World War I Veterans of Knox County, IL

"They saw not clearly nor understood, but yielding themselves to the Master-hand, Each in his part as best he could. They played it through as the Author planned"

"Wagoner Printing Company, Knox Co., Illinois, 1920" of Galesburg, IL

If you have a photo, story, etc. you'd like to share about a World War I Veteran feel free to email me and I will add it to this page in honor of our fallen heroes. Thanks!

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Timeline of World War I

Event	Date	Location	Significance
Archduke Ferdinand assassinated	June 28, 1914	Sarajevo, Bosnia	Unsteady alliances erupt into war as Russia, Serbia's ally, begins to mobilize
Germany declares war on Russia and France	August 1, 1914		Although guaranteeing Belgian neutrality, Germans march through Belgium into France.
Nations align for war	August 1914		Bulgaria and Turkey join Germany and Austria-Hungary in the Central Powers. France, England, Russia (later Japan and Italy) join the Allied Powers
Wilson declares U.S. neutrality	August 4, 1914	Washington, D.C.	Reflecting strong public opinion, Wilson states that U.S. will not join the war
Germany declares waters around British Isles a war zone	February 15, 1915		Neutral vessels are warned of potential u-boat attacks. Wilson warns Germany that it would be accountable for any loss of American life
Lusitania sunk by Germans	May 7, 1915	Off coast of Ireland	Torpedoed without warning, the Lusitania sinks in 18 minutes, killing 1198 (128 Americans)
Arabic Pledge	September 1, 1915	Berlin	Germany promises not to sink unarmed liners following sinking of British liner Arabic
Sussex Pledge	May 31, 1916	Berlin	Following sinking of French steamer Sussex, Germany again agrees to "visit and search" rules, but insists that Great Britain should also agree to obey international laws regarding freedom of the seas
Wilson wins 1916 presidential election	November 1916	U.S.	Declaring "he kept us out of war," Wilson and Democrats barely defeat Hughes and Republicans (277 to 254 in electoral college)
Wilson calls for "peace without victory"	January 22, 1917	Washington, D.C.	Frustrated with his efforts to mediate a peace, Wilson becomes convinced both sides needed to cease hostilities
Germany resumes unlimited submarine warfare	January 31, 1917	Berlin	Confident U.S. help would be too late, Germany seeks to starve England into submission
Zimmermann note discovered	February 1917	Berlin to Mexico City	Foreign minister Zimmermann asks Mexico to join Germany in exchange for return of southwest U.S. British intercept message
Wilson asks Congress for greater powers	February 1917	Washington, D.C.	Senate, led by La Follette of Wisconsin, refuse to grant Wilson power to wage an undeclared naval war
Russian Revolution deposes Czar Nicholas	March 15, 1917	Russia	Instability in Europe encourages Wilson to act
Wilson asks for declaration of war	April 2, 1917	Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.	"The world must be made safe for democracy," Wilson insists
Food Administration formed	May 1917	Washington, D.C.	Herbert Hoover heads effort to conserve food and boost agricultural output
Creel Committee issues official propaganda	May 1917	Washington, D.C.	Daily "Official Bulletins" seek to convince Americans of the crusade for freedom and democracy and the bestial nature of the "Huns"
War Industries Board created	May 1917	Washington, D.C.	Led by Bernard Baruch, the WIB set prices and determined what goods should be produced by private industry
Selective Service Act passed	May 28, 1917	Washington, D.C.	Nearly 10 million men are listed and a lottery chooses first 687,000 to serve. Eventually 3,000,000 men serve as draftees in the war
14 Points declared	January 1918	Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.	Wilson lists his goals for a war-free world, including a League of Nations
Cantigny	May 28, 1918	North of Paris	First victory for American troops
Chateau-Thierry	May 1918	France	French and American troops block German advance
Belleau Wood	June 1918	France	American forces suffer heavy losses but defeat Germans
Second Battle of the Marne	July 1918	France	Allied forces defeat Germans who begin retreat east
Meuse-Argonne	September to November 1918	Eastern France	Gen. Pershing loses 120,000 men (10%) of his troops in heavy fighting
Sedan	October 1918	Eastern France	American troops cut German supply lines 50 miles behind German front
Germans surrender, expecting a peace drawn up under Wilson's generous 14 Points	November 11, 1918	Compiegne, France	Worst war in world history is over. 10 million soldiers killed, 10 million civilians die from disease and starvation
Treaty of Versailles signed	June 28, 1919	Versailles, France	Germany signs treaty drafted by "Big Four" which includes huge reimbursement demands

MAGINNIS, William J. 1886 - 1955 USA WWI

buried in the Abingdon Cemetery, Cedar Twp., Knox Co., IL

RAY, Ora Everett 5/2/1890 ~ 8/9/1948

IL Elec USN WWI Am. Legion

buried in the Abingdon Cemetery, Cedar Twp., Knox Co., IL

MORRELL, Torrance buried 5/2/1936 in Abingdon Cemetery

IL Pvt 273 Aero Sqd.

William J. McGinnis

US Army WW I

buried Abingdon Cemetery

Miller, Fremont Bernard, Galesburg

Sergeant, 501 Co. M. O. R. S., 3rd Corps. Son of Peter Pearson & Sophia Miller; born March 22, 18990, at Galesburg, Enlisted at Moline Sept. 19. 1917, promoted to Corporal April 18, 1918; to Sergeant of Ordnance May 21, 1918; overseas; in major offensive at Meuse_Argonne Sept. 26 to Nov 11, 1918; in Army of Occupation Feb 10 to Aug., 10,. 1919; in service 2 years; discharged Sept. 15, 1919

Sloan, Benjamin Harrison, Mt. Streling

1st Class Private, Co I, 342nd Reg., 86th Div. born May 19, 1888, at Morganton; N. Car. Entered service June 23, 1918, at Galesburg; to Camp Grant; transferred to Third Provisional Training Regiment; February, 1919, to 106th Guard Co., A. S. C. promoted to Private, 1st Class, Dec, 1918; in service 1 yr, 9ds; discharged July 02, 1919.

Oberschlake, John B. Galesburg

Horseshoer, co A, 123rd M G Bn 33rd Div. Son of George and Carry Oberschlake; wife, Ethel Oberschblake; born Feb 22, 1889, 2 Clinton, Ill. Entered service Sept 21, 1917, at Galesburg; to Camp Doge, Iowa; overseas, arriving in France May 24, 1918; in battles at Bios-de-Cbaunee Oct 09, 1918; BoisdeChaunee and Bois-dePlatcheuc Oct. 11, 1918; Marcheville, Reaville, St. Hiliare, Nov 11, 1918; Army of Occupation Dec 12- Dec 17, 1918 and April 1-12, 1919: in trenches 51 days; returned to USA May 26, 1919' in service 21 months; discharged May 30, 1919.

Johnson, Godfrey J., Galesburg

Cook, C., G, 350th Inf., 88th Div. Son of Mr & Mrs Swan Johnson; wife, Ruth E. Johnson; born Jan 16, 1891. Entered service at Galesburg April 29, 1918; to Camp Dodge; overseas; in trenches 21 days; in major offensives at Haute, Alsace Toul; in sercie 403 days. discharded June 06, 1919.

Sperry, Holland Robert, Galesburg

Sergeant, 11 Co., 1st Reg 161st Depot Brigade. Son of Edward and Mary Sperry: Born Jan 26, 1893, at Galesburg. Entered service at Galesburg Sept. 04, 1918; to Camp Grant; promoted to Corporal Oct 08, 1918; to Sergeant Nov 20, 1918; in service six months; dichargfed Feb 17, 1919.

Robinson, John

Private, Military Police Detachment. son of Ed; and Kate robinson; born at Galesburg. Entered service at Galesburg, April 29, 1918; to Camp Travis, Texas; discharged Dec 02, 1918

Vance, Carmon Reece Riner

Corporal, Co. B 5th Limited Service Reg., 161st Depot Brigade. Son of Strander L. & Lettie E. Vance; born March 19, 1896, in Elba Twp, Entered service at Galesburg, Sept 02, 1918; to camp Grant; promoted to Corporal Oct 10, 1918; discharged Nov 30, 1918.

Tucker, Clyde T., Williamsfield

Private, 1st Class, Battery A, 53rd Artillery, C A C son of S. B. & E. J. tucker; born June 10, 1892, at Williamsfield. Entered servie April 02, 1918, at Galesburg; to Ft. Screven, Ga;with A E F from Aug 14, 1918, to March 11, 1919; in major offensive 45 datysl ub servuce 366 days; discharged April 03, 1919

Tucker, Harley R., Williamsfield

Private, 1st Class, Batter A 53rd Artillery, C A C Son of Samuel B. & Eliza J. Tucker; born July 09, 1893, at Williamsfield, Entered service April 02, 1918, at Galesburg; to Ft. Screven, Ga; with A. E. F. from Aug 14, 1918 to March 11, 1919; in major offensive 45 days; in service 366 dyas; discharged April 03, 1919.

Puffer, Carl L., Yates City

Private, Base Hospital No 17 Son of A. L. & A. B. Puffer; born Oct 18, 1892, at Saunemin, Ill. Entered service at Omaha, Neb Dec 04, 1917 to Ft. Logan, Colo., and Ft. Riley, Kansas; overseas; thirteen months in france; seventeen months in service dischared May 12, 1919.

Kerr, William Grant, Yates City

Sergeant, Entered service at Jefferson Barracks May 11, 1918; later, transferred to Waco, Texas, and on Sept. 23 sailed for France; landed at St. Nazaire and three weeks later was place in the 41st Division at St. Aignan; on Nov. 15 was transferred into the Postal Service at Tours, remaining there until Aug. 30, 1919; sailed from Brest Sept. 10, landing at Hoboken Stpe 22 discharged from Camp Dix Sept 29, 1919.

McNamara, William James, Galesburg

Private, 43rd. Son of W. P and Catherine McNamra; born August 25, 1888, at Galesburg, Entered the service May 27, 1918, at Galesburg; to Camp Gordon in 43rd Co, 4th Rep Regiment; transferred to Co C 4th Rep Casual White Lats Assignment 4th Co., 1st convalescent Bn; in service 11 months, 3days; discharged April 30, 1919

McNamara, Leo J., Galeburg

Private, Co. F, 5th Development Battalion Son of Mr & Mrs Win McNamara; born Nov 05, ---at Galesburg, Entered service at Galesburg May 23, 1918; to Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas; dischared Nove 25, 1918

Merritt, Archie L., Galesburg

Private, Co., A 310th Machine Gun Battalion. Son of Frank and Ora Merritt; born Aug 04, 1894, at Henry, Ill. Entered service at Philadelphia, Pa., April 20, 1918 to Camp Mead; to France; wounded in Argonne Forrest Nov 04, 1918; discharged February, 1919.

Merritt, Walter Eugene, Galesburg

Sergeant, Co d, 23rd Infantry. Son of Frank and Ora Merritt; born Jan 05, 1892, at Henry, Ill. Entered service at Galesburg, January, 1912; to Jefferson Barracks; sailed for France Nov 04, 1917; gassed Somewhere in France in August 1918; wnt "over the top" six times; ws in two raids; still in service, in China, Dec 06, 1919.

Genetos, Basil, L., Galesburg

Private, Co B, 5th Regiment. Son of Callonn and Lonofont Genetos; born in 1892 in Dara, Greece, Entered service Sept 03, 1918, at Camp Grant; discharged Dec 14, 1918

Johnson, Harry T, Galesburg

Private, Co. C 57 C. A. C., 31st Div. son of Mr. & Mrs Fred Johnson; born Oct, 27, 1888, at New Windsor, Ill. Entered service at Galesburg April 02, 1918; to Ft. Screven, Ga.; Oversears; survivor Otranto shipwreck Oct 06, 1918; discharged Feb 01, 1919.

Abel, Henry Otto, Abington

Private, 1st Class, Co., A 341st Reg. 86th Div. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Able; Born Nov 28, 1891, at Hanover, Ill. Entered service June 24, 1918, at Galesburg; to Camp Crant; made 1st Class Private Sept 15, 1918; discharged Jan 24, 1919.

Swanstrom, Edward, Wataga

Corporal Co B, 321 Field Signal Battalion, Son of Mrs. J. Swnastrom; born Feb 12, 1884, at Wataga, entered service July 26, 1918, at Jefferson Barracks; oversears Aug 23, 1918; made Corporal Sept., 01, 1918; transferred to 321st Field Signal Battalion Sept 28, 1918; discharged April 29, 1919.

Riesebieter, Harry, Altona

Private, Co., F, 105th Engineers, 30th div. Son of Henry and Bertha Riesebieter; born Jan 12, 1897, At Ashland, Ill. Entered service Sept 05, 1918 at Galesburg; to Camp Forrest, Ga., In 13th Provisional Recruit Co.,; transferred to 5th Sappers Repl. Bat., Oct. 25, 1918; transferred to Co. K, 11th Engineers, Nov 10, 1918 transferred to Co F, 105th Engineers, Dec 09, 1918; overseas from Octo 31, 1918, to april 19, 1919; oversseas 170 days; in service 236 days; discharged April 29, 1919.

Harvey, Mack, Galesburg

Private, 316th Service Bat., 97th Div. Son of Virgil and Lue Harvey; born Sept,15, 1893, at Evansville, Ind. Entered service at Toledo, Ohio, July 20, 1918; to Camp Sherman, Chillicothe. O; to Newport News, W. Va., 302nd Stevdore Reg. sailed for France Sept 15, 1918; landed at Brest, France, Sept. 28; made Sergeant Medical Corps Oct. 06; returned to USA and landed at Norfold, W. Va., July 31, 1919; in service 1 year, 19days; discharged Aug 08, 1919

Wilder, Raymond H., Galesburg

Bugler, co., B 323rd Reg., quartermaster's Corps. Son of Henry & Rebecca Wilder; born April 16, 1890, at Galesburg. Entered the service April 29, 1918, at Galesburg; to Camp Crant; promoted to rank of Bugler June, 1918, overseas 13 months in the service 16 months discharged Aug. 18, 1919

Hamblin, Adolph Putman, Galesburg

Private. Son of John T. & Carrie M. Hamblin; born Jan 11, 1896, at Galesburg. Entered Service at Chicago July 01,1918; in service 6 months 5days; discharged Jan 05, 1919

Carter, Clarence richard, Galesburg

Acting Supply Sergeant, 52nd co., 13th Tr Bn 161st Brigade. Son of Lewis & Lewis Carter; born Aug 19, 1889, at Galesburg. Entered the service Sept 03, 1918, at Chicago; to Camp Grant; Transferred To Bakers and Cooks School completting the course of instruction; received certificate of proficiendy, graduating as 1st Cook Dec 05, 1918; in the service 5 months 9 days; discharged Feb 09, 1919.

Carter, Harold W., Galesburg

Sergeant, Co A son of Lewis & Emma Carter; born July 21, 1892, at Galesburg, Entered service May 01, 1918, at Galesburg; to Camp Grant; promoted to Sergeant; served as pianist at YMCA some of the time; discharged Feb 01, 1919.

ANDERSON
Edwin E.

Pvt 1CL 52 Reg C.A.

Walnut Grove Cemetery

LOVGREN
Milo? P.
8/13/1894
7/4/1933
IL Master Eng (J.G.) 168 Trans Corp WWI

Walnut Grove Cemetery

MOORE
William
7/4/1833
5/19/1909
Prin.Musc.148 IL Inf. Enlisted Co D 17 IL Vol Inf May 26 1861, Re-enlisted Prin.Musc.149th Reg Jan 26 1865

Walnut Grove Cemetery

FERGUSON
Clinton R.
----
buried 4/11/1925
So. Dak. Sgt 34 Engr.

Walnut Grove Cemetery

LARSON
Lars Warner
8/17/1886
7/13/1949
IL Pvt USA WW1

Altona Cemetery

LUNDHOLM
Arthur
1893
1970
WWI Vet

Altona Cemetery

LUNDHOLM
Arthur
1893
1970
WWI Vet

Altona Cemetery