Compiled By: Janelle Layne Taylor and Willene N. Campbell

Some have said that there are only two who would lay down their lives for you. Those two are Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. This article chronicles those soldiers from Grundy County, TN, who did give their lives in service to their country so that everyday citizens like you and me can live free from oppression. If you have additional information for our Historical Society about any of these men, please contact jcoats [at] cafes [dot] net or 931 467-3603. World War II soldiers were included in a similar article published Veterans’ Day 2005. That article may be viewed on the following website: www.gchs.homestead.com

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World War   I

Henry Fults was born April 1897, in Coalmont, TN, to Scott & Emma Fults. His siblings were Lawrence, Hollie, John M., Clyde, Clara Louise, Thomas, Minnie, Lilly, Mark, Nelson and Ruby. Henry’s family was living in Illinois by 1930. Henry died at the age of 21. (We believe this to be the correct Henry Fults, who died in WWI.)
(Source: Research of Jackie Partin & U.S. Military Records)

George Robert Kilgore was the son of Goodson McDonald Kilgore and Nancy Isabella “Nannie” King Kilgore. He was born in Grundy County, TN, in April of 1893, and died of pneumonia at Camp Gordon, GA, in November of 1918. George Robert is buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Marion County, TN. He was not married. Virginia Scott of Tracy City is his niece.
(Source: Virginia Scott)

Harvey Lusk was born March 1, 1889, in Hubbard’s Cove in Grundy County, Tennessee, and died in a battle in France. He was the son of Joseph H. and Mary Chester Rhea Lusk of Hubbard’s Cove. When he was drafted on June 5, 1917, he was living in Phoenix, Arizona, Maricopa County, and working for the City Ice Company as an iceman. Harvey was single, described as having a tall slender build with brown hair and blue eyes. He was the uncle of Bonnie Fults Rieben who remembers her mother talking about the Argonne Forest, so she assumes that Harvey was killed in the Battle of Argonne Forest.
(Source: Research of Bettye W. Sherwood)

Marion Dolph Hargis was the son of Cal Dean Hargis and Martha B. Roberts Hargis of Tracy City, TN. He was killed in France & buried there in Sept. 1918 during WWI. He was never married. Marion was later exhumed and buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in the Tracy City area. His great grandfather James is said to have mined saltpeter during the Civil War.
Source: Jerry Hargis

Harris Patton was born April 16, 1895, to John and Sally Fults Patton of Burrows’ Cove, TN. Harris was described on his draft card as a farmer in business for himself having dark brown eyes and dark brown hair. He signed the card with an X indicating that he could not write. Harris’ draft card was dated June 1917. He died November 21, 1917, of pneumonia while still in training. He is buried in the Winton Cemetery in Burrows’ Cove.
Source: Research of Willene N. Campbell

Robert Tate was born May 30, 1897, to Joe and Flora Tate in Sequatchie Valley, TN. He lived in Palmer, TN. He was a private who served in Co. G 57 Pioneer Infantry. He left on ship Sept. 6, 1918, and died September 29, 1918, of pneumonia.
Source: Leon Tate, nephew

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