USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1) > Part 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
Digitized by Google
1
1
293
VENANGO COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Franklin District-Died in Service
(Red Cross Record)
HAROLD PLUMER ANDERSON, Corporal, from Franklin, Pa., died from wounds; published Jan. 12, 1919.
AUGUS G. ARMSTRONG, died of disease.
RAYMOND A. BROWN, died of wounds. HOWARD E. BRADSHAW, killed.
GUY R. BROWN, Corporal, 11th Infantry, killed in action in France Oct. 14, 1918.
FREDERICK S. BURFORD, wounded on battle- field in France Sept. 27th, died Sept. 28, 1918. OREN C. BERLIN, Private, Co. F, 112th In- fantry, killed in battle in France, August, 1918.
WILLIAM E. BROWN, Private, Co. F, 112th Infantry, wounded and gassed June 15, 1918; returned to service; wounded in head, Ar- gonne, first drive, Sept. 26th to Oct. 9th; re- ported dead Nov. 5th.
HERMAN O. CAUVEL, died in Base Hospital No. 76, of pneumonia, Oct. 9, 1918, at Camp Greenleaf, Georgia.
CONNELL, JOHN P., Corporal, Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded Sept. 27, 1918, and died Oct. 3d ; promoted to sergeant.
EDWARD W. ECKEL, Private 2,270,466, Co. L, Reg. 320th Infantry, killed in action Nov. 8, 1918, on Meuse front.
FRANK R. FLEMING, First Lieutenant, Co. F, 112th Infantry, wounded in action in France Oct. 9, 1918, died Oct. 11th.
JESSE C. GREER, Private Co. F, 112th In- fantry, killed in battle in France, August, 1918.
MURRAY H. GOLDSMITH, died of disease.
CURT GRAHAM, killed in action.
MAURICE D. HANCOX, killed.
JAMES W. HAYS, died at Fort Thomas, Oct. 20, 1918, of pneumonia.
PAUL W. HARKLESS, 305th Engineers, Tr. Camp Lee, Va., died at Edgewood, Md., of influenza.
ROBERT HAYS, died in France in October, 1918, of influenza.
JACOB L. HERMAN, Med. Corps, Base Hos- pital No. 76, A. E. F., died in Base Hos- pital No. 76, Vichy, France, Oct. 10, 1918, of pneumonia.
OLLIE O. HARTZELL, died of disease in France, Nov. 12, 1918.
EDWIN C. HECKER, Private, Co. F, 112th In- fantry, reported killed in action; letter re- ceived Nov. 5, 1918.
OWEN F. JONES, Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in abdomen, Forest drive, France, Sept. 26-Oct. 3, 1918, died of wounds Oct. 8, 1918.
HARRY W. JOHNSON, Private Co. F, 112th Inf., killed in battle in France, August, 1918.
OSCAR G. KULLMAN, Co. L., 320th Regt., killed in action in France in 1918.
EUGENE M. KAHN, died in action.
HAROLD LAYTON, died at Camp Green, of pneumonia.
PHIL G. MIHLEDER, Cadet, Aeronautic School, Camden, N. J., killed.
FRAZIER MYERS, Squadron H, Kelly Field No. 2, S. San Antonio, Texas, died of pneu- monia, Dec. 17, 1918.
ELLSWORTH W. MILLER, Private, Co. C, 109th Inf., killed in action in France, 1918.
ELMER M. MURDOCK, Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., killed in action in France, August, 1918. EARL A. MAUSBERGER, died of disease.
FRANK MILLER, killed in action.
BIRD NAILE, Private, Co. F, 112th Inf. killed in action, Fismette, barrage falling about three hundred feet short, Aug. 9, 1918.
Ross EDWARD PERRINE, died of wounds.
FLOYD M. PEARSON, selective service, died W. Penn. Hospital, Pittsburgh, pneumonia, Nov. 2, 1918.
JUDSON PETERSON, Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., died Dec. 18, 1918, from wounds received Aug. 8th in Argonne Forest drive, France.
JOHN D. Ross, Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., killed on battlefield, France, Fismette, by an American shell, barrage falling three hun- dred feet short.
HENRY C. RUSSELL, killed.
CLYDE RICHARDS, killed in action.
PHILIP S. ROBERTSON, died in action.
FLOYD D. SHOWERS, killed.
LUDWIG W. STAATLER, 320th Inf., 80th Div., killed in action in France, Oct. 11, 1918.
WILLIAM ROY SHONEY, 3d Truck Co., 305th Ammunition Train, Camp Lee, died at Camp Lee, January, 1918.
J. COLLINS VINCENT, Private, Co. A, 110th Inf., killed in action in France, Sept. 27, 1918. DAVID C. VINCENT, killed in action.
FRED D. VOGUs, died of disease.
FREDERICK B. WILLYOUNG, 320th Inf., 80th Div., killed in action in France, July 30, 1918.
RAY WOODWORTH, reported killed, Novem- ber, 1918.
CARL WALTERS, killed in action.
EDWARD L. ZUVER, died of wounds.
Wounded-Franklin District
ANDERSON, CHARLES W., Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in leg and in Hospital No. 44 in France; shot in shoulder Aug. 17, 1918, at Fismes, Vesle river.
AGNEW, GEORGE M., Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., severely wounded Aug. 8, 1918, returned to U. S. Dec. 18th.
Digitized by Google
294
VENANGO COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ALEXANDER, JAMES S., slightly gassed, Aug., 1918.
ANDERSON, HAROLD P., reported missing; word received later that he had been wounded and was in hospital.
ATWELL, L. O., wounded.
ARMITAGE, G. C., missing in action.
BURNS, JAY JOSEPH, gassed.
BRADLEY, RICHARD, Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in action on battlefield in France, re- turned to Franklin Dec. 26th, 1918.
BRENNAN, LOUIS J., wounded October, 1918, France, officially reported Dec. 19th.
BROWN, RICHARD, Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., reported slightly wounded Nov. 4, 1918.
BROWN, JAMES A., wounded in France, last of August, 1918, two bullets entering near elbow; unofficially reported wounded again, Nov. 4, 1918.
BEERS, WILLIAM G., Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in France Aug. 9, 1918.
BROWN, RAYMOND A., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in France Oct. 3, 1918, twice, in back and shoulder.
BONER, JOSEPH A., shot seven times in arm on battlefield in France, October, 1918.
CAPWELL, SAMUEL PLUMER, Sergeant U. S. Marines, Hospital Unit No. 77, A. P. O. 909, Ward 18, A. E. F., employed at Liverpool, Ohio; left with Co. 39, U. S. Marines, from Detroit, Mich., June, 1917; seriously wounded in right hand Nov. 2, 1918, in attack on Meziers railroad; is in Naval Hospital, Brook- lyn, Ward C, No. 2.
CHAPIN, HARRY J., Private, Battery B, 314th Field Artillery, wounded seriously on battle- field in France, October, 1918; Nov. 28th still in hospital, and at that time still obliged to lie on his stomach.
CRAWFORD, LLOYD, Captain, 307th M. G. Batt., 308th M. G. Batt., Co. D, A. E. F., wounded and in hospital Nov. 6, 1918; re- turned to front and seriously wounded Nov. IOth.
CLINEFELTER, JOSEPH C., on casualty list Dec. 11, 1918, wounded severely.
CONNELL, JOSEPH P., left Franklin as First Lieutenant Co. F, 112th Inf., later transferred to Co. L, and made Captain 112th Inf .; wounded on French battlefield first part of October, 1918; recovered ; returned to Co. F as Captain since Nov. 11th.
COTTERMAN, WILLIAM A., Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., shot in shoulder, in France, August, 1918.
COFFMAN, FLOYD, Private, Co. F, wounded Oct. 11, 1918, reported Dec. 19th.
DUBEIL, THADDEUS, Private. Co. F, 112th Inf., gassed; news received Nov. 26, 1918.
DUNKLE, CHARLES, Corporal, Co. F, 112th Inf., hit by shrapnel in right shoulder and bones of arm splintered in action, Aug. 9, 1918, Fismette; sent to U. S. Dec. Ist; in Franklin on furlough Dec. 19th.
DORWORTH, HAROLD M., Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., reported to mother Oct. 19, 1918, that he was in hospital suffering from infected knee.
EATON, WILLIAM V., 45th Co., U. S. Ma- rines, slightly injured June 13, 1918.
EMERY, WILLIAM E., Sergeant Co. F, 112th Inf., in hospital because of ear trouble, Nov. 26, 1918.
EARSMAN, WILLIS, wounded.
FERGUS, PAUL HAYS, Co. A, 112th Inf., gassed July 19-21, 1918, on battlefield in France.
FARREN, JOHN W., Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in hip, in France; sciatic nerve cut ; non-combatant serving as first-aid man.
FISH, RAYMOND W., Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded right shoulder in Argonne drive, Sept. 26th to Oct. 8th, 1918.
GRAHAM, JOHN E., Sergeant, M. G. Co., 112th Inf., back injured by wall dugout col- lapsing, France.
GALBRATH, CHARLES R., JR., Lieutenant Ad- jutant, 112th Inf., ill in hospital in France with influenza and rheumatism; arrived in U. S. A. Dec. 18, 1918.
GOODMAN, WILLIAM O., Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., transferred to Rainbow Division ; slightly wounded.
Goss, HARRY J., Private, Co. F, 112th Inf., slightly burned with gas in right leg, trans- ferred last of October, 1918, to theatrical troupe.
GRIFFITH, EDWIN H., Corporal, Co. F, 112th Inf., slightly wounded in shoulder, Sept., 1918. GRAMLEY, WILLIAM, wounded.
GRIBBEN, EDWARD C., Corporal Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded severely Nov. 4, 1918.
HILLIARD, ADLAI (Cook), wounded severe- ly, casualty list Dec. 20, 1918.
HOFFMAN, ROY, wounded.
HAYS, CARL J., wounded.
HOLLOBAUGH, RAY, reported wounded in battle in France, casualty list Nov. 24, 1918.
HARVEY, FRANK C., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., shot in eyes Aug. 9, 1918; invalided home Dec. 23d; Debarkation Hospital No. 3.
HOVIS, GEORGE W., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in hip, Argonne Forest drive, Sept. 26th-Oct. 8th, 1918; severely wounded, Dec. 9th.
HARVEY, CHARLES E., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., gassed in France July 15, 1918; still in
Digitized by Google
295
VENANGO COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
base hospital Aug. 20th, Co. G, 110th Reg. Inf.
HECKATHORN, LEO J., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., shell shock, Argonne, first drive ; returned on hospital ship Dec. 17, 1918; arrived in Franklin Dec. 25th; left Dec. 28th for Camp Mead, Maryland.
KELSEY, NED A., Co. L, 320th Reg. Inf., slightly wounded; casualty list Dec. 26, 1918.
KARGOL, TONY, wounded, degree undeter- mined; casualty list Dec. 23, 1918.
KEAS, CLYDE A., reported seriously ill of pneumonia Oct. 3, 1918, at Camp Gordon.
KING, FRED, wounded.
LEQUI, SAMUEL, wounded.
LOWERS, CLARENCE H., wounded.
LUCAS, WILLIAM R., Sig. B, sub. C, 342, Signaller on mail steamer "Leinster," exhaust- ed from exposure; sent to Langley Park, Lod- don, Norfolk, England.
LANDON, DON, British Forces in France; listed as missing.
LANKFORD, NEHEMIAH, Private, wounded, degree not determined; list Dec. 20, 1918.
McKEE, GEORGE R., reported slightly wound- ed ; list Dec. 14, 1918.
MCCUTCHEON, JESSE L., Co. L, 320th Inf., wounded in shoulder, not considered serious.
McCANN, THOMAS P., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., in hospital with influenza; notice by let- ter Nov. 26, 1918.
McCOY, FREDERICK B., gassed.
MURDOCK, JOHN E., wounded.
MORRISON, CHARLES, wounded.
MONTGOMERY, HARRY O., wounded.
MIHLEDER, Gus., Reg. Army Officers' Train- ing School, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., seriously wounded at Camp Mead; reported Sept. 4, 1918.
MORGAN, JOHN, Co. A, Ist Reg., Engineer Corps, enlisted in France 1917, slightly gassed ; returned to company, and promoted to cap- tain.
MUSGRAVE, NICHOLAS, Co. F, 112th Inf., made Top Sergeant, wounded in France, Oc- tober, 1918.
MACK, EMII. F., Co. F, 112th Inf., in hos- pital, abscess on foot; news received Nov. 26, 1918.
MULHOLLAND, LEO B., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in France, machine gun bullet, Sept. 9, 1918.
PIERCE, CHARLES A., Corporal 312th M. G. Batt., wounded in France, September, 1918; recovering.
PASHLEY, EMIL F., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded on French battlefield Aug. 8, 1918, recovering quickly.
PALMER, W. J., Co. F, 112th Inf., seriously wounded in action in France, August, 1918, shot through kidneys; sent home by govern- ment ; in U. S. General Hospital, Cape May, N. J., Ward 3.
PORTER, GEORGE V., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., shot in shoulder in France, August, 1918.
PERRINE, Ross E., Co. F, 112th Inf., wound- ed in shoulder, in Forest drive, France, Sept. 26, 1918.
PHIPPS, CLIFFORD C., wounded.
PALMER, LEO W., wounded.
RUSSELL, HENRY C., on casualty list, Dec. 19, 1918, as missing.
Ross, GEORGE B., Corporal, Co. F, 112th Inf., gassed in July, 1918, on battlefield; last of August was still in hospital ; Jan. Ist arrived at Newport News, Va .; has had to have sev- eral operations on nose.
RICALTON, ROBERT F., Private Co. F,, 112th Inf., wounded in France, August, 1918, ma- chine gun bullet.
RICHEY, JAMES C., Sergeant, Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in foot on battlefield in France, Sept. 28, 1918; recovering nicely.
RIDDLE, JAMES DANA, wounded.
SMITH, RALPH, wounded.
SICHI, LEOPOLDI, gassed.
SMITH, FRED F., wounded.
STARK, LAWRENCE, slightly wounded Dec. 9, 1918.
SERVICE, DAVID E., wounded in leg in France; reported improving; is gathering data regarding American soldiers' civil life for three years before the war.
SMALL, SAMUEL L., wounded, degree un- determined; list Dec. 20, 1918.
SILVERMAN, WILLIAM, Co. L, 28th Inf .; let- ter reports him wounded, but recovering.
SOUSAE, MERLE F., Supply Co. Sergeant, M. G. Co., 112th Inf., slightly gassed ; in hos- pital ten days.
SAUNIER, HAROLD P., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., shell shock, Argonne Forest drive, Sept. 26, 1918.
STALLSMITH, JAMES E., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., gassed in France, recovering quickly.
SULLIVAN, LAWRENCE J., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., slightly gassed in France, reported wounded, Aug. 5, 1918.
SMITH, ABE D., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., severely wounded in battle. in France, Aug. 13. 1918.
STROUSS, JAMES R., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., reported missing Aug. 22, 1918; Nov. 3d telegram announced him wounded and in hospital; garden service in quartermaster's department.
TINGLEY, HERBERT DONALD, Co. C, 4th Inf.,
Digitized by Google
296
VENANGO COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
wounded in head with shrapnel ; in hospital al- most all of October, 1918.
THOMPSON, DR. A. C., First Lieutenant Dr. Criles, Rouen, France, ill with pneumonia, Oc- tober, 1918; Nov. 26th, letter received report- ed recovering.
: WEED, JAMES E., slightly wounded in action in France.
WALLACE, GEORGE WILLIAM, wounded se- verely ; casualty list Dec. 19, 1918.
WALLACE, GUY, wounded.
WINTERS, WALTER, wounded.
WHITE, DONALD L., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in hip July 4, 1918; sent back; located at Camp Merritt, New Jersey.
WHITESELL, CARL F., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., slightly wounded in battle; recovered.
WALDO, . FRANK M., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., gassed, but was able to join company later ..
. WOLCOTT, WALTER S., Private Co. F, 112th Inf., wounded in right hip in Argonne Forest drive, Sept. 26, 1918.
YARNELL, WILLIAM G., wounded severely ; list Dec. 9, 1918.
AT THE FRONT
That our Venango county boys measured up to our belief in them is proved indisputably. The 28th Division includes our 112th Regi- ment. In a "brief summary given by General Pershing of the operations of the American Expeditionary Forces from May 26, 1917, un- til the signing of the armistice, Nov. 11, 1918," he says:
"On the day after we had taken the St. Mihiel salient, much of our corps and army artillery which had operated at St. Mihiel, and our divisions in reserve at other points, were already on the move toward the area back of the line between the Meuse river and the western edge of the Forest of Argonne. With the exception of St. Mihiel, the old German front line from Switzerland to the east of Rheims was still intact.
"In the general attack all along the line, the operation assigned the American Army as the hinge of this Allied offensive was directed toward the important railroad communications of the German Armies through Mezieres and Sedan. The enemy must hold fast to this part of his lines or the withdrawal of his forces with four years' accumulation of plants and material would be dangerously imperiled.
"The Germany Army had as yet shown no demoralization and, while the mass of its troops had suffered in morale, its first-class divisions and notably its machine-gun defense
were exhibiting remarkable tactical efficiency as well as courage. The German General Staff was fully aware of the consequences of a suc- cess on the Meuse-Argonne line. Certain that he would do everything in his power to oppose us, the action was planned with as much se- crecy as possible and was undertaken with the determination to use all our divisions in forc- ing decision. We expected to draw the best German divisions to our front and to consume them while the enemy was held under grave apprehension lest our attack should break his line, which it was our firm purpose to do.
"Our right flank was protected by the Meuse. while our left embraced the Argonne Forest whose ravines, hills, and elaborate defense screened by dense thickets had been generally considered impregnable. Our order of battle from right to left was the 3d Corps from the Meuse to Malancourt, with the 33d, 80th and 4th Divisions in line, and the 3d Division as corps reserve; the 5th Corps from Malancourt to Vauquois, with 79th, 87th and 91st Divi- sions in line, and the 32d in corps reserve; and the Ist Corps, from Vauquois to Vienne le Chateau, with 35th, 28th and 77th Divisions in line, and the 92d in corps reserve. The army reserve consisted of the Ist, 29th and 82d Di- visions.
"On the 24th, after the Germans had fallen back from Trugny and Epieds, our 42d Divi- sion, which had been brought over from the Champagne, relieved the 26th and, fighting its way through the Foret de Fere, overwhelmed the nests of machine guns in its path. By the 27th it had reached the Ourcq, whence the 3d and 4th Divisions were already advancing, while the French divisions with which we were co-operating were moving forward at other points.
"The 3d Division had made its advance into Roncheres Wood on the 29th and was re- lieved for rest by a brigade of the 32d. The 42d and 32d undertook the task of conquer- ing the heights beyond Cierges, the 42d cap- turing Sergy and the 32d capturing Hill 230, both American divisions joining in the pursuit of the enemy to the Vesle, and thus the opera- tion of reducing the salient was finished. Meanwhile the 42d was relieved by the 4th at Chery-Chartreuve, and the 32d by the 28th, while the 32d Division took up a position on the Vesle. The operations of these divisions on the Vesle were under the 3d Corps, Maj. Gen. Robert L. Bullard commanding.
"With the reduction of the Marne salient we could look forward to the concentration of our divisions in our own zone. In view of the forthcoming operation against the St. Mihiel
Digitized by Google
297
VENANGO COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
salient, which had long been planned as our first offensive action on a large scale, the Ist Army was organized on Aug. 10 under my per- sonal command. While American units had held different divisional and corps sectors along the western front, there had not been up to this time, for obvious reasons, a distinct American sector ; but, in view of the important parts the American forces were now to play, they were assigned to an important sector of the line.
"Our large caliber guns had advanced and were skilfully brought into position to fire upon the important lines of Montmedy, Lon- guyon and Conflans. Our 3d Corps crossed the Meuse on the 5th and the other corps, in the full confidence that the day was theirs, eagerly cleared the way of machine guns as they swept northward, maintaining complete co-ordination throughout. On the 6th a divi- sion of the Ist Corps reached a point on the Meuse opposite Sedan, twenty-five miles from our line of departure. The strategical goal which was our highest hope was gained. We had cut the enemy's main line of communica- tions, and nothing but surrender could save his army from complete disaster.
"In all forty enemy divisions had been used against us in the Meuse-Argonne battle. Be- tween Sept. 26 and Nov. 6 we took 26,059 pris- oners and 468 guns on this front. Our divi- sions engaged were the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 32d, 33d, 35th, 37th, 42d, 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 82d, 89th, 90th and 9Ist.
"Many of our divisions remained in line for a length of time that required nerves of steel, while others were sent up again after only a few days of rest.
"Finally, I pay the supreme tribute to our officers and soldiers of the line. When I think of their heroism, their patience under hardships, their unflinching spirit of offensive action, I am filled with emotion which I am unable to express. Their deeds are immortal. and they have earned the eternal gratitude of our country."
PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE MILITIA
The United States government authorized the States to organize systems of militia. In Pennsylvania the organization is called the Pennsylvania Reserve Militia. Company L, 3d Infantry, P. R. M., consists of seventy-five men, divided about equally between Franklin and Oil City. The following is a list of the commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the company: Capt. Ralph P. Byles, Oil
City; First Lieut. Harley G. Zeigler, Frank- lin; Second Lieut. Walter S. Borland, Oil City ; Second Lieut. Ronald B. Crawford, Staff Officer, Oil City; First Sergeant Norman G. Wood, Franklin; Q. M. Sergeant Marshall Gault, Oil City; Mess Sergeant Ed. W. Wal- lace, Oil City ; Sergeant John Moltz, Oil City; Sergeant Andrew Shaffer, Oil City ; Sergeant Frank Musgrave, Franklin; Sergeant Earl S. Maxwell, Franklin; Sergeant Frank Burch- field, Franklin ; Corporal George W. Darr, Oil City; Corporal William Daugherty, Oil City ; Corporal John E. Cunningham, Oil City ; Cor- poral John D. Babbet, Oil City; Corporal George Anderson, Franklin; Corporal Donald Ferringer, Franklin; Corporal Joseph Dilley; Corporal Walter Krepp, Franklin; Cooks Wil- liam Long, Oil City, Robert Spence, Oil City; Musician Charles H. Stickle.
The company is uniformed and well equipped. It meets in the Armory once a week. It is a fine body of men and is a credit to the two cities which contribute the person- nel. The officers and men are equally earnest and enthusiastic. They evidently realize the importance of their organization and the part it may play in the life of the nation in the fu- ture.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
The Red Cross has always had a strong ap- peal in Venango county. A region notable for generosity and lavish giving to all worthy humanitarian efforts, it welcomed this univer- sal association of helpers. When times came of quiet and lack of broad demands, it kept its organization intact and was ready whenever occasion offered opportunity for service. Al- ways alert and always responding to needs, both local and international, it was ideal in its operations when the great world war became a terrible reality. Both Franklin and Oil City increased membership in the organization and work began. After committees were appoint- ed, rooms engaged and workers giving splen- didly of brain and brawn, it was seen that the work of establishing auxiliaries in the small towns was essential to the complete working out of the Red Cross idea. Women in the larger towns put aside all home work that could be dropped safely and went about telling the story of the needs of this organization. The response was so full and beautiful that a bond never to be broken binds these women to- gether. As the boys began to leave home the knitters had to put away thoughts of the long road the feet would tread in the soft smooth
Digitized by Google
298
VENANGO COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
socks; and the makers of surgical dressings had to occupy themselves with the delicate and essential tasks in order not to think too much of the destination of the wonderful pack- ages so deftly and scientifically made. All kept at work with an energy and an absolutely unfailing loyalty to duty and to the finest human endeavor. If it were possible to give a complete story of the activity of any one of the chapters of the Red Cross in this county, it would of course be simply one with that of every other American patriotic county. But those who looked on from a masculine point of view wondered at the assiduity and the per- severance and the never-failing head and hand work of these women. Miss Olivia Fisher is at the head of the Red Cross chapter in Oil City and Miss Myra Chickering at the head of the Home Service Section. In Franklin Miss Gertrude Adams is at the head of the Red Cross chapter and Mrs. F. B. Black at the head of the Home Service Section. The Daugh- ters of the American Revolution took as their distinctive service in this connection the form- ing of Red Cross circles throughout the coun- ty. Nearly every neighborhood has one of these auxiliaries, all working through the Oil City or Franklin chapters.
A number of local women were enlisted in the active forces of the Red Cross, either as nurses or canteen workers, and many of these saw service in France.
As shown by figures made public for the first time by local officials of the Red Cross after the signing of the armistice, the Oil City chapter for the year ending on Oct. 3ist had completed by local Red Cross workers a total of 193,875 garments. Of this number 147,200 were surgical dressings. 33,057 were hospital garments, and 13,116 knitted garments.
In addition to the work of these organiza- tions the women of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the wives, mothers, and daughters of railroad men, formed organizations that did wonderful work for men in service, whether they were in the railroad work as civil engineers, engineers or common soldiers. It was the aim that not one should need the comforts women alone could provide. The organization under the in- spiring leadership of Mrs. J. J. Rhoads contin- ues some branches of this work, since many of the men abroad are moving into colder regions. Splendid stories of heroic endeavor are told of these men, whose motto seems to have been that of other railroad men in France. "It is impossible to do it -- Here it is."
OTHER WAR ACTIVITIES
Mention must be made of the splendid work for the Liberty Loans. Venango county went over the top each time. It went with a rush, and with enthusiasm that is characteristic of people who always rise to the occasion. The women responded to this new and urgent ap- peal for their country's need with ability that won instant recognition. Mrs. J. C. Carmi- chael of Franklin and Mrs. E. V. D. Selden of Oil City led the hosts of workers. This seemed to include every woman in the county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.