The World War I Series - Donel Glen Cottrell, KIA

 

Donel Glen Cottrell

Born in Paulding County, but raised as a Hicksville boy, Donel Cottrell entered life on April 20, 1893. He was a farmer, just like his father, Warren Cottrell, and he stayed on the farm with his mother, Anna and numerous brothers and sisters.

But patriotism called this young man and he enlisted in the Army Infantry, Company F, 28th Infantry. On February 5, 1918, before his deployment to France, he married Clara Booth in Hicksville.  Their time together was brief before he left with K Company, 335th Infantry, 24th Division on the ship "Karmala" for France. 

Donel and Clara Booth Cottrell

Donel was traveled, like so many others, to the Meuse-Argonne area.  Tragically, only 65 days later, Donel was killed in action, allegedly a mere one hour before a cease-fire and just four days before the American Armistice was signed.  He died on November 7, 1918.

He was first buried in the American sector at the French Civilian Cemetery at Cheveuges, Ardennes.  On April 2, 1919, he was disinterred and moved to the Sedan American Cemetery at Letanne Ardennes. Mrs. Clara Contrell, his wife of about nine months was informed of this.

It would be a few years later, in 1921 before the body was shipped home to Hicksville.

Clara Booth, Donel's widow, was the daughter of Elihu and Rose Bishoff Booth.  She continued to live with her parents after Donel's death with their baby daughter, Doris. Sadly, Donel had never met his offspring.

Donel Cottrell was buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville, Ohio, in Lot 35, Block C, Grave 1, his service noted on a flat marker.

His obituary:

"Cottrell

April  20, 1893, there was born to Anna Wentworth Cottrell and Warren G. Cottrell, at their farm home in Paulding County, a fourth son, Donel Glen Cottrell.  At this place, Donel spent his boyhood with his brothers, sisters and neighborhood playmates by whom he was greatly loved.

He learned the lesson of industry at an early age on the farm, and after completing his common school education, continued the training of his youth by engaging in farming on the old home place.

Following a delightful courtship, Donel was married Feb. 5, 1918 to Miss Clara Booth. To this happy marriage blossomed the life of little Doris Marie, two days after the father's death.

Donel is survived by his wife, little Doris Marie, Father, Mother, three sisters and five brothers, all present at the funeral, but Corporal Earl R., of St. Louis, Mo., and Lee A., of Yellowstone National Park, Wy.

Of all the boys, Donel was the home boy. He was devoted to his parents and always counseled with them. He was strong of body, alert of mind, a young man of clean morals and vigorous Christian character. He was affiliated with the United Brethren church and a loyal and faithful Sunday school worker.

July 22, 1918, while the enemy armies were suffering the bitter pangs of defeat at the hands of the sturdy Americans, Donel was called to the oolors and assigned to Co. K, 355 Infantry, 84th Division, following two brothers and a sister who were in active duty in France with the 84th Division, but shortly after landing, Donel was transferred to that renowned First Division, that battle-scarred Division that always took its objective and that never knew defeat.  A division heralded for its fighting tradition, its dash and its high spirit.

Donel soon caught the spirit of this now famous Division, and was ever ready to uphold its zealously guarded traditions.  And thus in the faithful and patriotic performance of his duty to his Division, to his comrades, to his country, to you and to me, while his Division was striking the enemy to relieve that other famous division - The Rainbow Division, in the Argonne on Nov. 7, 1918, a brief hour before peace dawned, with his face a smile and unafraid, an enemy bullet laid his life on the altar of his country.  Thus making our freedom more sacred and his memory more precious."

In Memoriam

Donel Glen Cottrell

Guest Blogger - Kim Bercaw