"IF"- A Poem by Mable Baker

 

If you could see your ancestors

All standing in a row, 

Would you be proud of them?

Or don't you really know?

Some mighty strange discoveries are made 

In climbing family trees, 

And some of them, you know,

Might not particularly please.

If you could see your ancestors

All standing in a row

There might be some of them?

You wouldn't care to know.

But here is another question

That requires a different view.

What would they think of you ?

World War I Series - Charles H. Fockler

 

Charles Henry Fockler

Charles Fockler's earliest years were spent in Noble Township, the part that was Defiance City, Ward 3. Born July 28, 1895 (military records say July 11), the family lived with grandmother, Hannah Shaffer, according to the Federal Census of 1900. His mother, Coral E Shaffer, died in 1903 when Charles was just eight.  His father, David Fockler remarried to Elizabeth Hollenbaugh in 1905, and the family grew until Charles, who had three full siblings already, had four half-siblings, all boys.

When he was twenty, Charles enlisted in the National Guard on June 28, 1916 and was assigned to Company G, 6th Infantry.  Later, he was moved to several different training regiments (TNG) to prepare for his participation in the Army. His last assignment was in Company G, 147th Infantry, Division 26. By that time, he had earned the designation of Private First Class.

Charles and his regiment left Hoboken, New Jersey on May 2, 1918, aboard "The Great Northern" for France. The 26th Division was known as the Yankee Division and was so designated by a unique patch.

The unit went into the Meuse-Argonne Defensive Sector and experienced intense battles throughout the small villages in the region.

Charles was killed in action on October 28, 1918 at Crepion, France and was first buried near the village of Wavrille.

Much later, on September 27, 1921, he was moved to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France.

No obituary or photo could be located for Charles H. Fockler.

In Memoriam

Charles Henry Fockler

Guest Blogger - Kim Bercaw

A few sidenotes:

It took until 1931 until Charles' estate was probated and settled.

De Bonis-non - assets of the person's estate that have not yet been managed or distributed

Secondly, Charles' stepmother died in 1930 and his father in 1945.

World War I Series - Glen Crowe

 

Glen Crowe

Born in Edgerton, Ohio on March 18, 1888, according to his self-reported World War I Draft registration, he was the son of Lucius/Lewis and Viola Crowe. In the 1900 Federal Census, the family lived in Mark Township - Lewis, Viola "Ola", and five children, as well as the paternal grandfather, William Crowe, a widower at 72.

Glen's parents divorced in 1909, and Glen moved to Michigan with his father until his father passed away in 1914. In the meantime, his mother had remarried to Frank Breininger in June, 1909, and Glen went back to Ohio to live with mother and family near Hicksville.

At some point, Glen joined the workers on Lake Erie as a mariner, but his ultimate intent was to join the war overseas when it broke out.  The Escanada, Michigan, Daily Post reported on July 1, 1917, on Valentine Kowalski who joined the army and Glen Crow:

"One other man who applied, Glen Crow of Hicksville, Ohio, later changed his mind in order to remain as a wheelman on a boat in this port, until the captain of the vessel could obtain someone to take his place." He had filled in his draft registration in Hicksville on May 26, 1917.

So, it was March, 1918, when he reported into the Army at Camp Greene, North Carolina.  After basic training, he was assigned to Company A, 39th Infantry of the 4th Division. He and his comrades departed for France on May 10, 1918 from Jersey City, NJ,aboard the ship "Dante Aleghairi."

He was a responsible and valued soldier, as evidenced by his promotions.  His last promotion was to Corporal on August 21, 1918. Glen saw action at Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel and in the Meuse-Argonne.

He wrote letters home to his mother that were published in The Tribune (Hicksville, Ohio, on September 19, 1918, although they had been written in August.  From Glen, in his own words:

"GLEN CROWE WRITES TWO LETTERS FROM FRANCE

France, August 11, 1918

Mrs. Frank Breininger, Hicksville, Ohio

My dear mother and family,

I will try to write you again to let you know I am well and hope you are the same.

You may be getting my letters, but if you are writing, I am not getting them.  You do not know how much I would like to hear from you.  I only hope you received my letters for I wrote you so many of them.

Yesterday, I received a letter from Ludington, and she wrote July 18, and had not received any of my letters up to that time.  I suppose you read lots in the papers about the war and the great drive we are making.  I have had no rest since the 16th of July.  We have been going ever since, and no let up day or night, and I am so thankful God has spared me through it all.

I cannot tell you now what we went through, but when I return home again, I can tell you.  The Germans must be licked first, and we are the boys that can do it, and they know it by this time.  I have shown some of them myself.

Well, this is all I can tell you now.  Do you hear from Roy and how are all the girls?  I have written to Esther, but no answer.  How are Frank and the boys?  Will say goodbye to all with lots of love to you and grandma and uncle and Rinda Cook.

My address is:

Corp. Glen Crowe, Co. A, 39th Inf. via N.Y, AEF

----

August 21, 1918

My dear Mother and Family,

I will send you a few lines as I do not know if you are getting my letters or not as I don't hear from you.  I do not think you are getting them because I received a letter from Bridget and she wrote the 18th of July, and up to that time, she had not heard from me.

You do not know how I would like to hear from you all, and I know you are just as anxious to hear from me.  I am getting along all O.K., and I am wishing you all the same.

The whole bunch of us are very tired, but we are all ready for another Hun. We sure gave them an awful chase.  We kept on their heels a long time.  I suppose you read all about it in the papers.

I tried to do my part in that drive, and I think I did, for I have met the Germans face to face, and we had it man to man, and God was good to me for sparing me through it all.

You know that little testament that grandpa carried in the civil war, you gave me that morning I left you.  Well, I still have it.  I have lost everything I had but that little Bible and it has gone through battles in France, and I know God will spare me to bring me home again.

Well, Mother, I will leave you now, so will say goodbye with love to all.  Please write soon and send me a little candy or something good to eat.

Your son,

Glen Crowe"

Tragically, Corporal Glen Crowe died from wounds he received near Cuisy and Bois de Septsarges on September 28, 1918.  Later, the Colonel of the 39th Infantry would write to his mother, describing the situation of Glen's death. The letter appeared in The Tribune, Hicksville, on March 27, 1919:

"TELLS PARTICULARS OF THE DEATH OF GLEN CROWE

A.E.F., Germany, Feb. 15, 1919

Mrs. Frank Breininger, Hicksville, Ohio

My dear Mrs. Breininger,

No doubt you have received notification from the War Department of the death of your son, Corporal Glen Crowe, who was a member of Company A, 39th Infantry which regiment I have the honor to command.  I am very sorry that my duty connected with the campaigns and occupation of Germany have heretofore prevented me from writing you personally of the death of your son.

He was wounded while leading his squad in an attack on a machine gun nest at Mountfaucon Hill, September 26, 1918, and was taken to the hospital.  I have no further particulars at hand and regret that I cannot inform you of the place of burial.  That information will be obtained from the Graves Registration Bureau, A.E.F.

Your son was valued highly as a noncommissioned officer and soldier and was held in high esteem by his officers and men.

I sympathize with you deeply in the loss of your son, which is our loss as well, and hope that you will find consolation in a just pride at having contributed such a valuable soldier to a noble cause that the great victory we now have might be gained.

Most sincerely,

Colonel F. C. Bolles, 39th Infantry

In addition to the above, further notification has arrived that Glen, the young soldier in question, is buried in an American Military Cemetery at Les Placy, department of the Meuse, France, and that his grave is marked, and being well cared for."

"Hicksville flags waved at half mast again Tuesday for the third time since the war began in honor of another of its soldier lads who gave his life on French soil for his country, namely Glen Crowe, of Mark township, well known at this place. The government message arrived on Tuesday, conveying the sad news to his people, east of this village to whom the sympathy of the entire community is extended.  More details concerning his death will be awaited with interest as soon as the mails arrive from the point in which he was located in France."  The Tribune

His mother planned a memorial service to be held in the Methodist church, but it had to be cancelled and rescheduled later due to the influenza epidemic.

In July, 1921, his body was exhumed and sent on the ship, "Wheaton," for Hoboken, NJ.  Once arrived, it was transported and buried in Arlingon National Cemetery on July 25, 1921.

In Memoriam

Glen Crowe

Guest Blogger - Dan Hasch

World War I Series - Stephen D. McKinley

 

STEVEN G. MCKINLEY

(STEPHEN D. MCKINLEY)

Stephen D. McKinley was born in Dekalb County,Indiana, lived many places in Indiana, including Butler and Fort Wayne, but ended as a resident of Hicksville, Ohio. Although the war monument lists Steven G. McKinley, it is most probable it was Stephen D., killed in action in World War I, and a resident of Hicksville.  No Steven G. could be found.

Stephen Douglas McKinley was the oldest son of Stephen D and Eva Hauser McKinley, born in Dekalb County, Indiana, on May 29, 1892. He had at least three sisters and three brothers.

Stephen joined the National Guard in Hicksville on May 25, 1917. He was in Company E, 2nd Infantry at Camp Sheridan, Alabama. He took some time off to marry in Hillsdale, Michigan, on July 17, 1917. His wife, Estella (Stella) Thankful Burlingame was a resident of Hicksville and remained so her whole life. 

He grew quickly in the ranks, moving to corporal on August 22, 1917, and on to sergeant on May 31, 1918.  On June 15, 1918, he boarded the ship, "Leviathan" in Hoboken, New Jersey, and sailed for France with Company F, 145th Infantry, 37th Division. He fought in both France and Belgium, but met his death on November 4, 1918.

Hopefully, he knew he was the father to his infant daughter, Vivian, born August 30, 1918. He would never see her on this earth.

Stephen died at about the same time as fellow Hicksville citizen, Tracy Clark. The newspapers reported:

"TWO MORE SOLDIER BOYS MEET DEATH. Tracy Clark and Stephen McKinley Give Their Lives to Great Cause.

Hicksville, Ohio, November 29 -

A double shock came to Hicksville Wednesday night when two telegrams arrigved conveying the news that Stephen D. McKinley and Tracy Clark, Hicksville boys were slain while engaged in action.

The first message brought the news that Stephen McKinley, of the local Company E boys, had given in life in supreme sacrifice, having been killed November 4.  McKinley went to Camp Sheridan with the troops last year and sailed overseas, landing in France in June, a member of the 37th division which saw such hot fighting in the two weeks before the signing of the armistice.

Young McKinley was the son of James McKinley, near Spencerville, Ind.  About the time of his enlistment in 1917, he was married to Miss Stella Burlingame, and to this union was born a baby daughter, now aged 3 months. When the message arrived here, his wife and baby, with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Burlingame, had left to visit relatives in Illinois, the former home of the Burlingame family.

Since the ending of the war, the wife had been arranging plans and looking forward to the homecoming of her husband and preparing to go to housekeeping as soon as he would be mustered out of service..."

Hicksville Tribune, 5 December 1918, p. 1

Sergeant Stephen D. McKinley was buried in Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial, Waregem, Arrondisssement Kortrijk, West Flanders West, Viaanderen, Belgium.

In Memoriam

Stephen Douglas McKinley

 

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World War I Series - Ellis Dull

 Ellis Dull

(George) Ellis Dull was a native of near Hicksville, Ohio, born on September 28, 1893, to John Martin Luther Dull and his wife, Cora McFeters Dull. He grew up with his two siblings, Ward Leonard and Freda, and two half siblings, Pearl Comodore and Reow. In the 1910 census, their home was in Mark Township.

In May, 1917, Ellis enlisted for service and went to Camp Sheridan, Alabama, the first stop for training Ohioans for combat on the Western Front in Europe. He was assigned to the 145th Infantry, and they departed from Hoboken, NJ on the ship "Leviathan" on June 15, 1918.

According to the record compiled by Capt. James Norton of the medical detachment, 'The S.S. Leviathan, formerly the Vaterland, an interned German passenger liner, steamed quietly past the Goddess of Liberty at exactly 10:55 a.m. on June 15, 1918. After a voyage broken daily with abandon ship drills, we docked at Brest, France, June 22, 1918.  The regiment camped near the city for three days, then proceeded by rail to Bourmont, Haute Marne, arriving early in the morning of June 29.

The regiment was billeted in several small villages nearby: Goncourt, St. Thiebault, Iloud.  While in this area, the regiment continued its intensive training with the assistance of French instructors, carrying on the work of trench and open warfare, in which they were soon to participate.

For the first time in its history, the regiment spent Independence Day on foreign soil and was entertained and welcomed by the speeches of the Maire and songs of the French school girls.  Colonel Stanbery was presented with a boquet (sic) by the women of Goncourt, a token of esteem in which the American is held by the French people. A similar exercise was held on July 14, the French Independence Day.  Here the regiment received for the first-time overseas caps, 'tin hats, wrap leggings and gas masks.'

On August 8th, the 145th, a part of the 37th Division, received orders to occupy the Baccarat Sector, which was a relatively quiet sector; it would initiate the Ohioans to life and combat on the Western Front.  The fighting, for the most part, consisted of raids and patrol work.  This tour of duty lasted about six weeks, and came to an end on 16 September.

"The 145th Regiment moved on 18 October to the Ypres area in western Belgium, arriving on 21 October.  In this sector, the regiment participated in two major attacks.  With the 37th Division, it was attached to the Army of France in Belgium...  Overcast skies and drizzling rain made for a dismal day on 3 November in Oudenaarde, Belgium.  Visibility being poor, the enemy did attempt a counter attack, but secured their positions approximately 500 -1000 meters from the river banks.

Enemy artillery was fierce with much destruction to the town, surrounding villages and troop concentrations. Despite the poor visibility, the German air force was also active. Twelve German officers and 317 soldiers were taken prisoner at that time.

On 4 November, Ellis Dull was reported missing in action. It was reported back home in the newspaper:

Some sources give Ellis' death date as November 4, and others say it was November 6, 1918, as on his tombstone.  The same controversy exists with place of death - France or Belgium?  

Defiance Crescent-News, May 19, 1921, p. 3

In Memoriam

George Ellis Dull

Guest Blogger - Mary Williams

A Side Story on Ellis Dull 

from the Defiance Crescent-News, February 15, 1915

"BOHEMIAN IS CAPTURED.  

In a Hen Coop - Charged With Having Evil Intentions Towards Inhabitants Thereof.

Steve Studenka, a sugar beet worker in the fields about Mark Center, was bound over  to common pleas court in the sum of $500 by Justice Maxwell this afternoon on the charge of entering the hen coop of John Oberland, residing two miles north and west of Mark Center at 1 o'clock this morning.

Ellis Dull, an employee of Mr. Obenland, was returning to the home of his employer at 1 o'clock this morning when he noticed a man approaching the place with a lantern.  Mr. Dull went into the Oberland home and, watching the lantern with the owner of it, saw him enter the barnyard.  Arousing Mr. Oberland, they went out of the house and saw the stranger enter the hen coop.

They hurried to the building and discovered Studenka lying on the floor.  They asked him what he was doing there and he replied, 'Nothing.'  Procuring a hammer and nailes they nailed fast the door of the coop and held Studenka a prisoner there, awaiting the arrival of Sheriff Hull to whom they telephoned.  The sheriff, however, had a breakdown enroute in a machine and it was after 5 o'clock when he arrived at the Oberland place.

In the meantime, owing to the coldness of the atmosphere, Studenka was taken rom the coop after several hours residence therein and escorted to the Oberland residence where he was kept till the arrival of the sheriff, after which he was taken in charge by that official who brought him to Defiance and placed him in the county lockup.

Studenka is a Bohemian, and he had his hearing before Justice Maxwell this afternoon, the operation being carried out through the medium of an interpreter.  He is married and has a child a couple years old.  He said that he was under the influence of liquor and wasn't responsible for his actions, and declaimed entertaining evil intentions towards the inhabitants of the chicken coop.  He was placed in jail till he is able to give bond."

World War I Series - A. C. Gecowets

 

A. C. GECOWETS

A.C. Gecowets was born on January 28, 1893, in Washington Township, Defiance County, Ohio. A.C. was always just A.C. in all the documents found on him, no other name. His father was Charles Abraham Gecowets, so were his initial a reversal of his father's?  We just don't know. His mother was Alice McFeters Gecowets. 

By the 1900 Federal Census, A.C. lived with his grandmother, Ida McFeters, and his uncle, LeRoy McFeters who farmed in Washington
Township. A.C. was 7, and his sister Delta was 5. 

On June 5, 1917, he filled out his World War I Draft Registration in North Richland Township, Defiance County.

In May, 1918, he was assigned to the 18 Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade until June 17, 1918. In the war, he belonged first to Company C, 153rd Infantry until September 13, 1918, when he was moved to Company C, 127th Infantry. The 153rd was a replacement company to use as needed when regiments had lost soldiers who needed to be replaced. A.C. either volunteered or was assigned to the 127th in September where he fought until death in the Argonne Forest.

In a letter home to W. P. Rath, father to Francis Rath (see his post), A. C. Gecowets was mentioned by Pvt. George M. Long, the author:

"Mr. A. C. Gecowets of Defiance was killed near the same spot that Francis was hit and Gecowets died on the field. This happened about 11 a.m., October 5.  Gecowets was hit by machine gun bullets and they broke both his legs."

(Defiance Crescent-News, April 10, 1919, pg.5)

This account gave his date of death as October 5, 1918; other more reliable documents stated he died on October 12. But his sister was not informed until January 1919.  The Defiance Crescent News reported on January 4, 1919:

"WAS BROTHER OF MRS FRED WAHL OF DEFIANCE

Private A. C. Gecowets, who was reported in yesterday's casualty list as killed in action, met death on the battlefield October 12th. He was a brother of Mrs. Fred Wahl of this city. Before going to war, he was employed in the vicinity of Jewell."

A.C. was first buried near the battlefield in Geshes, France in Grave 13, but he was reburied in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery later. His sister was notified of the reburial on January 28, 1919.

In Memoriam

A.C. Gecowets

Guest Blogger - Dawn Hasch

World War I Series - Francis T. Rath

 

FRANCIS T. RATH

Frances T. Rath was the fifth of six children born to his parents, William Philip Rath and Louisa Elizabeth Hockman Rath.  The family farmed in Tiffin Township, and that is where Frances was born on February 21, 1894. His middle name was either Turco or Turche, but its significance, if any, to the family is unknown.

Frances filled out his draft registration card on June 5, 1917, when he was 23 years old.  He helped with the farming on the W. F. Mujers farm at Rt. 4, Defiance at the time.  Described as tall with a medium build with gray eyes and auburn hair, he was a single man.

His enlistment day was May 28, 1918, into the 18th Regiment, Company B, Battalion 159, the Depot Brigade where he served until June 17, 1918.  On August 6, 1918, he embarked from Newport News, Virginia, overseas, now part of the 153rd Infantry, Company C.  Soon he would be moved to Co. C, 127th Infantry where he served until his death. Deployed to the Meuse-Argonne area where the fighting was heavy, he died from wounds sustained on October 5, 1918, and passed away five days later on October 10.

He was first buried in the American Cemetery at Montfaucon, then moved to the American Argonne Cemetery. Eventually, he was disinterred and sent home on the ship, "Somme," to Hoboken, NJ.  His final burial place is Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia in Section 18, Site 2013.  

Later, Francis' father, W. P. Rath of Rural Route 2, Defiance, wrote a letter to the Army asking for an account of what happened to his son. The letter was answered by Francis' friend, Private George M. Long, and printed in the Defiance Crescent News on April 10, 1919, on page 5:

"Sir,

I have just received your request of February 27th handed me by Mr. Butler of Defiance, Ohio, who is a member of my company.  I will now endeavor to tell you all I know about your son, Francis, who was wounded on October 5th, while we were in the Argonne Forest.

I first met him at Camp Taylor, Ky. and we immediately became the best of friends. I bunked with him both at Camp Taylor and Camp Bearugard, was in the same squad with him, he being the squad leader. We were in the 'first squad' account of both of us being such tall men. We were together after we got over to France and I continued to be his bunk-mate until he was wounded.

We went over the top the first time on the 3rd or 4th of October and our second time we went over the top on the 5th when he was wounded by a piece of shrapnel which hit him over the left breast which penetrated his body deep enough for one to lay his hand in it.  I assisted in carrying him to a place of safety.  He was nearly unconscious at the time and the only thing he said was, 'Where's my rifle?'  He asked me if I thought he was hit bad, and I told him he was not, that he would be alright  as soon as he received 'first aid', but I well knew that he was in a critical condition and possibly could not endure it very long.

He was wounded in the attack on the town of Genes and there was a heavy loss of life on both sides.  Possibly more Company C men were wounded at Genes than any place I know of.  A certain lieutenant, whose name I do not remember, asked for some one to volunteer to go to a certain place, and Francis is the one who volunteered and he had only gone a short distance from the platoon when the shell struck him.

Mr. A. C. Gecowets of Defiance was killed near the same spot that Francis was hit, and Gecowets died on the field.  This happened about 11 a.m. October 5th. Gecowets was hit by machine gun bullets and they broke both his legs.

I can say this for Francis, that he behaved himself like a gentleman, was a brave soldier as you can tell from what I have already stated, that he actually volunteered to do a certain thing which finally resulted in his death.

Pvt. George M. Long"

In Memoriam

Francis T. Rath