World War 1 Casualties A – F

Soldiers’ Memorial – Jones Park, East St. Louis, Illinois

Donated to SCCGS and researched by Tom Pearson and Larry Kritis

Click here for source abbreviations used for these compilations.

To Introduction and more men

 

ADLER, Charles John, 19 (25 Sept 1918)

— Father, William P., Mother Anna of 18 South 4th St. 3rd Ward
— 2 brothers (1 in service), 2 sisters
— 12 yrs old in 1910 census- born IL
— Died of Spanish influenza in Navy at Great Lakes Training Station
— Buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, honorary guard of 18 sailors
— In Memoriam from family ESTLJ 25 Sept 1919, p.11, col.7
(Source: DJESTL; FC1910)

AITKEN, Arthur H., 24 (April 1919)

— Father, William H., Mother Anne of 527 N 22nd St. 6th Ward
— 2 brothers (E. F. AITKEN, William A. AITKEN), 1 sister (Miss Pearl AITKEN)
— Arthur was 15 yrs old in 1910 census- born IL
— Died of pneumonia after 9 days of illness at Camp Dix, New Jersey, parents with him last few days
— PRIVATE, Provost Guard Co. in service for 12 months
— Formerly employed as a fireman for Illinois Central Railroad
— Funeral 22 April 1919, 1:30 p.m. from residence to Trinity Lutheran Church at 13th and Summitt, then to Mt. Hope Cemetery, Rev. August MERZ officiate, military escort, Benner-Brichler.
(Source: DJESTL; FC1910).

ALLEN, William G., 32 (02 October 1918)

— Mother, Mrs. Mary ALLEN, RFD 3 Edgemont Station, raised on farm on Collinsville Road
— Died of disease, buried in France, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Plot G, Row 32, Grave 2
— CHIEF WAGONER, US Army,124th Field Artillery Regiment, Battery F, 33rd Infantry Division
— Enlisted 30 June 1917, trained at Camp Logan, Texas with other East St. Louisans
— His mother, Mrs. Alice Allen of East St. Louis, went on the Gold Star Mothers’ and Widows’ Pilgrimage in 1930 to see the grave of her son
(Sources: ABMC; DJESTL; GSMW; SGW).

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Bartheleney, Edward J. (surname spelled incorrectly on ESL monument)
BARTHELEMY, Edward, 25 (9 November 1918)

— Married
— Died of disease at Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan
— PRIVATE, 40th Infantry
— Enlisted from 1203 Gaty Avenue with Mechano Supply Co
— Trained at Camp Fort Sheridan
(Source: DJESTL)

BETHARD, Paul, 28 (04 October 1918)

— Orphan, 315 St. Clair Avenue
— Killed in France, letter set to George W. POLLACK at 320 St. Clair Ave.
— SERGEANT, 125th Infantry, US Army
— Went into service in May, trained at Camp Gordon, Georgia, left for France in June
— Worked with George W. POLLACK in his barbershop
— Buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Section 41, Site 12674
(Source: DJESTL; NCSGL; SGW)

BOISMENUE, Clyde Walter, 25 (16 August 1917)

— Father, Everest BOISMENUE, 1631 Kansas Avenue
— Accidentally slipped into Mississippi River and drown not far from where he and his father were fishing
— Enlisted in Navy on 10 June 1917 and was awaiting call to report for service
— Funeral at residence 20 August to St. Joseph’s Church and buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery
(Source: DJESTL)

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BORDERS, James J., age unknown (01 November 1918)

— Photo
— Mother, Mrs. Ada BORDERS of Washington, IL
— Widower, married Miss Margaret WATTS, a daughter of Attorney James A. WATTS of Nashville, Ill., but she died while they lived in Kansas leaving four infant children.
— 3 brothers: G. C. BORDERS and William F. BORDERS of the law firm Borders & Borders at 108 North Main Street; and Andy BORDERS of Charleston, S. C.

— 1 sister, Miss Ruth BORDERS at Nashville, Ill.
— 1 uncle, M. W. BORDERS, chief counsel for Morris & Company
— Resided in East St. Louis a short time prior to enlisting in the 124 Field Artillery

— PRIVATE, US Army, 124th Field Artillery Regiment, Medical Detachment, 33rd Infantry Division

— Buried in France in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Plot G, Row 18, Grave 14
— His mother, Mrs. Ada BORDERS of Washington, Illinois went on the Gold Star Mothers’ and Widows’ Pilgrimage in 1930 to see the grave of her son

— Died from severe wound. Cousin, Julien WASSELL, witnessed the scene and wrote a letter about the incident:

“Borders was standing in front of a dugout with other members of the East St. Louis 124th Field Artillery when a shrapnel shell burst near them a piece of which struck him behind the ear, and he died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.”

— In October, Lieutenant Fred S. WILLBUR with the 124th, formerly of the Journal,  wrote to his own mother

“Jim Borders has distinguished himself twice…

1)“Once he pulled a Frog (French) truck driver out from under a burning and exploding truck of ‘75’ and ‘155’ shells. For this the French awarded the top sergeant of the truck ammunition train the Croix la Guerre. Can you beat it?”

2)“The last time Jim met with adventure was two days ago. He and another private of the hospital corps were in ‘no man’s land’ scouting for wounded to succor. Jim was ‘armed’ with a hatchet and a cane (the hospital corps do not carry arms) and his companion with some first-aid dressings. They ran into a bunch of ‘Dutch,’ seven in all, and a Hun non-com. In command of the seven pointed his automatic pistol at Jim and tried to bluff him. Jim could not understand German very well, although he had lived in Nashville, and walking up to the non-com. took his pistol away from him, nicked him on the bean and marched the seven into our lines. Then Jim went back to look for the wounded.”

— In another letter, Lt WILLBUR  wrote:  “Borders was known throughout the regiment as the ‘man without fear.”

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BOULDEN, Ambrose, 34 (01 November 1918)

— Father, Nathan, Mother, Mary of 900 Brady Avenue
— Several brothers and sisters
— Killed in action in Belgium
— PRIVATE, US Army, Co. C, 361st Infantry of 91st Division
— Trained at Camp Sheridan and Camp Taylor
— Funeral and burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Section 5, Site 7512A on 15 May 1921 at 2:00 p.m. with American Legion of East St. Louis detail
(Sources: DJESTL; NCSGL; SGW)

BOWEN, Joseph, 26 (04 August 1918)

— Son of Mr. & Mrs. James BOWEN of 901 Piggott Avenue
— 1 brother and 1 sister
— Died of wounds in France
— PRIVATE, US Army, 129th Infantry
— Trained at Camp Taylor, Kentucky by First District Board, the first contingent drafted, last September and sent to France in April
— Employed as fruit peddler before drafted
— Service at St. Mary’s Church by Rev. Fr. Hynes (Source: DJESTL; SGW)

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BOWLES, Martin F., 25 (03 September 1918)

— Son of Mr. & Mrs. Ross BOWLES of de Giverville Avenue, St. Louis, Mo, formerly of East St. Louis
— Engaged to Miss Hazel MUCHMORE of Neodesha, Ks
— Shot through heart on night patrol in France
— LIEUTENANT, Intelligence Officer of 355th Infantry
(Source: DJESTL)

BRODERICK, Patrick, 23 (03 Oct 1918)

— Father, N. S. BRODERICK at 1917 N 19th Street
— 1 brother, John BRODERICK with 33rd Infantry in France, 1 sister, Isabelle
— Born in Ireland and moved to East St. Louis 5 years ago
— Died of Spanish Influenza at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill. (Source: DJESTL)

BROWN, Louis B., 26 (January 1919 – day not given)

— Mother lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan
— Single, Died at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D. C. of wounds received in France
— LIEUTENANT, U. S. Army, heavy field artillery
— Employed as chief chemist of the American Steel Company in East St. Louis
— Funeral at Arlington Cemetery 28 January 1919
(Source: DJESTL)

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BURKHOUSE, August W., 27 (November 1919 – day not given)

— Father, Henry, Mother Louisa of 1103 Baker Ave, 2nd Ward
— Killed in Chicago? with 303 Ammunition Train in France?
— Top Sergeant, wounded twice, 22 yrs old in 1910 census- laborer- born MO
— Trained at Camp Dix, New Jersey
— Military funeral 26 November at 2 p.m. at Benner-Brichler chapel on Collinsville Avenue, burial at Mt. Hope
(Source: DJESTL; FC1910)

BUTLER, Michael J., 26 (28 September 1918)

— Photo
— Mother, Rose BUTLER at 3212 Waverly Place
— Killed in action, buried in France
— PRIVATE, 147th Infantry
(Source: DJESTL)

BUXTON, James R., 27 (08 October 1918)

— Photo
— Mother, P. SCHWARTZ
— 5 brothers and sisters
— Wife, Mrs. Genova Allyn BUXTON, 559 North 13th Street
— Born 30 Nov 1890
— Died when German shell struck mess tent, other East St. Louisans in tent (see Richard HOWELL), died near Argonne Forest, near Verdun
— CORPORAL, Battery F, 124th Field Artillery, Battery F
— Enlisted originally in 3rd Army (now 124th Field Artillery) on 11 Sept 1917
— Trained at Camp Logan, Texas, sailed to France 26 May 1918
(Source: DJESTL)

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Byrmer, Earney [as misspelled on ESL monument]
BRYMER, Earny, 32 (25 May 1918)

(His surname was misspelled as Byrmer on this monument)
— Son of Mollie BRUNER (or BRAUER) of 1110 Baker Avenue
— Born in Jackson County, 22 October 1886
— Died of pneumonia in France; single
— US Army, Supply Co, 6th Field Artillery
— In service for 5 years
— Trained at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri
— Letter received at home on 8 June prior to death and printed in the Daily Journal, East St. Louis 12 June 1918:

Somewhere in France May 12, 1918.
“Dear Mother:
Just a few lines to let you know that I am well and happy. Never felt better in my life; also having a good time under the circumstances. As this is Mothers’ Day, this is you letter. Every soldier in France is writing a letter to his mother of his nearest relative today. I am sitting in the Salvation Army tent writing this letter. It certainly is a fine place to pass away the spare time. They have song services every evening and today at 10:30 a.m. they are going to have Mothers’ services, and it is very near that time now. I am waiting to hear what they have to say.Mother, I would like to tell you all I have seen about this world-wide war, but owing to our strict censorship I am unable to do so. So just don’t worry about me, for I am fine and dandy. I don’t think the Huns have a shell to fit me over here. I feel sure I am coming home some day.

We have had some bad weather since we have been here. It rains every other day, but I suppose it is caused from the heavy firing at the front. Since we landed we have been on three different fronts, and don’t you know each one has gotten a little livelier. How long we will stay on this one I don’t know, but I don’t think it will be very long. I have nothing else to write. I guess I will close. With all the love a son can have for his mother, I remain,

Your loving son,
Earny Brymer
Supply Co., 6th Field Artillery,
American Expeditionary Forces.”
(Source: DJESTL)

CARMICHAEL, Byron B., 20 (04 November 1918)

— Photo
— Son of Mr. & Mrs. John B. CARMICHAEL of 718 North 15th Street in November 1918
— Lived at 909 Summit Avenue on 27 May 1921
— Brother, George H. CARMICHAEL, U.S. Army, recently an automobile instructor at a Chicago training school; 3 sisters, misses Regina, Nellie and Lillie CARMICHAEL
— After injured in action (shell burst his left ear drum on 28 September and inflicted shell shock) , he was sent to a hospital where he died of influenza (cerebro-spinal meningitis), buried in France soon after death but later exhumed and sent back to U. S. in 1921 for reburial.
— Born 27 November 1898; entered the Louisville, Illinois schools in 1905; went to the Harter-Stanford Township High in 1914, transferred to East St. Louis High School in 1915, distinguished himself in athletics, a football star and director of athletics in the Y.M.C.A.
— 1st LIEUTENANT, US Army, 108th Ammunition Train
— Enlisted in 124th Field Artillery, Battery E in early 1917, made a Second Lieutenant on 23 July, and became a First Lieutenant in December before sailing to France, there he was transferred to the 108th Ammunition Train

— Grandfather, George W. CARMICHAEL, served in the Civil War; his great-great-grandfather, Captain Abraham C. CARMICHAEL held a commission as an Indian reserve officer in Tennessee; he had ancestors from the southern part of the Auld North Countrie of Scotland around the ancient barony of a Norman fief; nephew of Dr. Cameron HARMON, former pastor of the First M.E. church in East St. Louis;
— He was proficient in the printer’s trade and helped is father, John B. CARMICHAEL when he was editor and publisher of the Clay County Democrat.

— A letter from Pvt Walter B. BECKER, U. S. A. Base Hospital No. 20, Chatel Guyen Puy de Doure, France, dated 7 November 1918, to Mr. CARMICHAEL tells of news of death. Printed in the East St. Louis Journal 1 December 1918,

“My Dear Mrs. Carmichael:
While I know that whatever I, a stranger, can write to you, will not in any way assuage your grief for the costly sacrifice God has called upon you to make for our dear country, I am nevertheless sure in will be some satisfaction for you to know that your son was cared for not only by skilled physicians but also by gentle hands and kindly hears from the beginning of his brief illness until he passed on to a happier land.

It was my privilege to be with him for the greater part of his illness and during that time he won my high regard and sympathy by his patience and great nobility of character. Not any of us expected him to die for he seemed to improve daily. We especially remarked about his fine appetite and he seemed to enjoy the good things prepared for him, especially the creamed and fried chicken, the broths, jellies and custards and fresh fruits and ice cream, a great deal of which was provided by the American Red Cross. So in this respect you can feel assured that nowhere could he have had better or more nourishing food.

Until his last conscious moment there was always a prayer upon his lips and many times he asked me to pray for him or to repeat the Twenty-third Psalm. Our Bishop came to see him several times and administered the Holy Sacrament before the end.

At four o’clock on the day following his death the funeral left the hospital with the guard of honor and about fifty men. The procession slowly passed in solemn silence through the village and everyone stood with bowed and uncovered heads to do reverence to the dead. Old and wrinkled women at the open casements who too may have known the grief which is yours today, dropped to their knees and clasped their hands in prayer as we came by. And so we proceeded until the village was left behind and now our path led over the peaceful hills glowing with autumnal colors, and all was silence save for the tread of mourners’ feet and the tolling of the bell, faint in the distance.

At last the beautiful cemetery was reached where it lays sheltered by the mountains on a spot as lovely as any on earth. And then the casket, draped in the Stars and Stripes, and covered with a great wreath of flowers, was carried to its resting place. In the rush of the coming twilight and the sky aglow with the radiant splendor of the setting sun from beyond the purple mountains, “taps” was sounded and the casket lowered into earth’s arms.

And there we left him sleeping in the quiet peace of the mountains surrounded by others who slumber, too, in a foreign soil.
At the head of each grave stands a white cross and garlands of flowers are draped from cross to cross and every grave is kept green and covered with flowers.

Thinking you would like to have them, I took a couple of photographs during the ceremony at the cemetery, though, because it was after sundown I am uncertain if they will be any good. If they are I will send them to you. At least I can get a picture of the cemetery at any time when the light is good and send that if not the others.

I hope you will find solace in the thought and the solemn pride that your sacrifice is made in a wonderful cause and that your son has not died in vain.

Very sincerely,
Walter B. Becker”

— After the body was returned it lay in state in the main corridor of city hall, the 124th Field Artillery post of the American Legion participated in the funeral.
(Source: DJESTL; SGW, photo on p. 271)

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CLEVENGER (or CLAVENGER), Elmer E., age unknown (31 August 1918)

— Son of Mr. & Mrs J. B. CLAVENGER of 640 Collinsville Avenue
— Died of bronchial pneumonia in Red Cross Hospital, Valdahon, buried with full honors in France on 1 September 1918
— WAGONER, US Army, Co. E, 124th Field Artillery
— Reburied in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Section EUR W, Site 3745
(Source: DJESTL; SGW; NCSGL)

COOK, Thomas, 22 (02 December 1918)

— Only son of Mr. & Mrs. Stephen M. COOK of 450 North 16th Street, later moved to 1404 Ohio Avenue; single
— Died of bronchial pneumonia in Azbuf, France
— COOK, US Army
— Enlisted in 124th Field Artillery
— Trained at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, went to France in September with Heavy Artillery
— Body returned 23 September and funeral held on 24 September 1920, 3:00 p.m. at Kurrus chapel (9th & St. Louis Avenue); burial at Mount Hope Cemetery; Rev. WAKEFIELD will officiate at the services with squad and bugler from Jefferson Barracks.
(Source: DJESTL; SGW)

Cowley, Daniel (no information available)

DODSON, Frank Andrew, 24 (19 October 1918)

— Parents Mr. & Mrs. Isaac A. DODSON of RFD3 Edgemont Station and later moved to 3106 Vandalia Avenue
— Died of pneumonia and buried in American section of the cemetery at La Rochelle, later moved to Mt. Hope Cemetery, Lot 116, Section G.
— PRIVATE, US Army, Co. C, 35th Railway Engineers
— Full military funeral held 21 November 1920 at home of family at 2:00 p.m., Rev. PEPPER of the Lansdowne Baptist Church officiating; burial at Mr. Hope Cemetery; pallbearers served with DODSON: Wm. BENNETT, Louis SPOONEMAN, Ed SPOONEMAN, Wm. DASKE, Rudy MAY, and Ben REYMER; a firing squad from Jefferson Barracks and bugler Joe MCDONALD from 124th Field Artillery sounded taps.
(Sources: DJESTL; IRH-1929; ROH; SGW)

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DORMAN, John H., Jr., 23 (21 June 1918) story update.

— Father John H. and Mother, Emma DORMAN of 516 North 8th Street
— 3 brothers, Raymond, Louis and Clarence; 2 sisters, Mrs. Anna Marx and Ruth Dorman
— Died from compound fracture to skull when struck by plane propeller during start, in Salisbury, England, photo of funeral and grave in newspaper sent by W. R. CASTLE of the Red Cross, letters from CASTLE and Dr. George SHAW a Methodist minister who officiated at funeral printed in newspaper, buried in England; single
— CORPORAL, 155th Aero Squadron
— Enlisted in the 155th Aero Squadron
— Trained at Scott Field; went to England in February 1918,
— Body returned 30 May 1920 and will lay in state in the City Hall; funeral services at the First Methodist Church by Rev. Ralph WAKEFIELD (13th & Summitt); Civil War veterans will hold their services
(Source: DJESTL)

DOUARD, George Elmer, 29 (29 September 1918)

— Son of Mr. & Mrs. George A. DOUARD of 1324 North 18th Street
— Killed in action in France, buried Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Plot C, Row 27, Grave 30
— PRIVATE, US Army, Co. G, 111th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division
— Left in May 1918 for training camp in Georgia, shipped to France in July
— Employed as bartender by Oscar Enderfin at 16th & St. Clair Avenue.
(Sources: ABMC; DJESTL; SGW)

DULLEA, John F., 23 (09 October 1918)

— Photo
— Father Dennis E. (assistant supervisor of the Elliot Frog and Switch Works), Mother Mary of 1517 Cleveland Avenue, 6th Ward
— 1 brother, Jerome and 1 sister, Mrs. J. C. ASHTON
— John was 14 yrs old in 1910 census- born IL, died of pneumonia in France
— PRIVATE, US Army, Co. C, 8th Battalion, T. O. D. Ordinance Department
— Tried to get to France 3 times:
1) Enlisted in 124th Field Artillery, attained rank of Drill Sergeant at Camp Logan, Texas and received an honorable discharge after 6 months
2) Enlisted again after ear operation and sent to Peoria to Polytechnic School for Tank Service, could not go overseas with that branch after examination
3) Went to Ordinance Department, 8th Battalion, to France in September
— Body returned 23 September and funeral held on 24 September 1920, 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church; burial at Mount Carmel Cemetery; full military services with squad and bugler from Jefferson Barracks.
(Sources: DJESTL; SGW; FC1900)

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EASTLICK, Fred, 18 (10 August 1918)

— Died in France
— Made 4 attempts to enlist
— Enlisted in 124th Field Artillery
— Trained in Houston, Texas
— Member of the Y.M.C.A.
(Source: DJESTL)

ELLIS, Edward F. (or Edward T.), 24 (10 October 1918)

— Son of Mr. & Mrs. M. T. ELLIS of 1108 College Avenue
— Killed in action in Argonne battle; single
— PRIVATE, US Army, Co. H, 111 Infantry
— In May trained at Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Georgia and went to France in July
— Formerly a teller at the Union Trust & Savings Bank.
(Source: DJESTL; SGW)

Evans, Evan B. –misspelled
EVANS, Benjamin “Bennie” or “Benny,” 21 (10 March 1919)

— Father, the late Ben EVANS, Mother, Mrs. Joseph SULLIVAN EVANS of 917 North 11th Street
— 1 brother, Mark EVANS; Nephew of Mrs. Monte REDMAN, Jack EVANS, and Alexander SULLIVAN; grandson of Mrs. Margaret SULLIVAN
— Enlisted in the Navy in April 1917
— Died in service enroute to Havana, Cuba aboard hospital ship “Solace”; recently recovered from pneumonia
— Trained at Great Lake Station; made 8 trips to France; assigned in December 1918 to USS Bridge as trainer
— Funeral 26 March 1919, at 10:00 a.m. from Burke’s parlor (1510 State Street) to Sacred Heart Church and then to Mr. Carmel Cemetery.
(Source: DJESTL)

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FOEHNER, Alfred A., 22 (07 October 1918)

— Son of Mr. & Mrs. Fred FOEHNER of 1134 Trendley Avenue
— Sister, Lillian FOEHNER
— Born in Clinton County, killed in action by high explosive shell in France
— PRIVATE, US Army, 124th Field Artillery, Battery F
— Trained in Springfield and Camp Logan, Texas
— Formerly worked at the Aluminum Ore Company, family moved to East St. Louis at age 17
— Grandfather, Adolph ABLITZ served with the 130th Illinois Volunteers during the Civil War
— Body shipped from Brichler Chapel to Jamestown, Illinois on 14 September 1921; funeral services at Evangelical Church; burial at Baden, Illinois cemetery; Lee Item American Legion Post No. 439 of Highland, Illinois in charge.
(Source: DJESTL; SGW, photo on p.242)

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Sources:

AMBC: American Battle Monuments Commission https://www.abmc.gov/

DJESTL: Daily Journal, East St. Louis, Illinois. The Belleville Public Library, 121 East Washington Street, Belleville, Illinois, has all issues of this newspaper on microfilm. Photocopies may be arranged for a small fee.

FC1910: US Federal Census for 1910 (men who resided in East St. Louis in 1910 may be found on National Archives microfilm Series T624, St. Clair County, Illinois, reel 322. Widely available in major libraries, on interlibrary loan, and online at commercial web sites.)

GSMW: Pilgrimage for the Mothers and Widows of Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines of the American Forces Now Interred in the Cemeteries of Europe as Provided by the Act of Congress of March 2, 1929. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1930. Y1.1/2:9225

An index to Pilgrimage for the Mothers . . . , which includes some of the information from the printed volume, is available on the Ancestry.com web site (fee based). There are two informative articles on the pilgrimage of the Gold Star Mothers and Widows on the National Archives web site: World War I Gold Star Mother’s Pilgrimages, part 1 and part  2

IRH1929: 1929 Illinois Roll of Honor

NCSGL: National Cemetery System Gravesite Locator
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ROH: Roll of Honor, Burial Places of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Army Nurses of All Wars of the United States Buried in the State of Illinois, 2 volumes, Springfield 1929.

SCCGSQ: St. Clair County Genealogical Society Quarterly

SGW: Hauslee, W. M., F. G. Howe, & A.C. Doyle. Soldiers of the Great War. Washington, DC: Soldiers Record Publishing Association, 1920 (Illinois soldiers in volume I). 940.91 SOLDIERS
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