World War I Memorial Centennial – Humboldt Park
There are 22 names on the WWI memorial in Humboldt Park. Names of men who served and died in service to their nation.
Otto Carl Beyersdorf
846 Burnham (with his brother Harry Beyersdorf who also served in the Army in WW1)
Son of William Friedrich and Albertine Beyersdorf nee Gajewski Born Nov. 27, 1893 Menominee, Mich.
Lived at 608 Somerette, Menominee, Mich. Worked as a patternmaker at B. E. Dost Co. in Menominee.
Enlisted Milwaukee Mar. 19, 1918. Was a pattern maker. Promoted to petty officer.
Assigned in Philadelphia to USS Henderson. Promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
USS Henderson was burned at sea. Otto was rescued but pneumonia followed due to exposure.
He was sent to British Hospital in Corfu, Greece where he died Aug. 14, 1918. Buried in Corfu British Cemetery.
Body was exhumed Feb. 4, 1920 and arrived in New York Mar. 4 1920.
Buried in Riverside Cemetery Menominee, Mich. Mar. 8 1920.
Blasé Dobnik
168 Archer Ave. 29 years old
Private Company B 29 Infantry 17th Division
17th Division was intended to be a replacement division but before it could sail to France an outbreak of disease cancelled the trip.
Died Pneumonia (possibly 30 Oct. 1918) 11 Nov. 1918 Camp Perry, Ohio
Buried Holy Cross Cemetery
Born Dobrowle Austria 11 Apr 1889
Immigrated to US 20 May 1906 from Cherbourg France to New York on SS New York.
For a while he lived with his older brother Joseph (?) at 483 Virginia St.
Maurice Lawrence Downey
391 Pryor Ave. 22 years old.
Listed as Morris in some records.
US Navy GM3 Gunners Mate USS Von Steuben
His ship had three encounters with submarines
Body was originally buried in Kerfautres Cemetery in France and was exhumed and brought back to be buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery
St. Francis May 1920.
Enlisted in the Navy Denver, Colo, July 7, 1916,
Assigned to USS Von Steuben, ex-German liner Kronprinz Wilhelm, troop transport (ID-3017)
Drowned, September 26, 1918 in Brest France.
Born in Menominee, Michigan 21 Jan. 1896
Listed as Catholic
Parents Richard F. and Marguerite S. Downey nee Eilers
Maurice is listed as having attended Marquette University for 1 year and was an inspector of shells at Allis-Chalmers.
Ostroja Dragisic (Ostoja)
97 S. Bay
Registered for Draft in Milwaukee 5 June 1917.
He was born in Kronja, Austria 12 June 1887 and lived at 97 S. Bay St. He was married and had one child and was employed at Illinois
Steel Company.
He was described as medium height with a stout frame. He had brown eyes and dark hair. He was an alien. He came over on the ship
Prinz Oscar which left Hamburg Ger. on 6 May 1913 and landed in Philadelphia no date given.
In 1915 city directory his named was spelled Dragisish and he lived at 235 Superior with another person named Mile who also came over
on Prinz Oscar. Both were laborers.
In 1914 he lived at 235 Superior with his bother Mile.
There was a child Mile born 25 Jan 1915 in Milwaukee.
1917 City Directory; Dragisic, Majk – 244 Bishop Ave. (maybe his father?)
Have not been able to find any information about his service record.
Joseph J. Feest
821 Elliot Place 29 years old
Elliot Place is now Dewey Place north of Parkside School
In 1900 and 1905 lived on Brunks Lane
Private Company B 58th Infantry 4th Division
Trained at Camp Funston in Kansas
Departed for France on 6 May 1918 from Brooklyn on the ship Moldavia.
KIA Chateau Thierry France 8 Aug. 1918
Originally buried in France and later brought back to US
Body left Antwerp on 26 April 1921 on ship U.S.A.T. Wheaton arrived in Hoboken
Buried 13 June 1921 in Holy Trinity Cemetery
Born 30 Nov. 1888 Milwaukee WI
Parents Joseph Feest and Anna Wieland Feest
He was a core maker at Sinver Steel Works
Had a brother, Clarence J. Feest who also served overseas in WW1.
He was listed as Catholic.
Charles Herbert French
900 Kenesaw St. 22 years old
(Kenesaw St. became S. Woodward Ave. about 1930)
Entered service 5 Aug, 1917 in Milwaukee.
Private Medical Department 121 FA Regiment 57th Field Artillery Brigade 32nd Division
Transported to France on Ship #22 from Hoboken on 4 March 1918
(On transport list his NoK is listed as wife Gladys French)
Took ill while at Coetquidan, France and was sent back to US.
Mustered out 6 August 1918, never recovered from illness and died in 1919.
Buried Forest Home Cemetery
Parents William A. and Anna C. French nee Huettmann
Born Port Washington, WI 5 Feb. 1896
He was a Presbyterian
He worked as a Sheet Metal Worker at Corliss Motor Truck Company and at Allis Chalmers.
Alfred E. Gaartz
-658 Dover 43 years old
Captain 120 Machine Gun Battalion Wisconsin National Guard/ 32nd Division
Served in Spanish-American War
Sailed to France from Hoboken on 18 Feb. 1918 on ship No.39 (no name given)
KIA Juvigny 29 August 1918
Body was returned on ship U.S.A.T. Somme
Somme left Calais on 27 Feb. 1921
Arrived Hoboken on14 March 1921.
Parents Carl and Louisa Gaartz nee Krueger
Member Ascension Lutheran Church Milwaukee
born 29 Aug. ’75 at Milwaukee, WI; son of Carl and Louise Gaartz; NoK Mrs. Alfred (Gertrude Alta Graham)) E. Gaartz, wife, Van Buren St., Milwaukee, WI (hometown); also had ties to Tomah, WI; enlisted as Pvt. in WNG; served with Co. K, 2D Wis. Inf., in Puerto Rico during Spanish- American War, left as Pvt. returned as Cpl.; 2d Lt. in 1ST Wis. Inf. when he competed in marksmanship match at Camp Perry, OH in ’08 and ’09, competed as 1st Lt. in Aug. ’13; 1st Lt. and adjutant of 2D Bn., 1ST Wis. Inf. during Mexican Border Crisis; Capt. and Cdr. of Bay View MG Co., which was MG Co., 5TH Wis. Inf., at Bay View, WI when it was organized at Bay View, WI ca. Apr. ’17 (he helped organize the unit); unit became Co. C, 119TH MG Bn. when 32D Div. was organized; sailed for France aboard USS George Washington; unit re-designated Co. D, 120TH MG Bn. in France; KIA 29 Aug. ’18 near Juvigny, artillery shell; succeeded by 1st Lt. Thomas T. Sweetman (Sweetnam) as Cdr. of Co. D, Alfred, 1st Sgt. and clerk were WIA by same shell; interred at Woodlawn Cemetery, Milwaukee, WI
1917 City Directory gives address as 658 Dover. Also found a document titled The Milwaukee County Dead in the World War compiled in 1934. Within that document is the following; “Captain A.E. Gaartz, stated by the Milwaukee newspapers to be the highest ranking officer from that city killed in the World War, was long identified with Tomah, and in the lists made up at that place is enrolled as one of Monroe County soldier dead. His remains repose in a Milwaukee cemetery, and in the present list his name will be found in the section devoted to Milwaukee County. This does not settle the question as to his legal residence, but it avoids duplication.”
Buried Woodlawn Cemetery
Pietro (Peter) Dominic Giacoma
251 Bishop Ave. 23 years old
(Bishop Ave. became Wentworth around 1930.)
Company K 126 Infantry 32nd Division
Transport to France 17 Feb. 1918 from Hoboken on ship 35 (no name given)
Died Of Wounds 28 August 1918
Buried Oise-Aisne American Cemetery
Born in Lugnacco Italy 16 December 1894 to Candido Antonio and Giuseppina.
NoK Joe Oddone, brother-in-law, 215 Bishop Ave., Milwaukee, WI; Hometown Grand Rapids, MI;
Was a baker in Grand Rapids
Served with Co. K, 126TH Inf. 32nd Division
DW 28 Aug. ’18; interred at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery
This plaque is posted in the triangle of Potter, Delaware and st. Clair.
William Raphall Howard
194-11th Street 24 years old
Private First Class Company C 107 Field Signal Battalion 32nd Division
Died Meningitis 13 Feb. 1918 in Dijon, France.
Born 13 Oct. 1893 Mount Horeb, WI
Father Alexander, mother unknown
Hometown Milwaukee, WI; served with Co. C, 107TH Fld. Sig. Bn. 32nd Division
Transported to France 23 Jan. 1918 from New York on ship #506
Lived at St. Amelianus Orphanage in Town of Lake in 1900 and 1905
With his brother Joseph
Was a machinist at Norberg Co.
Interred at Arlington National Cemetery;
Not listed in 32D Div. in WW
Robert J. Laplander to Doughboy MIA
Monday’s MIA for August 6th, 2018 is Private John Sheridan Minch
Born September 21st, 1901, in Beaver, Ohio,
Private Minch was a laborer when he was enlisted in the regular army in October, 1916 at Muskegon, Michigan.
Assigned to Company H, 28th Infantry, of what would become the 1st Division, and went to the Mexican Border during the crises there before heading to France with the first American combat contingent to go over in June, 1917.
He served with the 1st in the Toul sector, Montdidier Sector and at Cantigny.
He was killed in action at Soissons on July 21st, 1918 Nothing else is known at this time.
John Henry Lee
452 Superior St. 26 years old
Private First Class 12th Balloon Corps.
Took part in St. Mihiel Drive, Argonne Meuse Drive
Died of Disease broncho-pneumonia Dec. 21, 1918
Born Nov. 3, 1892 in Milwaukee
Parents George H. and Catherine Lee
Graduated from South Division High School
Entered service in Salt Lake City, Utah
Worked as a printer for newspaper Telegraph in Salt Lake City.
Edward W. J. Luedtke
595 Potter Ave. 24 years old
Corporal 58th Infantry 4th Division
Shipped out to France 11 May 1918 from New York aboard ship Themistocles
Fought in following battles: Aisne-Marne, Somme offensive,
St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne
WIA St. Mihiel, Meuse Argonne late Oct. 1918
Wounded at Septsarger, France September 28, 1918 and was sent to Evacuation Hospital #4 He died late October in Base Hospital #58.
Body returned to Hoboken on SS Weaton on 2 July 1921.
Ship departed Antwerp on 19 June 1921.
Buried Good Hope Cemetery Greenfield
Parents Christian Albert and Emilie Luedtke nee Kuepple
Born 4 April 1894 Milwaukee
Edward was married to Hazel Luedtke nee Hubert
He was Lutheran.
He worked as a collector for American Express
There were actually three Edward Luedtke’s who served in World War 1 who came from Milwaukee. One lived on Ellen St. one on Elm and this one who lived on Potter.
Grover G. (C.) Mattuschek
267 Burrell St. 25 years old
Entered service at Camp Custer, Mich.
Private First Class Supply Company I, 340 Infantry later in Supply Co. 39 Infantry 4th Division
Sailed to France aboard the Espange left New York on 8 May 1918
Took part in following battles: Aisne-Marne, St. Miheal, Meuse-Argonne
Died Pneumonia 4 Nov. 1918
Born 8 Nov. 1892 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Listed as being Catholic
Worked as Superintendent at Associated Artists.
Parents Richard and Alma Mattuschek nee Henke
Brother Robert who served in Medical Corps. During WW1
Buried Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France
Charles Peltier
291 Northwestern Ave. or 176 S. Bay St. 20 years old
Private Company G 49 FA 24th US Cavalry Corps.
Member of IC Parish
Born 14 Feb. 1897 in Milwaukee
Parents Ernest Peltier and Emma Ingabor Petterson (Ryaerson)
Father died 13 Dec. 1902 in Milwaukee
Entered service 4 April 1917
Assigned to Battery D 42 Field Artillery
24h Calvary Corp Company G 4th Division(?)
Died Neur. and Neph. 1 Dec. 1917 in camp in US
(Possibly Fort D. A. Russell in Wyoming.)
Buried Mount Olivet Cemetery
Do not have a picture of Charles in uniform but here is a picture of him as a milkman in Bay View before the war.
Emil William Schwertfeger
193 Williams St. 24 years old
Died Paratyphoid 11 Sept. 1918
Born 10 July 1893(4) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Private First Class Company K 39th Infantry 4th Division
Shipped out on transport Lenape on 10 May 1918 from Hoboken, NJ
Buried Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery France
Parents Karl (Charles) and Phillipina (Wilhelmina) P. Kueger (?)
There is some discrepancy on the first names of his parents.
Worked as a packer at Northern Glass Works and a cigar maker.
George Seely
1005-35th St (Western Ave.) 23 years old
Lived at 1340 Kinnickinnic until mother remarried
Then moved to 35st address.
Private 340th Infantry 85th Division
The 85th Division was a replacement unit.
He was reassigned to the 26th Division when he arrived in France
Shipped to France on 27 Feb. 1918 from Hoboken on ship #3
Served with Company F 104th Infantry 26th Division
KIA Apremont Forest St. Aignon 12 April 1918
Body brought back from Antwerp on 23 May 1921 on U.S.A.T. Cambria To Hoboken.
Buried Forest Home Cemetery
Born 3 April 1894 in Milwaukee
Mother Mary Seely. Father Edward John Seely-died 1898.
Lived with his grandparents on KK until mother remarried.
Grandparents were Edward and Elizabeth Seely.
He was a Linotype Operator at Wisconsin Type Setting Co.
Mother, Mary was married to Julius Stoll circa 1900 in Milwaukee.
Erwin Edward Stein
941 Mound St.
The only Erwin Stein I can find was born in Milwaukee and moved to Los Angeles CA. in the early 1900s with his brother Albert.
Born 18 August 1891 in Milwaukee
Parents Louis Stein and Emelia Stein
Lived at 120 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles
He worked as a printer.
Private in Company D 316th Engineers 91st Infantry Division
Departed from New York for France 6 July 1918 aboard ship Armagh.
Died 2 Oct. 1918 France
Buried Meuse-Argonne Cemetery France
Leo Edward Tallroth
539 Clement Ave. – 28 years old
Born 10 March 1890 in Helsingfors, Neiland, Finland
Listed as an alien and a subject of Russia,
Enlisted in 1ST Wis. FA Regt., WNG, at Milwaukee, WI
Assigned to Btry. B when 120THFA Regt. was organized.
Private First Class Battery B 120 Field Artillery 32nd Division
Departure date to France 4 March 1918 from Hoboken, NJ on ship No. 22
KIA 7 Aug. 1918 by shell fragment near St. Gilles at age 28
Buried Oise-Aisne American Cemetery
NoK Helmer (Hgalmar) Tallroth, brother, 539 Clement Ave., Milwaukee, WI (hometown);
Leo was a Laborer at Standard Brick Co. in Milwaukee
Nicholas William (Willy) Thiel
536 Clement Ave. 27 years old
Entered service in Columbus, Ohio 16 July 1918
Corporal-Management Center Army Co. 76, Group 6, Motor Transport Corp.
Died Pneumonia 16 (or 18) Oct. 1918 Camp Hancock near Augusta, GA in US
Parents Nicholas Thiel and Annie Reichif
Born 30 Oct. 1891 Milwaukee
Was a steel inspector at Illinois Steel
Listed as Catholic.
Buried in Holy Trinity Cemetery Milwaukee217 St. Clair 23 years old
Settled in Palatka, Mich.
Private First Class GHQ MP Corps. Company C 1st Hdq Bn. 86th Division
Departed from New York on 9 Sept. 1918 on ship Minnekahda
Died 29 Jan. 1919 cause unknown
Body brought back from Antwerp Belgium on ship Crook on 28 Dec. 1921
Buried Stambaugh Cemetery Iron River Michigan on 5 Feb. 1922
Born in Borgiallo Piedmonte Italy 12 August 1894
Came to US 1 Oct. 1910 on ship La Provence from Havre.
Parents were Giacomo Giovanni I “James John” Trucano and Angelino Basolo
Eugene was made a citizen of US due to military service on 1 August 1918
He is also listed in memorial on Bay View’s East side with Peter Giacoma.
Eugene Louis Trucano (Eugenio Luigi Trucano)
217 St. Clair 23 years old
Settled in Palatka, Mich.
Private First Class GHQ MP Corps. Company C 1st Hdq Bn. 86th Division
Departed from New York on 9 Sept. 1918 on ship Minnekahda
Died 29 Jan. 1919 cause unknown
Body brought back from Antwerp Belgium on ship Crook on 28 Dec. 1921
Buried Stambaugh Cemetery Iron River Michigan on 5 Feb. 1922
Born in Borgiallo Piedmonte Italy 12 August 1894
Came to US 1 Oct. 1910 on ship La Provence from Havre.
Parents were Giacomo Giovanni I “James John” Trucano and Angelino Basolo
Eugene was made a citizen of US due to military service on 1 August 1918
He is also listed in memorial on Bay View’s East side with Peter Giacoma.
Charles John Vallier
512 Superior St.
1916 City Directory; gives an address of 512 Superior and lists his occupation as “Yardmaster.”
Charles Vallier Jr. was the son of Charles Sr. and Elizabeth and the grandson of Joseph Vallier, whose farm is now part of Bay View Park.
Charles Jr. worked as a clerk at Illinois Steel. He moved to Chicago and enlisted in the Army in Chicago in June 1917 to fight in WWI.
He served with the 311th Engineers. He was injured and died after surgery at age 30.
He was buried at Suresnes American Cemetery in France but is immortalized at the WWI kiosk in Humboldt Park in Bay View.
Sgt. 311 Engrs 86th Division Died Mar. 6. 1919
Born: 10 Jul 1888 Place: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Shipped out to France on 9 Sept. 1918 from New York on ship Empress of Asia
Died: 6 Mar 1919 Place: France
Married Mae Minn 7 Sept. 1910
Daughter born 31 May 1911
Divorced Mae.
Married a second time wife’s Name Marie Ruth nee Sheldon 26 June 1918 in Lake County Indiana.
Worked as a clerk at Joseph Ryerson and Son.
Buried at Suresnes American Cemetery in France.
Body was shipped back on 20 Sept. 1920 from Antwerp on ship Pocohonas.
Arrived in Hoboken N.J. 18 Oct. 1920.
Was reburied in Forest Home Cemetery.
Arthur L. C. Wilke
951 Mound St. also 186 Austin St. 24 years old
Entered service 15 July 1917 in Milwaukee
Sergeant 120 Machine Gun Battalion 32nd Division
Left for France on 18 Feb. 1918 on ship No. 39 from Hoboken
Fought in battles: Chateau Theiry, Fismes Foret de Fere, Marne,
Juvigny, Meuse-Argonne
KIA 9 Oct. (12 Oct.) ’18 while leading his platoon north ofCierges at age 24;
interred at Woodlawn Cemetery, Milwaukee, WI Listed as Lutheran
Body was brought back on the ship Somme
Departure from Antwerp 23 June 1921
Arrived Hoboken on 7 July 1921
More information on Wilke
Born 28 Oct. ’94 (’93) at Streator, IL;
Paul M. and Pauline (Rothe) Wilke,
Mother NoK, 530 Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI;
Resided at 186 Austin St., Bay View, WI (hometown);
Original member of the Bay View MG Co., which was MG Co., 5TH Wis. Inf.,WNG, when it was organized at Bay View, WI ca. Apr. ’17;
Unit became Co. C, 119TH MG Bn. when 32D Div. was organized;
Unit redesignated Co. D, 120TH MG Bn.in France;
Battles include Foret de Fere, 2 Marne, Juvigny, Argonne;
He was a gas and steamfitter helper Newport Chemical Works.
Also listed as making explosives.
