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World War Memorial
GENEALOGY 940.410 AA1COM
The World War Memorial Book of Richfield Springs
The World War Book
Being a Record of the War Activities of this Community, and a brief personal history of those who entered the service of their country.
Published by a Committee in behalf of the Citizens of Richfield Springs
Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen
EDITORIAL BOARD
Allen J. Bloomfield Editor-in-Chief
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
The Reverend Father A. J. Kelly
Clarence Eugene Ackerly
Miss Ella Winne
Charles M. Tuller
Mrs. William T. Welden
Mrs. Thomas B. Roberts Frederick Bronner
Howard M. Curtis
Treasurer
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Dedicated as a WAR MEMORIAL To the Men and Women of this Community Who served in the great World War
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The Craftsman Press of Syracuse
Foreword
N a stately panegyric, whose words still kindle the soul as the eye travels along the pictured page, Cicero, the prince of orators, bids the Roman senate erect the most splendid monument to Roman heroes, living and dead. "For," he said, "mighty and marvellous are their services to the Republic." In this year, ever memorable, do the citizens of a greater Republic erect to nobler soldiers their monuments of gratitude and affection, for deeds of might and right in the awfulest strife since soldier fought. Marble, bronze, the proud page of history, are but the poor and perishable outward sign of the rich and living love and memory which America will treasure as long as she endures.
This modest volume records the notable share of Richfield Springs in the national memorial. Its form-due to the unfailing good taste of one who represents with distinction our sentiments -is most apt and pleasing. It resumes for us and expresses with cogency the activities and sacrifices of our community dur- ing the war. Its pages, with a simplicity that touches the heart, show forth not only the sound love of country, but a love that has a quick ear and an open hand for every form of need and oppression. It recalls the faces and short and simple stories of lads with whom we lived, commonplace indeed, who went forth from school and shop and farm at the call of Mother America and returned, thank God, transfigured by the consecration of a Holy War. Some, indeed, bearing lasting scars besides which the most brilliant decorations seem paltry. Yet not all. There are faces we have lost awhile. Ward H. Shepard and John Leo Purcell sleep well in honored graves at home. Joseph Huggick sank on a foreign but friendly field of honor, thinking, perchance, of the home and neighbors he is nevermore to see. Will not they and our thousands of dead be very sacred, unforgotten voices, calling from the heights in a golden splendor, calling us up to them by the way they went, the way of faith and self-sacrifice? God bless them and God rest them. "A great stillness falls; a life's affection is raised beyond chance and change by that last of sacraments, a soldier's death on the field of duty, battling for a just cause, looking to no reward except faith kept and honor vindicated even as he passes to the unseen." It will be for old companions-in-arms and for citizens of Richfield Springs through long years and perhaps in distant lands a priceless souvenir
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which enshrines sacred memories of a war of men and demons in the air as on land and sea and below the waters of the sea and, too, of a patriotism that never feared and never faltered, of all of which they were a part.
All the devices of science, all the cruelties of man were ex- hausted in mutilating and killing men. They fought a foe who did evil designedly, who recognized no law of nations or of humanity, in sewer-like trenches, the water up to their belts, the mire swallowing them down, in scenes of blood and filth to make the heart sick which no one dares to picture and which mercifully stun the imagination of the survivors. In the strong language of Isaiah: "Hell hath enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure." The malignant frenzy of savage hordes was eclipsed by deliberate professors who at ease in their laboratories invented new plagues to choke and poison the sol- dier of liberty. The perverted ingenuities of science destroyed ruthlessly the noblest works of God and man. Incredible things happened that stagger and sicken and yet it made no difference. The spirit of '76 and '61 overcame an inferno that the superlative genius of Dante could not body forth and Chateau-Thierry, Bel- leau Woods, the forests of Argonne, St. Mihiel will quicken the pulse and brighten the eye of the lovers of freedom in all lands and will cause the name of the New World to be held in bene- diction by generations yet unborn of the Old.
All this our soldiers suffered and triumphantly endured for their own land; for, to paraphrase Wendell Phillips, the torpedo aimed at the Lusitania was the yell of pirates against the Decla- ration of Independence. But in vindicating the liberty and honor of the United States of America they fought willingly and generously for the freedom of every race and every people against the common enemy of all. Patriotism, the love of our fathers, their thoughts and hopes, their deeds and aspirations, springs from the deeps of our being, and the tender line of Horace-"It is a pleasant and glorious thing to die for one's country"-has evoked in the human heart an universal response. "What land, what people," says Dr. Spalding, "has the sun ever illumined more worthy of the heart's deep affection than our own?" We love our fatherland not chiefly for the food it gives, the property it protects, the security it provides, but for the richer, freer, nobler human life which it makes possible. Our country is the symbol of all that is most priceless on earth- liberty, truth, devotion, loyalty. In the words and in the deeds of the patriots who made the Declaration of Independence there breathes a lofty and unselfish spirit, which, to the end of time,
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shall thrill every true and generous heart. Their sons have not been unworthy of them. Let us, chasing no beautiful rainbows, hew to the line of the wise and solid realities of which we are the richer heirs. Let not patriotism run to foolish vanity and unwise boasting, but set to work in a new day with a new vision to purge out the wrongs, the inequalities, the dishonesties still clinging to our national life. As we set down this volume, reflection will teach us that it is yet higher and more useful to live for our country, that chastened in the day of victory we should with reverent minds pray the Giver of every good and perfect gift :
. "And Thou, O God, of whom we hold Our country and our Freedom fair, Within thy tender love enfold This land; for all Thy people care.
Uplift our hearts above our fortunes high, Let not the good we have make us forget
The better things that in Thy heavens lie. Keep, still, amid the fever and the fret
Of all this eager life, our thoughts on Thee
The Hope, the Strength, the God of all the Free."
A. J. K.
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JOHN A. LOSEE
Chairman of the five Liberty Loan Campaigns, whose loyal devotion, progressive business methods and delightful personality spelled success for the several loans in this district.
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THE FIVE LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS
The town of Richfield had quotas in the five Liberty Loans that totaled $824,900. Its 4,018 subscribers purchased $1,034,900 worth of the bonds, an average for the whole of 131 per cent. This record of the support given the boys in the front line defense by those at home is worthy of a place in this Memorial, for many of these 4,018 buyers of bonds did a part in the winning of the war through actual sacrifice in the accumulation of sufficient funds to purchase a fifty dollar bond. An examination of the list of subscribers in the town of Richfield will reveal many such bond owners.
In the history of the raising and oversubscribing of the quota in each of the five campaigns, the work of John A. Losee, chairman for each loan, will stand as unforgetable testimony to this man's patriotic zeal, his untiring energy and his unshakeable confidence in Richfield's desire and ability to meet the demands made upon her. His personality and his work were the chief agents in the success of the campaigns. The First National Bank of Richfield Springs through its officers and directors, notably its cashier, James McKee, was an important factor. It made the raising of the quota the chief consideration at all times, and its loyal co-operation with the Liberty Loan Committee and the accom- modation it accorded subscribers were the two determining influences in the oversubscription of the quotas. The Mungor-Ackerly Company in the Mercury contributed unlimited space to the advertising of the loans. All members of the men's and women's committees did their utmost, both by example and by solicitation, to make those at home see and fulfill their obligation to the boys of the first line.
The officers and members of the Liberty Loan Committees for the five loans were: John A. Losee, chairman; Thomas J. Wetzel, vice- chairman; Lewis A. Williams, secretary; Clarence E. Ackerly, publicity manager; Marvin J. Bennett, Allen J. Bloomfield, Murray E. Brace, Owen P. Brady, George D. Caney, Olcott A. Chamberlin, Oscar B. Chapman, John D. Cary, George H. Cook, Clellan Curtis, Howard M. Curtis, Ed. D. Derthick, Earl W. Dunmore, Harry E. Elden, Fred F. Fox, Clarence E. Goodale, Isaac J. Kent, Herbert B. Leary, James McKee, Richard Owen, George A. Peckham, Louis S. Raymond, Arthur J. Rockwood, Charles A. Ross, Willard A. Smith, George Schneider, Charles M. Tuller, George E. Tunnicliff, William T. Welden and Charles M. Wikoff.
Mrs. John D. Cary was chairman of the women's committee for Richfield Springs and Mrs. George T. Brockway was chairman for Rich- field. The other members of these committees were Mrs. C. E. Ackerly, Mrs. J. Gordon Black, Mrs. W. P. Borland, Mrs. Murray E. Brace, Mrs. Owen P. Brady, Miss Margaret L. Brady, Miss Belle Bullion, Mrs. Harrie V. Frink, Mrs. John A. Losee, Miss Dorothy Mason, Mrs. W. G. Robin- son, Mrs. David B. Shappee, Mrs. Daniel Shaul, Mrs. George A. Sitts, Mrs. William T. Welden, Mrs. Charles M. Wikoff, Mrs. Lewis A. Wil- liams, Miss Ella L. Winne and Miss Mae Derrick.
THE LIBERTY LOAN RECORD
Quota Subscribers
Subscribed Percentage
First Loan
$135,000
307
$136,700
101
Second Loan
$202,500
805
$215,150
106
Third Loan.
$109,000
894
$227,000
208
Fourth Loan
$218,000
1246
$255,500
117
Victory Loan
$160,400
766
$200,550
125
C. E. A.
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WAR RELIEF LEAGUE
Shortly after the opening of the Great War, when the need for help for Belgium was beginning to be known, on November 20, 1914, a meet- ing was called by Mrs. William T. Welden at her home on Church Street, when a dozen women were present. At that time the War Relief League of Richfield Springs was organized, to meet one evening each week to sew for the Belgian refugees, and it was planned that money be raised by voluntary contributions for the purchase of materials. The officers elected were: Mrs. Welden, president; five vice-presidents, rep- resenting the various churches, were Mrs. Harry E. Elden, Methodist; Mrs. Annette F. Bloomfield, Universalist; Mrs. Claude Soares, St. John's Protestant Episcopal; Mrs. John D. Cary, Presbyterian; Mrs. David B. Shappee, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic; other officers were Mrs. John A. Losee, secretary; Mrs. Clarence E. Ackerly, treasurer. It was also voted to extend an invitation to neighboring villages to co-operate, and Mrs. Thomas B. Roberts, Miss Elizabeth Buchanan, Mrs. Oscar B. Chapman and Mrs. Harrie V. Frink were made a committee for this purpose.
During the winter of 1914-1915 meetings were held weekly at the members' houses, more than one hundred women being in attendance or working at home, and six hundred garments were sent to Belgium as a result. A tea was held at the home of Mrs. Cary on February 13, 1915, when $25 was raised; a lecture on Robert Burns was given at the same place, when Mr. John Mackie of Utica very courteously contributed his services, and additional gifts of money proved ample to provide for the payment for materials used.
The next winter the work was carried on, the officers being: Mrs. Welden, president; Mrs. Elden, Mrs. Ward Watson, Miss Marian H. Smith, Mrs. Cary and Mrs. Shappee, vice-presidents; Miss Ella L. Winne, secretary; Mrs. Ackerly, treasurer; Mrs. Chapman, Mrs. Frink, Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Clarence E. Goodale, directors. In April, 1916, a tea was held at the Public Library at which $40 was raised, and during the spring several hundred garments were made and forwarded to Belgium.
On November 9, 1916, a meeting of officers was called at the home of Mrs. Welden, when it was voted to discontinue the work of the League in favor of the American Red Cross, a chapter of which had been formed in October. It was also voted to give $5 to that work and the sum remaining in the treasury was sent later to Mrs. Whitney Warren for the Secours National.
During the existence of the League, besides the garments and sev- eral pieces of new material sent to Belgium, donations of money were sent to the Commission for the Relief of Belgium, the National Allied Relief Committee and the War Relief Clearing House as well as to the two organizations above mentioned.
E. W.
AMERICAN RED CROSS-RICHFIELD SPRINGS CHAPTER
In October, 1916, a meeting of some half dozen members of the Canadarago Home Economics Society was held at the home of Mrs. Herman H. Baker to consider a project to be taken up as an outside interest for the ensuing year. It was decided to form a chapter of the American Red Cross and the following officers were elected: Mrs. Baker, chairman; Mrs. James McKee, chairman; Mrs. Clarence A. Boutelle, sec- retary; Mrs. John A. Losee, treasurer. Meetings were held once a month, first at the Public Library, where old linen was made up into hospital supplies, and later, as the scope of the work widened, at St. John's Parish
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House. The membership gradually increased to about 200 and the women of Monticello, Brighton, Warren, Twelve Thousand and Schuyler Lake all asked for work. A branch was formed at the last named place, Mrs. George Cushman, chairman, succeeded by Mr. Merton J. Clarke; Mrs. John Grey, vice-chairman; Miss Nina Wright, secretary; Mr. C. W. Stephenson, treasurer.
In the summer of 1917, when the meetings were held at the Parish House, Miss Wigginton of Baltimore gave instruction in the making of muslin bandages and Miss Sara T. Lowman of New York conducted a class in surgical dressings, graduating eight pupils. Four of them, Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Isaac J. Kent, Miss Daisey Reed and Miss Virginia Swift, continued through an advanced course, qualifying themselves to teach.
In October, 1917, when the work was constantly growing, the directors of the First National Bank gave the Chapter the use of three large rooms in their building, and furniture and equipment were donated, Mr. W. H. H. Holland also giving his services in caring for the rooms. The use of the telephone was donated by the Otsego and Delaware Tele- phone Company and the electric light by the Southern New York Power Company. They were open each afternoon and the new offi- cers, who were the Reverend Albert L. Evans, chairman; Mrs. Baker, vice-chairman; Miss Daisy Reed, secretary, and Mr. George T. Brock- way, treasurer, prepared for a steady increase in work. Chairmen from the various churches were in charge and the Chapter has every reason to be proud of the amount accomplished.
In February, 1918, the Reverend Albert L. Evans resigned because of his enlistment in the army, when he was sent overseas as chaplain, and his place was filled by Mr. Charles M. Tuller, who has served the Chapter with faithfulness and zeal. In July Mrs. Baker, whose heart was with the work from the first, was obliged, by reason of home respon- sibilities, to give up her office. Mrs. H. A. Ward was appointed and served with great ability for the remainder of the term, resigning at the end of that time.
The October, 1918, election resulted as follows: Mr. Tuller, chair- man; Mrs. M. W. Dawley, vice-chairman; Miss Reed, secretary; Mr. Brockway, treasurer, and these officers are now in charge with the exception of Miss Reed, who resigned because of numerous other duties on March 3, 1919, her place being filled by Mrs. Isaac J. Kent.
A brief resumé of the work done from October, 1917, to June, 1919, with those in charge, is as follows:
Chairman of Supply Service, October, 1917, to October, 1918, Mrs. H. A. Ward
Surgical dressings, Mrs. Kent. 4808
Hospital garments, Mrs. David B. Shappee, October, 1917, to Janu-
ary, 1918; Mrs. Dawley, January, 1918, to date. 314
Knitted articles, Mrs. R. W. Armstrong. 1386
Miscellaneous articles 2134
Given for Linen Shower. 1227
Layettes, Mrs. L. F. Barker
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The Comfort Kits were in charge of Mrs. Daniel Shaul, who was succeeded by Mrs. Harry Derrick; and Miss Anna Louise Tunnicliff superintended the preparation of the Christmas packages.
Thirty-five hundred pounds of second-hand clothing were collected in the two drives for the Belgian refugees; the first was in charge of Scoutmaster George E. Tunnicliff and the Boy Scouts, and the second managed by Mrs. Kent.
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An Honor Roll, containing the names of the soldiers, sailors and marines and posted on Lake Street, was given and kept up by Mrs. J. D. Reed, while the Home Service Department, frequently of service, was conducted by Mr. Richard Own.
Too much cannot be said in praise of Mrs. M. W. Dawley, who has been at the rooms daily since she assumed office and who has shown great executive ability in the service of the Chapter. She has been ably seconded by Mrs. Kent, who also has been a most faithful worker.
The financial side has been no less inspiring. A total membership of 1946 brought $1,953, of which the Chapter received fifty per cent. In the spring drives of 1918, of which Mr. Tuller was chairman, the first, with a quota of $1,000, raised $2,400. This was in March, and the money so raised was devoted to the use of the Chapter in the purchase of materials and the ready to make garments furnished by the American Red Cross. The Second Red Cross War Fund in May, with a quota of $2,000, brought $3,461.87. Only twenty-five per cent of this was retained by the Chapter, the remainder being given to the American Red Cross.
Mr. A. J. Rockwood of the New York State Highway Department was notable in aiding this, as he organized his one hundred men and collected $747.90 from them for the fund.
Benefits for the cause have included a ball given at Bloomfield's in June, 1917; a tea given in August by Mrs. Edward D. Ibbotson at her summer home, Tarry-a-While; a concert given by the Music Club; a concert arranged by Miss Swift and given at Shaul's Theatre in the summer of 1918, and a delightful little play given by the children of the Junior Red Cross at St. John's Parish House.
The work of Mr. George H. Cook, in whose hands was placed the collection of the funds from the various drives, has been especially valuable and efficient. He has been assisted in this by Mrs. H. R. Chase, Miss Ethel Joslyn and Miss Delia Ross. The two Christmas membership drives of 1917 and 1918 were ably managed by Mr. Frederick Bronner.
E. W.
JUNIOR RED CROSS
On February 22, 1918, the Junior Red Cross was organized, Mrs. Horace G. Getman being appointed chairman; Mrs. John P. Simmons, secretary and treasurer. The local school and eight others in the vicinity quickly attained a hundred per cent membership, and the receipts to date have been $314.56, with 1596 articles made and given. In September, 1918, Mrs. Getman resigned and Mrs. John A. Losee succeeded to the office, which she still holds.
E. W.
UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN
The President of the United States set aside the week of November 11th to November 18th, 1918, as a time for united effort in behalf of the seven great organizations whose activities in camp and field had so much to do with maintaining the morale of the vast forces of the Republic. The amount to be raised was $170,500,000 and this was to be divided according to an agreed percentage among the Young Men's Christian Association, the Young Women's Christian Association, Na- tional Catholic War Council (Knights of Columbus), Jewish Wel- fare Board, War Camp Community Service, American Library Asso- ciation, and the Salvation Army. The quota for the town of Richfield was $4,838. The Hon. Allen J. Bloomfield, Assemblyman from the Otsego district, was made the chairman of the local forces. He opened his energetic and successful campaign with a mass meet- ing at Shaul's Theater on the Sunday evening preceding the can-
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vass. Under the stimulation of the chairman's efforts and the ex- cellent speeches of Mrs. Arthur Ryerson of Springfield Center, who had just returned from France, and the Reverend Father Arthur J. Kelly, of St. Joseph's Church of Richfield Springs, the sum of $1,400 was pledged to the fund at this meeting. Chairman Bloomfield named as his vice- chairmen, Rev. A. J. Kelly, Rev. Claude Soares, Rev. A. P. Palmer, with the following as the personnel of the executive committee: J. A. Losee, W. T. Welden, J. D. Cary; Herbert Leary, H. E. Elden, T. F. Hinds, Samuel Grossman, G. D. Caney, James McKee, Charles Wikoff, Owen Brady, C. E. Goodale, C. A. Ross, Dr. H. V. Frink, H. M. Curtis, George E. Tunnicliff, A. J. Rockwood, John Nugent, S. H. Conklin, C. M. Tuller, H. C. Brockway, Fred Bronner, C. E. Ackerly, John Simmons, Dr. H. A. Ward, M. E. Brace, M. J. Bennett, Hon. W. G. Bullion, O. A. Chamberlin, G. A. Peckham, W. A. Smith, Richard Owen, J. G. Black, Dr. M. W. Dawley, O. B. Chapman, Harry Derrick and T. J. Wetzel.
The committees for the soliciting of the town's quota were named to cover the three election districts and their activities were devoted to that jurisdiction. For election district No. 1, the chairman named Mrs. Her- bert R. Hadcock as the Captain, who was assisted by Mrs. D. B. Shappee, Miss Nellie E. Brady, C. A. Ross, Mrs. W. T. Welden, Miss Louise Hinds, Mrs. J. D. Cary, Miss Ella Winne, Mrs. T. B. Roberts, Joseph Famulare, Miss Daisey Reed, Mrs. J. G. Black, Mrs. A. P. Palmer, Mrs. Owen Brady, Mrs. C. E. Ackerly and Miss Delia Ross. In district No. 2 John Nugent was captain, with the following aides: Mrs. F. B. Getchel, Mrs. W. G. Bullion, T. F. Hinds, Miss Mae Derrick, S. B. Sheridan, Miss Cecilia Leary, Miss Marian Smith, Mrs. G. A. Peckham, Mrs. I. J. Kent, M. J. Bennett, Charles Wikoff, Mrs. H. R. Chase, Mrs. A. D. Risley, Miss Belle Bullion and Miss Anna Jordan. In district No. 3 Murray E. Brace was the Captain, assisted by Mrs. Everett Ames, Mrs. George T. Brockway, Miss Vera Robinson, Thomas Burke, Dr. S. A. Haggerty, Miss Mary Dugan, Mrs. Adelbert Atkins, Miss Kittie Fenton, Miss Anastasia Branigan and Mrs. R. D. Perkins. Mrs. John D. Cary acted as treasurer of the campaign, continuing in her work long after the conclusion of the canvass. In the history of the township no such sum was ever assessed before for patriotic purposes and yet at the end of the week's canvass Richfield was the first town in Otsego to report its quota filled, the sum of $5,000 having been subscribed. It is fitting to record in conclusion that this patriotic fund was, with less than a half dozen exceptions, given unreservedly to the united organizations, demonstrating in the strongest possible manner the spirit of the citizens of the town. F. B.
STATE MILITARY CENSUS
On June 6th, 1917, Governor Charles S. Whitman made proclamation designating the period from June 11 to June 25th for the taking of a State Military Census, to comprise all persons in the State of New York between the ages of 15 and 50. This remarkable task when completed showed in detail the man power of the commonwealth, the vocations of her people and the availability of her resources for military purposes. It was completed in the limited time and furnished data of immeasurable value through the patriotic activity of the volunteer workers. In the town of Richfield the Supervisor of the Census was Lewis A. Williams, assisted by Clarence E. Ackerly, captain of the 1st election district, comprising the village of Richfield Springs, and Murray E. Brace, captain of the 2nd district, comprising the village of Richfield. The enumerators of the 1st district were Mrs. Daniel Shaul, Mrs. John A. Losee, Mrs. James McKee, Mrs. Thomas B. Roberts, Mrs. Clarence E. Ackerly, Miss Marian Smith, Miss Ella Winne, Mrs. John D. Cary, Miss Madeline Elwood, Mrs. David B. Shappee, Miss Louise Hinds, Mrs. Lewis A. Williams, Mrs. Oscar B. Chapman, Mrs. Harrie V. Frink, Mrs. William T. Welden; in the 2nd district, Miss Esther Walker, Morris Young,
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Arthur Fenton, Ernest M. Johnson, Munson Barringer, William Leary. As a result of their labors the enumeration showed a total of 1079 per- sons of both sexes, between 15 and 50 years of age. Of this number, the F. B. 1st district had 362 males, 424 females; the 2nd district, 164 males, 129 females.
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