BREWER, ROBERT HARRISON, Farrier. Service: Inducted 21 Sep 1917 at Allen’s Creek, Wayne Co., Tennessee. Co. A, 319 MG BN to October 15, 1917; Co. B, 114 MG BN to December 9, 1917; Vet. C Auxiliary RMT Dep. 310 to discharge. Discharged 30 Jan 1919.
Robert Harrison BREWER was born 19 July 1890 and died 22 July 1972. He is buried at Palestine Cemetery in Lewis County, Tennessee. He married on 25 Dec 1910 to Sally Jane _____? in Lewis Co., Tennessee.
BREWER, JOHN WALKER, was born 16 January 1893 on Shawnettee Creek, Wayne County, Tennessee. His parents were James Lewis Calvin BREWER “Jim Boy” and Mary Elizabeth RINKS. His grandparents were Henry B. BREWER (a “High” Sheriff of Wayne County), and Permelia RISNER BREWER; James Henry RINKS and Martha Jane MORRISON RINKS. John Walker BREWER was one of twelve children. A brother, Hershel, lives in Birmingham, Alabama. His only half sister, Tela BREWER MOORE, lives in Lawrenceburg.
John was inducted into service in Hardin County, Tennessee probably while “farming out” as he usually lived in Wayne County. He entered service on 26 October 1917, and served until 14 March 1919 when he received an honorable discharge.
Gladys Delora GRIGGS and John Walker BREWER were married on 24 September 1925 in Giles County, Tennessee. They had two children. John Edward BREWER was born on 29 March 1933, married Betty Fay HELTON and they had seven children. Gladys “Frances” BREWER was born 5 September 1938, married James Richard RAINS and they have two children.
This veteran was a member of the Shawnettee Methodist Church and American Legion Post #130. He enjoyed farming, swimming, traveling and the outdoors. He also enjoyed picnics and outings with his family and especially his grandchildren. While John was in service, he shook hands with President Woodrow WILSON on the White House lawn.
John Walker BREWER died at the V.A. hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on 11 November 1973. He was 80 years old.
BREWER, JOHN LEE, Pvt. Service Number 4,297,09210, Service: Provisional Battalion, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN, from Induction to 16 Sep 1918. Co. F, 118 Engineers to 7 November 1918, Co. B, 118 Engineers to 8 Dec 1918. 140 Co. TC to 18 April 1918, 41 Co. TC to discharge. Pvt. OC 7 Oct 1918 to 16 Jan 1919. Discharged 24 June 1919.
John Lee BREWER was born 1 March 1894 at Aetna. He was the son of Wiley BREWER, b. July 1850 and Ida A CYPERT, b. April 1876. He lived at Allens Creek in 1900, 6th Civil District of Wayne County, Tennessee. He had sister: Loretta, b. March 1899, and half-sister, Katie G., b. July 1888. John Lee BREWER’S mother was the daughter of Robert P. and Pantha E. MEEK CYPERT of Waynesboro.
BREWER, H
ARVEY, Cpt. Co. 4, 306 Supply Train, 81st Div. Quartermaster Corps. Inducted 20 Nov 1917, Waynesboro, TN. Promoted to Corporal 1 July 1918. Was in the Meuse Argonne Offensive 9 –
11 Nov 1918, and at St. Die Sector, 20 Sep – 23 Oct 1918. Discharged 30 June 1919. Soldier was born at Cyclone, Wayne Co., TN on 27 January 1894 and died 28 Nov. 1970. He was the son of Wiley Valentine BREWER and Sarah Frances SMITH. He married Myrtle McGEE on 25 Dec 1913.and had son Lucas Earl BREWER and one grandson, Michael Earl BREWER. Harvey lived all his adult life in the Collinwood, McGlamery area.
Harvey departed Wayne County by train from Allens Creek and returned to Collinwood by train. While in the US he was stationed in South Carolina (Ft. Jackson) (Campt Greenville) in the area of Spartenburg, Greenville and Columbia.
He boarded ship in New York City and sailed to Cherbourg, France. While in France he was at Chatillon-sur-Seine & Chaumont on the battle front. He departed France from LeHarve. He served as a truck driver and transported supplies and food to the front lines.
His siblings wee James P. BREWER, William Henry BREWER, Wiley Franklin BREWER, Joe Millard BREWER, Charlie BREWER, Samuel S. BREWER, Daniel Proctor BREWER, Sophrona Bell BREWER STRICKLIN, Flora Ethel BREWER STRICKLIN, Permelia Frances BREWER ARNETT WISDOM, Carrie Lettie V. BREWER WALL.
His grandparents were Henry G. and Permelia RISNER BREWER and Rev. Sameul T. and Frances DAVIS SMITH.
The following letter was written by Harvey BREWER while he was stationed at Camp Sevier, SC and was published in the Wayne County Pilot, published at Collinwood, 8 Aug 1918
LETTER FROM A COLLINWOOD
SOLDIER BOY
Come Along Boys And Help To Bring to the World Peace with honor.
Camp Sevier, S.C., July 19, 1918
Eight months ago, this morning, I left home for camp, bidding father, mother, wife, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends goodbye, leaving other broken hearts as well as my own. I made the start; the last sight of the home was of the homefolks in the front yard waving goodbye. Not having any idea what camp and military life was, I was fearing the arrival in camp, but thank God, it was a happy surprise when I got there. Everyone seemed to be enjoying himseld. Now I have been in the army eight months and each day I like it better. On the start, when everyone named France, I would almost sink right there, but that’s got familiar now. Expecting, myself, to be over there in thirty days, I don’t worry in the least. Just think what our boys are doing now! The morning paper says taht they are advancing so fast they had to put in the cavalry to keep up with them. Who is it that doesn’t want to go and see the world’s greatest victory won? It’s going to be won soon and who will win it? The boys of the U.S.A. We have not got started yet, but I think the Kaiser thinks we have. Wait until we got two or three million men over there (If the Germans last that long) then we will slash out a home run, planting “Old Glory” in Berlin, and taking the Kaiser’s scalp for a souvenir. Of course it’s going to cost lots of lives; but how many Germans have died without any hopes of victory? Still I feel assured of coming back and enjoying the next Fourth of July at dear old Collinwood, the most dealy loved place in the world for me.
The song of all the boys is “What a Time We’ll Have Wehn We Get Back Home.” The boys are all gone to the rifle range today but me, I am laid up with a sore arm caused from vaccination, so I had to stay in. I have never an army rifle. My organization, (the supply train) does not require much drill of that kind, while it’s the most important branch of the service. You know the boys at the front have got to have supplies daily if they keep up their good work, So the different branches have different work, and it all put together makes the complete outfit. So come along bous, when you are called and help to bring to the world the rights of Jesus Christ. Let your name be among those in the world’s greatest history. Think of the boys that are already gone! Do you think yourself any better to go than they were? I left an aged father and mother – a mother who has been unable to care for herself for three and a half years – and first and last, my wife, the sunshine of my life – I am leaving her.
Now boys if you are physically disabled, or have dependents that will exempt you, buy Liberty Bonds and War Savings Stamps for the sake of your beloved country. In that way you can help your friend or brother who is fighting for you. Will you do this, or will you stand back and say, “I’ve nothing or say in it? May God help you to open you eyes and heart!CORP. HARVEY BREWER, Division Supply Train 306, Truck Co. 4, Camp Sevier, S.C.
BREWER, HARLEY H. wasborn on Allens Creek, Wayne County, Tennessee and was 23 years and 3 months old at induction on 27 April 1918 at Hohenwald, TN. He served as a private, 156 Dep. Brig. until 25 May 1918, and Battery E., 317 Field Artillery in Europe from 7 August 1918 to 8 June 1919. He was discharged 15 June 1919.
BREWER, DAN, Serial Number 1,098,890 W, was born 1893 on Allens Creek, Wayne County, Tennessee. He was 24 years old at the time of his induction on 8 May 1917. He was discharged 3 July 1919. He was inducted at Fort Oglethorpe, GA and served in the 117 Infantry until 20 June 1917. He was transferred to the 136 Infantry and was sent overseas 3 August 1918 and served in Europe until 27 June 1919. Highest rank held was corporal. Dan married Nancy McCLAIN.
BRATCHER, WILLIAM RICHARD (DICK), PFC, Co. M, 117th Inf. SN: 1309.706. He was born August 1893, Pleasant Valley, Wayne County, Tennessee, the son of Anthony Wayne and Martha E. HAYS BRATCHER. He married first about 1916 to Florence BREWER (21/24 Jan 1899 – 8 Feb 1920), daughter of John V. and Sallie B. BROWN BREWER. He married second abt. 1925 to Clarissa WILSON, daughter of daughter of Wesley and Amanda WHITTEN WILSON. They did not have any children.
Dick was inducted on 2 Oct 1917 at Waynesboro, Tennessee. He was 25 years old and by occupation a farmer. He was described as 5″9, ruddy complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. He was discharged at Fort Oglethorpe GA on 16 April 1919. During the War he served in Belgium and France and was in several major battles of the war: on the Hindenburg Line near Bbell Court and Neurox France from 29 to 30 Sep 1918, Foucheaux and Geneva France 7 Oct 1918, and others. Dick died in the 1970’s and is buried at Railroad Cemetery, Wayne County, Tennessee. His wife, Clarissa is still living and is a resident of the Wayne County Nursing Home, Waynesboro, Tennessee.
Editorial Note: This bio was written in 1990.
BRATCHER, MACK F. Mech., Hdq. Detach. 10 Rec. BN, 157 DB. Enlisted at Waynesboro, TN on 13 Dec 1917, discharged 30 April 1919, Camp Gordon, GA. At enlistment soldier was 23 years 6 months old, and by occupation was a farmer. He was 6’½” tall, had blue eyes, light brown hair and had a dark complexion. Mack was born 5 June 1894 at Pleasant Valley, Wayne County, Tennessee and was the son of Anthony Wayne and Martha E. HAYS BRATCHER. He died 18 June 1971 and was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery, Wayne Co., TN. Mack never married.
BRADLEY, HERMAN C. Cpl. Camp HDQ Det. WWI, was born 23 Nov 1894, the son of James and Fannie A. BRADLEY. He died 14 Dec 1953 and was buried at Pleasant Springs (Railroad) Cemetery, Wayne Co., TN. No other information available.
BOSWELL, CARL, born 20 Aug 1897, on Indian Creek, Wayne Co., TN. He was the son of William Jasper BOSWELL and Sarah Elizabeth DAVIS. He died 19 February 1987 at Alvin C. YORK VA Hospital, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was inducted October 1918 and served in Co. A, 383rd Infantry, 96th Division, Serial No. 32-54-386. He was discharged in December 1918. He married Miss Vida LANGFORD of Collinwood on 16 December 1923. Their children are Lina Gene, Carl Jr., William Rex, and Neal Stanley.
