Fallen WWI Soldiers from Weakley County, Tennessee
New research on "The Boys from Weakley" who never made it home
by Pansy Nanney Baker
| He left his home in
perfect health He looked so young and brave We little thought how soon he'd be Laid in a soldier’s grave. J. B. Anderson, Empire, Oregon Historian
Robert Wilde has stated “there is no – and there never will
be –a definitive list of the causalities inflicted during World War
One.”
|
|
Sources
*Weakley County Honor Roll
( WWI war dead) * (Criteria – Three of - Buried In; Inducted From;
Discharged To; Went
to School In, Weakley
County)
*Tennessee Gold Star Soldier Records, TSLA, (WWI war dead) microfilm (seven reels) ^ Tennesseans in WWI, (dead) USGenNET *Weakley Co.WWI Draft Card Registrations, notations of Dead added onto some cards *History of American Legion, Department of Tennessee, 1919-1923 *Weakley County Cemeteries *1900 Weakley County Census *1939 WPA Cemetery census *Various Family Records *The Martin Mail *The Dresden Enterprise *Sharon: The Last 100 Year *Weakley County Press *Fulton Daily Leader Please note that sources for what apparently is the same person often vary in information, spelling, and dates. Some entries contain information from so many of these sources it is not possible to designate them all. Additional information and corrections are welcome. Pansy |
|
Many of our Soldiers were
killed in France. Here is the American
Cemetery at Romagne, France, where U.S. Soldiers killed at
the
Battle of the Meuse-Argonne are buried. |
|
Soldiers listed A - Z
Those with a * can be found on the Weakley County Honor Roll Tombstone project Those with a ^ are listed on the TN Gold Star Soldiers Some are on both - some are new-found Soldiers Aden, Hugh, (1891-1918) Listed as Gold Star Soldier in folder records of Ernest Elvis Goldsby. Son of John B. and Maggie Everett Aden, RFD McKenzie, TN. Marker - Blooming Grove Cemetery. Siblings: Clint, May, Nell, Audrie, Carl, Ruby, Thelma, Wilburn, Sadie, Carrie and Brown Allen, James Madison,*^ (June 28, 1889-Jan. 31, 1919) Sgt. 1cl. 239 Aero Sq., . Born in Saltillo community, Bath Springs, Decatur Co. TN, died Payne Field, West Point, MS, pneumonia. Son of Dr. Robert M. and Tennessee Ellentine Allen, Sharon, TN. Buried Feb. 2, 1919 Woodlawn Cemetery, Sharon, TN. A Tennessee Historical Committee form letter seeking information on Gold Star Soldiers, under the name of John W. Watkins, is in this Allen folder. Arnold, Addison Bryan,*^ (Nov. 9, 1896-Oct. 6, 1918) Pvt. 57 Pion. Inf., Born Gleason, TN, died at sea on board the ship USS Leviathan en route to France, lobar pneumonia. Son of A. F. and Lou Arnold. Marker - New Hope Cemetery, Gleason, TN. Inscription - Bryan Arnold, 1896-1918. Arnold, John Allen,*^ (Jan. 30, 1888-1917) Supply Co. 34 Reg. 7 Div. born Dresden, d. age 29. Show in 1900 Weakley Co. Census, Dist 4, in household of Alfred M. Reed as nephew, age 9. Gold Star Soldier record card filled out by (sister) Sarah King, Memphis. “Carpenter, Baptist, Schooling - 5 years, entered service May 20, 1917, arrived in France June, 1917, parents, Andrew and Fannie Arnold.” Barner, Lunsford Elex,^ (Sept. 12. 1893-Jan. 8, 1949) Pvt Inf Co G Rg 45 9 Div. Born Greenfield. Buried Pilgrims Rest, Christmasville, Carroll Co. Son of William W. and Eliza Emiline Grooms Barner. For some reason Lunsford Barner is listed in Gold Star Soldier records although he lived until 1949. The Gold Star questionnaire card was filled out and returned to the Tennessee Historical Committee by someone in the family. It shows he enlisted at Dresden July 5, 1918 and had been at Camps Sheridan, Thomas and Gordon. In the space where the cause of death is usually entered it reads “ measles, mumps, Influenza, Erysipolos.” Beasley, Frank H.,* (March 12, 1896-Dec. 29, 1917) Pvt 115 F. A., born Gleason, “age 21 Dead” Marker - Sand Hill Cemetery, Gleason, TN. A Frank L., age 4, is listed in 1900 in the household of Bandy and Flora P. Beasley. Berryhill, Willie Ray, (ca. 1896-Oct. 20, 1918) Corp. Motor Trk. Co. 538. “Corporal. In memory of, who rests in France, died Oct. 20, 1918, age 22y 6m Mason”. Marker - Everett Chapel, Gleason, TN. Son of Sam F. and Mollie C. Berryhill. Brann, Cayce Fleming,*^ (Nov. 17, 1892-Sept. 26, 1918) 22 Co. Dept.. Auto Repl Draft, Camp Gordon. B. Anson, Texas, died in England, buried Marn Hill Cemetery, Winchester, England, Sept. 27, 1918. Second burial at Sandy Branch Cemetery May 20, 1920. According to letters and documents, Cayce Brann, who had been stationed at Camp Gordon, sailed for Europe Sept. 14, 1918, ‘hale and hearty,’ and died in a hospital in England on Sept. 26 of pneumonia. His last dinner before sailing was “chicken, sweet potatoes, potatoes, cabbage, light bread and biscuits, and a quart of lemonade.” He had received a 'pass' into New York for that 'eve.' Son of Reuben Milton and Mary Tabitha Vaughan Brann. Blalock, Harvey, (October 31, 1890-Feb. 19, 1918) Pvt. Co. B 317 M. G. B. N., Lived in Ruthville Community. Son of Vester (Slyvester) Blalock. Harvey stationed at Camp Gordon when he received word his father was dying of cancer. He came home although he was already showing symptoms of flu. “father and son laying side by side on the same bed. Father died at 3:00 p,m., son died four hours later. Both buried in the same grave at Walnut Grove M. E. Church cemetery.” Walnut Grove across the county line in Obion Co., Tennessee. Ruthville News, Martin Mail, Fri., March 8, 1918 Bryan, Arnold Adderson,*^ Weakley Co. This is thought to be Bryan Addison Arnold listed above, but indexed in Gold Star Records under both Bryan and Arnold surnames. Byars, Pleasant Vincent,* Born Palmersville 1890. Probably Vinson F. Byars, Pvt. 1890-1918, Marker - Palmersville Cemetery. Shown in 1900 census as Pleasant V., born Sept. 1890, with widowed mother Elizabeth, brother Bennie, and sisters Effie, Mattie and Otie I. Under Fighting For Uncle Sam, a July, 1918 edition of The Dresden Enterprise states, “Vincent Byars, brother of Mr. B. J. Byars of Palmersville left Dresden June 25, for Camp Gordon.” Caldwell, William B., Born 1897, Terrell, TN. A Tennessee Historical Committee form letter seeking information on Gold Star Soldiers, under the name of William B. Caldwell, is in the folder of William Andrew Hicks. This appears to be one never answered and returned to that Committee. A William S. Caldwell is shown as Sgt. 419 Telg. Bn. Cantrell, Clarence,^ Born Gleason Son of E. A. and Sally Cantrell. Cantrell, Huly McLennion,^* (Aug. 26, 1896-Oct. 9, 1918) Pvt. 57 Pion. Inf. Killed in France. Marker - Patterson Cemetery, Greenfield, TN. Son of Robert M. and Onie Cantrell. Calvin, Charlie A.* (1895-Oct. 27, 1918) , Pvt. 45 Inf. 9 Div. Born Weakley Co., died Camp Sheridan, Ala., pneumonia. Services, Freeman’s Chapel, buried Cates Cemetery, Martin, TN. Parents probably Walter N. and America Jane Calvin. Cochran, Lee, (1896-1918) Pvt. 157 Dep. Brig. Marker - Patterson Cemetery, Greenfield, TN. Son of J. B. and Virginia Cochran. Connell, John C., ^ (1893-1918) Born Sharon. Attended Trenton High School. “Sailed Dec. 21, 1918, arrived Dec. 28, 1918, Sailsbury Court, England.” Son of John W. and Rita (?) Cantrell Cooper, William Franklin,* (Jan. 21, 1897-Oct. 6, 1918) Pvt. 57 Pion. Inf. b. Sharon. Marker - McClain’s Chapel, Dresden, TN. Son of Sadefer and Lizzie Cooper. Crews, Hupert/Hubert B.,* (ca.1895 -Nov. 16, 1918) “ (died) age 22 Pvt. 114 M. G. Bn.” Born Dresden, mechanic. Marker - Wesley Chapel, Palmersville, TN. Father James Crews. Crockel, Henry, (Apr. 29, 1897-Oct. 6, 1918 ) Born Trezevant, “Sailed Sept. 29, 1918, died base hospital, Brest France.” Wife Annie May Cockrel, parents Carry and Henry Crockel, Greenfield, TN Curlee, Erroll Grady,* (Aug. 6, 1892-Jan. 19, 1918) Pvt. Aviation Sec. Sig. C, (one source says Reg: Rec. Detachment Camp Taylor). Marker - Meridian Cemetery, Greenfield, TN. Son of Douglas and Tennie Curlee. Dickson, Earl S., (born) Martin, Pvt., (died) Disease Edmiston, Wilmer W., (Aug. 6, 1898-Aug. 18, 1918) Buried Freeman Cemetery, Martin. Son of T. E. and Guarrie C. Edmiston. From the August 28, 1918 Dresden Enterprise, “Wilbur Edmonson, son of Elijah Edmonson, formerly of the Public Wells vicinity. He entered the service in New Mexico, died at Training camp, Greenville, S. C., of tuberculosis Sunday night. Remains expected to reach Martin today. Burial at Freeman burying ground.” Elase/Nises, Joe, Form letters, in the folder of Herbert Joseph Jones of Dresden, from the Tennessee Historical Committee seeking Gold Star Soldier military service information were under the names of Oscar H. Liner/Liser and Joe Nises/Elase. Spellings not certain, print blurred. Gardner, Eugene, (born) Dresden, Pvt. (died) Disease Glasgow, Herbert Wesley,*^ (Jan. 26, 1890-1918) b. Martin, Marker - Old Salem Cemetery, Martin, inscription, “Died in the service of his country” Shown in 1900 Census, Dist. 2, in household of grandparents Abraham and Mary Jane Jolly, age 10. Goldsby, Ernest Elvis,^ (June 19, 1892-Nov. 1, 1918) 105 Sn. Tn. US Army, ambulance driver; died in France. Born “near McKenzie, Weakley County,” d. Vellera Darart,(?) France. Died of pneumonia. “Buried for last time July 21, 1921, Everett Chapel with Masonic Honors conducted by Caladonia Lodge # 9, McKenzie, of which he was a member in good standing.” Parents Elias Alvis and Luginda Jane Goldsby. Other known fallen soldiers listed in the questionnaire returned by the family - W. R. Berryhill, J. (Jim) M. Vaughn, Hugh V. Aden (or Akin). This listing followed the simple statement, the “boys from Weakley…” Greer, Linzie B.,* Corp. 118 Inf. WPA records say Lindsay Greer, World War Veteran, buried Corenth Cemetery, Sharon, TN. No stone found. Shown in 1900 census, Dist. 6, age 10, in household of James F. and Sarah J. Greer. Griffin, William L., A William L, age 10 is shown in the 1900 Weakley County census, 13th Dist., in the household of John. H. and Lela Griffin. Siblings Leonard H., Kalley E., and Paul. Griffith, William Herbert,* (May 13, 1893-Aug. 22, 1919) Navy, died age 24, Son of Clark W. and Winnie H. Griffith. Marker - Hillis Cemetery, Greenfield, TN. Hawks, Clossie H.,* Jan. 29, 1897-Sept.29, 1918) Pvt. 57 Pion. Inf. Born Dresden RFD, died ‘pneumonia and influenza.’ Marker - (Lea) Harris Cemetery, Palmersville. Son of Nealon H. and Roxie Hawks, Rt. 4, Dresden, TN. (One source says son of Cornelius Hawks, residing near Latham.) Hicks, William Andrew,*^ (Apr.12,1894-Sept. 22, 1918) Pvt 117 Inf Born Weakley Co., Died France. KIA Son of John Wesley and Mollie V. Hicks. Higgins, Elkins B.,* (born) Gleason Higgs, Walter Martin,^ (born) Weakley County, (died) age 25 Hunter, Conrad,*^ (Aug. 6, 1896-Oct. 9, 1918) Pvt Co. H 57 Pion Inf. Born Gleason. Died France, pneumonia. Buried American Cemetery, France. Buried second, June, 1920, Hopewell Cemetery, Gleason, TN. Son of James B. and Doritha Hunter. Inlow, Jas. Lewis,^ (Aug. 5, 1893-Nov. 27, 1918) Pvt. Repl. Draft Born Martin. Died France, pneumonia. Next of kin given as Mrs. Martha Inlow, Martin, Tenn. Son of Porter A. and Martha Lanier Inlow. Indexed in Gold Star Soldier Records under Lake County. Marker - Eastside Cemetery, Martin, TN Johnson, Cletus H.,^ (Sept, 1893-1918) Died Camp Gordon. Born ‘Raston,’ son of Alfred and Lula M. Johnson, Sharon. In Dist 8, 1900, with siblings Hurbert and Nora. Jones, Herbert Joseph,*^ Lt., (Feb. 5, 1893-July 4, 1918) Born Dresden, attorney, died France, ‘killed instantly by a shell as he entered a shelter in the trenches.’ Buried Sunset Cemetery, Dresden. TN. Son of Joseph Elmer and Ella Hill Jones. In a letter written home he tells his parents that “I have applied to the government for $10,000 insurance under the war insurance act, the premium is $79.20 per year. … $5,000 payable to Father, $5,000 payable to Mother.” He also explains other Army benefits,”..in case I am permanently disabled I will receive monthly payments of $57.50 as long as I live. In case of my death you and Papa will receive 240 monthly installments of $57.50 amounting in all to nearly $14,000.” It appears these parents were eager to comply with the Tennessee Historical Committee efforts to gather information on soldiers who had died in the war. It is possible that Mrs. Jones was a “Mother-Chairmen,” a position appointed in each county by the Committee to organize and supervise this data gathering. Mrs. Jones had placed a large amount of various information in the Gold Star Soldier collection at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, including letters written home by their son. However, a letter dated Apr. 28, 1923 from Mrs. Jones states, “I find I cannot do without those letters I gave you. I cannot sleep for thinking of them and ask for you to return them to me at once. Perhaps later… I must have them for a while.” Other form letters in this file seeking Gold Star Soldier military service information of Weakley County boys who had died were under the names of Oscar H. Liner/Liser and Joe Nises/Elase. Spellings not certain print blurred. Jones, Willie Albert,*^ (Apr. 18, 1892-Nov. 1, 1918) Pvt. 113 M. G. Bn. Born Greenfield, age 25 Died France, pneumonia. Son of A. J. and Alice Jones. Marker - Patterson Cemetery, Greenfield, TN. In a letter from Lemans, France dated Mar. 5, 1919, C. W. Covington, 1st Lt., 113 M. G., replied to Mrs. Alice Jones’ inquiry about her son as she had not been getting replies to her letters. This letter was addressed to Mrs. Alice Jones, P.O. Box 209, Greenfield, Tenn. Lt. Covington stated, “I regret very much that I do not know the whereabouts of Cook Willie A. Jones. He was sent to the hospital in November and we have not heard from him since. He had the grippe.” Kennedy, Joe T.,* There was no Gold Star Soldier folder found for this person. However the Tennessee Historical Committee Gold Star questionnaire form letter seeking military service information for Joe T. Kennedy is among the papers in the folder of Gold Star soldier Joseph Ernest Alsup, Wilson County, TN. Kirby, John E.,* Dresden, (died) age 22 . Lamb, Ernest Almary,* (Sept. 22, 1893-Oct. 9, 1918) Died in France, pneumonia. Son of Jeff and Elizabeth (Betty) A. Lamb. Brother, Herbert Eugene Lamb, KIA, France, Nov. 9, 1918. Both brothers buried, Easter Sunday, April 16, 1922, Mt. Moriah Cemetery, 17th Dist., Weakley County, Fulton, KY, RFD. Family records state “One died by sniper fire and the other of pneumonia.” Lamb, Herbert Eugene,* (Mar. 1, 1892-Nov. 9, 1918) Died in France, KIA. Son of Jeff and Elizabeth (Betty) A. Lamb. Buried Mt. Moriah Cemetery, 17th Dist., Weakley County, Fulton, KY, RFD. The bodies of Ernest and Herbert Lamb were returned to their family in April, 1922. Their father took the wagon to Water Valley (KY) to pick up the coffins at the train station. A very young niece recalls the wagon bearing the coffins slowly coming up the road to the Lamb home place. On Easter Sunday, April 16, 1922, young men of the neighborhood took turns carrying the coffins on their shoulders as they walked from the home place to Mt. Moriah Church for the burial. An overflow crowd of family and neighbors attended. Family records indicate their Mother, who was widowed in Jan. 1924, used her son’s military death benefits to buy a store. She also bought a set of enamel covered bowls. (See death/injury benefits in Herbert Joseph Jones entry.) Lasater, Woodford J.,*^ Born Gleason Dec., 1894 “Pvt. 6 Inf. Died of wounds.” Son of Harmon and Emma J. Lasater. Siblings in 1900: Lela B., Buford E. No cemetery record found. Liner/Liser, Oscar H., Form letters, in the folder of Herbert Joseph Jones of Dresden, from the Tennessee Historical Committee seeking Gold Star Soldier military service information were under the names of Oscar H. Liner/Liser and Joe Nises/Elase. Spellings not certain, print blurred. Long, James C.,* (born) Weakley Co., age 24 Dead Luter, Richard M., (born) Martin Bugler 9 Inf. KIA McDade, Joe W., McKenzie RFD Pvt KIA McDonald, Pierce,* (Apr. 225, 1894-Dec. 1, 1917) Born Rutherford, Marker - Eastside Cemetery, Martin, TN. Possibly son of Tobe and Mable McWherter McDonald. Mills, George W., Dukedom, Corp. KIA Moseley, Austin Hoyt,* 12-12-17 newspaper article KIA Died Dec. 12, 1917, Tenn Pvt. 316 Field Arty 81 Div. Marker - Meridian Cemetery, Greenfield. KIA Nises/Elase, Joe, Form letters found in the folder of Herbert Joseph Jones of Dresden, from the Tennessee Historical Committee seeking Gold Star Soldier military service information were under the names of Oscar H. Liner/Liser and Joe Nises/Elase. Spellings not certain, print blurred. Nuble, Cass A.,* (born) Dresden 1896 Dead. Tennessee Historical Committee form letter questionnaire, dated,1923, to families of Gold Star Soldiers, addressed to Mrs. J. E. Nuble, RFD #4, Gleason, TN, in folder of Gold Star Soldier, Herbert Joseph Jones. Nuble questionnaire apparently never returned. Ogden, James Charles, (June 18, 1899-Apr. 7, 1919) 1st Class Seaman. Born Sharon. Son of James and Lillie Ogden. Ogden stone Highland Cemetery, Greenfield, TN, but no names or dates. Parham, Herbert B.,* (born) Martin, age 31 Dead Pvt Wounds Penick, Hylary R.,*^ (Nov. 17, 1898-May 13, 1917), Pvt. 20 Inf. Marker - Old Ames Cemetery, Martin, TN. Son of J. R. and Ella Penick. Phelps, Walter Reese,* Born ‘near Paris, 1894’ Dead Phillips, Jake D.,* (born) Dresden, age 24, Dead Pvt Disease Poston, Claud,*^ (Apr. 20, 1897-Oct. 3, 1918) Born Greenfield, died France, pneumonia. Buried France, AE Cemetery (American Expeditionary Forces). Son of Willie and Viala Poston. Rodman, Ola,* (born) Clinton 1896 Dead Sharon, Pvt. Disease Russell, James H.*, (Died Oct. 19, 1918, age 26) Sgt US Dis. Bks. Gds Born Gleason. Marker - Hopewell Cemetery, Gleason, TN Scott, John Cabot,* (1891-Oct. 6, 1918) Tenn. Pvt 157 Depot Brig. Born Cottage Grove RFD. Marker - Hopewell Cemetery, Gleason, TN Stanfield, George M.,* (March, 1895-1918) Pvt. Born Palmersville, died age 23, France. KIA Son of Lance and Georgeann Stanfield. Siblings in 1900: Thomas W., Rubin B., Charley C., Bruce, Henry. Stoker, Carl Kilgore, (1889-1918) Sgt., “ joined the U. S. Army in 1905. He was stationed in San Francisco in 1906 during the earthquake. He was discharged with rank of Sergeant in 1908. He married Beuna Roberts in 1911. They had children Johnie, Charles and James. He re-inlisted Jan. 1918, died Dec. 1918.” Marker - Woodlawn Cemetery, Sharon, TN. Stow, Duke Frizzell,^ (Nov. 14, 1893-June 20, 1919) Born in Dresden, died in France. Son of Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Stow. (One source says “Dead, age 23”) Sullivan, Homer,* (born) Greenfield, age 22, Dead Swaim, Grover Cleveland,* (1885-1918) Pvt. 5 Regt. USMC b. Gleason Station, Killed in France. ‘Had served in the Marines about 12 years.’ Son of “Carrie and the late Dr. Henry Swaim, a leading physician of the county.” Family learned of his death when a letter written to him by his sister, Tamisin(?) Swaim of Chicago, was returned to her, “written across the face of it that her brother was dead, killed in action.” Marker - Mt. Zion Cemetery, Gleason, TN. Thomas, Fred L.,*^ (July 29, 1896-Oct. 21, 1918) Pvt 46 Inf Born Dukedom, Marker - Freeman Cemetery, Dukedom, TN “died with Flu at Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga.” Son of Henry J. and Hattie M. Thomas. Vaughn, Thomas M. Jr.,*^ (May 28, 1895-Oct. 8, 1918) Pvt. 1 cl 114 M.G. Bn. “died in France” Buried Everett Chapel, Gleason, TN (McKenzie RFD) Son of T. M. and Fannie Lou Vaughn. In a 1921 letter to the Historical Commission Mrs. T. M. Vaughan wrote, “ Remains arrived at McKenzie March 26 and were interred at Everetts Chapel Cemetery March 27, 1921 in the presence of perhaps the largest assembly of people ever gathered at that place.” In another letter Mrs. Vaughn expressed dismay with the Archives seemingly having lost the picture of Thomas she had sent, writing “this carelessness will not be tolerated.” This picture was possibly considered ‘lost’ due to the confusion of their address of McKenzie, it being in Carroll Co. Two folders were filed under the name Thomas M. Vaughan, one indexed under Carroll Co., and another under Weakley Co. The picture is in the Carroll Co. folder. Watkins, John W., Pvt. 3 Inf. There was no Gold Star Soldier folder found for this person. No cemetery record found. However a Tennessee Historical Committee Gold Star Soldier questionnaire form letter under the name of John W. Watkins is among the papers in the folder of Gold Star Soldier James Madison Allen, Weakley County, TN. Williams, Clifton L.,* born Martin 1892 Dead Corp Disease Williamson, Lusky,* born 1886, Huntington Wilson, Herbert H.,* Dresden Pvt Disease Young, George Joseph,* b. Cincinnati, OH age 24 Dead |
BACK
to
WW I page
RETURN
to Weakley County Home Page