Spanish - American Soldiers - Private Robert L. McCullough

 

# 4 - Private E.A. Schultz,  # 5 - Private J. Hildendorf,* and
# 6 -Private Robert L. McCullough    


#6 Private Robert Lattimore McCullough

Born in Defiance on July 6, 1876, to William A. and Emma (Booth) McCullough, Robert stayed busy before enlisting by searching for employment. In 1893, he traveled to Chicago looking for a job and in 1895, he was up in Saginaw, Michigan looking. In the winter of 1896-1897, he stayed in Alexandria, Louisiana working, returning home on June 1.

He enlisted when he was 24 into Company M, 6th Ohio Regiment, for the Spanish - American War. However, he was discharged on April 6, 1898, on a Surgeon's Certificate of Disability issued at the Santa Clara, Cuba Headquarters and sent home.

Robert L. was rather outspoken in his youth which caused a bit of trouble.

The Defiance Daily Crescent reported on October 29, 1898:

"POLITICS

Cause Unpleasantness Between an Editor and a Soldier

All kinds of rumors were afloat on the street this morning, concerning an affair that occurred last evening between Editor Thompson and Private Robert McCullough of Company M, 6th O.V.I., who leaves for Camp Poland, his furlough having expired.

The trouble between the editor and the soldier was caused by Mr. Thompson's paper, The Republican, attacking Private McCullough and accusing him of making statements which he (McCullough) claims to have no connection with.

When the soldier and editor met, a few words were exchanged, when bystanders interfered. The whole affair grows out of the bitter political fight now being waged."

The war with Spain was the first U.S. engagement with a foreign nation in times of modern warfare, and it split the nation. Some felt that Spain was oppressing Cuba and that we ought to intervene to protect U.S. interests there. Others felt that this butting in could begin a series of costly wars; we should mind our own business. This may have been the source of the argument between McCullough and Thompson.

On November 1, 1898, the Defiance Daily Express continued their complaint against the newspapers, including their own, for criticizing McCullough and the soldiers of Co. M.

"Robert McCullough , whom the EXPRESS has maligned outrageously is a Republican. Nevertheless, he has done nothing for which he deserves the abuse and vilification the Boss has bestowed upon him.

We are through with Mr.  McCullough. Whatever may be the result of his actions, it is not for any one here to determined. He is in the military service and amendable to military laws. The facts of his being a Republican can make no difference. A. Republican who commits a wrongful act is to be censured equally with a Democrat who has done wrong."

On June 20, 1899, Robert married Gertrude White of Defiance, when he was 22 and working as a clerk in a furniture store. Gertrude, 19, housekeeper, was the daughter of Defiance residents, Daniel and Hattie (McRoe/Roe) White.  

In the 1910 Federal Census, the family was listed in Toledo, Ohio. Robert, 34, worked as a salesman in a department store, His parents were both born in French Canada. He and Gertrude, 30, had been married ten years and had one son, Jack M., 8

In September 1918, Robert was eligible for the World War I draft at age 42, and he registered but he did not serve. His full name, including his middle name, appeared on the pension, and he lived at 854 Colburn Street in Toledo. At that point, he worked at the Willys Overland Company, possibly assembling war vehicles. He described himself as of medium height with a stout build, blue eyes and light hair.

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The family moved to a ward of Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan, sometime between the above draft application and the 1920 Federal Census. Robert worked as a floor manager at a department store and eighteen-year-old Jack was a salesman in a department store. They stayed in Michigan after that, moving to Monroe County by 1940.

On April 24, 1947, Gertrude Mabel White McCullough died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 67. She died in Mercy Hospital, Monroe, Michigan. after being a patient for eight hours. Although the death certificate indicated a burial in Toledo, she was actually buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.

At the point when Robert's health failed, he moved in with his son, Jack. It was about seven years later that Robert passed away on November 16, 1954.

This obituary appeared in the Toledo Blade, on the day of his death:

"ROBERT L. MCCULLOUGH

Robert L. McCullough, formerly of Prescott St., died today in Newport, Mich. at the home of a son, Jack, with whom he had lived for about seven years. Mr. McCullough lived in Newport about 11 years since moving from Toledo.

Born in Defiance, O., Mr. McCullough lived in Toledo 40 years. For 18 years, he managed the ladies' coats alterations department of Lasalle and Koch's. He also was a salesman in the hat department of the B. R. Baker Co., three years, retiring about 11 years ago.

Mr. McCullough was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Calumet Lodge F & AM, and was a member of the United States Spanish War Veterans, Defiance.

Surviving also are sisters, Mrs. Bertha Beardsley, Mrs. Etta Schlosser, Mrs. Helen Steele, and Mrs. May Ellerman, all of Toledo; brother George, Detroit. 

The Rev. Arthur W. Hargate, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, will conduct services Friday at 11 a.m. in the Walter Mortuary. Burial will be in Old Riverside Cemetery, Defiance."

Old Riverside Cemetery

Dianne Kline, Researcher

*No proof could be found that Private Hildendorf left with Company M. He was in the photo that preceded their departure, but not in the company lists after that. Hence, no profile will be written for him.