Ralph Hicks (1889-1919)

HICKS, RALPH M.--PRIVATE

Son of James B. and Amanda Jane Hicks; born October 19, 1889, Huntington County, Ind. Moved to Whitley County in 1892. Served four years in U.S. Navy, 1912-1916. Entered military service March 29, 1918, Columbia City, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky.; assigned to Medical Detachment, Base Hospital. Died of pneumonia February 13, 1919, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in South Whitley Cemetery, Ind. Survived by widow, Helen Payton Hicks, Louisville, Ky.

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 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 719. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Saturday, February 15, 1919

One of the saddest deaths to occur in Whitley county for some time was that of Ralph Hicks, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Hicks, of Cleveland township. A telegram came to the family Friday morning from Camp Taylor, Ky., announcing that Ralph had died Thursday evening at six o’clock, after an illness of two weeks from pneumonia. The father had been at the bedside of his son since a week ago Wednesday, and the mother and sister, Mrs. Eldon Lawber, left Thursday, following a hurried summons, but it is unknown whether they arrived before he passed away. The young man was for four years in the United States navy, and after receiving his discharge, returned to the arm, where he helped his father for two years. But in March, 1918, he enlisted in a hospital unit, and was located at Camp Taylor, Ky., never having been sent to France. On November 16th, of last year, he was united in marriage to Miss Helen Payton, of Louisville, Ky., whom he had met while in camp.

Ralph Hicks was born October 19, 1889, to James and Amanda Hicks, in Huntington county, and died February 13, 1919, at Camp Taylor, Ky., at the age of 9 [sic] years, 3 months and 24 days. At the age of six years, he moved with is parents to Cleveland township, where he grew to manhood and until he was 23 years old, ably assisted his father on the farm. As previously mentioned, in 1912, he joined the navy, and during four years visited many foreign shores enjoying a wide and varied experience. After two years following his career in the navy, he again offered his services to the government, falling in the prime of life, a victim to that most treacherous of diseases, pneumonia. When at home he united with the Centenary U. B. church in Cleveland township, and was a member of the Odd Fellow lodge. Aside from his bride, father and mother, six sisters and one brother, he leaves a great many close relatives and friends, who regret sincerely his loss.

The sisters and brother of the deceased are: Mrs. Lester West, of Huntington county, Mrs. Eldon Lawber and Mrs. Russell Smith, of Whitley county, Alta, Martha, Kathrine and Virgil, at home.

The remains arrived Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at North Manchester, and from there were brought to the home in Cleveland township. The funeral arrangements will not be completed until the arrival of the rest of the family from Camp Taylor.

Earl Koester (1897-1919)

KOESTER, EARL CHARLES--PRIVATE

Son of Simon P. and Ida G. Koester; born December 22, 1897, Wauseon, Ohio. Moved to Fulton county, Ind.; then to Whitley County, Ind., about 1910. Clerk. Enlisted in Aviation Service, March 5, 1918, Indianapolis. Sent to Kelly Field, Tex.; then to Taylor Field, Ala. Assigned to Post Exchange. Died of appendicitis May 11, 1919, Camp Sheridan, Ala. Buried at Grass Creek, Fulton County, Ind.

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 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 719. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, May 14, 1919

Universal remarks of regret were heard on every hand in this city Tuesday when it became known that Earl Koester had died at Camp Sheridan, Alabama, Sunday evening, at 9 o’clock, following an acute attack of appendicitis, for the young man was very well known here and comparatively few people realized that he was dangerously ill.

He had been seriously sick for about two weeks. A week ago his brother, Walter Koester, of North Chauncey street, left for Camp Sheridan, and he was with him when the end came. The deceased was a son of Rev. S. P. Koester and wife, formerly of this city, but now live in Indian Village, in Noble county, and besides his parents and brother mentioned, he is survived by three sisters, who live at Grass Creek, Ind.

Earl had been in the service more than a year and a half, having volunteered. He did not get across and he was used in office work at Camp Sheridan. He was a remarkably fine scholar and graduated from the high school here with the class of 1915, being the president of the senior class. In his school life he took a prominent part. He entered the high school in the fall of 1911. He soon became identified with the basket ball and track team and he was secretary of the high school athletic association for a while. He was a member of his class debating team in 1913, 1914 and 1915, and he was a young man on whom responsibilities could be placed and they would not be neglected.

He felt a high sense of duty always and he was honorable and reliable in all things. Only words of praise could be spoken of his character and he was one of the finest young men who received his education in the schools here. His classmates and friends alike feel a deep personal loss in his passing and all join in a common sympathy with those who are nearest and dearest to him.

He worked for nearly a year in the Frank Meitzler drug store and Mr. Meitzler characterized him as a young man full of ambition, proud and anxious to make good in the world. When the war came on, he felt that his first and most sacred duty was to his country and he voluntarily offered his services. That he should fall a victim to appendicitis is indeed very sad and he was but 22 years, 4 months and 19 days old at the time of his demise.

The remains will be taken to Grass Creek, Ind., for burial, but the time of the funeral was not known by friends here Tuesday.

Verlin Eugene Rogers (1892-1919)

ROGERS, VERLIN EUGENE--ENGINEER, U.S.N.

Son of Mrs. Annie Rogers (Walker); born June 1, 1892, Paulding County, Ohio. Moved to Whitley County, Ind. in 1897. Served four years in U.S. Navy. Re-enlisted September 19, 1918, Philadelphia, Pa. Assigned to duty as 1st Engineer. Served in Mediterranean Waters in 1918. Died of pneumonia January 21, 1919, on board Destroyer Prairie, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Buried in Philadelphia, Pa. Survived by widow, Mary Rogers, and one son Joseph Verlin, Philadelphia, Pa.

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 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 720. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Saturday, January 25, 1919

A telegram was received Tuesday evening by Mrs. John Walker of Brownwood, stating that her son, Verlin Rogers, had died of influenza at 1 o’clock Monday. The young man was a sailor on board the U. S. S. Prairie in Panama bay in Cuban waters and it was on that vessel that his death took place. Mrs. Walker had not heard from him for a few weeks, owing to the fact that the ship was on a cruise, and did not know that he was sick. Consequently news of his death came as a great shock to her. Mrs. Walker immediately, upon receiving the word, telegraphed to the naval authorities of the ship asking that the body be sent to Columbia City for burial.

Verlin Rogers was a son of Mrs. Anna Walker, who was formerly Mrs. Anna Rogers, and was born on June 1, 1882, in Spaulding county, Ohio, and was 26 years, 7 months and 19 days old a the time of his death. He enlisted in the navy when but twenty-one years of age and served for four years, re-enlisting for like period of time when his term of enlistment expired. The young man was well known in this city, having served in Company “G” here for a year or more.

There are no brothers or sisters surviving. No funeral arrangements will be made until Mrs. Walker hears from the navy department.
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Note: Verlin was a half-brother of Amos Walker who died in France on July 22, 1918 of wounds received in battle.