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.
National Archives and Records
Administration. Records of the Office
of the Quartermaster General,
1774-1989. Card Register of Burials
of Deceased American Soldiers,
1917-1922.
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
Babcock, Charlie John
Birth: April 19, 1894, in Porter, Indiana
Death: June 6, 1918, in France
Burial: Initially buried in Grave No. 25 in cemetery at Essomes-sur-Marne,
Aisne, France. Remains were disinterred on June 15, 1921, shipped to the United
States, and reinterred in East Hesperia Cemetery, Hesperia, Newaygo County,
Michigan.
Rank and Service Unit: Private, Company K, 23rd Infantry, United States Army
Cause of Death: Wounds Received in Action
Hometown: Porter
Biggs, Myron Wilbur
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, United States Army
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.
Frame, Ross Howard
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: United States 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.
Friday, Leo W.
Birth: August 22, 1891, in Chesterton, Indiana
Death: October 5, 1918, near Bordeaux, France
Burial: Initially buried on October 7, 1918, in Grave No. 242 in American
Cemetery at Talence, Gironde, France. Remains were disinterred on Setpember 2,
1921, shipped to the United States, and reinterred in the Chesterton Cemetery,
Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana.
Rank and Service Unit: Private, Headquarters Company, 343rd Infantry, United
States Army
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.
Gable, Martin J.
Birth: July 6, 1890, in Valparaiso, Indiana
Death: July 5, 1918, in France
Burial: Initially buried on July 25, 1918, in Grave No. 49 in French Military
Cemetery at Sery-Magneval, Oise, France. Remains were disinterred on November
20, 1920, shipped to the United States, and reinterred in the Maplewood
Cemetery, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana. 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, United States Army
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.
Gillespie, Loring
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.
Hayes, Lester P.
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, United States Army
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.
Hilkert, Rhen A.
Birth: February 1, 1890, in Porter County, Indiana
Death: August 9, 1918, in Fismes, France
Burial: Initially buried on August 9, 1918, in Grave No. 4 in Fismes, Marne,
France; the grave was isolated, which suggests it was buried where Rhen had
fallen when killed in action. Rhen was disinterred on April 18, 1919, and
reburied in Grave no. 114 Section G, Plot 3 at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery in
Fere-en-Tardenois, Aisne, France. A memorial tombstone for Rhen A. Hilkert is located in Furnessville Cemetery,
Furnessville, Indiana.
Hometown: Porter County and Westville, Indiana
Rank and Service Unit: Private, Company C, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division,
United States 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.
Hochbaum, Henry [surname also appears as Hockbaum]
Birth: July 1889 in Indiana
Death: December 2, 1917, at Fort Lewis in DuPont, Pierce County, Washington
Burial: Blachly Cemetery, Union Township, Porter County, Indiana (no tombstone)
Hometown: At time of enlistment, Henry was residing in or near Conrad, Pondera
County, Montana.
Cause of Death: Disease
Biography: Very little is known concerning Henry Hochbaum. Henry was residing
with parents, William and Annie Hochbaum, in Union Township, Jasper County,
Indiana, in 1900. He had at least seven siblings: Lizzie, Huldah, John,
Nicholas, Joseph, Annie, and Ben. The family would move to Porter County. At
some point, it is believed that the family removed from Porter County to
Montana. According to his WWI draft card, completed at Conrad, Pondera County,
Montana, on June 5, 1917, Henry was supporting a brother and a sister. His death
notice, which appears in the December 26, 1917, issue of The Porter County
Vidette, mentions that two of Henry's brothers were already buried in the
Blachly Cemetery, through there is no record of their burial. The parents are
noted in the death notice as residing in Montana and were "unable to come" to
the funeral service. The death notice indicates that two uncles and a sister
reside in Crown Point, Lake County, Indiana, but no names are provided. Henry
was buried on Thursday, December 20, 1917, after services taking place at 1:00
p.m. at the LePell Undertaking Parlors in Valparaiso, with Reverend Thomas F.
Williams of the Metthodist Church in Valparaiso officiating.
Johnson, Arthur Theodore
Birth: March 31, 1896, in Porter, Indiana
Death: September 12, 1918, Battle of St. Mihiel, France
Burial: Initially buried in Grave No. 17 in American Cemetery at
Flirey,Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine, France. Remains were disinterred on May
14, 1919, and reburied in Grave No. 174 in the St. Mihiel American Cemetery
at Thiaucourt,
Meurthe-et-
Rank and Service Unit: Captain (First Lieutenant), U.S. Signal Corps attached to
the 135th Aero Squadron, United State Army
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.
Klein, Harry J.
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, United States Army
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.
Buried With Military Honors.
Valparaiso, Jan. 4 -- The body of Harry Kline, aged 20, the first victim from
Valparaiso and Porter county in the war with the Teutonic allies, was buried
here today. Kline enlisted in the infantry company of South Bend, where he had
been in the rubber business. He accompanied the unit to Camp Shelby at
Hattiesburg, Miss., and there died of pneumonia on Christmas day. Military
honors were paid him at the funeral services here. His parents, two brothers and
two sisters survive.
Death Notice Source: The Chesterton Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County,
Indiana; January 10, 1918; Volume 34, Number 43, Page 1, Column 4.
Lundberg, Axel W.
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,
United States Army
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.
Manion, John Conrad
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.
Nicholson, Adolph Adrian
Birth: December 9, 1890, in Crisman, Indiana
Death: November 11, 1918, Limoges, Haute Vienne, France
Burial: Initially buried on November 12, 1918, in Grave No. 156, at American Cemetery
in Limoges, Haute Vienne, France. Remains disinterred on October 8, 1920,
shipped to the United States, and reinterred in Grave No. 1278, Arlington
National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia.
Rank and Service Unit: Cook, Company F, 1st Gas Regiment, United States Army
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.
O'Boyle, David Kerr
Birth: July 1894, in Renfrewshire, Scotland
Death: September 29, 1918, Meuse Argonne Drive
Burial: Initially buried on in Grave No. 5 (isolated grave) at Commune of
Gesnes, Mayenne, France; burial most likely took place where O'Boyle was
killed in action. Remains disinterred on June 4, 1919, and reburied in
GraveNo. 134, Section 98, Plot 3 at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in
Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Meuse, France.
Rank and Service Unit: Private First Class, 362nd Infantry Regiment, 91st
Infantry Division, United States Army
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.)
[Note: Burial location later identified, per information provided above and
card information shown below.]
O'Brien, Robert James
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 United States 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.
Pratt, Charles A.
Birth: March 23, 1877, in Jackson Township, Porter County, Indiana
Death: November 3, 1918, in France
Burial: Initially buried on November 8, 1918, in Grave No. 11 at Bois de Dames
American Cemetery at Nouart, Ardennes, France. Disinterred June 24, 1919,
and reburied in Grave No. 45, Section 116, Plot 1 at Argonne American
Cemetry in Romagne-sous-Mountfaucon, Keuse, France.
Rank and Service Unit: First Sergeant, Company A, 9th Infantry, 2nd Division,
United States Army
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.
Wilson, Irvin
Birth: March 8, 1898, in Hebron, Porter County, Indiana
Death: October 7, 1918, in Exermont, Ardennes, France
Burial: Initially buried in Grave No. 3 among isolated graves in Commune of Exermont, Ardennes, France;
Irvin was most likely buried where he was killed in action. Remains were
disinterred on June 7, 1919, and reburied in Argonne American Cemetry in
Romagne-sous-Mountfaucon, Keuse, France. Irvin's remains were once again
disinterred on July 28, 1921, shipped to the United States, and buried in
the Hebron Cemetery at Hebron, Porter County, Indiana.
Rank and Service Unit: Private, Company F, 151st Infantry, United States Army
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.
Wiseman, Charles Frederick
Birth: December 5, 1892, in Furnessville, Indiana
Death: January 6, 1919, in Meuse, France
Burial: Initially buried in Grave No. 48 at French Military Cemetery in
Commercy, Meuse, France. Remains were disinterred on April 8, 1921, shipped
to the United States, and reburied in Augsburg Lutheran Church Cemetery at
Porter, Porter County, Indiana.
Rank and Service Unit: Cook, Company B, 140th Infantry, 35th Division, United
States Army
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."
[Note: Remains were disinterred from France on April 8, 1921, and shipped to
the United States where they were reinterred in Augsburg Lutheran Church
Cemetery at Porter, Porter County, Indiana.]
Information abstracted by Steven R. Shook