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4000 Y Men Needed at Once in France, Renville County Journal, 11-15-1918

Secretaries Will Be Required More Than Ever When Fighting Ceases

With our brothers and sons overseas simply begging for more Y.M.C.A. secretaries that the service of the “Y” may be extended into out-of-the-way places, and with the earnest pleading of the Czecho-Slovaks and Russians for more “Y” men and still more, the need of new recruits in “Y” ranks has become imperative.

“Four thousand more men are needed today in France alone,” declared Morton M. Newcomb, head of the recruiting service of the Army Y.M.C.A. at Minneapolis.

“The Czecho-Slovaks look upon the “Y” secretary as though he were their leader. They model their ways after him. Comb their hair as he combs his. Adopt his mannerisms. In short, he is their ideal and his influence establishes law and order in the community where he is located. He has the consideration, friendship and confidence of all factions. For this reason, it is thought that the American Y.M.C.A. secretaries will undoubtedly have a great deal to do with laying the foundations of the future agricultural, commercial and economic structure of the country.

“A terrific responsibility rests upon the American people at this trying time that they may not be found wanting in response to the simple trust which is placed in them by these overseas neighbors whose sanity and poise we must help preserve.”

Read more about the Y.M.C.A.

Funeral of Lieut F L Hammerstrand, Renville County Journal, 11-8-1918

The funeral services of Lieut. Frank L. Hammerstrand were held Thursday afternoon, Oct. 24 at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew G. Hammerstrand, on South Washington Street. A quartette composed of Misses Edna Larson and Anna Lundeen and Messrs. Fred Anderson and Austin Lawrence sang “Rock of Ages” by Thomas Hastings. Miss Agnes Laurence accompanied on the piano.

Rev. A. P. Westerberg of the Lutheran church read David’s Psalm 130 and offered prayer, whereupon Rev. Birger Nelson, pastor of the English Lutheran Church of Rankin, of which church the mourning family had been members many years and where several of the family are still members; delivered a well prepared address on the theme, “I Have Fought the Good Fight,” using as his text 2 Tim. 4:7. Rev. Nelson made several references to Lieut. Hammerstrand’s student and professional life, which he knew so well, that illustrated in a striking manner the theme and the thought. The quartette sang “America” by Samuel Francis Smith, and Rev. Westerberg preached in the Swedish language using for his text Matt. 11:26, “Yea, Father, for so it was well pleasing in thy sight.” After the sermon Rev. Westerberg read the following.

Obituary:

Lieut. Frank Gustaf Leonard Hammerstrand was born on a farm northeast of Rankin, Ill., October 11, 1881. He was confirmed in the Lutheran church at Paxton, Ill., May 16, 1897. He began studying at Augustana College in 1898 and graduated from the commercial department. After having held several positions he returned to Augustana and studied in the college of liberal arts until he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago, where he graduated in 1909. He spent two years doing hospital work and took up the practice of medicine in Sacred Heart, Minn., in 1911. There he had a large practice and made an unnumbered host of friends who admired and loved their physician, as the tributes therefrom testify.

Dr. Hammerstrand had recently built a new and beautiful residence in Sacred Heart, and this very day, the twenty-fourth of October, his birthday, had long since been selected as the day on which he would lead his bride-elect to the altar and immediately thereupon settle in their cozy home. But the draft age limits were widened all present plans canceled, the wedding postponed until after the war, and the doctor enlisted in the United States army, ranking First Lieutenant. About a week before his death he received a message from his brother, Private Harry Hammerstrand, that the latter was very ill with Spanish Influenza. The lieutenant immediately started from New York, where he brother was a patient in a base hospital. Evidently Lieut. Hammerstrand was fatigued and overworked when leaving for his brother’s bedside, and when coming to the hospital he was unable to be with his brother but a few minutes and he himself had to be taken to bed as a patient.

A week ago today Mr. A. G. Hammerstrand received a telegram that both of his sons were seriously ill. The following morning the father and his daughter Laura started for New York, arriving there last Saturday, and came to the besides of Frank and Harry shortly before the former’s demise. Whether Frank was sufficiently conscious to realize his father’s and sister’s presence could not be ascertained. For a moment it seemed that he recognized his father, for he lifted his eyes and it seemed that he endeavored to whisper “father.” At 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 19, he died in the Hospital Aviation Depot, Garden City, L.I., at the age of 37 years and 8 days.

He leaves to mourn him his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew G. Hammerstrand, of Paxton; four sisters and two brothers – Miss Mattied Hammerstrand, a Red Cross nurse in France; Mrs. Herman Bloomstrand, of Clarence, Mrs. Carl A. Martinson, of Paxton, whose husband is in the United States Navy; Miss Laura Hammerstrand, at home with her parents; Claude Hammerstrand of Rankin, and Private Harry Hammerstrand, still very sick in a U. S. Base Hospital in New York; also many other relatives near and far, who, with hosts of friends, mourn the loss of a dear kin and friend. We would especially mention among those who are grief-stricken the betrothed bride, Miss Otelia Torbenson, of St. Paul, Minn.

It is a strange coincidence that Pastor Birger Nelson of Rankin and myself, both of us classmates, should conduct the funeral rites of this honored servant of God, our country and humanity, whose schoolmates we were and knew so well at college, While at Augustana College Frank Hammerstrand was known for his Godly life and faithfulness. We knew him as a studious and trustworthy young man, living quietly and modestly amongst his companions. Though kind and friendly to all, having agreeable and sociable manners, he had no desire to sport away his time or to take part in the many socil functions. For this reason he succeeded so well at school for at Augustana only the fittest in studies survivie in examinations, and for this reason, too, he made such advances in his chosen calling.

And now he has won the victory and gone to his reward – your son and brother and love, our comrade, friend and schoolmate. May he rest in peace until the coming again of Jesus Christ, the Risen one, who shall reward everyone according to His many mercies.

“He shall enter into peace: They shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” (Isa. 57:12.)

The evening before the funeral Rev. Westerberg received by special delivery a set of resolutions from the Church Board of the Swedish Lutheran Ebenezar Church of Sacred Heart, Minn., of which church Lieut. Hammerstrand was a member at the time of his death. Rev. H. O. Hemming of Sacred Heart, the pastor of the deceased, sent the resolutions, which were drafted in the Swedish language. The following is a free translation of them. Both the original and the translation were read at the funeral:

Resolutions of Condolence

Where-as, it has pleased the Lord to so unexpectedly call to His eternal rest Dr. F. L. Hammerstrand from his assiduous labors of mitigating the sufferings of humanity.

Be it therefore resolved:

  1. That the Board expresses its deep sympathy with the nearest relatives, who have lost a beloved son and brother, and urge them not to sorrow as those who have no hope; for the deceased trusted in Jesus as his Savior, labored faithfully within his territory for the welfare of his fellowmen and was a good member of the church as becomes a Christian;
  2. That, although in Dr. Hammerstrand’s untimely death you have sustained an irreparable loss and we have lost an efficient physician and beloved church member, we humbly submit ourselves to God’s wise Counsels of Love and thank the Lord for what our departed brother has accomplished amoung us, and we also hope for a blessed reunion in the Land of the Living.

The Board of the Ebenezar Church, Sacred Heart, Minn.

After these resolutions were read, the following telegram of sympathy which is a tribute from the citizens of Sacred Heart, Minn., to the honor and memory of Dr. Hammerstrand, was read:

Sacred Heart, Minn., Oct. 21, ’18. “Rev. A. P. Westerberg, 554 E. Orleans St., Paxton, Ill.:

“In behalf of the citizens of Sacred Heart and vicinity we desire to express our deepest sympathy with the near relatives of Dr. F. L. Hammerstrand, who died so unexpectedly. His death is a great loss to us all. He proved himself an efficient doctor, a good citizen and a benefactor to suffering mankind, being loved by all. May his reward be everlasting bliss among the saints in heaven.

“G. P. Mangerud, Mayor,

“H. O. Hemming, Pastor of Swedish Lutheran Church.”

The services at the house were closed with a song by the quartette, “My Jesus as Thou Wilt,” by Benjamin Schmolke, and the benediction by the pastor. The services at the grave were conducted by Rev. Westerberg, assisted by Rev. Birgir Nelson.

Company F, I. N. G., members under command of Lieut. Clarence Larson, served as pall bearers and furnished the firing squad and trumpeter. The ball bearers were Judd Moore, Ivis Atwood, Elmer Brunton, Lawrence Miller, Arvid Anderson, and Albert Ostlund. The firing squad was composed of Lester Johnson, Carl Nordquist, Fletcher Cole, Gerald Warner, Arvid Peterson and Chester Gowdy. George Burkhard acted as trumpeter. The flowere carriers were Misses Grace Larson, Evelyn Swanson, Frances Anderson, Hazil Lindell, Gertruded Anderson and Edna Anderson. – Paxton (Ill.) Daily Record.

Private Joseph Martin, Franklin Tribune 11-7-1918

Carl Joseph Martin
January 22, 1890 – October 28, 1918
Killed in Action in France.

Word has been received that Private Joseph Martin, who enlisted in the United States army May 29th, last, and sailed for France in August, was killed in Action on October 28th.
Joseph Martin was born January 22, 1890, in Camp Township. He was reared by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Savela, both of whom are now dead. He was an industrious and well liked young man. The surviving relatives are: one sister, Mrs. Oscar Stonelake, and one brother, William Martin of Bandon. The sympathy of this communkity is tendered the sorrowing relatives.

Letter From Joseph Goeddertz, Bird Island Union, 11-7-1918

Letter From France: Joe Goeddertz Take Part in Great Drive Against Huns

From Kossuth Co. Advance, How a Kossuth county boy who only six months ago was peacefully farming in Minnesota, helped chase the Huns “somewhere in France” five months later is told in vivid letter received last week by Mr. John Goeddertz, of Algona, from their son Joe.

Joe lived four years near Bird Island, Minn., where his sister, Mrs. F. E. McCorkle, also resides, when he received his call to the colors last spring. On April 28 he was sent to Camp Dodge. After about 2 weeks there, he was transferred to Camp Travis, Texas, where he remained six weeks. In June he embarked for overseas, and spent the Fourth of July in England.

Father Escaped From Germany

It adds to the interest of Joe’s story to learn that his father was German born and served two years in the German Army. In fact, the elder Goedderts, with two companions left the army to come to the country. That was in 1866, and the thrilling story of the escape of the three comrades will bear telling sometime.

Joe’s letter, which was dated September 18, follows:

“Well, thank God, I’m still with the living and well. I have just got back from a five day drive and it sure was the awfulest thing I ever saw.

Drive Boches Five Miles

“We went to the front in a rain. Most of the night we marched in mud. At about five o’clock in the morning we went over the top. By that time we had become wet through to the skin and were so covered with mud that we looked like clay balls.

“We drove the Boches back five miles, killed many and took I don’t know how many prisoners, but a large number, for we went so fast they couldn’t get away from us. They left may guns and a great deal of ammunition behind them.

I have talked with some of the prisoners, and they said the American boys were the worst fighters they ever saw. Most of the prisoners are old men with beards or young boys. One of them told me the Germans were calling out boys only 14 year old and were even using women.

Women Fight Like Hell

“We captured women carrying machine gun ammunition, and also found some chained to their machine guns. Some fought like hell, but most of them gave up when we rushed them.

“The Germans are still going back, but I don’t know how far they went. It must be some distance, however, for we can no longer hear the guns. Just now are resting. How soon we shall go back into the fight none of us know.

“It is hell – more than hell – to take part in a drive; but I must say we haven’t lost as many men as might have been expected.

No Man’s Land Disappears

“The Germans we drove back had a good many concrete dugouts, with trenches in some places, and more barbed wire than one would think there could be in the world. But nothing stopped us and there isn’t any No Man’s Land any more.

“I think of you all when the bullets and shrapnel are flying out there ahead of us, but when we get into action we are too busy with what to do next to give a thought to anything else.” Joe is a member of the 359th U. S. Infantry Machine Gun Co.

Four Sons in Army, Father in Civil War, Buffalo Lake News, 11-8-1918

It may be of interest to the readers of your paper to learn of the whereabouts of my sons. When war was declared in Europe I could scarcely believe it and dreaded such a war, for having gone through the Civil War I knew what another war would mean.

But when Uncle Sam declared war in defense of the United States for which I fought four long years, I wanted my boys to do their duty toward their country.

Oscar Schmidt

Four are now in service, Oscar enlisted. When he chose between corporal or truck driver for the coast artillery, he accepted corporal for “overseas” duty – Battery C. 36th artillery, Ft. Barrancas, Florida.

Walter Schmidt

Walter was awarded a “chevron” inside of two weeks. He writes that he has charge of an anti-air craft gun and a squad of men and is now in France.

Luvern (no photograph of him) volunteered in the S.A.T.C. at Northwestern College, Naperville, Illinois. He is just recovering from an attack of the influenza.

Waldermar (no photograph of him) is in England, Co. E. 343rd Infantry, on the Intelligence Division. He says it’s one of the most dangerous positions in the army.

Henry Schmidt, Commander of Post 85