Minonk's past
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A look at Minonk's past |
Minonk High School Memorial 1919 for Veterans of World War 1 |
| Harrison Kerrick graduated from Minonk High School in 1890. He has had a long, honorable army career, beginning as private June 18, 1898. He advanced from Lieutenant and served at home, in Cuba and in the Philippines until in the World's War he was serving as Colonel. He was Commandant in the Army Artillery 7th French Army, and C.O. 42nd U.S. Railway Artillery A.E.F. He was in Active Service in France and Alsace, Germany. In 1919 he was Superintendent of Water Transportation Port of New York. |
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John Meierhofer attended the Minonk High School from 1910 to 1914. He graduated with the class of 1914 at the age of 17 years. He enlisted in the navy at Great Lakes June 1, 1918. Here he remained 24 days. John was stationed at Camp Decatur, Camp Perry and Camp Ross. He left New York June 26 and went to Brooklyn and then to Ellis Island. He sailed on the U.S. Naval Transport, "America" from Ellis Island and landed at Brest, France. John made three round trips to France, arriving at New York on the last trip, October 10, 1918, after having had three months of experience in the submarine zone. John was discharged February 11, 1919, having faithfully performed his duty as called upon, in protecting our shores and men while in transport.
It seems it cannot be but yesterday I stood, a senior bold, in cap and gown, Ready to tell the "Profs" to go their way, And, as for me, I'd seek my just renown. I would no longer to their whims submit- I'd do where fame and glory waited me; But my, down here I scarcely have the time to sit, They make me work 'most all of time, you see. They tell me "Scrub the decks." Say, do I scrub? They say to me "Peel spuds"-the spuds are peeled. I tell you I will show them I'm no dub; They'll never have a chance to say I squealed. -U.S. Navy. |
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| John Underwood attended Minonk High School in 1914 and enlisted in May, 1918, at Bloomington, ILL. He was sent to Jefferson Barracks and was moved to Camp Johnston, Florida, May 15. There, after a few weeks of training, he had his choice of driving a truck around camp or fitting himself for an army butcher. He completed his course as meat carver and was sent overseas July 1 and, landed in France July 13. He was sent to a camp at Romantina in central France and went in active service with, the A.E.F. in August in the Toul Section around Cambri and Lille. When last heard from he was in Coblenz, Germany, with the army of occupation, and doing his best to hold the Germans down. |
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| Oliver L. Parks attended Minonk High School from 1913 to 1917, graduating with the class of 1917. June 10, 1917, his eighteenth birthday, he enlisted at Chicago in the U.S. Marines. After three months' training at Paris Island he was sent to the Dominican Republic and remained there ten months. This Republic was inhabited by savages and Oliver had many exciting experiences. He returned to Minonk for a 36-hour furlough and soon after he went to France landing at Brest, September 26. His entire regiment volunteered to take care of the sick for which service they received honorable mention. Oliver is not yet discharged |
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| Curtis Janssen attended Minonk High School from 1911 to 1915, graduating with the class of 1915. He enlisted January 18, 1918, in the U. S. Navy and received training at the Great Lakes Naval Station. He was assigned to Sousa's Battalion Band as drum major and participated in several Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives throughout the United States. Curtis went to France, landing at Brest the 13th of September. After some time was spent in Brest he was sent to Bordeaux and later to Pauillac and other navy camps in southern France. A trip was also made to Paris. He sailed for United States the 25th of January, 1919, and was discharged the 5th of March 1919. |
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Lawrence Toole attended the Minonk High School from 1912 to 1913. He was drafted at Eureka, April 3, 1918. He was sent to Camp Terry, New York, where he was stationed in the 21st Company until the formation of the Headquarters' Company of the 68th Artillery on June 1.
He sailed from the Harbor of Boston, August 9, 1918, and landed at Tilbury Dock, London August 25. He left Ramsey for France on August 28 and marched to Southampton. He was stationed at the respective places, Le Havre, Vayers, and St. Pardon. At the latter place he served on detached service as a telephone operator for the 2nd Battalion. On February 16, the 68th Regiment arrived at Hoboken, New York. He is now discharged from service. |
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| Eairel Rowe attended Minonk High School from 1907 to 1909. At the age of twenty-four, he enlisted in the American Air Forces at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, as a brick-mason, December 11, 1917. He was transferred to Camp Grant, Illinois; then to Kelly Field, Texas, and then to Camp Merritt where he received his overseas equipment. He sailed from Hoboken on the British transport "Maritainia." He landed at Liverpool, England, and forwarded to Southampton, sailing from there to La Havre, France. He was in France for about three weeks and then ordered back to Southampton and sent to American Headquarters Camp at Flowerdown, Winchester, England, where he was engaged in construction work. After three months he was transferred to Codford Camp on Salisbury Plains, and after thirty days sent to Southbourne, England. From there his company was sent to Tonguire, England. On December 1 he sailed from England landing in New York City, December 11. He was discharged December 28 at Camp Grant. |
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Folkert Vissering entered Minonk High School in 1902, and attended for four years.
On September 5, 1917, Folkert was drafted into the service and became a member of Co. E., 349th Infantry, after training for some time at Camp Dodge, IA. He left Camp Dodge for Camp Upton, N.Y., from which place, he sailed for England, on August 9, 1918, on the "Olympic." He arrived at Southampton on August 16. From there he sailed with his company for Le 'Havre, France. Then followed one month of intensive training at Viserng, France, after which he advanced to the front line trenches. Just as the company had been scheduled to take its position on the Verdun front-and the men were awaiting the order to advance, the ringing of church bells in the little French village, announced the signing of the armistice, November 11, 1918. Folkert is now at St. Amand, France, awaiting his turn to embark for the U.S. |
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