Hudson Observer/1918/Closing Days Of Conflict Took A Big Toll Locally

Closing Days Of Conflict Took A Big Toll Locally. The Families of Many Jersey City Boys Get Word of Their Deaths. Prussian Veteran's Son Among The Dead. Weehawken Lieutenant, Wounded, Was Long in New York Guard. Jersey City Park Employee Killed. Hobokenite Succumbs to Wounds. Influenza Kills One in England. Sergeant Gustav C. Burkardt, of 341 Garden street, Hoboken, listed today as having died of wounds received in action, was well known in Hoboken and Hudson County. He was 27 years old and entered the army in the first draft in September, 1917, going overseas the following June. He was in Company C, of the 33d Engineers. His wife, Mrs. Matilda Burkardt, stated this morning that he has not yet received any official notification of her husband's death. He is also survived by his seven-year-old son and his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. John Burkardt. His brother, Frank, is at present in service in France. Mrs. George H. Heinbock, of 267 Jackson avenue, Jersey City, is in receipt of a letter written by Rev. Francis Duffy, chaplain of the "Fighting 69th," now the 165th Infantry, informing her that her husband, Private George Henry Heinbock, was killed in action during a severe engagement on the Ourcq. Father Duffy tells of the heroic fight made by Private Heinbock's company during that battle, and spoke of the game fight which the dead soldier put up. Private Heinbock belonged to Company L, of the 165th Infantry, having enlisted with the old 69th Regiment, shortly after being married in August, 1917. His wife was formerly Miss Anna Andre, of 276 Jackson avenue. "I'm sure he died fighting …" said Mrs. Heinbock last night. "The news of his death is somewhat softened by the glowing tribute which Father Duffy pays to his heroism." Through word from the War Department the family of Sergeant Benjamin O. Vonn, an old Fourth Regiment soldier, learned yesterday that he was slightly wounded in action just before the close of hostilities. He was attached to Company D, of the 111th Machine Gun Battalion. He lived with his family at 163 Wilkinson avenue, Jersey City. Sergeant Vonn was a member of the Fourth Regiment for eight years. He saw service on the Mexican border, and when America entered the war and his regiment was transferred to Camp McClellan at Anniston, Alabama, he went with his company there. In June of this year word was received at the Wilkinson avenue address that he had arrived safely overseas. Several letters since have also told of severe fighting in which he took part, but up to a short while before Germany signed the armistice he had escaped without injury. The family of Private Michael S. O'Donnell, of 89 Stevens avenue, Jersey City, have just learned that he was wounded in action August 31, in France. Private O'Donnell was employed at the Eagle Oil Works and was a member of the Eagle Oil Works Relief Association. He was a member of the 71st Regiment, which he accompanied to the Mexican border. He was mustered out when the regiment returned, but rejoined when America declared war on Germany. He was for several months at Camp at Spartansburg, South Carolina, being sent overseas in May of this year. Private O'Donnell lived with his uncle, Michael Welsh, at the Stevens avenue address. He has three other brothers in service. They are: Thomas P. O'Donnell, of 310th Infantry; James F. O'Donnell, of the 105th Infantry, and another in the 48th Field Artillery, all in France. Through the Red Cross Field Service, in France, the family of Private Albert Milton Hills, of 39 Long street, Jersey City, has learned that he died of disease while stationed with the 80th Field Artillery, in Ramsey, England. The young soldier succumbed to bronchial pneumonia brought on by a severe attack of Spanish influenza. The Red Cross message from over there showed that Private Hills died October 12. He enlisted November 12, 1917, and was originally assigned to the 18th Field Artillery, later being transferred to the 80th Division. He was stationed at Fort Slocum and El Paso. Texas, previous to his being sent oversees in September of this year. The Red Cross message told his family that he received the best of medical attention possible, but that his attack was too severe for any hope of recovery. The letter also stated that he was buried in the American cemetery in Winchester, England, with full military honors. Today's casualty list tells of the falling of the first of the twenty-two lads of Coles street, between Railroad avenue and First street, Jersey City, all members of the James J. McCue Association, who joined the Fourth Regiment in a body in May, 1917. He is Corporal Leonard Shopp, of the 113th Infantry of the Blue and Gray Division, whose home is at 13 Coles street. His left eye was pierced by a Hun bullet August 5. Upon being removed to the American base hospital, after receiving his injury, Shopp wrote to his mother, Mrs. James Shott, saying that he had an ulcer of his left eye. His mother learned the truth through a telegram she received from the War Department last Wednesday. Before enlisting, Corporal Shopp was a pressman on the New York World. Of the other twenty-one who enlisted in Company F, of the old Fourth Regiment with him are all well and happy, except one who is in a German prison camp. Corporal Shopp was in the midst of severe fighting for a month before he fell. Private Michael Goodman, of 413 York street, Jersey City, was an unnaturalized Irishman, and it was just natural for him to join the old 69th Regiment soon after the United States declared war against the Huns. He fell while serving with Company K, of the 165 Infantry, on September 18 with alight bullet Mounds in both legs and hips and arms. He made his home with Mr. and Mrs. John Finn at the above ad- dress and before enlisting he was employed in Colgate & Company. Private William Pfister, a North Hudson boy, has been wounded "over there," according to a letter received by his mother, Mrs. S. Pfister, of 525 Ann street, West Hoboken. He is new in a hospital, the letter states, having been shot through the left wrist. Frederick Grapentine, a well known Hackensack boy who went to France as the cook for Company 114th Infantry, was killed by a shell which burst through the roof of the company kitchen October 10, recent War Department advices say. The soldier's mother lives in Fulton, New York. Mrs. Dora Allen, of 632 Madison street, West New York, has received news from France that her son, Sergt. John J. Allen, was gassed in battle on October 24. He is in the base hospital at Bordeaux. Sergeant Allen enlisted in April, 1917, with the Fourth Regiment and is now in the 104th Field Signal Battallion. A telegram from the War Department last night informed Mrs. Elizabeth Hanley, of 122 Ogden avenue, Jersey City Heights, that her son, Private Peter N. Hanley, of Battery A, 303d Field Artillery, had died October 5 in a hospital in France from a pneumonia following his being gassed by the Huns. Private Hanley although in the draft enlisted before being called and after a period of training at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. was sent to Camp Devens. He went overseas a few months ago. The dead soldier be- fore he enlisted was a mechanic in the employ of the Jersey City Department of Streets and Public Improvements. He was twenty-eight years old; was born in Jersey City, attended public schools Nos. 6 and 8, graduating from the latter and also the Dickinson High School. He was a. prominent member of the Eleventh Ward Democratic Club which last Thursday night postponed a "peace and victory" celebration it had planned for that night following an unofficial report of his death. Private Hanley was also a member of Jersey City Lodge of Elks, the Steamfitters' Union and the Catholic Benevolent Legion. Besides his widowed mother, he is survived by his brothers, John Hanley, a patrolman attached to the Fourth Precinct, Jersey City, and Bernard Hanley, a plumber at the City Hospital; two sisters, Miss Loretta Hanley and Mrs. Rose Matthews. Another Jersey City Heights boy to make the supreme sacrifice, his family getting the official report last night, is Private Louis Freudenberg of 309th Infantry, whose home was at 63 Concord street. Private Freudenberg was twenty-four years old and was employed in New York prior to being drafted last spring. He was a graduate of No. 6 Public School. He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Max Freudenberg, four brothers, one of whom, Richard, is in the service at Camp Meade, Maryland, and three sisters. The family were making preparations to welcome him home when the fateful telegram announcing his death in action October 6 came and turned their joy to sadness. Lieut. Alexander Granat, the Weehawken soldier mentioned on today's casualty lists as wounded (degree undetermined), has been back on the firing line since his mishap which, according to his letters, was only a slight injury caused by an exploding shell when he was endeavoring to rescue an injured comrade from No Man's land. At his home, 112a Oak street, last night, his father stated that he is 32 years old and has been a soldier for the past ten years, having enlisted in the old 71st Regiment of the New York National Guard in 1908. He served on the Mexican border as a second lieutenant and after training at Camp Wadsworth, Spartansburg, South Carolina, with the 27th Division, went overseas with the 105th U. S. Infantry as a first lieutenant. In France his captain was killed and he has been in command of the company for some time. He was formerly head of the premium department of the U.S. Cigar stores in New York. He was born in Russia and came to this country with his parents at the age of seven, having resided in New York and Hoboken prior to taking up his residence in Weehawken four years ago. He is single and in his last letter was almost certain that the war would be over within a few weeks. He said that he was wounded August 24 and the War Department message was received long after he had informed them of his injuries. Sergeant Leonard Leaver, the West Hoboken boy mentioned on today's casualty list as having been made a prisoner by the Huns is by this time probably back with his American comrades if the terms of the armistice have been met by the Germans. Leaver, according to word received by his parents last week from the International Red Cross, was a prisoner in a camp in Germany and was in the best of health. As yet the family has had no word from the War Department. The youth must have been captured during the past seven weeks, for a letter dated about that time has since been received. He wrote of his experiences, said he had a ton of souvenirs and wished that the war was over so that he could get back home. "I've gone through a thousand hells," he says in this letter. In another letter to a chum, a fellow member of the Agile Club, who is in the navy. Leaver wrote that he would get a plot in France or bring back a medal. He is the son of Joseph Leaver, janitor of Public School No. 7, and formerly lived with his parents at 164 Weehawken street. He enlisted in the old 69th two and a half years ago and served on the Mexican border. He was born in old Public School No. 1 that stood for many years at Union street and Clinton avenue, when his father was the janitor and lived in the building. He is 26 years old and well known throughout the town. Another West Hoboken boy, Louis Zenan, of 318 Paterson avenue, has made the supreme sacrifice so that liberty and democracy might be preserved. The dead hero, who was drafted into the army last February, was a member of 308th Infantry, part of which comprised the famous lost battalion in the Argonne forest battle day. The news of the death of the soldier, October 8, was received by his widowed mother, with whom he lived at 318 Paterson avenue, last Wednesday. He was a machine gunner and, in an interesting letter received by his brother September 22, describes some of the experiences he had on the battle line. "Just came back from the firing line," he wrote, "and was pretty lucky, for you never can tell when a Hun will get you. It is some hard trying to dodge aeroplane bombs, artillery shells and rifle shots all at the same time. I do hope I get back safe for we have certainly done our bit. Sherman said 'War was hell,' I wonder what he would call this one. I don't think I would know how to sleep in a feather bed any more, it is so long since I slept in one. Give my regards to all my friends." The dead hero is survived by his wife and mother and a brother. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Klein, of 164 Bleecker street, Jersey City Heights, have received a telegram from the War Department, stating that their son, Private Charles J. Klein, attached to Company M, 309th Infantry, was killed in action on October 16. Private Klein was a popular Heights boy, having graduated from Public School No. 27. Before enlistment he was employed by the D. L. & W. R. R. Company. He was rejected in the draft on account of his height, but after persistent efforts he succeeded in enlisting in the infantry a year ago October. He went across last April. In a recent letter written to his parents, he stated that he expected to be home for Christmas. Mrs. John Doyle, of 33 West Fifty-third street, Bayonne, has received word from Washington that her brother, Frank Freeman, 33, had been killed in action in France October 8. He went to Camp Dix last April and overseas about a month later. He was attached to Company E. 309th Infantry. Previous to entering the service he was employed as a fireman at the Bayonne plant of the Standard Oil Company. His parents live in Ireland. Mrs. Lydia Mooney, of 537 Broadway, has been informed that her brother, David M. Beck, attached to Company A, 310th Infantry, had been wounded in France while in action. His injuries are understood not to be serious. He was drafted last March and before that was a cooper at the Pacific Coast Borax Company's plant in Bayonne. Word was received here yesterday by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Marschner, of Saddle River township, that their son, Charles M. Marschner, had been killed in action in France on October 14. Marschner was a member of the old Fifth New Jersey Regiment, now the 114th U. S. Infantry. Albert Marschner, his father, has been a court officer of Bergen County for many years and is a veteran of the Franco-Prussian war, fighting with the Prussian army. He was wounded in the leg. A telegram to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Best last night told of the death in action, October 11, of Sergeant Harry F. Best, of 16 Van Wagenen avenue, Jersey City. He was 24 years of age and a veteran of the Fourth Regiment with whom he served a full term of enlistment. He was a graduate of St. Joseph's Parochial School, and a popular and well known member of the Holy Name Society. He was for several years manager of one of S. W. Kagen's meat stores in Jersey City. Immediately upon the entrance of the United States into the war he enlisted and trained at Syracuse and at Camp Greene, going overseas in April with Company M, of the 38th Infantry. Another brother is in France as a member of an engineer regiment. He is survived by his parents, two brothers and four sisters. The police of Rutherford are trying to locate Mrs. Emma. Peters, wife of Corporal Louis Peters, reported killed in action. The address given in the letter sent here by a nurse in France is 92 Park avenue, the site of the City Hall, where the corporal is known. The records here do not show any Corporal Louis Peters, but the police are retaining the letter in the hope that some one who knows the corporal's widow will notify them of her present address. Private Clarence Hamilton Owen, of 17 Bidwell avenue, Jersey City, is reported to be a prisoner in a German camp. He is nineteen years old and belongs to Co. A 106th Infantry. He was a first gunner in a machine gun company. He enlisted in June, 1917, and was eighteen years old April 9 last. He went to school in Robertsville, New York, then to a commercial school in Brooklyn and finally lived in Jersey, City. Another Jersey City boy to make the supreme sacrifice is Priv. Garret Van Leeker, of 367 Bergen avenue. He is reported killed in action. He was drafted September 25, 1917. He went to Camp Dix and was transferred to Camp Greene, S. C. His last visit home was on March 17. He sailed for France on Good Friday and landed overseas April 7, just one year after his marriage. He was twice wounded. In July he was gassed and again on August 7, which was his birthday. His mother was Mrs. William H. Van Leeker, and he is survived by his wife, Sadie. He had two brothers who are both in the service. One brother, William, has been reported missing in action since September 22, and the other brother is in Camp Humphreys, Virginia.