Showing posts with label World War I. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World War I. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Benjamin H. Wenkel part 4 of 4 #NotMyWenkel


Part 4 of 4, 1930s


1930 age 41

Residence West Plains Avenue, Salem, Dent MO, married to Grace Wenkel (Laura Grace Smith Wenkel).  The Census notes that Benjamin is born in Prussia, which was what Germany was called sometimes.  Eugenia is age 5, Keith is age 4.  Benjamin is listed as a teacher at the public school, and is a veteran of the World War.  Remember, at this time there was only ONE world war, and was commonly referred to as the Great War.


1931 

The Houston Herald, Houston MO.  Thursday 7 May 1931, page 4
Downloaded 21 March 2017 from Newspapers.com
A meeting was held at Raymondville church all day Monday and at night, the general purpose being to discuss the problems confronting the young people and their organizations and the problems of consolidated parish.  The prominent speakers were … Prof. B.H. Wenkel, of Salem …. Also Miss Lucy Foreman of Memphis, a famous orator who attracted much comment from the largest congregation it has been our pleasure to see in our little church.  A large number of visitors were present from various parts of Texas county and other counties.

1932 age 42

death of wife Laura Grace Smith Wenkel, 10 March 1932, Salem, Dent MO.  She was only 41 years old.  Wonder what she died of?

between 1932 and 1939 age 42 to 50

marries Myrtle Mamie Hopkins.  She was born 1905, died 1982 in Franklin County MO.  She is buried next to her husband with a double gravestone.  See below.  

1939 age 50

Benjamin Harrison Wenkel dies 11 November 1939, Franklin County MO, buried in Champion City MO


1939

Champion City MO, photo courtesy of Larry Miller at FindAGrave


Champion City MO, photo courtesy of Larry Miller at FindAGrave



1956 Headstone application for Veteran

Veteran Headstone application front

Veteran Headstone application back


Benjamin H. Wenkel, enlisted 5 September 1917, honorably discharged 8 October 1919.  His serial number was 2178565.  At this time (1956) it is unknown if he had a pension.  He was a Corporal for Company C of the 354th Missouri Infantry, 89th Division.  No religious emblem on his flat marble marker.  His birth is 5 October 1889, and he died 11 November 1939.  He is buried in M.E. Church at Champion City, Missouri.  Consignee is Mrs Grace Wenkel Lottman, his sister.
On the back, it notes that he served as private of Company K, 38th Infantry, 3rd Division.  He also was authorized the Purple Heart.  The whole process looks like it took three months, by looking at the stamp marks on the back.



Some Relatives mentioned in the News

Ruby U. Bullock Obituary

Ruby Una Bullock, nee Michel, 88, Silver Spring, Md., passed away Friday, March 14, 2003, at her home.  She was preceded in death by her husband; four brothers, Dr. Russell J. Michel and wife Elnora, Homer C. Michel and wife Hazel, Leland A. Michel and wife Eleanor and Wesley Michel; two sisters, Clarissa A. Wenkel and husband Martin and Dorothy Maggie.
http://www.emissourian.com/obituaries/obits/ruby-u-bullock/article_05785595-ac4f-5fd3-886b-c0de3053b30e.html


Holtmeyer-Thompson Vows Read

Vocalist was Marian Wenkel, Owensville.  She has to be related to this family, don't you think? http://www.emissourian.com/features_people/announcements/holtmeyer-thompson-vows-read/article_d82eba4a-f821-5ceb-b8d3-8b8e01d9911e.html


Franklin County Veterans Hall of Honor: World War I

After trying to remain neutral, the United States entered the war on April 6, 1917, because of submarine attacks on our commercial shipping vessels. The war unofficially ended November 11, 1918, but a state of war existed until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919.http://www.emissourian.com/features_people/franklin-county-veterans-hall-of-honor-world-war-i/article_8b4c3dd0-a591-566d-9559-4d9a2c8fd92a.html
The Veterans Hall of Honor was created to honor those veterans associated with Franklin County. To be included in the hall, a veteran must have an honorable discharge, been born or raised in Franklin County, buried in Franklin County or lived in Franklin County for at least 10 years.
Veterans that we have been able to document their service in World War I are:
Wenkel, Benjamin Harrison
 
Anyone willing to donate pictures, military histories, military uniforms or insignias that you would like to have included and displayed in the Hall of Honor or if any one has service information on the above names or veterans that were inadvertently not on the list please contact us.
The County's Internet site is www.Franklinmo.org. Go to Veterans Hall of Honor and complete the information sheet found there. Other contact information is towilson@franklinmo.net
The mailing address is: Terry O. Wilson, 400 East Main Street, Room 206, Union, MO 63084.


156,000 soldiers served in World War I from Missouri. Most veterans from this area served in the Army representing the 89th Infantry Division or the 35th Infantry Division as well as other Army Naval and Marine units.

Phone numbers to call are 636-583-6360 (office) or 636-239-0317 (home).



Franklin County Veterans Hall of Honor: World War II

Benjamin H. Wenkel and Clifford F. Wenkel have incomplete records and are not yet included in the WWII hall of honor as of 2009http://www.emissourian.com/features_people/franklin-county-veterans-hall-of-honor-world-war-ii-/article_120c17e0-4fa8-5a4e-8bf4-cc675f27d963.html

So far, I don't have any record of Benjamin serving in the second world war.  His application for headstone indicates only service in the First world war.  One of his brothers, though, did serve in both wars.  Benjamin may have been exempt from the second involvement because of his injury to his arm.

Spring Bluff Community To Celebrate Heritage

Spring Bluff is located on a ridge about 8 1/2 miles north of Sullivan on Highway 185. The community was originally called Five Points because five roads merged there. Jake’s Prairie went west. Spring Creek Road led to Spring Creek. The road to Champion City was then known as Hecht Road. Another road, later known as Wenkel Ford Road, led to the Bourbeuse River, and the fifth road led to Sullivan.http://www.emissourian.com/spring-bluff-community-to-celebrate-heritage/article_83b5c370-c91c-5609-81ba-dcb07fb7ffca.html

Which Came First: Champion City or the Champion Mill

When Eberhardt Giebler retired on June 4, 1885, he sold the mill to his son, John E. Giebler. Several years later, John Giebler sold the mill to Henry Keller and his son, William Arthur Keller, who were from Shotwell. George Crawford worked as an engineer at the mill, but in 1904, he was replaced by Fred Wenkel. Keller later owned a mill in Sullivan.http://www.emissourian.com/which-came-first-champion-city-or-the-champion-mill/article_4a933c72-04e3-5c0a-81e3-455cbd23f279.html 

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Benjamin H. Wenkel 3 of 4 #NotMyWenkel

Part 3 of 4, 1920s

This is Benjamin's life after the Great War.  He helped form the local American Legion group, became a university faculty.




1920 age 30


The Evening Missourian, Columbia MO.  Saturday 24 April 1920, page 1
Downloaded 13 March 2017

Legion After Members

Two Teams Working To Get 150 In Organization.The American Legion Membership campaign started with a rush.  The members of both teams were working hard and both sides are confident of winning.  Those who have already joined are:  Capt. R.M. Hulen’s team; … B.H. Wenkel ….



The Evening Missourian, Columbia Missouri.  Friday 5 March 1920, page 2
Downloaded 13 March 2017


War Veterans Urge Ideals in Politics

Resolution Asks Every Citizen to Study Issues and Candidates“IS IT AMERICAN?”Would Not Lose Standards For Which War Was Fought“We brand as un-American all persons of voting age who refuse to watch vigilantly at all tiems all political actions, and do their utmost to make each and every action of their respective political organizations as honorable as the ideals for which we fought.”  This is part of a resolution passed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars at a meeting in Room A, Y.M.C.A. Building, last night….“…be it further resolved, that Robert Graham Post No. 280, Veterans of Foreign Wars, declares it to be the sacred and patriotic duty of every person of voting age in Boone County to take active part in the coming elections, not only at the polls, but in the preliminary moves, which heretofore have been left in the hands of a few men.”The petitions (for initiation) of … Benjamin H. Wenkel … were accepted





1921 age 31


1920-1921 yearbook Directory University of Missouri, Columbia MO


1920-1921 yearbook Directory University of Missouri, Columbia MO 
Benjamin H. Wenkel, 106 Lathrop Road.  Phone 318-Black
Now, if I were so inclined, I would search out this address, see what it looks like today.






The Evening Missourian, Columbia MO.  Friday, 18 March 1921, page 1
Downloaded 13 March 2017

RED CROSS NURSE TALKS

Mrs D.P. Beyea Entertained at Legion Dinner.Mrs D.P. Beyea, a Red Cross nurse who served four years overseas with the allied armies, was the guest of honor at a dinner given at Harris’ last night by the American Legion.Mrs Beyea told of her experiences during her long service overseas.  Mrs. Beyea saw the atrocities committed by the Germans in the occupation of Antwerp in 1914 and the remnants of the French and British armies after the first battle of the Somme.Those present last night were: … B.H. Wenkel ….


death of father Frederick E. Wenkel, 4 May 1921, Boone, Franklin MO
Row 3, plot 15, born 30 December 1841, died 4 May 1921, buried in Champion MO
http://files.usgwarchives.net/mo/franklin/cemeteries/champin2.txt

1922 age 33

Residence Columbia MO

The Evening Missourian, Columbia MO.  Saturday 24 June 1922, page 1
Downloaded 13 March 2017

The Legionaires who were charter applicants and were initiated last night are … B.H. Wenkel ….  The voiture locale received the transfer of the two active members who are responsible for the formation and organization of the voiture ….


Benjamin Harrison Wenkel 1922 yearbook
He is a treasurer of the Veterans' club at the University.

A detail of the photo above

Just look at that face.  He has classic Germanic features, the very same features I tend to associate with my Wenkel family.  Perhaps this man IS related, perhaps from the old country?  I hope to find out.  If you know of any information, be sure to let me know, too!



1923 another year, another yearbook


Benjamin H. Wenkel
Another portrait





1925 age 35

marriage to Laura Grace Smith Wenkel, MO.  She was born 1891, died 1932 in Missouri.  Her parents may be James and Isadore Smith of Missouri.

birth of daughter Eugenia Wenkel, MO, died 2005




The Republican Tribune, Union MO.  Friday 20 March 1925, page 5
Downloaded 13 March 2017

Ben Wenkel of Columbia MO spent several days of this week here with old friends.  Mr. Wenkel is a former Franklin County boy, having been born in Boone township.  He also attended high school here.  During the war he waas seriiously (sic) injured and since that time he has been attending the Agricultural College at Columbia.  During the past few months he has been employed with the Farm Census Department in this district.



The Republican Tribune, Union MO.  Friday 20 March 1925, page 1
Downloaded 13 March 2017

At a meeting of the Franklin County Republican Central Committee called … for the purpose of recommending a successor to the (deceased) … clerk of the county court, it was unanimously decided to ask that the appointment go to Emil J. Kaufmann….The committee also recommended the appointment of Benj. Wenkel as state feed and seed inspector, under the State Board of Agriculture.  Mr. Wenkel is a son of the well known Squire Wenkel of Boone Township, now deceased.  He is a veteran of the World War, was seriously injured and is a recent graduate of the State College of Agriculture.  The past few months he has been engaged in the U.S. Farm Census.




1926

birth of son Keith Wenkel, MO, born a year after his sister Eugenia, died in 2006, a year after she'd died

1928 age 38


009copy
Benjamin and Myrtle Wenkel, with son Keith
about 1928, from Ancestry.com member yral1 submission

Wonder where his daughter is?  She is only a year older than this little boy, who looks to be about 2 or 3 years old.


Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Benjamin H. Wenkel 2 of 4 #NotMyWenkel


Part 2 of 4, 1910s

1910 age 21

Residence Boone, Franklin MO


1913 age 23

death of mother Veronica Fanny Denier Wenkel, 14 May 1913, Boone, Franklin MO
Champion City Methodist Church Cemetery, Franklin County, MissouriChampion City Methodist Church is a wonderfully beautiful old stone church, set atop the bluff of the river.  Champion City is located south of Leslie, MO off of Hwy CC.  From Leslie, MO take Hwy CC for approximately 6 miles and watch for the signs.
Row 3, Plot 16.  Veronica Wenkel, born 6/5/1855; died 5/14/1913 in Champion; wife of F.E. Wenkel 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/mo/franklin/cemeteries/champin2.txt

1917 age 28


Franklin County Tribune (Union, Missouri) – Friday, January 26, 1917 – page 1
Downloaded 13 March 2017 from Newspapers.com
Ben and Martin Wenkel of Leslie Route 3 spent last Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Manion



Franklin County Tribune (Union, Missouri) – Friday, March 30, 1917 – page 4
Downloaded 13 March 2017 from Newspapers
Benj. And Martin Wenkel moved their rock crusher to John Benner’s farm, near Strain, where they intend to crush limestone.



Franklin County Tribune (Union, Missouri) – Friday, 27 July 1917 – page 1
Downloaded 13 March 2017 from Newspapers.com

The Result of the Draft

In order to determine who should go to the war first, the Government held the draft last Friday.  The drawing was held simply to determine the order in which men should be examined for the war.  All names were drawn and the only interest any one should have is as to the order in which he is drawn.  It is estimated that 142 will be selected from Franklin county.  As it is not likely that more than one in four will be taken, it is presumed that at least the first 600 names will be drawn from which to select the first quota of 142 men.  In order that our readers may get some idea we give below the first 600 names drawn in the county.These are the names as telegraphed from Washington.  There may be a few changes in the official list.  It may take more than the number given here from which to select the men slotted to the county.  It is likely, however, that enough men can be found in the following.Benj. H. Wenkel of Leslie MO is number 486



Franklin County Tribune (Union, Missouri) – Friday, 31 August 1917 – page 4
Downloaded 13 March 2017 from Newspapers.com

Partial List of Men Selected for Military Service

This list from the date of its posting at the office of the local board, constitutes notic to those whose names are listed thereon, that they have been selected fro military service, and charge them with an obligation to watch the bulletin board at the office of the local board and hold themselves in readiness to report for military duty at the office of the local board at a date to be specified in a later notice to be posted at the same place.  The list as published below takes in all names posted up to noon, Thursday, August 30 ….


Franklin County Tribune (Union, Missouri) – Friday, 24 August 1917 – page 1
Downloaded 13 March 2017 from Newspapers.com

Result of County Draft Examination

The local Board of Examiners in session in Union last week have completed their examination of drafted men.  Below we give a list of all those who passed, also those who claim exemption, and those who failed to appear on account of sickness or other causes.


Benjamin H. Wenkel 1917 Draft Card WWI

Benjamin Harrison Wenkel, age 27, Leslie Missouri.  Born 5 October 1889, a natural born citizen, born in Leslie Missouri.  Occupation as self-employed Farmer.  Medium height, slender build, light blue eyes, dark brown hair, not bald (that's very important to know!), no deformity.  I am pretty certain that is his very own signature.


Franklin County Tribune (Union, Missouri) – Friday, 7 September 1917 – page 4
Downloaded 13 March 2017 from Newspapers.com


Franklin County Sends First Quota to Ft. Riley

Local Board Selects First Twelve Certified by District Board and Boys Leave Union for West After Given a Big Farewell by Union Citizens.The first real effects of the army draft was witnessed in Union as Wednesday of this week when twelve of the first twenty-two men certified to the Local Board by the District Board assembled here to make the night train for the cantonement at Fort Riley, Kansas.The following are the twelve Franklin county boys who have the honor to be first to answer the country’s call under the selective draft law … including Ben. H. Wenkel of Leslie.Ben H. Wenkel was the first to arrive in Union and report to the Local Board, and he was appointed to have charge of the boys until they reach Fort Riley.… Dr. H. May, member of the Local Board, just before the arrival of the train called the roll and told the boys what is expected of them as to their deportment in Uncle Sam’s service, impressing it upon them that the first requisite of a good soldier was punctuality and obedience to his superiors.  He also announced that Ben H. Wenkel had been selected to have charge of the men during their trip west.  As the train pulled in the Band played a patriotic selection and soon the boys were in their car and away with the well wishes of the large crowd present to give them God-speed.



Franklin County Tribune (Union, Missouri) – Tuesday, 18 September 1917 – page 6
Downloaded 13 March 2017 from Newspapers.com

Camp Funston is Ready for Coming of Big Draft Army

St. Louisans Appointed to Drill Those Arriving After September 19.

By a Staff Correspondent of The Star, Camp Funston, Kan., Sept 18.--Some of the St Louis men in the national army at Camp Funston were instructed yesterday to attend special drill classes on the parade ground, to be taught how to drill squads.  The men are made temporary corporals.  Notices of appointments were placarded on the walls of the barracks of each company.More men will be appointed temporary corporals as they become proficient in drill.The men appointed were: … Benjamin H. Wenkel, Company C; ….These men will have charge of squads of those who report here for training after September 19.  It is pointed out by officers that other men will have every chance for appointment if they drill faithfully and master their duties before September 19.

1918 age 29



US Army Transport Service, Passenger List
Ship President Lincoln, from Hoboken NJ
US Army Transport Service, Passenger List departing 30 March 1918 from Hoboken NJ, on the ship President Lincoln; Private in the 38th Infantry, service number 2176565.  Company K

Franklin County Tribune, Union, Missouri.  Friday 23 August 1918, page 5
Downloaded 13 March 2017
F.W. Wenkel, of Gerald [MO], received a letter from his son, Ben, saying that he had received a wound in the arm while fighting and would be confined to the hospital for some time.  A ball had splintered his arm between the shoulder and elbow, but that he thought the surgeons could save his arm.  Mr. Wenkel was among the first contingent of drafted men that left Franklin county sometime in September nearly one year ago.




1918 US Army Transport Passenger List
back home


Arrival back home 29 October 1918, through Brooklyn New York.  Residence Leslie MO




The Monett Times, Monett MO. Friday 11 October 1918, page 3
Downloaded 13 March 2017
Private Benjamin H. Wenkel of Leslie MO is wounded severely.  This same message was printed in nearly two dozen papers in the region, as follows
  • The Hutchinson News, Hutchinson KS
  • The Twin-City Daily Sentinel, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
  • Reading Times, Reading PA. 
  • The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati OH. 
  • The Ogden Standard, Ogden UT. 
  • The Monett Times, Monett MO. 
  •  The Twin-City Daily Sentinel, Winston-Salem, NC.
  • The Washington Times, Washington DC. 
  • The Washington Post, Washington Dc. 
  • St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis MO
  • El Paso Herald, El Paso TX. 
  • The Atlanta Cosntitutin, Atlanta GA.  
  • Muskogee Times-Democrat (Musckogee, Oklahoma) 
  • Argus-Leader, Soux Falls, South Dakota.  
  • The Salina Evening Journal, Salina Kansas.  
  • The Oklahoma City Times, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  
  • The Sun, Pittsburg, Kansas.  
  • The Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Ohio.  
  • The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.  
  • New-York Tribune, New York, New York.  
  • The St. Louis Star and Times, St. Louis, Missouri
  • The Topeka Daily Capital, Topeka KS. 
  • The Daily Ardmoreite, Ardmore OK. 



Franklin County Tribune, Union MO.  Friday 20 December 1918, page 1
Downloaded 13 March 2017

Corporal B.H. Wenkel Writes From Camp Dodge

U.S. General Hospital No 26Des Moines, IowaDecember 10, 1918Dear Tribune:-Just a few lines to let you know that I am well and hoping that this will find the force happy, prosperous and in good spirits.  I have been here at Fort Des Moines since November 17.  We have it fine here.  Of course, I will be in the hospital for six or seven months yet.  I received a compound fracture of the humerus on July 22, when we went over the top.  We corssed the Marne river that morning at Mexy and the Huns sure were shelling the river and the roads.  They shelled our lines heavily after locating us.  We had trench mortars, machine guns, one-pounders, automatic rifles and Springfields with us.  We encountered mostly the outposts and rear guards until we were about one and one-half miles beyond the river.  We then found them by the hundreds. We could not get close enough to get them with the bayonet, yet we got within twenty-five yards of them before they discovered us wich caused us to do some hard fighting, but we kept going after them until we could not hold them, for they were too numerous for us, as mu company was ahead of the lines and we had to drop in a skirmish line to hold them until the rest of the line came up with us.  I was wounded on this line at about 2 o’clock.Our division reached the front in May when the Huns were making their drive on Chateau Thierry so soon received the baptism of shellfire after going to the front.  We helped to stop that drive then and did not see any more hard fighting until July 15 on which date the 3rd Division lost heavily in men.  The bombardment that morning and all was was one of the worst of the war.  But, yet we held on and there was hard fighting all week, but on other sectors until the 22nd.  We made some small counter attacks to get them back across the river.  The Huns were laying around rather thick, and, of course, after laying there for a week they sure had a good smell when we crossed the river.  Our regiment took several prisoners from July 15 to 22.  We made some raids on the Hun lines during June and they came back on us but it was great fun to let a bunch get across the river and then signal for the artillery to send over a barrage to destroy the bridges and capture the rest of them.After being wounded I was taken to Field Hospital 127 at Joigny and was operated on there.  After staying there a few days was removed to Base Hospital at Contrexeville and then to Base Hospital 23 at Limoges, where I stayed until coming back to the States.  We were glad to see the Statue of Liberty again.  The sea was rather calm coming back in ten days.  And here I am at Fort Des Moines, in the hospital, recuperating nicely.  Cannot tell how soon I will be able to get a leave of absence, but long for the day when I will again be at home in dear old Franklin county.Yours sincerely,B.H. Wenkel



1919 age 29

The Evening Missourian, Columbia MO.  Friday 5 December 1919, page 5
Downloaded 13 March 2017


Benjamin H. Wenkel, university student, is discharged from the hospital.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Andrew Wenkel Part 2, 1910-1919

I don't have much information during this time.

November 10, 1913, Chicago, Illinois.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

1913, age 13

Historical Insight -- Great Lakes Storm of 1913.  How did this affect their farm?


The storm is historically known by several names including the “Big Blow”, the “Freshwater Fury,” and the “White Hurricane.”November 10, 1913, Chicago, Illinois. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

1914, age 14

Death of brother William Carl Wenkel, 2 February 1914, Gibson, Bay, Michigan.  Did the previous storm cause Willie's death?

April 7, 1917, San Francisco, California.
Credit: San Francisco Chronicle/Newspapers.com

1917, age 17

Historical Insight -- America Enters World War I

from Ancestry.com



President Wilson’s speech to Congress was published across the United States. On April 6, 1917, he asked that “all officers, civil or military, of the United States that they exercise vigilance and zeal in the discharge of the duties incident to such a state of war.”

Historical Insight -- Registering for the Draft in World War I

from Ancestry.com
About 1917, New York.
Credit: FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Each prospective soldier went through two complete medical examinations. The first by local physicians following their induction, the second at the mobilization camp before training. By the end of the war, these examinations included psychiatric evaluations. 


1918, age 18

WWI Draft Registration, residence Standish, Michigan

Andrew Wenkel WWI Draft Registration
No middle name listed here, his address is RR #2, Standish, Arenac, Michigan.  Some people have his birth month as June, but here it is an abbreviated word for January.  He is white, native-born.  He is a Farmer working for his father August at the same address.  I think this is his signature.

On the back side, we see that he is of medium build, medium height with blue eyes and brown hair.  He registered for the draft on September 12, 1918.

If you want to see what was going on in the news in Arenac County, here is a great source -- Arenac County Dateline.



1919 Historical Insight -- Red Scare Palmer Raids

from Ancestry.com
Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/UIG via Getty Images

Mini Pedigree from Ancestry.com


Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Alvena Marie Wenkel Schnetzer 1889-1975 Part 2

Alvena Marie Wenkel Schnetzer 1889-1975

Part 2, age 20 to 27
Mini Pedigree from Ancestry.com

1910, age 21

1910 Gibson Township Michigan Census

Line 60, name is listed as Vena.  She lives with her parents August and Sophia Rohrsen Wenkel, her occupation is as Domestic doing General Housework.

1914 age 25

Her little brother William Carl Wenkel died at the age of 10.  He was the last sibling born, and he died young.


1914

Alvena Wenkel 1914 Directory Evanston IL

Alvena Wenkel is living in same address as sister Dora, both working as maids.  676 Greenwood Avenue, Evanston IL.  That address is replaced by a Bank of America and a parking lot today, according to a Google Maps search.

1917 age 27

 WWI starts, she was 27 years old, probably still living in Evanston Illinois.


Monday, May 15, 2017

Military Monday -- August Paul Wenkel 1898-1973

August Paul Wenkel and siblings 3 generation pedigree
from Ancestry.com

1918 World War 1 Draft Registration Card
August Paul Wenkel

August P Wenkel, born 14 June 1898 is 20 years old when he registered for the Draft in World War I.  He was living at Rural Route #2 in Standish Michigan.  He is white, native born, with blue eyes and brown hair and of medium build.  He worked for a buttery hauling milk.  He lists his nearest relative as August Wenkel (August F.A. Wenkel, his father), with the same address.  This looks like it may be his own signature.  Interestingly, he signs as August Wenkel Jr.

Update -- 5/16/2017.
There has been some wonderment that this may not be the proper August Wenkel.  I'd been fooled once before, but as I re-analyze this WWI draft card, I can explain why I am sure this is the correct August Wenkel, my grandfather.

  • Line 1 -- the name is August P. Wenkel, Jr.  While technically my grandfather was not actually a Junior (he had a different middle name) for all intents and purposes he was August Jr, the son of August.
  • Line 2 -- RR#2, Standish, Arenac, Michigan.  I believe but cannot prove right now that the RR#2 is an address I've seen before, but I CAN say that Standish is the hometown of my August Wenkel family.
  • Line 3 and 4 -- the birth date is spot on, and his age is 20 years old.  The math works out.
  • Line 5 and 10 -- he is a white native-born male.
  • Line 19 and 20 -- his nearest relative is listed as August Wenkel, presumably the Senior above, with the exact same address.  It was not uncommon for young men to live with their families at the age of 20.
I am confident this is the draft card for my grandfather, August Paul Wenkel.

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