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?
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."
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