Capt. Quarter-master J. Richard Boyer
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Friday, September 30, 2016
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Introduction
Air Castles
19th Century Military History
of the Elgin Area
Elgin Area 1916 Soldiers
compiled by
Kenneth L. Gough
Have you ever looked across a plot of simple dome shaped grave markers of Soldiers and wondered what was behind the criptic information engraved on them. If so this work is dedicated to you. When I started this study all I was looking for was the military records of Elgin's Civil War dead. However once I started adding the civilian information, both before and after the war, these men's stories seemed to come back to life. Private John Doe wasn't simply a soldier in a nameless war machine. He might be a student, watch maker, or farmer. But most important of all he was the member of a family who was proud of him, worried for him, and in too many cases mourned his loss.
Since that work on the Civil War I've branced out to incluce The War of 1812, Mexican War, Spanish American War, and now, General Pershing's Punitive Expicition into Norther Mexico.
Since that work on the Civil War I've branced out to incluce The War of 1812, Mexican War, Spanish American War, and now, General Pershing's Punitive Expicition into Norther Mexico.
This work is being presented to help future families and students with locating people who served during the war's listed who lived in, or claimed to have lived in, or been buried in the township of Elgin, Illinois. After all these years it is impossible to assemble a completely accurate document of this sort. I accept responsibility for any mistakes contained herein.
When using this database please keep in mind that most of the information contained here was taken from hand written documents. Even information taken from newspapers of the period started with longhand notes. Many longhand letters are similar (W, M, & H), (J, G, & Z) and (i, r, & e) for example. Some of my information came from letters and journals that the information may have been corrupted even before you factor in the interpretation of the handwriting itself.
Bear in mind that just because a soldier listed Elgin as his home of record didn't make it so. In the heat of the moment many men listed Elgin just because they were enlisting there, or because they wanted to be associated with the town of their friends.
In many cases I've run across names that were similar and in most cases I've combined them with the differences noted. If I've not been able to resolve the difference in my own mind I've let them stand apart. When doing your own search try and use as many versions of the name and search each one. I've only been able to use primary documents for a small portion of my information and had to trust to the interpretation by others for the rest.
Fred Buckhorn
Fred Buckhorn
From the Adj't. Gen's. Report, Illinois
Third Inft.
Name - Fred BuckhornHome of record - Elgin, Ill.
Enlisted - Aug. 21, 1915
Mustered In - June 29, 1916
Remarks - Reported for duty june 19, 1916.
Mustered Out - Feb. 21, 1917
Note;
Could thie be Fred Buckhahn?
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Walter Dugas
Walter Dugas
From the Adj't. Gen's. Report, Illinois
Third Inft.
Name - Walter DugasHome of record - Elgin, Ill.
Enlisted - June 10, 1915
Mustered In - June 29, 1916
Remarks - Reported for duty June 19, 1916
Discharged - June 29, 1916, Physically Disqualified.
Pvt. Luther Gifford
Pvt. Luther Gifford
From the June 15, 1935 issue of 'The Elgin Courier-News'
Co. E 3rd Ill. Nat. Guard, Inft.
From the March 10, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courier'
WON'T OFFER I. N. G. UNTIL WAR DEPT. ASKS ILLINOIS AID
Springfield, Ill., Mar. 10,- The Illinois national Guard will not be offered to the war department for service in Mexico until the department asks for aid.
This was the statement issued by Governor's Secretary Sullivan in denying the rumor that Governor Dunne had offered the Illinois national Guard for service in Mexico.
From the March 17, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courier'
VACCINATE MILITIA IS NEW STATE ORDER
All members of Company E. I. N. G., will be inoculated within the next few days with the typhoid vaccine, in preparation for any possible call to the front. Captain William R. Peck stated today that he had sent for the vaccine to the government and expected a supply with the necessary instruments in a short time.
From the March 22, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courier'
DENIES I. N. G. HAS ORDER TO PREPARE
Springfield, Ill., March 22,- "I do hereby officially deny that any order has been given by this department or received here relating to the preparation of the I. N. G. for active service or preparedness." Signed Acting adjutant general Colonel R. J. Shand.
The above statement was made by Colonel Shand this afternoon to the United Press in refutation of the report that the I. N. G. commassary officers and quartermasters had been ordered to prepare for mobilization.
From the April 6, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courer'
ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR I. N. G. CAMP
Elgin Militia to go to Fort Sheridan August 6-13
Springfield, Ill., April 6,- One of the most comprehensive encampments ever arranged for the Illinois national guard was announced today by Adjutant General Dickson.
Two camps, one at Fort Sheridan, Chicago, and the other at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, will be maintained. Six battalions of field artillery and the field hospital corps will go into camp with the regular army at Sparta, Wis. The engineer corps of Chicago will go into the joint United States army camp at Belvoir Tract, Av. The signal corps will go into camp at Fort Sheridan at a date to be set later. The first cavalry will take a practice march out of Chicago early in July. The naval reserves will drill with the Atlantic fleet.
The regiments will go into camp at Fort Sheridan, as follows:
First infantry, July 16-23; Seventh infantry, July 23-30; Second infantry july 30 August 6; Third infantry August 6-13; Sixth infantry, August 16-20.
Regiments will go into camp Lincoln as follows:
Forth infantry August 20-27, Fifth infantry, August 27 Sept. 3; Eighth infantry Sept. 3-16
The first school of instruction for officers ever held in Illinois will be at Fort Sheridan August 9-16.
From the June 15, 1915 issue of 'The Elgin Courier-News'
Capt. William R. Peck, in command of the company during the expedition to the border, some years ago penned an interesting acount of the unit's experiences during the Mexican campaign, excerpts of which follow;
"In June 1916, Company E was called to the Mexican border where trouble was stirring-we always suspected that it was started by the Germans to divert the attention of America from the fight abroad."
Billeted in Pig Pens
"We left Elgin 100 strong and went into camp first at Springfield, Ill. Here the first taste of army hardship began. Men were quartered in pig pens at the state fairgrounds, put through strenuous maneuvers and given equipment for fighting. We were sent to Camp Wilson at San Antone. Ariving there on July 5, in mud that virtually pulled off our shoes. We cleared the region of mesquite, scrub oak, drained it and pitched tent, making it eventually an ideal camp. The began our strenuous training.
"Long, arduous hikes brough broken arches and blistered feet, one of them being from San Antone to Austin, Tex., a distance of 214 miles, marching with heavy packs. This hike tried our endurance harder than anything we had ever experienced. Some of the men were forced to give up the march, joining the company the next day. Pup tents were pitched in open spaces near Austin and maneuvers began, the men being taught warfare that would have been put into practice had we invaded Mexico.
Lauded By Funston
"Before our return to Austin, our battalion gained the reputation of being one of the best in the Eleventh Provisional Division, composed of Illinois and Wisconsin troops. General Funston was alive at this time, and when he reviewed the troops he remarked on the splended showong of our regiment and kept us in Texas five months longer than any other Illinois regiment. He complimented the spirit of the regiment highly, and said that if he could keep it in the regular army he would do so. Col. Charles Greene of Aurora was the regimentsl commander.
"The Texas Training was a round of unforgetable annoyances-the pestering with vermin of all sorts, chiggers, ticks and scorpions. There were some illnesses, but no deaths. At last on Jan. 31, 1917, the troops were brought back to God's country-Fort Sheridan, this time, but landed there fresh from a tropical atmosphere of 60 to 70 degrees, in weather 22 degrees below zero.
From the June 15, 1915 issue of 'The Elgin Courier-News'
Compny E in Drive After Bandit Villa in June 1916
Ninteen years ago this month, June 1916, Company E, 129th Infantry, of Elgin left to join Uncle Sam's regulars in the punitive expedition against the Mexican bandit war leader, Pancho Villa. The company entrained, proceeded to San Antonio, Tex., and there were quartered for the grater part of a six-month period.Capt. William R. Peck, in command of the company during the expedition to the border, some years ago penned an interesting acount of the unit's experiences during the Mexican campaign, excerpts of which follow;
"In June 1916, Company E was called to the Mexican border where trouble was stirring-we always suspected that it was started by the Germans to divert the attention of America from the fight abroad."
Billeted in Pig Pens
"We left Elgin 100 strong and went into camp first at Springfield, Ill. Here the first taste of army hardship began. Men were quartered in pig pens at the state fairgrounds, put through strenuous maneuvers and given equipment for fighting. We were sent to Camp Wilson at San Antone. Ariving there on July 5, in mud that virtually pulled off our shoes. We cleared the region of mesquite, scrub oak, drained it and pitched tent, making it eventually an ideal camp. The began our strenuous training.
"Long, arduous hikes brough broken arches and blistered feet, one of them being from San Antone to Austin, Tex., a distance of 214 miles, marching with heavy packs. This hike tried our endurance harder than anything we had ever experienced. Some of the men were forced to give up the march, joining the company the next day. Pup tents were pitched in open spaces near Austin and maneuvers began, the men being taught warfare that would have been put into practice had we invaded Mexico.
Lauded By Funston
"Before our return to Austin, our battalion gained the reputation of being one of the best in the Eleventh Provisional Division, composed of Illinois and Wisconsin troops. General Funston was alive at this time, and when he reviewed the troops he remarked on the splended showong of our regiment and kept us in Texas five months longer than any other Illinois regiment. He complimented the spirit of the regiment highly, and said that if he could keep it in the regular army he would do so. Col. Charles Greene of Aurora was the regimentsl commander.
"The Texas Training was a round of unforgetable annoyances-the pestering with vermin of all sorts, chiggers, ticks and scorpions. There were some illnesses, but no deaths. At last on Jan. 31, 1917, the troops were brought back to God's country-Fort Sheridan, this time, but landed there fresh from a tropical atmosphere of 60 to 70 degrees, in weather 22 degrees below zero.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Monday, September 19, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Pvt. Vincent Paulson
Pvt. Vincent Paulson
From the 1900 Census
name - Vincent Paulson
Aged - 4 Years
Birth Date - July 1895
Birth Place - Illinois
Home in 1900 - 7th Ward, Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Race - White
From the 1910 Census
Name - Vincent Paulson
Aged - 14 Years
Home in 1910 - 7th Ward, Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Street - West Champs street
Race - White
From the June 15, 1935 issue of 'The Elgin Courier-News'
Co. E 3rd Ill. Nat. Guard, Inft.
From the March 10, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courier'
WON'T OFFER I. N. G. UNTIL WAR DEPT. ASKS ILLINOIS AID
Springfield, Ill., Mar. 10,- The Illinois national Guard will not be offered to the war department for service in Mexico until the department asks for aid.
This was the statement issued by Governor's Secretary Sullivan in denying the rumor that Governor Dunne had offered the Illinois national Guard for service in Mexico.
From the March 17, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courier'
VACCINATE MILITIA IS NEW STATE ORDER
All members of Company E. I. N. G., will be inoculated within the next few days with the typhoid vaccine, in preparation for any possible call to the front. Captain William R. Peck stated today that he had sent for the vaccine to the government and expected a supply with the necessary instruments in a short time.
From the March 22, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courier'
DENIES I. N. G. HAS ORDER TO PREPARE
Springfield, Ill., March 22,- "I do hereby officially deny that any order has been given by this department or received here relating to the preparation of the I. N. G. for active service or preparedness." Signed Acting adjutant general Colonel R. J. Shand.
The above statement was made by Colonel Shand this afternoon to the United Press in refutation of the report that the I. N. G. commassary officers and quartermasters had been ordered to prepare for mobilization.
From the April 6, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courer'
ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR I. N. G. CAMP
Elgin Militia to go to Fort Sheridan August 6-13
Springfield, Ill., April 6,- One of the most comprehensive encampments ever arranged for the Illinois national guard was announced today by Adjutant General Dickson.
Two camps, one at Fort Sheridan, Chicago, and the other at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, will be maintained. Six battalions of field artillery and the field hospital corps will go into camp with the regular army at Sparta, Wis. The engineer corps of Chicago will go into the joint United States army camp at Belvoir Tract, Av. The signal corps will go into camp at Fort Sheridan at a date to be set later. The first cavalry will take a practice march out of Chicago early in July. The naval reserves will drill with the Atlantic fleet.
The regiments will go into camp at Fort Sheridan, as follows:
First infantry, July 16-23; Seventh infantry, July 23-30; Second infantry july 30 August 6; Third infantry August 6-13; Sixth infantry, August 16-20.
Regiments will go into camp Lincoln as follows:
Forth infantry August 20-27, Fifth infantry, August 27 Sept. 3; Eighth infantry Sept. 3-16
From the U.S.Adj't Gens Report for Illinois
3rd Ill. Inft.
Name - Vincent PaulsonHome of Record listed - Elgin, Illinois
Enlisted - June 30, 1913
Mustered In - June 29, 1916
Remarks - Reported for duty June 19, 1916. Aptd. Ck. fr. Co. E, R. O. 29D July 15, 1916.
Furloughed Nov. 10-25, 1916. Aptd. Ck. fr. Pvt. O. 13 Jan. 4, 1917.
Mustered Out - Feb. 21, 1917
From the July 17, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courier'
Camp Wilson, San Antonio, Friday Juyly 14, Special to the Elgin Daily Courier-
Two squads of our company are to be drafted into Co. A, of Dekalb. Of course there has been much comment on the subject of transferring but we are in the army now so the big stick rules. The squads will be picked today so the unlucky ones will know their doom. All of the boys were given tags to be hung around the neck for identification in case of war and believe me they look like dog tags and every dog has his day. It has been Co. E's day ever since we got here and some of the nights too.
San Antonio, Tex., July 17-(Special)
The following were transferred to Company A today by order of Col. Greene: Vincent Paulson, Benjamin Bone, Fred Barton, Arthur Carlson, Carl Bodecker, Bernard Betz, Michels Choblowize, Luttle Clifford, Harold Heath, Edwin Lamprect, Carl Mueckenheim, Gail Perry, Erick Quin, Edgar Quick, Fred Stewart, James Stephens.
Co. A 3rd Ill. Nat. Guard, Inft.
From the June 15, 1935 issue of 'The Elgin Courier-News'
Capt. William R. Peck, in command of the company during the expedition to the border, some years ago penned an interesting acount of the unit's experiences during the Mexican campaign, excerpts of which follow;
"In June 1916, Company E was called to the Mexican border where trouble was stirring-we always suspected that it was started by the Germans to divert the attention of America from the fight abroad."
Billeted in Pig Pens
"We left Elgin 100 strong and went into camp first at Springfield, Ill. Here the first taste of army hardship began. Men were quartered in pig pens at the state fairgrounds, put through strenuous maneuvers and given equipment for fighting. We were sent to Camp Wilson at San Antone. Ariving there on July 5, in mud that virtually pulled off our shoes. We cleared the region of mesquite, scrub oak, drained it and pitched tent, making it eventually an ideal camp. The began our strenuous training.
"Long, arduous hikes brough broken arches and blistered feet, one of them being from San Antone to Austin, Tex., a distance of 214 miles, marching with heavy packs. This hike tried our endurance harder than anything we had ever experienced. Some of the men were forced to give up the march, joining the company the next day. Pup tents were pitched in open spaces near Austin and maneuvers began, the men being taught warfare that would have been put into practice had we invaded Mexico.
Lauded By Funston
"Before our return to Austin, our battalion gained the reputation of being one of the best in the Eleventh Provisional Division, composed of Illinois and Wisconsin troops. General Funston was alive at this time, and when he reviewed the troops he remarked on the splended showong of our regiment and kept us in Texas five months longer than any other Illinois regiment. He complimented the spirit of the regiment highly, and said that if he could keep it in the regular army he would do so. Col. Charles Greene of Aurora was the regimentsl commander.
"The Texas Training was a round of unforgetable annoyances-the pestering with vermin of all sorts, chiggers, ticks and scorpions. There were some illnesses, but no deaths. At last on Jan. 31, 1917, the troops were brought back to God's country-Fort Sheridan, this time, but landed there fresh from a tropical atmosphere of 60 to 70 degrees, in weather 22 degrees below zero.
Compny E in Drive After Bandit Villa in June 1916
Ninteen years ago this month, June 1916, Company E, 129th Infantry, of Elgin left to join Uncle Sam's regulars in the punitive expedition against the Mexican bandit war leader, Pancho Villa. The company entrained, proceeded to San Antonio, Tex., and there were quartered for the grater part of a six-month period.Capt. William R. Peck, in command of the company during the expedition to the border, some years ago penned an interesting acount of the unit's experiences during the Mexican campaign, excerpts of which follow;
"In June 1916, Company E was called to the Mexican border where trouble was stirring-we always suspected that it was started by the Germans to divert the attention of America from the fight abroad."
Billeted in Pig Pens
"We left Elgin 100 strong and went into camp first at Springfield, Ill. Here the first taste of army hardship began. Men were quartered in pig pens at the state fairgrounds, put through strenuous maneuvers and given equipment for fighting. We were sent to Camp Wilson at San Antone. Ariving there on July 5, in mud that virtually pulled off our shoes. We cleared the region of mesquite, scrub oak, drained it and pitched tent, making it eventually an ideal camp. The began our strenuous training.
"Long, arduous hikes brough broken arches and blistered feet, one of them being from San Antone to Austin, Tex., a distance of 214 miles, marching with heavy packs. This hike tried our endurance harder than anything we had ever experienced. Some of the men were forced to give up the march, joining the company the next day. Pup tents were pitched in open spaces near Austin and maneuvers began, the men being taught warfare that would have been put into practice had we invaded Mexico.
Lauded By Funston
"Before our return to Austin, our battalion gained the reputation of being one of the best in the Eleventh Provisional Division, composed of Illinois and Wisconsin troops. General Funston was alive at this time, and when he reviewed the troops he remarked on the splended showong of our regiment and kept us in Texas five months longer than any other Illinois regiment. He complimented the spirit of the regiment highly, and said that if he could keep it in the regular army he would do so. Col. Charles Greene of Aurora was the regimentsl commander.
"The Texas Training was a round of unforgetable annoyances-the pestering with vermin of all sorts, chiggers, ticks and scorpions. There were some illnesses, but no deaths. At last on Jan. 31, 1917, the troops were brought back to God's country-Fort Sheridan, this time, but landed there fresh from a tropical atmosphere of 60 to 70 degrees, in weather 22 degrees below zero.
From the WWI Draft Registration Records
Name - Vincent Aloyusius Paulson
County - Kane
State - Illinois
Pirth Place - Illinois
Birth Date - July 17, 1895
Race - White
Draft Board - #2
Occupation - Drill Pressman
Married or Single - Single
Prior Military Service - Private, 3rd Ill. Inft
Years - 3
National or State - National
Do you claim exemption from the Draft - Dependency of Mother
Tall, Mediam or Short - Mediam
Slender, Mediam or Stout - Slender
Color of Eyes - Grey
Color of hair - Brown
Bald - No
Date of Registration - May 28, 1917
From the 1920 Census
name - Vincent A. paulson
Aged - 24 Years
Birth Place - Illinois
Home in 1920 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Street - Michigan street
Race - White
From the 1930 Census
Name - Vincent A. Paulson
Birth Year - About 1896
Race - White
Birth Place - Illinois
Home in 1930 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Street Address - 203 South Channing street
Home owned or Rented - Rented
Radio Set - Yes
Age at First Marriage - 26 Years
Attended School - No
Able to Read and Write - Yes
Occupation - Salesman
Industry - Loan Office
Veteran - Yes
War - WW
Spouses Name - Mary Paulson
Spouses Age - 29 Years
From the 1940 Census
Name - Vincent Paulson
Aged - 44 Years
Race - White
Birth Place - Illinois
Home in 1940 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Street - 217 N. Gifford street
Occupation - Bar Tender
House owned or rented - Rented
Attended School - No
Highest Grade Completed - 8th Grade
Spouses Name - Mary Paulson
Spouses Age - 39
From the WWII Draft Registration Records
Name - Vincent Aloysius Paulson
Aged - 47 Years
Race - White
Birth Date - July 17, 1895
Birth Place - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Residence Year - 1942
Residence Place - Elgin, Ill.
Social Security Death Index
Name - Vincent Paulson
Last Residence - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill., 60120
Born - July 17, 1895
Died - Feb. 1979
Pvt. Francis Schumacher
Pvt. Francis Schumacher
Co. E 3rd Ill. Nat. Guard, Inft.
From the March 10, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courier'
WON'T OFFER I. N. G. UNTIL WAR DEPT. ASKS ILLINOIS AID
Springfield, Ill., Mar. 10,- The Illinois national Guard will not be offered to the war department for service in Mexico until the department asks for aid.
This was the statement issued by Governor's Secretary Sullivan in denying the rumor that Governor Dunne had offered the Illinois national Guard for service in Mexico.
From the March 17, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courier'
VACCINATE MILITIA IS NEW STATE ORDER
All members of Company E. I. N. G., will be inoculated within the next few days with the typhoid vaccine, in preparation for any possible call to the front. Captain William R. Peck stated today that he had sent for the vaccine to the government and expected a supply with the necessary instruments in a short time.
From the March 22, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courier'
DENIES I. N. G. HAS ORDER TO PREPARE
Springfield, Ill., March 22,- "I do hereby officially deny that any order has been given by this department or received here relating to the preparation of the I. N. G. for active service or preparedness." Signed Acting adjutant general Colonel R. J. Shand.
The above statement was made by Colonel Shand this afternoon to the United Press in refutation of the report that the I. N. G. commassary officers and quartermasters had been ordered to prepare for mobilization.
From the April 6, 1916 issue of 'The Elgin Daily Courer'
ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR I. N. G. CAMP
Elgin Militia to go to Fort Sheridan August 6-13
Springfield, Ill., April 6,- One of the most comprehensive encampments ever arranged for the Illinois national guard was announced today by Adjutant General Dickson.
Two camps, one at Fort Sheridan, Chicago, and the other at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, will be maintained. Six battalions of field artillery and the field hospital corps will go into camp with the regular army at Sparta, Wis. The engineer corps of Chicago will go into the joint United States army camp at Belvoir Tract, Av. The signal corps will go into camp at Fort Sheridan at a date to be set later. The first cavalry will take a practice march out of Chicago early in July. The naval reserves will drill with the Atlantic fleet.
The regiments will go into camp at Fort Sheridan, as follows:
First infantry, July 16-23; Seventh infantry, July 23-30; Second infantry july 30 August 6; Third infantry August 6-13; Sixth infantry, August 16-20.
Regiments will go into camp Lincoln as follows:
Forth infantry August 20-27, Fifth infantry, August 27 Sept. 3; Eighth infantry Sept. 3-16
From the U.S. Adj't Gen's Report , Illinois
Name - Francis Schumacher
Home of record - Elgimn, Ill.
Enlisted - June 20, 1916
Mustered In - June 29, 1916
Remarks - Reported for duty June 20, 1916
Discharged - S. C. D. Oct. 9, 1916
From the June 15, 1915 issue of 'The Elgin Courier-News'
Capt. William R. Peck, in command of the company during the expedition to the border, some years ago penned an interesting acount of the unit's experiences during the Mexican campaign, excerpts of which follow;
"In June 1916, Company E was called to the Mexican border where trouble was stirring-we always suspected that it was started by the Germans to divert the attention of America from the fight abroad."
Billeted in Pig Pens
"We left Elgin 100 strong and went into camp first at Springfield, Ill. Here the first taste of army hardship began. Men were quartered in pig pens at the state fairgrounds, put through strenuous maneuvers and given equipment for fighting. We were sent to Camp Wilson at San Antone. Ariving there on July 5, in mud that virtually pulled off our shoes. We cleared the region of mesquite, scrub oak, drained it and pitched tent, making it eventually an ideal camp. The began our strenuous training.
"Long, arduous hikes brough broken arches and blistered feet, one of them being from San Antone to Austin, Tex., a distance of 214 miles, marching with heavy packs. This hike tried our endurance harder than anything we had ever experienced. Some of the men were forced to give up the march, joining the company the next day. Pup tents were pitched in open spaces near Austin and maneuvers began, the men being taught warfare that would have been put into practice had we invaded Mexico.
Lauded By Funston
"Before our return to Austin, our battalion gained the reputation of being one of the best in the Eleventh Provisional Division, composed of Illinois and Wisconsin troops. General Funston was alive at this time, and when he reviewed the troops he remarked on the splended showong of our regiment and kept us in Texas five months longer than any other Illinois regiment. He complimented the spirit of the regiment highly, and said that if he could keep it in the regular army he would do so. Col. Charles Greene of Aurora was the regimentsl commander.
"The Texas Training was a round of unforgetable annoyances-the pestering with vermin of all sorts, chiggers, ticks and scorpions. There were some illnesses, but no deaths. At last on Jan. 31, 1917, the troops were brought back to God's country-Fort Sheridan, this time, but landed there fresh from a tropical atmosphere of 60 to 70 degrees, in weather 22 degrees below zero.
From the WWI Draft Registration Records
Name - Francis J. Schumacher
Address - 750 S. State street, Elgin, Ill.
Birth Date - June 19, 1892
Birth Place - Cabery, Ill.
Occupation - Electrician
Employer - Elgin state Hospital
Married or Single - Single
Prior Service -
Rank - Pvt.
Branch - Inft. Co. E 3rd Regt.
Years - 4 Mos
National or State - Illinois
Exemption - No
Tallm Mediam or short - Mediam
Slender, Mediam or Stout - Mediam
Color of Eyes - Brown
Color of Hair - Brown
Bale? - No
Disabilities - No
Date of Registration - June 5, 1917
From the 1920 Census
Name - Francis Schumacher
Aged - 25 Years
Birth Place - Illinois
Home in 1920
Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Race - White
Relation to Head of House - Lodger
Marital Status - Single
From the 1930 Census
Name - Franceis Schumacher
Aged - 37 Years
Race - White
Birth Place - Illinois
Address - 385 River Bluff Rd, Ilgin
House owned or Rented - Owned
Attended School - No
Able to Read and Write - Yes
Occupation - Electrician
Industry - Watch Factory
Veteran - Yes
War - WW
Spouses Name - Bessie Schumacker
Spouses Age - 29 Years
From the 1940 Census
Name - Francis J. Schumacker
Aged - 48 Years
Race - White
Birth Place - Illinois
Home in 1940 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Address - 385 River Bluff Rd.
Occupation - Electrician
House Owned or Rented - Owned
Attended School - No
Highest Grade Completed - High School 4th Year
Spouses Name - Bessie Schumacher
Spouese Age - 39 Years
Compny E in Drive After Bandit Villa in June 1916
Ninteen years ago this month, June 1916, Company E, 129th Infantry, of Elgin left to join Uncle Sam's regulars in the punitive expedition against the Mexican bandit war leader, Pancho Villa. The company entrained, proceeded to San Antonio, Tex., and there were quartered for the grater part of a six-month period.Capt. William R. Peck, in command of the company during the expedition to the border, some years ago penned an interesting acount of the unit's experiences during the Mexican campaign, excerpts of which follow;
"In June 1916, Company E was called to the Mexican border where trouble was stirring-we always suspected that it was started by the Germans to divert the attention of America from the fight abroad."
Billeted in Pig Pens
"We left Elgin 100 strong and went into camp first at Springfield, Ill. Here the first taste of army hardship began. Men were quartered in pig pens at the state fairgrounds, put through strenuous maneuvers and given equipment for fighting. We were sent to Camp Wilson at San Antone. Ariving there on July 5, in mud that virtually pulled off our shoes. We cleared the region of mesquite, scrub oak, drained it and pitched tent, making it eventually an ideal camp. The began our strenuous training.
"Long, arduous hikes brough broken arches and blistered feet, one of them being from San Antone to Austin, Tex., a distance of 214 miles, marching with heavy packs. This hike tried our endurance harder than anything we had ever experienced. Some of the men were forced to give up the march, joining the company the next day. Pup tents were pitched in open spaces near Austin and maneuvers began, the men being taught warfare that would have been put into practice had we invaded Mexico.
Lauded By Funston
"Before our return to Austin, our battalion gained the reputation of being one of the best in the Eleventh Provisional Division, composed of Illinois and Wisconsin troops. General Funston was alive at this time, and when he reviewed the troops he remarked on the splended showong of our regiment and kept us in Texas five months longer than any other Illinois regiment. He complimented the spirit of the regiment highly, and said that if he could keep it in the regular army he would do so. Col. Charles Greene of Aurora was the regimentsl commander.
"The Texas Training was a round of unforgetable annoyances-the pestering with vermin of all sorts, chiggers, ticks and scorpions. There were some illnesses, but no deaths. At last on Jan. 31, 1917, the troops were brought back to God's country-Fort Sheridan, this time, but landed there fresh from a tropical atmosphere of 60 to 70 degrees, in weather 22 degrees below zero.
From the WWI Draft Registration Records
Name - Francis J. Schumacher
Address - 750 S. State street, Elgin, Ill.
Birth Date - June 19, 1892
Birth Place - Cabery, Ill.
Occupation - Electrician
Employer - Elgin state Hospital
Married or Single - Single
Prior Service -
Rank - Pvt.
Branch - Inft. Co. E 3rd Regt.
Years - 4 Mos
National or State - Illinois
Exemption - No
Tallm Mediam or short - Mediam
Slender, Mediam or Stout - Mediam
Color of Eyes - Brown
Color of Hair - Brown
Bale? - No
Disabilities - No
Date of Registration - June 5, 1917
From the 1920 Census
Name - Francis Schumacher
Aged - 25 Years
Birth Place - Illinois
Home in 1920
Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Race - White
Relation to Head of House - Lodger
Marital Status - Single
From the 1930 Census
Name - Franceis Schumacher
Aged - 37 Years
Race - White
Birth Place - Illinois
Address - 385 River Bluff Rd, Ilgin
House owned or Rented - Owned
Attended School - No
Able to Read and Write - Yes
Occupation - Electrician
Industry - Watch Factory
Veteran - Yes
War - WW
Spouses Name - Bessie Schumacker
Spouses Age - 29 Years
From the 1940 Census
Name - Francis J. Schumacker
Aged - 48 Years
Race - White
Birth Place - Illinois
Home in 1940 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Address - 385 River Bluff Rd.
Occupation - Electrician
House Owned or Rented - Owned
Attended School - No
Highest Grade Completed - High School 4th Year
Spouses Name - Bessie Schumacher
Spouese Age - 39 Years
Friday, September 16, 2016
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