World War I Series - Sergeant Edgar "Gray" Swingle

 

Edgar Gray Swingle

Gray Swingle was born in Hicksville, Ohio, on July 27, 1894, to Albert (Bert) and Mary Edith Gray Swingle.  By 1900, the family had moved to Newark, Ohio, where they were found on the census. Gray was eligible for placement on the monument because of his beginnings in Defiance County.  

Gray grew up in Pickering County and later attended Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio. He was an excellent student, and upon his graduation, he decided to enlist in 1917.

On May 13, 1917, he reported to Fort Thomas, Kentucky at the age of almost 23. He was made Private First Class on July 6, 1917 and quickly worked his way up through Corporal to Sergeant.  Soon Gray was overseas in the Defensive Sector in France in the Somme as part of the American Expeditionary Forces.

As he was leading his patrol in the spring of 1918,they came under mortal fire from the Germans. Gray didn't make it; the day was March 28, 1918.

With his Distinguished Service Cross was this anecdote:

"For extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 6th Engineers, 3rd Division, AEF near Bois-es-Tailoux, March 28, 1918.  The patrol came under hostile machine gun fire and Sergeant Swingle was mortally wounded.  He gave instructions to the patrol to return to their company commander and ordered them to leave him, as the patrol was under fire and would all probably be wiped out."

He also was awarded the Purple Heart and the World War I Victory Medal. Word did not travel back to the United States until almost two weeks later.

The Hicksville Tribune carried this poignant message:

"Telegrams received here bring news of the death of a former Hicksville boy, Gray Swingle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Swingle, residents here until a few years ago when the family moved to Zanesville, Ohio.  The young soldier, aged 23, was killed in action.  This is the first death of a Hicksville born soldier on foreign soil and is the first to bring to our very doors the horrors of this war..."

Sergeant Gray Swingle was buried in the Somme American Cemetery in France, Block D, Row 16, Grave 15.  

His mother, Mrs. Mary Swingle, also applied to go to France on the Mothers' Pilgrimage in 1930.  It is not known if she did go.

The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio printed a lengthy obituary for Gray on April 12, 1918 on page 3. It supplies more insight into his service, so sections of it are here:

"SERGEANT GRAY SWINGLE OF THIS CITY KILLED IN ACTION ON THE FRENCH BATTLE LINE MAR. 28.

OUR FIRST SACRIFICES...

Just a few hours before the casualty lists from 'over there' were made public Thursday, a telegram was received by the family of Mr. and Mrs. B. S. Swingle of 20 North Street, telling of the death of their son, Sergeant Gray Swingle, 24, who was killed in action in France on March 28.

The telegram from Adjutant General McCain stated: 'Deeply regret to inform you that Sergeant Gray Swingle, Engineers, is officially reported as killed in action March 28.'  The message was filed in Washington at 2:24 o'clock Thursday afternoon and was addressed to Mr. Bert Swingle...  It was received at the Munson Music Company where Mr. Swingle is a salesman, and as he was out of the city, Mr. E. H. Frame of the company intercepted the telegram as he did not wish Mrs. Swingle to receive it while she was alone at her home.

Her daughter, Miss Mary Swingle, of the Public Library was located in Granville, and with her father, assisted in softening the blow to the mother...

...The Sixth Regiment of Engineers, which was stationed at Washington D.C. A splendid body of troops, they did guard duty at the White House for a time and were known as the 'President's Pets."

Sergt. Swingle left this country about the third of December with the Engineers and from the first, the regiment has been in the thickest of the fray.  A few days ago, a rumor was prevalent that he had been captured by the Germans, but the fact was discredited by his family, who continued to receive letters from him.  The family knew he was in a precarious location, as he called on Mrs. Andrews of the Smith College Unit, and she wrote the family from Nesle in the Somme country saying he had called.  Just on Wednesday this week, Mrs. Swingle received a cheerful letter from him which had been written on March 18.

He was killed while in action when his regiment of engineers joined Canadian and British troops in repulsing the Germans.

He visited his home here in November while stationed at Washington and proved himself as thoroughly a soldier as he had been a student.

His brother, Robert F. Swingle, followed his brother's example and enlisted shortly afterwards and is now a member of Battery B, 61st Coast Artillery Company..."

Kent Miller, local historian from Hicksville, gave an account of Swingle's last day in an article published on October 22, 2018, in the Bryan Times. It reads in part: 

"...On March 27, 1918, Swingle was leading a patrol to scout enemy positions near Hamel, right after U.S. forces occupied the front lines in that section of the Somme. They heard a German patrol pass by at about 2 a.m. 

'There's something over there and we must know what it is,' Swingle said, according to Miller's account of the day's action. 'You fellows can stay here if you wish, but I'm going to find out.'

He crept out alone and immediately came under fire. His squad fell back to the line and reported him captured. The next morning, a Captain Harris, spotted him on the other side of No-Man's-Land within 50 yards of the German line, trying to crawl back with two broken legs.

Private Frank J. Goldcamp and Wagoner, Carl G. Duncan volunteered to go get him and ran out without weapons while three others provided covering fire.

'Boys, why didn't you bring a stretcher?' Swingle asked, according to Miller's account.

Goldcamp responded, 'We'll get in Sergeant, if you can stand it.'

Swingle gritted his teeth and growled, 'I'll stand it, you boys should never have come out after me.'

They dragged him by his arms for about 15 yards before the Germans opened fire again. They hit all three men.  Goldman died on the spot and Duncan fainted with two broken ribs.

They laid still and played possum for about two hours, waiting for stretcher bearers to come out after dark. 'If they don't come for us soon, we'll freeze to death,' Swingle is reported to have said, so Duncan decided to go get one himself.  He stumbled about 400 yards before he passed out again. His own brother came out after him with a doctor in tow. The brother carried him back, while the doctor crept forward and found Swingle dead next to Goldcamp.

Duncan spent 10 months in the hospital before he was medically discharged.  Swingle and Goldcamp were among the first Americans killed in action. They were buried in Somme and posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest honor for heroism."

Posthumously, Gray appeared in War Bonds advertisements to support the cause.

In Memoriam

Edgar Gray Swingle

World War I Series - Hollie J. Smith, KIA

 

Hollie J. Smith

Paulding, Ohio was the birthplace of Hollie J. Smith. He was enumerated on the censuses there with his parents, Charles Isaac Smith and Eva Estella Bable Smith, in 1900 and 1910. On October 9,1895, John Hollie Smith was born in Blue Creek, Paulding, Ohio, the second child and son of his parents.  Most of the time, he was referred to as Hollie, a name that distinguished him from every other John.

At 14, Hollie was not only at school, but working on an outside farm for wages.  He was joined by his older brother, James, who was 16.

Hollie joined the Ohio National Guard on July 21, 1917, when he was 21 years old. 

It wasn't long before he found himself in Newport News, Virginia, boarding the transport ship, "Pocahontas." Hollie was a member of the United States National Guard, Company G, 147th Infantry, 37th Division and he was headed to France.

Transport ship, the Pocahontas

A telegram to General Headquarters' on March 12, 1919, reported that Private First Class Hollie J. Smith was missing in action.  A comrade later reported that he was killed in action on the Verdun front in September 1918.  As in many cases, Hollie was buried on the battlefield near Cierges, Meuse, France,  He was disinterred and reburied on June 7, 1919, in the Argonne American Cemetery, and his father was notified in May of that year.

But, the family wanted Hollie home. So, he was disinterred once again and taken to Antwerp, Belgium, where he set sail for the U.S. On July 21, 1921, the body of Pvt. Hollie J. Smith arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey on the U.S.A. transport, Catigny. He was buried in the Soldiers' Circle at Riverside Cemetery in Defiance, Lot 185, Block 26, Grave 1.

"Hollie J. Smith

Hollie J. Smith was born October 9, 1895 at Paulding County, Ohio.  He died in France October 12, 1918, aged 23 years and 3 days.  He enlisted in the army in Co. G., 147th Infantry, 37th Division, July 31, 1917.  He trained at Camp Sheridan with the Defiance boys and went overseas with them.

He leaves to mourn his father, mother, six brothers, one in France and one recently discharged and four sisters and an aged grandfather, James Bable, of this city, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his loss as he was one of the Defiance boys to give up his life.

He was the first of a family of 11 children to break the circle and a place is vacant in that sad home for him.  No flowers deck his lonely grave.  For him who nobly fell, fighting for the U.S.A., for the home he loved so well.  We know he is safe up there, where flowers always bloom, where the birds sing in the morning over the soldiers' lonely tombs."

In Memoriam

Hollie John Smith

World War I Series - Roma Wellington Mansfield

 

Roma W. Mansfield

Roma Wellington Mansfield, born April 20, 1901, in Harrison Township, Paulding County, was the son of Southern B. "Sut" and Frances Schomberg Mansfield. In the Federal Census of 1910, his parents and brother, Zoma, lived in Highland Township, Defiance County. Roma attended school at the District 8 School in Highland Township.

Roma has the distinction of being one the younger men sent from Defiance County, as he enlisted in the Army on May 3, 1917, a few weeks after his 17th birthday.  He was originally stationed at the Columbus Barricks in Columbus, Ohio, and was promoted to Private First Class on August 1, 1917.

On February 27, 1918, he left Hoboken, New Jersey for deployment to France. He was assigned to Battery B of the 76th Field Artillery. The following is a link to actual footage of that artillery in action.

76th in Action

Pvt. Mansfield was killed in action in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in Cunel on October 4, 1918.  Orginally buried in the French Military Cemetery at Aubreville, Meuse, he was later reburied in the Argonne American Cemetery at Romagne-sous-Montfaucon.

The Crescent News reported on April 23, 

1919, on page 2, that the school children in the District 8 School, Highland Township wanted to honor

their classmate who had died so valiantly:

"HIGHLAND SCHOOL PLANTS TREE FOR BOY WHO MADE SACRIFICE

On the playground of the school in District No. 8, Highland township, stands a tree planted on Arbor Day as a memorial to Defiance county's youngest soldier who sacrificed his life for the cause of liberty.

This tree will be tenderly cared for by the children of that school, thus keeping fresh the memory of Roma Wellington Mansfield, who received the wound which resulted in his deaath at Montfaucon, October 4, 1918.  At the time of his death, he was 17 years, 5 months, and 4 days of age.

Roma was born near Portsmouth, Ohio, April 30, 1901.*  He was the younger of two sons of Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Mansfield of Highland township.  The other son, Corporal Zoma O. Mansfield of the First Anti-Aircraft, is still in France.

Roma enlisted May 1, 1917, and after training in this country, reached France on May 13.  He went into active service with the 76th Field Artillery, Battery B on July 4, 1918.  He was in the battles of St. Mihiel, second battle of the Marne,Soissons, Verdun, and finally at Montfaucon.

The following is a tribute of respect read by a member of the school of District 8 on the occasion of the planting of the memorial tree:

'As the schools of Ohio plant trees on one day of the year, the day being set forth by the Governor, it seems an appropriate time to dedicate trees to our missing soldiers. We meet today to dedicate a tree to a missing soldier boy from this district.

For about seven years, the joking life of Roma Wellington Mansfield was closely associated with this school.  He enrolled as a pupil at the age of 5 years. He was a very precocious, little fellow, always standing at the head of his class.  He never shirked his task and worked with a will until his lessons were mastered.  Arithmetic was his favorite study and often he solved the problems of the grade above him, so interested as he in his school work.

He was a friend and companion to all his schoolmates and a great inspiration and example to all with whom he came in contact.  On the playground, he manifested the same spirit.  Whatever he did was done well.

He was always patriotic and loved to sing the songs of his country and the dear, old flag before he left District 8.  At about 12 years of age, he left his home school and went to Highland Center. He was missed by his teachers and schoolmates who knew they had lost one who did much toward the life of the school.

His home school and friends will try to remember Roma as a true friend and schoolmate by planting a tree to his memory, and each year may it grow and keep in mind one whose life was short and beautiful and who gave it so willingly for the country he loved so well.  

Nothing could be more beautifully said of him than 'he gave his life for his country.'"

In May, 1930 Roma's mother, Frances Mansfield took advantage of the offer to visit her son's grave in France.

Frances Mansfield died in 1931.  Perhaps it was at or near this time when her tombstone was placed with Roma's name memorialized on it in Mansfield Cemetery, Highland Township.

In Memoriam

Roma Wellington Mansfield

Guest Blogger - Dan Hasch

 

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

World War I Series - Clarence Cooley, Killed in Action

CLARENCE COOLEY

As a young man of twenty, Clarence Cooley of near Evansport, decided to enlist for service in World War I.  It was just before Christmas on December 17th, that he signed his enlistment papers.  By December 28, 1917, he was in a barracks in Columbus, Ohio, waiting for his assignment.

Clarence Cooley

Before this, he lived comfortably with his parents, William Sherman and Mary Josephine (Neff) Cooley on a Tiffin Township farm, one of fourteen children.

In 1910, when the family was enumerated for the census, Clarence was aged 12, living at home with nine siblings, including the newborn, Mary Cooley, and his parents.  He was a Defiance County farm boy who felt obligated to fulfill his duty as an American citizen. 

He entered into Company F of the 49th Infantry where he stayed until September 10, 1918, when he was moved into the MG (Machine Gun) unit of the Infantry, Company 112. Sent to the Western Front in France, Clarence was always in danger as he fought the Germans.

Assigned to the defensive sector in the battle of Meuse Argonne, France,  Clarence met his death in action on October 1, 1918.

The Cooley family sacrificed at least two sons to this war.  Sgt. Cooley was brought home and buried in Evansport Cemetery, as was his older brother, Ray, who developed pneumonia in France and died.  Two other sons, Edgar and Andrew survived.

His tombstone noted that he was a private,

but his obituary named him as a sergeant.

In Memory of Clarence Cooley

Guest Blogger - Rhonda Casler

World War I Series - Private Frank Robert Vollmer, Killed in Action

 

FRANK R. VOLLMER

Born in Washington Township on February 1, 1893, to Robert and Anna C. Vollmer, Frank grew up on their farm with his younger brother, Dale.  

In the Federal Census of 1910, he was 17 and worked on the family farm. He registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 at the age of 24. By that time, he had an outside job as a farm laborer on the farm of H F. Burgbacher in Washington Township. He was single, of medium height and build with dark green eyes and dark brown hair.

The Defiance Democrat announced his marriage on May 30, 1918:

"Frank R. Vollmer, son of Robert Vollmer, and Lottie, daughter of John Billow, were married at Bryan, May 14th by Rev. H. Henkleman and will live in the H. F. Burgbacher's tenant home."

Frank left his new wife and mustered into the American Expeditionary Forces in Defiance on July 21, 1918.  He began in the 336th Infantry, Company G, 94th Division, and embarked from Hoboken, New Jersey, overseas. He went into the battle on the Meuse-Argonne in France and was killed in action on October 27, 1918.

The Bryan Press announced Frank's memorial service on January 16, 1919:

"Memorial Service.  Memorial service was held Sunday morning at the Immanual Lutheran church, south of Bryan for Frank Robert Vollmer, who fell in battle in France.

Frank Robert Vollmer was born February 1, 1893, the first child of Robert and Anna Vollmer. 

May 14, 1918, he united in marriage with Lottie M. Billow.

Soon after he was called to the oolors. July 22, he left for Camp Sherman where he stayed about four weeks, was transferred to Camp Mills, and after a training of two weeks was sent to France.

From 'Over There' he wrote two letters, the one dated Sept. 27 and the last Oct.15.  Both expressed the hope of victory and a speedy return.  But man proposes, God disposes. A long silence followed, and this silence was sadly interrupted by a message to Mrs. Frank Vollmer, reading as follows:

'Washington, D.C., Jan. 4, 1919

Dear Madam:

Deeply regret to inform you that Private Frank R. Vollmer, Infantry, is officially reported as killed in action October 27.    Harris, Adjutant- General.'

Our young brother attained an age of 25 years, eight months and 26 days.  He leaves to mourn his young wife, his parents, his brother, many friends and our whole Sunday School and congregation.

The deceased young brother was a model Christian and set a good example for all young people he came in contact with.  His memory shall remain a blessing for us all."

The Sherwood Chronicle also reported the memorial service for Frank on January 17, 1919:

"Memorial services were held by Rev. Frederick Henkleman at Emanuel Lutheran church, Sunday, January 5, for Frank R. Vollmer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vollmer.  He was married May 14, 1918 to Lottie Billow, went to camp a few weeks afterwards, and was killed at the front October 27.  He was an exemplary young man."

"Relatives came to attend the memorial service held Sunday morning at a church near Ney for Frank R. Vollmer, a nephew of the former (Mrs. Frank Partee) who was killed in France."

Frank was first buried in an isolated grave on the battlefield near Romagne-sous Montfaucon.  He was disinterred and reburied in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. Mrs. Lottie Vollmer,his wife, Route 1, Ney, was informed of this change on May 13, 1920.

Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Block C, Row 9, Grave 20

In 1929, the U.S. War Department offered to send the mothers of deceased soldiers buried overseas to their soldier's grave, calling it the Mothers' Pilgrimage. Anna requested a pilgrimage trip in 1930, but no evidence could be found whether she took the trip or not.

In Memoriam

Frank R. Vollmer

1893 - 1918

 

The Tales of World War I Soldiers on the Monument

The impressive war memorial honoring our Defiance County soldiers who lost their lives in any war where the United States was involved is worth studying. As they sacrificed their lives, families were left at home mourning their loss.

This begins a series of blogs dedicated to each soldier listed on the World War I section of the memorial. These soldiers were either killed in action, missing in action, executed or taken as prisoners of war. As much research as is possible will be completed to tell their story and personalize their experiences.

If you are related to any of these soldiers and would like to bring forth a story or photo to add, please contact us. We welcome your assistance. Even if the post has already been published, more can be added later.

defiancegenealogy2002@yahoo.com  (email)

PO Box 7006, Defiance, OH 43512 

Russell W. Bolley - Charles Butler - Tracy J. Clark - Clarence Cooley - Donel G. Cottrell - Glen Crowe - Ellis Dull - Charles H. Fockler - A. C. Gecowets - Dallas D. Hamilton - George D. Jackson - Edward Wilson - Ralph Mabrey - Roma W. Mansfield - Fred McFeters - Steven G. McKinley - Earl R. Myers - Alfred Prigge - Francis T. Rath - Edward C. Smart - Hollie J. Smith - Gray Swingle - Frank R. Vollmer

Membership Time

 

It's Membership Time!

Time to join or renew your membership to the Defiance County Genealogical Society.

$15/yr single or $18/yr family

Link to membership application -

Membership_Form.doc (live.com)

Four newsletters a year, free queries, help sessions, and some very interesting programs!

We meet in the fellowship hall of the St. John United Church of Christ on the fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m.  

We do not meet in December and January

The next program will be Taylor Moyer who will discuss immigration through Ellis Island on November 27.