World War I Series - Earl R. Myers

 

EARL R. MYERS

Earl R. (LeRoy) Myers began life in Paulding County, Ohio, on September 18, 1897. The son of Peter and Mary Myers, he was the youngest child listed on the 1900 census with five older siblings. At two, he was called Earlie. Within the next five years, the family would take up residence in Hicksville Township.

At 19 years old, Earl enlisted in the Ohio National Guard, Company E, 2nd Infantry where he stayed until October 16, 1917, when his unit was included in the Army as Company L, 146th Infantry. The group trained in Camp Sheridan, Alabama, then just a piece of land with cotton fields and wastelands. Construction took place on the grounds at the same time as their training. 

     (Not Earl Myers, but another soldier from the 147th Infantry)

Unfortunately, Earl became quite sick in the camp, sick enough that his father came down to Alabama to help in his recovery. In the process, Earl missed the departure of his Company L for France, so he was attached then to Company M, 147th Infantry for the rest of his military time.

Private Earl Myers left for France where he was killed in action on September 29, 1918 in the Meuse Argonne offensive. Months later, the parents were notified and a notice was published.

In the Hicksville Tribune on page 3 of the Jan.30, 1919, paper, a letter appeared from one of Earl's commanders to the local Lutheran Pastor, Rev. Geo. F. Dittmer, who must have inquired about more information on Earl's death.

Earl was first buried in a temporary cemetery near the battlefield, as shown below in the photo, near Epinonville. Later, he was disinterred and moved to Grave 56, Section 61, plot 2 in the Argonne American Cemetery where he received his white cross to mark the gravesite.

Temporary gravesites near the battlefield

Earl' family held a memorial service for him in late January,1919, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Hicksville. His obituary appeared in the January 23, 1919, Hicksville Tribune on page. 4:

"Myers, Earl LeRoy, youngest son of Peter Myers, was born near Payne, Ohio, September 18, 1897.  He died in action in France while fighting for his country, September 29, 1918.  His early life closed at the youthful age of 21 years and 11 days.

He was seven years old when the family came to Defiance county and located on the present homestead north of Hicksville, amidst pleasant surroundings and the comfort of a good Christian home, he grew to manhood.

His parents dedicated him to God by Holy Baptism in early infancy and was confirmed in the Lutheran Church, March 20, 1910, remained a faithful communicant member until death.  Even while in camp, he did not forget his church, but voluntarily continued his contribution for its support.

When declaration was made that a state of war existed and the conscription law was passed, he was not old enough to be drafted, but on June 4, 1917, the day before the first registration, he volunteered and enlisted in Company E..

He left Hicksville with the company September 30th for Camp Sheridan, Alabama. At camp, the company was merged and he became a member of Co. L, the 146th Infantry.  While at camp, he became seriously sick with measles and pneumonia, but with a timely visit of his father,he grew better and completely recovered.

June found the Company at Camp Lee, ready for duty overseas.  In early July, they landed in France.  Early August found him again in hospital due to mumps.  His company, in the meantime, moved forward.  When he recovered, he was put in Company M of the 147th Infantry.

His last letter was dated September 8th and November 25th, word was received that he had been killed in action September 29.  This message, received so long after the armistice, came as a great shock to the community and especially, the bereaved family.

He was a fine young man. Physically strong, tall, erect, with a soldierly bearing, morally clean, upright and conscientious. He had a high sense of honor. Homesick as he often was, he would not make a mis-statement to get to go home, saying he would rather not have a furlough than gain it dishonestly.

He was the noblest type of patriotism, not of words, but of deeds. Quietly, without ado, he did what he thought was his duty. His patriotism was manifest to all.  For this, he volunteered, for this he endured great hardships, sufferings and sacrifices. For this, he gave at last the full measure of devotion, the supreme sacrifice of life itself.

An impressive service was held at St. John's Lutheran Church Sunday, in memory of the departed."

CARD OF THANKS.

We take this means of thanking the community for the deep sympathy and interest taken in the loss of our loved son and brother. We thank also the pastor for the glowing tribute and consoling words. Also the choir for the appropriate and excellent music.

Peter Myers and Children"

In Memoriam

Earl LeRoy Myers

World War I Series - Russel W. Bolley

 

RUSSEL WILLIAM BOLLEY

Born in Highland Township, Defiance County, on March 27, 1896, Russell was the son of Theobald and Carrie (Demland) Bolley. His address was R.F.D New Bavaria, as Highland Township touches Henry County on the east side. His father was a longtime farmer in Highland Township.

On June 5, Russell filled out his World War I draft registration in Highland Township.  He waa a single farmer and claimed exemption as he said he had a father and mother, brother and sister to support.

His father's obituary noted that the father was a diabetic and often sickly which may be the grounds for Russell's plea for an exemption. In the end, he was not exempted, but instead called to duty and assigned as a Private in Company G, 28th Infantry Regiment, First Division.

He left for France on the ship "Grampian" on June 11, 1918.

"Grampian - Canadian Shipping Lines

The First Division, where Bolley was assigned, really took much of the front line fighting in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Russell Bolley was killed on October 6, 1918, in the midst of a terrible battle.  As described in the History of the First Division compiled and published by the Society of the First Division:

"There was never a more trying period for the First Division then October 6, 7,8, when it waited for the Army to renew the assault.  The men dug, as best they could, shallow holes for protection.  In these, they lay under a downpour of shell, gas and bullets.  Frequently, the Montrefage looked like a veritable volcano.

For hours at a time the smoke from bursting shell in the Exermont raine and in the depressions north of it, resembled forest fires.  Every valley was drenched with gas.

The casualties among the burial parties...were so numerous, they were discontinued.  All batteries were shelled in their exposed positions.  Streams of wounded flowed from every part of the zone of action. Ambulances could not operate forward...and the ever increasing groups of bodies about their receiving stations told of the wounded who died on stretchers while being brought from places where they fell.  

Corpses lay in the trails and at night one constantly avoided stumbling over them.  ...So effectively was their fire maintained that, during this period, the occupants of the hill were cut off from food and water, and, as it was afterward learned, the commanding officer of the position could neither receive nor issue orders."

Funeral Service first held in 1919 at home.

Russell W. Bolley was first buried near his place of death on the battlefield near Exermont, and then disinterred on June 7, 1919, and buried in the Argonne American Cemetery. Then, at last, on July 25, 1921, he was disinterred and sent home, shipped out to Hoboken, New Jersey and then home to Defiance where he was trusted to the hands of E. W. Hoffman, Undertaker, Defiance, Ohio. 

 

Russell Bolley rests in Section 23, Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, OH.

In Memoriam

Russell W. Bolley

The World War I Series - George D. Jackson

 

George Dorsey Jackson

Charles Wesley Jackson and Pluma A. (Dorsey) Jackson of Scipio Township, Allen County, Indiana were the parents of one son, George Dorsey Jackson.  Born on January 28, 1895, George was born at the old homestead farm about 2.5 miles from Hicksville across the state line. In all of George's military records, his address was given at R.F.D. 4, Hicksville and the family attended church there. George had one older sister, Birdena. 

 In the 1910 census, George, at 15, helped his father on the home farm. He lost his mother in 1904 when a young boy, so his mother's cousin, Sarah Dorsey moved in with the family to help with housekeeping and care of the children.  

When he was 22, he filled out his World War I Draft Registration card, as required, on June 5, 1918.  He described himself as tall and slender with blue eyes and light hair. Single and a self-employed farmer, his address was Hicksville, but he farmed in Scipio Township in Indiana.

George went into the American Expeditionary Forces on December 12, 1917, and after training in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, he went overseas in March, 1918.  He was assigned to Company K, Machine Gun Battallion, 38th Regiment, Third Division.  

The Hicksville Tribune reported on Thursday, April 25, 1918, that he had safely arrived in France:

"Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Jackson are in receipt of a post card announcing the safe arrival in France of their son, George D. Jackson of Co. K, 38th Regiment, expeditionary forces.

He pays the Red Cross a handsome compliment for its treatment and looking after the soldier boys.  The young man is the first known Scipio township boy to land in France, as near as can be told."

Just a few short months later, he was killed at the Second Battle of the Marne. That battle began on July 15 near the city of Paris when 23 German divisions attacked the French armies. The Allies counterattacked, adding the use of tanks, and eventually defeated the Germans, but it was too late for George Jackson.

 

The papers reported that George had been killed in action while operating a machine gun along the western front.  Buried first in France, his body was not sent home until 1921 when he was reburied in Scipio Cemetery and a funeral service was held at Scipio Methodist Church.

His informative obituary appeared in the Hicksville Tribune on Thursday, July 21, 1921:

"JACKSON, GEORGE DORSEY

George Dorsey Jackson, only son of Charles W. Jackson and Pluma Dorsey Jackson, was born in Scipiio township, Allen county, Indiana, January 28, 1895 and gave his life for his country and humanity, Monday, July 22, 1918.

March 12, 1904, when but nine years of age, he suffered a great bereavement in the death of his mother

He was born on lands which were purchased from the United States August 5, 1837, by his great grandfather, Thomas Jackson, who migrated from Mottrm, England to America in 1829.  He was born n the house that was formerly occupied by his ancestor, and with the exception of a few years, all of his life was spent on the ancestral farm.  This farm has been in the ownership of his great grandfather, grandfather and father from the date that the U.S. parted with its title to it until this day. And it was the expectation of the father that some day this farm would be owned by George.

Upon graduation from the schools of this township, he took a commercial course at Fort Wayne and then two years at the Winona College of Agriculture from which he graduated in 1912.

December 12, 1917, he voluntarily enlisted in the military service of the United States at Fort Wayne, and after training, he was sent to France in March 1918 where he was assigned to Company K of the 38th Infantry. In this service, he and two comrades were engaged in operating an automatic rifle. At the Second Battle of the Marne, in the midst of heroic action, he passed into the life beyond. 

 Deceased had a good intellect and a lovable disposition.  He was kind to all he came in contact.  He was ever devoted to his family and loved his home and life work most dearly.  During his military service, his mind ws ever on his loved ones and home.

The last letter deceased penned to his family before his death bears the date of 13th of July, 1918, which was received by them after they were advised of his death, contains this touching paragraph concerning his dear sister, Birdena, and his old ancestral home:

'Was asleep this forenooon and dreamed of being at home.  Thought I came in from the barn and Birdena was baking a cake. Just then they woke me up and it nearly broke my heart to find it nothing but a dream. Such is life.'  

He concluded his letter with these words: 'It was just seven months ago that I enlisted. Can think of nothing more, write often and take good care of yourselves.'

He was interested in the Sabbath schools, and was a member of the Brotherhood class of the Methodist church of Hicksville.  Shortly before entering the service of his country, he ws made an Entered Apprentice in Hicksville Lodge of Masons, but on account of enlisting, he did not have the opportunity of taking any further degrees.

Of his own household he leaves heartbroken, his dear parents, Mr and Mrs. Charles W. Jackson; his devoted sister, Mrs. Earl Omo and husband, and an affectionate cousin, Miss Sarah Dorsey."

"CARD OF THANKS - We declare in this way to thank the American Legion and all the friends who were so kind to us and honored our dead soldier boy. The flower gifts wer beautiful, the music splendid, and the pastor's address consoling indeed.  We are thankful to all from the depths of our hearts.  Charles W. Jackson and family."

In Memoriam

George Dorsey Jackson

World War I Series - Alfred Prigge

 

ALFRED PRIGGE

Alfred Prigge, son of Frederick and Emma Prigge, grew up in Adams Township, Defiance County. Born June 5, 1893, Alfred was raised with a house full of siblings, and in 1900, his paternal grandmother, Catherine Prigge. By 1910, at the age of 16, he was working as a farm laborer full time, living with Arnold and Laura Davis.

On June 5, 1917, he filled out his World War I draft registration as a single man, aged 24.  Then he was a farm laborer for Ed Precht.  

He stated he was born in Okolona, but currently resided in Jewell.

By the next year, he was an enlisted man.

The Army took him on May 29, 1918, into the 68th Replacement Regiment of the 68th Company, 6th Infantry in Fort Gordon, Georgia.  He was there until July 16, 1918, and eventually he was reassigned to Company K of the 102nd Infantry as a Corporal.

His was called a replacement draft to fill in for all those men lost overseas.  Alfred sailed on the ship Beltana on July 24, 1918, destination France and the Meuse-Argonne Defensive Sector.

On the left is the seal of the 102nd Infantry; their motto was "Stand Forth."  

Alfred went to the Chauteau Thiery region in France, first, where he engaged in fighting at the battles of Champagne, the Marne, Alsace-Marne and the Second Battle of the Marne.  On August 5, 1918, his group went to St. Mihiel and eventually, Verdun, where Alfred met his death on October 26, 1918, at the age of 25.

Corporal Prigge was awarded the Purple Heart and the World War I Victory Medal for his service.

Alfred was buried in the Argonne American Cemetery, but it was noted that he has an honorary grave in the Bethlehem Cemetery near Ridgeville, Ohio in Lot 18, Block B, Grave 2.

No picture or obituary could be found.

In Memoriam

Alfred Prigge