Hartwell, T. Torgerson, and Sam Dahle.
B EING THE oldest musical organization in the county the Harmony Con- cert Band was very active from the start of the war in aiding in the various drives. Services of the band were donated in all the various Liberty Loan, Red Cross, Y. M. C. A., Savings Stamps and Home Service drives. Concerts were given in the various towns in other counties to aid in raising funds to carry on the work of the various organizations.
Though toward the end of the war, the band had lost thirteen members by their entry into the service, new players were added. When the men returned from service they were assigned their old places in the band.
Lanesboro Band
A LTHOUGH lacking in uniforms the Lanesboro band was not lacking in patriotic spirit. From the entry of the United States in the war until the last man had come back the band donated its services to every oc- casion where patriotism was needed. A large number of the original members were lost to the band by reason of their entry into the service but their places were quickly filled by volunteer players.
The members of the Lanesboro band were: S. L. Fosse, Conductor; A. M. Hanson, George Gulbrandson, N. C. Risjord, Harley Anderson, Dr. J. F. Thompson, A. M. Enger, Halvor Habberstad, Henry Gjerdrum, C. W. Wil- liams, Teman Thompson, O. J. Solberg, A. M. Olstad, Paul Solberg, Paul DeVilliers, T. A. Bell, T. J. Lund, N. C. Moe, M. J. Fladager, Olaf T. Thomp- son, Frank Hubbell.
FILLMORE COUNTY
The Preston Band
Names of bandmen from left to right: Burt Anderson, Wilson Garrett, Alvin Cummings, Mat Shattuck, Ed Rappe, Clarence Elsheimer, Percival Highum, Donald Reed, Goldie Olson, Marchon Engle, Arlie Engle, Emil Bates, Kenneth Lewis, Douglas Utley, Claire Bradburn, G. C. Donnelly, Ronald Knapp, Art Olson, James Mc- Dowall, Loyal Ferdinandt, Russell Sutton, Joseph Barnes, Howard Zeemen, Orval Wolfe, Fred Wilson, Earl Broadwater, Peter Gilbertson, J. A. Christensen, Tillman Gillund, O. O. Vickermann, Frank Fraser.
S TARTING WITH a mere handful of musicians early in 1917 and endin ; up with a trained band of thirty pieces in the summer of 1918, is the record of the Preston band.
By a general subscription a fund was raised to buy instruments and the services of Guy C. Donnelly of Harmony, Minn., were obtained to train the musicians in the use of the various pieces. On every occasion when draft men left from Preston for the various camps, the band was called upon to furnish music for the parade of the boys to the train. At various times dur- ing the war the band also volunteered their services to play for the Red Cross and other war societies in the various drives for members and funds through- out the county.
The climax of the band's career came on the morning of the signing of the Armistice. The band was out in force not even stopping to don their uniforms and they played for several hours amid the glad rejoicing.
HONOR
ROLL
Fillmore County Draft Board
DR. G. W. LOVE
E. K. BLEXRUD JOSEPH DUNFORD
H. A. LARSON
T HE DRAFT BOARD, or commonly called Exemption Board, whose duty it was to hear the claims of those to be drawn from the list of eli- gibles in the registration under the Selective Service law was named by President Wilson, on recommendation of Governor J. A. A. Burnquist of Minnesota. In practically every case throughout the country this board was composed of the county sheriff, county auditor and county physician. This was the case in Fillmore County. The members of the board who held offices at Preston were: E. K. Blexrud, Joseph Dunford, and Dr. G. A. Love. Attorney H. A. Larson, Preston, also served on the board as legal advisor.
Under the selective service law all men between the ages of 21 and 30 were required to register for military service. Later the ages, under a revi- sion of the law, included men from 18 to that of 45.
As the county was called upon from time to time to furnish quotas of men for the National Army, the draft board passed on the case of each man. They were given the authority to state whether a man was entitled to exemp- tion on any ground. Each registrant was called before the board and his particular case decided upon.
Upon these men fell the duty of administrating the selective service law for raising the county's share of an army of millions of men. They were the men whose careful judgment and fairness brought about the willing accept- ance of this plan for raising the fighting forces needed by the government.
Fillmore County sent into service from its men registered under the draft approximately eight hundred men. In addition to this number, about three hundred men who were classed as transients were sent from Preston with draft quotas but credited to other counties. On the registration list Fillmore County had a total of 7,000 men listed for military service.
At various times between draft calls many men enlisted through the draft from the county. Several of the men who were refused as unfit for military service temporarily and later enlisted were included in this number.
FILLMORE COUNTY
Legal Advisory Board
1. SEN. JOHN W. HOPP 2. R. E. THOMPSON
3. A. D. GRAY
U NDER the Selective Service law enacted in May, 1917, men from the ages of 21 to 30 were called upon to register in their respective districts. The first registration was June 5, 1917. From this time until the close of the war, when the age limits of registrants had been raised to include men between the ages of 18 and 45, more than seven thousand men had registered under the draft law.
Each case had to be handled differently as hundreds of legal questions arose involving each plea for exemption. It was the duty of the legal advisory board to assist the registrants in filling out the various registration blanks required of them.
At various times of call when the county was called upon to furnish men, the selection of this quota entailed many hours of painstaking effort on the part of the members of the committee.
Too much credit can not be given these men for their loyal and patriotic efforts given so unselfishly to the government.
Following is the list of men throughout the county who were in charge of the work of assisting the registrants in meeting the requirements of the Selective Service law :
M. E. Gartner, Preston. A. L. Tollefson, Mabel.
Thomas J. Meighen, Preston.
A. L. Jones, Mabel.
E. T. Schoenbaum, Preston.
L. L. Aygarn, Mabel.
A. D. Gray, Jr., Preston.
Gerhard Byholt, Rushford.
A. P. Nelson, Preston,
D. S. Prinzing, Rushford.
A. W. Thompson, Preston.
J. A. Frisvold, Rushford.
E. B. Read, Preston.
L. Tagland, Rushford.
W. H. Williams, Preston.
Tollef Sanderson, Harmony.
D. F. Darling, Preston, Oscar Carlson, Preston.
P. M. Oistad, Harmony.
A. H. Langum, Preston.
Sabin Brokken, Harmony.
E. A. Highum, Preston.
A. G. Chapman, Lanesboro.
F. A. Masters, Canton.
J. A. Fife, Canton.
O. M. Habberstad, Lanesboro.
H. H. Hammer, Mabel.
T. A. Sorenson, Harmony.
A. M. Hanson, Lanesboro.
Hiram Johnson, Fountain.
HONOR ROLL
A. W. Powers, Fountain.
B. R. Danielson, Fountain. Joseph Underleak, Chatfield.
F. G. Stoudt, Chatfield.
G. A. Haven, Chatfield.
R. J. Parker, Spring Valley.
Ludvig Gullickson, Spring Valley.
S. C. Pattridge, Spring Valley.
Lyle Hamlin, Spring Valley.
G. C. Gullickson, Spring Valley.
H. H. Steffins, Spring Valley.
L. T. Lobdil, Spring Valley.
C. M. Allen, Wykoff.
Fred Wendorf, Wykoff.
John Wendorf, Wykoff.
A. M. Richardson, Ostrander.
Arthur Swenson, Whalan.
A. L. Jones, Whalan.
D. M. Hunt, Granger.
Four Minute Men
A T THE TIME when the Nation faced its most critical period, the Four Minute Men were originated and rapidly developed into a strong factor to keep up the morale of America.
It began in Chicago in March, 1917, when a group of young business men, headed by Donald M. Ryerson, at the suggestion of Senator Medill McCormick, formed themselves into a patriotic committee for the purpose of presenting to the people of Chicago the vital and urgent reasons for new military service requirements as proposed in the Chamberlin bill at that time.
The title of Four Minute Men was chosen from the Minute Men of the Revolution and the limit of time allotted for speakers, who were to present their subjects at Moving Picture theatres during intermissions. The Mov- ing Picture audiences were determined upon as offering the broadest field to be reached in the shortest space of time. Mr. Ryerson, as president of the new organization, made the first four minute speech at the Strand theatre, Chicago, April 2, 1917.
The purpose of the Four Minute Men was to assist the various depart- ments of the government in the work of National Defense during the con- tinuance of the war by the provision of a national organization of volunteer speakers, and to present to Moving Picture theatre audiences four minute direct messages on subjects of vital national importance prepared under the authority and direction of the proper Government office. All topics were of national importance connected with the war plans of the government and were assigned by the department at Washington. Complete and accurate information on the subject to be discussed was furnished each speaker, who was expected, however, to preserve his individuality and forcefulness of ex- pression and develop the subject along the lines best suited to his own per- sonality. The speeches were therefore a combination of individual and official.
A summary of the service accomplished by the Four Minute Men indi- cates an approximate of a million speeches heard by four hundred million individuals during eighteen months of the organization. In addition to the above, the singing sections led community singing in thousands of the thea- tres during the Fourth Liberty Loan and subsequently, one report from a single section recording that 125,000,450 people participated in the singing during a nineteen day campaign for the Fourth Liberty Loan.
The total amount expended from government appropriations in behalf of the Four Minute Men approximated $100,000.
FILLMORE COUNTY
Food Administration
O N JUNE 19, 1917, A. W. Thompson, Preston, was drafted for the posi- tion of Federal Food Administrator for Fillmore County. He was summoned by the Food Administrator of Minnesota to St. Paul where the powers and duties of the position were thoroughly considered. On his return Mr. Thompson established an office and organized the work which is part of the war history of this county. And for almost a year, until April 16, 1918, he gave his time exclusively to this work.
Every township had an associate food administrator and in every ward in the towns there were sub-committeemen. The Food Administrators served without compensation and were given ample powers to perform their excellent work.
At the time of the resignation of Mr. Thompson, on April 18, 1918, due to his enforced absence from the county, his successor, M. V. Facey of Preston, took up the duties.
While the results were largely brought about by the appeals to the patri- otism of the people, there were some coercive measures, such as the sugar card for individual consumers, and sugar certificates for wholesalers, retailers and hotels. Among the outstanding features in the county were a series of mass meetings, addressed by food administration speakers, to create a proper understanding of America's position in this war and the vital importance of food conservation, the continued propaganda by thousands of personal letters, the tons of circulars reaching the homes of the people and modifications of nation-wide regulations to meet local conditions.
By reason of the sugar certificate system from July 1 to Dec. 1, 1918, 775,000 tons of sugar were saved in the United States. Fillmore County did its full share.
Another great saving to the nation's resources was made by the regula- tion enforcing the use of grain substitutes on a fifty per cent basis when white flour was used.
Following are the township Food Administrators in Fillmore County:
Amherst-John O. Rustad, Whalan.
Arendahl-E. I. Torgerson, Whalan.
Beaver-H. E. Olson, Ostrander.
Bloomfield-F. O. Fenstermacher, Spring Valley.
Bristol-D. B. Ogg, Preston.
Canton-Oscar Dahl, Prosper.
Carimona-J. W. Fairbairn, Preston.
Carrolton-A. G. Austin, Lanesboro.
Chatfield-C. H. Farrell, Chatfield.
Fillmore-S. Baker, Wykoff.
Forestville-Arthur Sheldon, Spring Valley.
Fountain-John F. Healey, Fountain.
Harmony-D. A. Mosher, Harmony.
Holt-R. A. Jenson, Whalan. Jordan-Leon Lillie, Chatfield. Newburg-D. W. Bacon, Mabel.
Norway-Gerhard Byholt, Rushford.
Pilot Mound-K. T. Hegland, Lanesboro.
Preble-N. W. Wiker, Mabel.
Spring Valley-B. Lyke, Spring Valley.
Sumner-C. W. Hale, Stewartville.
York-W. C. Love, Lime Springs, Iowa.
Rushford-Aasmund Vaagen, Rushford.
HONOR ROLL
Fillmore County Publishers
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1-O. M. LEVANG, Lanesboro, Minn., editor and publisher Levang's Weekly. 2- S. A. LANGUM, Preston, Minn., editor and publisher Preston Times.
3-S. N. RISTEY, Rushford, Minn., editor and publisher Rushford Star Re- publican.
4-F. E. LANGWORTHY, Spring Valley, Minn., editor, publisher, Spring Val- ley Mercury.
5-FRANK J. PAUL, Wykoff, Minn., editor, publisher Wykoff Enterprise.
6-P. M. SCHMELZER, Fountain, Minn., publisher, Fountain Review. Died Feb. 15, 1920-
7-F. HARNISH, Chatfield, Minn., publisher, Chatfield News Democrat.
8-F. J. IBACH, Preston, Minn., publisher Preston Republican.
9-GEORGE H. MILES, Rushford, Minn., publisher Tri-County Record.
10-C. A. SMABY, Peterson, Minn., editor Peterson Herald.
11-JULIUS JOHNSON, Harmony, Minn., publisher Harmony News.
12-E. C. WALLNER, publisher of the Canton Gazette, closed up shop when war was declared. For his record and photo see the soldier section.
E. R. ANTRIM, Mabel, Minn., publisher of the Mabel Record was among the newspaper men of this county who lent his services and his paper to the interests of the government. No photo of him was available.
FILLMORE COUNTY
Newspaper Publishers of Fillmore County
€
I N THE RECORD of those achievements toward winning the war carried out by the home folks, no page is more glorious than that which holds the account of what the newspapers did.
Fillmore County newspapers, each day and each week, carried the news of the war to their eager readers and with it words of encouragement and confidence, ever and anon rising into clarion calls to the duty of putting across the various war aid drives and the hundred and one relief measures that America pushed.
Fillmore County newspapers enlisted early in the service of their country. Even before the declaration of war they were showing that spirit of service that later rose to sacrifice. No call was ever made upon them that went unsatisfied. Volunteers among them were found everywhere that a printing press ground out its weekly quota. Every newspaper editor and owner was a soldier of that mighty army fighting against disloyalty, shirking and indif- ference at home. Roused by the newspapers and held steadfastly by their frequent pleas in the cause of World freedom, Fillmore County wrote into the record a brilliant story of victorious events.
No other institution gave of their stock in trade as the newspapers gave to patriotic causes. With their power to sway public opinion they were lavish in the measure with which they poured it out in support of every gov- ernmental function. When the Red Cross called for helpers or needed money it was the newspapers which took up the cause and told the world. Day by day and week by week they helped where there were government tasks to be carried out and patriotic enterprises to foster.
When the people were asked to subscribe billions to Liberty Loans the newspapers with publicity unrivalled in history, put it across with an over- subscription of millions. When the United War Work drive opened the newspapers carried it through. They boosted Smileage books, told Aliens of new registration laws, made Thrift Stamps popular forms of small savings, heartened home folks with letters from the front, cheered boys in turn by news from the "old Home Town," spread food restrictions broadcast, scotched disloyalists, encouraged food and fuel saving, encouraged enlistment, solicited aid for Belgian babies and French orphans, spread information on the draft, boosted war gardens and pushed other calls for aid in the myriad activities that helped to win the war.
The press of Fillmore County gave of its all without stint where it could serve the common cause.
HONOR ROLL
United War Work Campaign
T THE UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN in Fillmore County like the other of the World War drives was carried on successfully. State Senator John W. Hopp of Preston was the County Chairman. W. S. Sylvester of Preston was secretary of the county committee and also chairman of the publicity work and the public meetings to boost the drive and help put it over to a victorious conclusion. Thomas J. Meighen of Preston was treasurer for the county fund.
A meeting of all county chairmen, secretaries and publicity chairmen as well as district chairmen for the drive was called at Winona, and representa- tive men from all the counties in the First Congressional District were present.
This meeting was in charge of the state committee for the United War Work Campaign. It was a wonderful meeting; wonderful in the enthusiasm created, wonderful in the patriotic purpose inspired by these loyal leaders.
From Fillmore County were John W. Hopp, Dr. Carlos Selvig of Har- mony and William S. Sylvester of Preston. A banquet was served at the Winona Hotel and a mass meeting followed in the Winona Armory. An overseas speaker, representing the Y. M. C. A., who had just returned from the stirring scenes of Chateau Thierry, was present and thrilled all with his word pictures of the courage, heroism and sacrifices shown by our brave soldier boys who fought in that momentous battle. A War Service Male Quartet sang.
The county's leaders for this drive returned from the Winona meeting determined to put this drive over. John Hopp called a meeting at Preston and district chairmen and committee men from practically every township in Fillmore County were present. At this meeting, held in the court house, the publicity matter was distributed and a plan for the drive was adopted.
The following were appointed at this meeting as District chairmen:
C. H. Smith, Spring Valley; John W. Hopp, Preston; C. C. Jensen, Rush- ford; R. J. Stroud, Mabel, for Newburg and Preble; J. A. Fife, Canton, town- ship and village; Dr. Carlos Selvig, Harmony, Bristol and York; Orva S. Knudsen for the villages of Lanesboro, Whalan, and for Carrolton, Holt and Amherst townships. William Manahan, Chatfield, and Jordan and Chat- field townships; Edward Langan of Wykoff, Fillmore township.
The above committee men were ably assisted by a loyal, hustling group of farmers and townsmen who went to work with a will and from all parts of the county there was a quick response in the interest of the drive. The slogan of the drive was "Back Up Our Boys Over There," and Fillmore County again proved its willingness and ability to help win the war by making good this slogan.
Advantage was taken of the presence of a returned Canadian soldier, Sergeant Maitland, who was two years in the thick of the fighting and had been gassed and wounded.
W. S. Sylvester arranged for meetings at several points in the county for this man. The meetings were not held indoors owing to the fact that influenza epidemic was spreading and in some towns meetings in public halls was prohibited by the health authorities. At Mabel, a great meeting was held in the Main Street and Sergeant Maitland spoke from a truck.
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