Old postcard scene of
Bethlehem NH.
Though a small New Hampshire town, Bethlehem sent at least 53 of its young men and women to service during World War I. In addition, those who stayed behind also worked for the war effort as the White Mountain Echo newspaper of the time attests. Bethlehem NH depended greatly on its summer tourists, and so it was hard hit financially from 1917-1919. Continue reading
I would not have known about Sergeant Major Andrew Jackson of New Hampshire except for a brief newspaper notice placed in the Nashua Telegraph in September of 1919. It stated as follows: “Concord–Sergeant Major Andrew Jackson of Rochester was decorated with the Croix de Guerre from the French Government by Governor John H. Bartlett Wednesday afternoon for bravery at Chateau Thierry. Members of the legislature, guards of khaki, members of the Legion, the soldier’s family and citizens gathered before the state house for the ceremony.” Continue reading
Headstone of Private Earl B. Clark
at Arlington National Cemetery.
Earl Bodge Clark was born 26 April 1896 in Barnstead, Belknap Co. NH, son and only child of Frank H. & Ethel (Bodge) Clark. He grew up there, attending the local schools. Earl registered for the WWI Draft on 5 June 1917 while living at Center Barnstead NH. He was 21 years old, single, and working as a leather finisher. His description was of medium height and build, with dark gray eyes and dark brown hair.
Earl served during World War I as a Private in Co. K, 309th Infantry, 78th Division. He and his battalion departed Brooklyn NY on 19 May 1918 for Europe. His Service number was 1749270. Seven months later he would be dead. Continue reading
List of Tuscania Dead from the
Baltimore Sun newspaper of 1918.
Gerald K. Clover was born as Gailand Kent Clover on 29 October 1894 in Paulding, Ohio, son of Homer G. & Verde Elizabeth “Virdie” (Shuster) Clover. In 1910 Gerald was living with his parents, grandfather Kenton Shuster, and one of his siblings in Garfield, Colorado where his father was farming. He had siblings, Homer Russell Clover who was born 3 Feb 1892 in Liberty Center Ohio, an optician who was married lived in Greenfield NH at the same time (he removed to Kansas after WWI); and a sister Donna Margaret Clover who was born in Paulding Ohio and married Dr. Walter Jallis, residing in Somerville MA. Continue reading
Sketch of the Bath Bridge from the town’s
annual report.
Even though Bath had less than 1000 residents, the Town of Bath sent its full quota plus some to service during World War I. At least thirty-two men left for service but two did not return. By 1920 the resident count had dipped to 838, continuing to fall for several decades. The town’s census would not begin to recover until well into the 21st century. Continue reading
