Porter County in World War ICasualties of World War I from Porter County . . . .
Much of the identification information concerning Porter County
residents who died while serving in the military during World War I was obtained from the following sources:
Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927.
History of the Lake and Calumet
Region of Indiana, Embracing the
Counties of Lake, Porter, and
LaPorte: An Historical Account of
Its People and Its Progress from the
Earliest Times to the
Present. Volume I. Indianapolis,
Indiana: Historians' Association.
840 p. [p. 362]
Haulsee, William M., Frank G. Howe, and Alfred C. Doyle. 1920.
Soldiers of the Great War, Volumes I-III.
Washington, D.C.:
Soldiers Record Publishing Association.
Indiana Historical Commission. 1921.
Indiana World War Records,
Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of
Indiana Men and Women Who
Died in the Service of the United
States and the Allied Nations in
the World War. Fort Wayne:
Indiana: Fort Wayne Printing
Company. 750 p.
Background Information
World War
I began July 28, 1914, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia; Germany,
France, Great Britain and Russia were quickly drawn into the conflict. In April 1917,
the United States entered the conflict on
the side of the Allies. America's entrance was largely due to the fact that
Germany was continually attacking and sinking American ships with their
submarines.
After war was declared by President Wilson, a demand for a patriotic
demonstration throughout Porter County ensued, and early in May 1917 a mammoth
parade with four thousand persons participating was held in Valparaiso.
Porter County provided more than 2,000 men and women to the military service
branches during the war. Several Porter County citizens serving in the war paid
the ultimate sacrifice, either being killed in action, dying of wounds, or
meeting death as a result of the influenza epidemic of 1918. Below is presented
a list of Porter County citizens that perished while serving in World War I. Please note that
it is highly likely that this casualty list in incomplete.
Porter County World War I Casualties
Charlie John Babcock
Birth: April 19, 1894, in Porter, Indiana
Death:
Burial:
Rank and Service Unit: Private
Cause of Death: Wounds Received in Action
Hometown: Porter
Myron Wilbur Biggs
Birth: February 16, 1892, in Columbia City, Indiana
Death: December 28, 1918, in Rolling Prairie, Indiana
Burial: Hebron Cemetery in Hebron, Indiana
Rank and Service Unit: Private, Motor Truck Transport Unit
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Hebron
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of Sanford and Sarah Biggs; born February
16, 1892, Columbia City, Indiana. Living on a farm near Hebron, Porter County,
Ind., when he entered service October 15, 1918, Valparaiso, Ind. Sent to Rolling
Prairie, (Interlaken) Ind.; assigned to Motor Truck Transport Unit. Contracted
influenza, and died December 28, 1918, Rolling Prairie. Buried, Hebron, Porter
County, Ind.
Ross Howard Frame
Birth: October 10, 1894, in Valparaiso, Indiana
Death: September 22, 1918, at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Chicago, Illinois
Burial: Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana
Rank and Service Unit: US Navy
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Valparaiso
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of Oscar and Lottis S. Frame; born October
10, 1894, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana. Moved to Indianapolis in 1902.
Clerk. Enlisted in U.S. Navy, May 29, 1918. Sent to Great Lakes Naval Training
Station, Chicago, Ill. Assigned to Hospital Corps. Died of influenza September
22, 1918, U.S. Navy Hospital, Great Lakes, Chicago, Ill. Buried in Crown Hill
Cemetery, Indianapolis, Ind.
Leo W. Friday
Birth: August 22, 1891, in Chesterton, Indiana
Death: October 5, 1918, near Bordeaux, France
Burial: American Soldiers' Cemetery near Bordeaux, France; remains may have been
later removed to Chesterton Cemetery in Chesterton, Indiana, as a tombstone is
located in that cemetery
Rank and Service Unit: Private, Headquarters Company, 343rd Infantry
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Chesterton
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of Henry J. and Fredericka Friday; born
August 22, 1891, Chesterton, Porter County, Ind. Electrician. Living in Rock
Island, Ill. Embarked for overseas September 8, 1918; assigned to Headquarters
Company, 343rd Infantry. Stricken with pneumonia he was removed to a hospital
near Bordeaux, where he died October 5, 1918. Buried in American Soldiers'
Cemetery, near Bordeaux.
Martin J. Gable
Birth: July 6, 1890, in Valparaiso, Indiana
Death: July 5, 1918, in France
Burial: Maplewood Cemetery in Valparaiso, Indiana (body returned to US from
France in March 1921); tombstone simply states "GABLE" (no given name inscribed)
and includes an American Legion Memorial Plaque
Rank and Service Unit: Private, Company L, Indiana National Guard; later
assigned to Company A, 151st Infantry
Cause of Death: Wounds Received in Action
Hometown: Valparaiso
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gable; born July 6,
1890, Valparaiso, Ind. Plasterer. Entered service September 20, 1917. Sent to
Camp Taylor, Ky.; assigned to Company L, Indiana National Guard. Transferred to
Camp Shelby, Miss. Overseas in June 1918; assigned to Company A, 151st Infantry.
Took part in Champagne Marne Drive, an fought in Lorraine Sector. Died July 5,
1918 from wounds received in action. Body returned to U.S. in March 1921, and
buried in Valparaiso, Ind.
Loring Gillespie
Birth: October 16, 1884, in New York, New York
Death: October 12, 1918, in Charleston, North Carolina
Burial: Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso, Indiana
Rank and Service Unit: Quartermaster 2nd Class
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Valparaiso
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of Charles E. and Ethel Gillespie; born
October 16, 1884, New York City, N.Y. Served in U. S. Navy, 1906-1910.
Discharged. Living in Valparaiso, Ind., when he re-enlisted November 9, 1917,
Chicago, Ill. Sent to Commonwealth Pier, Boston, Mass.; assigned to duty on
patrol boat Yacona. Stricken with pneumonia; removed to Naval Hospital,
Charleston, S. C., where he died October 12, 1918. Buried, Valparaiso, Ind.
Survived by widow, Pauline Tyler Gillespie, and two sons, Loring Paul, and
Vernon Charles, Valparaiso, Ind.
Lester P. Hayes
Birth: September 23, 1896, in Valparaiso, Indiana
Death: January 23, 1918, at Base Hospital in Camp Sevier, South Carolina
Burial: St. Paul Catholic Cemetery in Valparaiso, Indiana
Rank and Service Unit: Private, 2nd Engineering Corps
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Valparaiso
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of Grant (deceased) and Minnie M. Hayes;
born September 23, 1896, Valparaiso, Ind. Automobile mechanic. Entered service
December 12, 1917, Valparaiso, Ind.; sent to Camp Sevier, S. C.; assigned to 2nd
Engineering Corps. Stricken with pneumonia he died January 23, 1918, Base
Hospital, Camp Sevier, S. C. Buried in Catholic Cemetery, Valparaiso, Ind.
Rhen A. Hilkert
Birth: February 1, 1890, in Porter County, Indiana
Death: August 9, 1918, in Fismes, France
Burial: Oise-Aisne American Cemetery in Fere-en-Tardenois, Marne, France, in
Plot C, Row 35, Grave 16. Memorial tombstone located in Furnessville Cemetery,
Furnessville, Indiana.
Hometown: Porter County and Westville, Indiana
Rank and Service Unit: Private, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division,
US Army
Cause of Death: Killed in Action
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of Isaac and Olive Hilkert; born February 1,
1890, in Porter County, Ind. Moved to Laporte County in 1904, and settled on
farm near Westville. Entered service March 28, 1918, Laporte, Ind. Sent to Camp
Taylor, Ky.; assigned to 10th Company, 3rd Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade.
Embarked for overseas May 7, 1918; assigned to Company C, 112th Infantry, 28th
Division. Killed in action August 9, 1918, Fismes [France]. Buried in American
Cemetery, Fismes, Marne, France.
Arthur Theodore Johnson
Birth: March 31, 1896, in Porter, Indiana
Death: September 12, 1918, Battle of St. Mihiel, France
Burial: American Cemetery No. 1233 [St. Mihiel American Cemetery] in Thiaucourt,
Meurthe-et-
Rank and Service Unit: Captain (First Lieutenant), U.S. Signal Corps
Cause of Death: Killed in Action
Hometown: Porter
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of John Alfred (deceased) and Hulda Johnson;
born March 31, 1896, Porter, Porter County, Ind. Graduated from Augustana
College, Ill., in 1917, and entered Aviation Service April 20, 1917,
Springfield, Ill. Sent to Fort Still, Okla.; transferred to Hempstead, N.J.
Commissioned First Lieutenant in U.S. Signal Corps. Overseas in December, 1917.
Killed in action September 12, 1918, Battle of St. Mihiel. Buried in American
Cemetery No. 1233, Sec. 6, Plot 4, Grave 174.
Harry J. Klein
Birth: March 4, 1891, in Valparaiso, Indiana
Death: December 27, 1917, in Camp Shelby, Mississippi
Burial: Maplewood Cemetery in Valparaiso, Indiana
Rank and Service Unit: Private, Company F, 3rd Infantry, Indiana National Guard;
reassigned to Battery F, 137th Field Artillery
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Valparaiso
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of Frank H. and Lena Klein; born March 4,
1891, Valparaiso, Ind. Factory foreman. Enlisted in Company F, 3rd Infantry,
Indiana National Guard (Battery F, 137th Field Artillery) May 28, 1917, South
Bend, Ind. Sent to Camp Shelby, Miss. for training. Contracted pneumonia, and
died December 27, 1917, Camp Shelby. Buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Valparaiso,
Ind.
Axel W. Lundberg
Birth: December 17, 1896, in Chicago, Illinois
Death: October 5, 1918, at Camp Sherman, Ohio
Burial: Chesterton Cemetery in Chesterton, Indiana
Rank and Service Unit: Private, 23rd Company, 6th Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Valparaiso
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of William and Elida Lundberg; born December
17, 1896, Chicago, Ill. Moved to Porter County, Ind., in 1908, and settled on a
farm near Valparaiso. Entered service August 26, 1918, Valparaiso, Ind. Sent to
Camp Sherman, Ohio; assigned to 23rd Company, 6th Battalion, 157th Depot
Brigade. Stricken with pneumonia, he died October 5, 1918, Camp Sherman. Buried,
Chesterton, Porter County, Ind.
John Conrad Manion
Birth: July 18, 1889, in Covington, Iowa
Death: October 18, 1918 (probably at Camp Mills in Long Island, New York)
Burial: St. Paul Catholic Cemetery in Valparaiso, Indiana
Rank and Service Unit: Private
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Valparaiso
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of Henry and Louise Horn Manion; born July
18, 1889, Covington, Iowa. Reared from infancy by his grandmother, Mrs.
Magdalene Horn, of Valparaiso, Ind. Student. Entered army work as Knights of
Columbus Secretary, in October, 1917. Selected for military service August 18,
1918. Sent to Camp Mills, L. I.; assigned to Limited Service Duty. Stricken with
influenza, he died October 18, 1918. Buried in cemetery of St. Paul's Catholic
Church, Valparaiso, Ind.
Adolph Adrian Nicholson
Birth: December 9, 1890, in Crisman, Indiana
Death: November 11, 1918, Limoges, France
Burial: City Cemetery, Limoges, France
Rank and Service Unit: Cook, 1st Gas Regiment
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Crisman
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of Peter and Hannah Nicholson; born December
9, 1890, Crisman, Porter County, Ind. Farmer. Enlisted in U.S. Regular Army
December 23, 1917. Sent to Fort Thomas, Ky.; assigned to Company F, 30th
Engineers. Embarked for overseas June 30, 1918; assigned to 1st Gas Regiment,
Participated in battles of St. Mihiel and Argonne Meuse. Stricken with
pneumonia, he died November 11, 1918, in Hospital, Limoges, France. Buried in
City Cemetery, Limoges, France.
David K. O'Boyle
Birth: July 1894, in Renfrewshire, Scotland
Death: September 29, 1918, Meuse Argonne Drive
Burial: Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, in Romagne, France [Plot F, Row 35,
Grave 38]
Rank and Service Unit: Private First Class, 362nd Infantry Regiment, 91st
Infantry Division
Cause of Death: Killed in Action
Hometown: Valparaiso
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography:
Born in July 1894, Renfrewshire, Scotland.
(Names of parents unknown.) Came to U.S. (exact date unknown.) Attended
Valparaiso University in 1917-1918. Entered service April 26, 1918 in Cascade
County, Mont. Sent to Camp Lewis, Wash.; assigned to 21st Company, 1st
Battalion, 166th Depot Brigade. Embarked for overseas July 6, 1918; assigned to
Company B, 362nd Infantry. Killed in action September 29, 1918, Meuse Argonne
Drive. (Burial place unknown.)
Robert James O'Brien
Birth: January 11, 1896, in Chicago, Illinois
Death: February 26, 1919, in Hachita, New Mexico
Burial: Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso, Indiana
Rank and Service Unit: Sergeant, Troop L, 12th U.S. Calvary
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Valparaiso
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of
Michael P. and Hattie B. O'Brien; born January 11, 1896, Chicago, Ill. Spent
most of his life in Porter County, Ind. Employee of Lake Erie and Western
Railroad. Enlisted in U.S. Regular Army April 18, 1917, Chicago, Ill. Sent to
Hachita, N. M.; assigned to Troop L., 12th U.S. Cavalry. Stricken with
pneumonia, he died February 26, 1919, Hachita, N. M. Buried in Valparaiso, Ind.
Charles A. Pratt
Birth: March 23, 1877, in Jackson Township, Porter County, Indiana
Death: November 3, 1918, in France
Burial: Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne,
France [Plot C, Row 8, Grave 17]
Rank and Service Unit: First Sergeant, Company A, 9th Infantry, 2nd Infantry
Division
Cause of Death: Killed in Action
Hometown: Chesterton
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of
Moses J. and Martha Pratt; born March 23, 1877, Jackson Township, Porter County,
Ind. Carpenter. Served on Mexican Border in 1916. Enlisted in U.S. Regular Army
March 26, 1917, Ft. Thomas, Ky. Overseas in September 1917; assigned to Company
A, 9th Infantry. Killed in action November 3, 1918. Buried, Meuart Ardennes,
France. Awarded Croix de Guerre with two silver stars. The American Legion Post,
Valparaiso, Ind., named in his honor. Survived by two children, Jesse, and Earl
Pratt, Valparaiso, Ind.
Irvin Wilson
Birth: March 8, 1898, in Hebron, Indiana
Death: October 7, 1918, in France
Burial: Commune of Exermont in Ardennes, France
Rank and Service Unit: Private, Company F, 151st Infantry
Cause of Death: Killed in Action
Hometown: Hebron
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of
James and Lauretta Wilson; born March 8, 1898, Hebron, Porter County, Ind.
Farmer. Enlisted in Company F, 1st Infantry, Indiana National Guard (Company F,
151st Infantry) April 25, 1917, Gary, Ind. Sent to Camp Shelby, Miss. Overseas
in June 1918; assigned to Company K, 26th Infantry. Killed in action October 7,
1918, while helping wounded comrade. Buried in Commune of Exermont, Ardennes,
France. The American Legion Post, Hebron, Ind., named in his honor.
Charles F. Wiseman
Birth: December 5, 1892, in Furnessville, Indiana
Death: January 6, 1919, in France
Burial: Early records indicated that Charles F. Wiseman was interred in France.
A tombstone for Charles F. Wise, however, exists in the Augsburg Cemetery in
Porter, Indiana [Charles F. Wiseman, 1894-1919, Co. B 140 Inf.]
Rank and Service Unit: Cook, Company B, 140th Infantry, 35th Division
Cause of Death: Influenza
Hometown: Furnessville
Gold Star Honor Roll Biography: Son of
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wiseman; born December 5, 1892, Furnessville, Porter County,
Ind. Entered service June 27, 1918, Valparaiso, Ind. Sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio;
assigned to 17th Company, 5th Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade. Embarked for
overseas September 1, 1918; assigned to Company B, 140th Infantry, 35th
Division. Died of pneumonia January 6, 1919. "Somewhere in France."
Information abstracted by Steven R. Shook