New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Franconia

Photograph of the Abbie Gale Library in Franconia New Hampshire with the WWI monument sitting on the front lawn

Some time after World War I ended the small town of Franconia New Hampshire had a memorial created–a bronze plaque affixed to a rock. This was placed in front of the Abbie Greenleaf Library, where it still stands.

With the help of Priscilla Hindley, librarian at the Abbie Greenleaf Library, I was able to construct a story about the heroes of WWI from this town.  My thanks to her for taking and providing the photographs of the town’s WWI monument.

Two men from Franconia paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives–Herbert H. Hodge and Fay E. Whipple .  Both died on American soil at Hanover, NH during military training.

Close up of the Franconia NH WWI monument, taken by Priscilla Hindley, librarian at the Abbie Greenleaf Library. Used here with permission.

The plaque is engraved as follows:
————
1917 1919
HONOR ROLL
DEDICATED TO THE
CITIZENS OF FRANCONIA
WHO SERVED IN THE
WORLD WAR
[Left Column]
Roscoe R Bean
Harold L Bowles
Roy W Bowles
John L. Callahan
Ray L. Chase
Albert J. Delage
William A. Dowell
Clayton M. Glover
Clayton E. Herbert
*Herbert H. Hodge

[Right Column]
Percival S. Howe Jr.
Hiram L. Johnson
George McKenzie
D. Harris Nelson
Harley C. Noyes
Clifford A. Peabody
Roland E. Peabody
Paul H. Rich
Solon A. Richardson
*Fay E. Whipple
Harold F. Young
//

Second close up of the Franconia NH WWI monument, taken by Priscilla Hindley, librarian at the Abbie Greenleaf Library. Used here with permission.

✫★✫★✫★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★✫★✫★
Heroes of Franconia NH Including
Those Who Died During WWI
✫★✫★✫★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★✫★✫★
– L E G E N D –
[A] New Hampshire Honor Roll, Doric Hall, State House, Concord NH
[B] Death or Burial Record
[C] Some info from Find-A-Grave Listing
[D] WWI Registration Form, June 1917
[E] U.S. Military Transport Lists, WWI
*Photograph or Likeness provided
[#] Number refers to a footnote to follow with additional information on a particular soldier, sailor, or nurse.

✫★★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★
DIED IN WARTIME
✫★★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★

Herbert H. Hodge | U.S. Army | Died of Disease (Pneumonia/Influenza) 30 Sep 1918 Hanover NH | U.S. Army at Dartmouth College Training Detachment | Buried Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster NH (death certtificate says buried Concord VT | [B][C][D][1]

Fay Edson Whipple | Corporal | Died of Disease (Pneumonia/Influenza) 7 Oct 1918 “in service of his country” Infirmary Hanover NH Training Detachment| Buried Elmwood Cemetery Franconia NH |[A][B] [2]

[1] Herbert H. Hodge was born 7 Sep 1896 in Groveton NH, son of Charles K. & Belle (Nelson) Hodge, and grandson of Kimball & Mary (Evertworth) Hodge. In 1900 living in Northumberland NH with parents and sister Vivian Leota Hodge (who m. 1913 to William Francis Mulready). By 1910 the entire family had moved to Lyndon, Caledonia Co. VT. On 5 June 1918 he completed his WWI Registration form, at the time living in Franconia NH. C.K. Hodge of Concord VT was his next of kin (his father) and he described himself as having brown eyes, black hair and as being of medium heither and build. He died 30 September 1918 from pneumonia and acute nephritis as the result of influenza at Dartmouth College U.S. Army Training Detachment, Hanover NH, after an illness of 7 days. He had been at the Hanover Detachment Center from August 15-Sept 30, 1918. He was 22 years old. He is buried at the Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster NH, though his death certificate states he was buried in Concord Vermont. Herman H. Hodge’s name does NOT appear on the Roll of Honor in the NH State House Hall of Flags, though it DESERVES to be.
[2] Fay Edson Whipple was born 14 Jul 1891 in Franconia NH, son of Charlie E. & Eulela (Williams) Whipple, and grandson of Ira & Angelina H. (Edsen) Whipple. In 1900 his family was living in Franconia NH including sublings and his grandmother Angeline H. Whipple. In 1910 he was living with his family in Franconia NH including his grandmother and his younger sister Nina E. (who m. Roland E. Peabody). In June of 1917 his WWI Registration form shows he was single, a self-employed painter, who was supporting his mother and grandmother. He was tall and slender with blue eyes and brown hair. He was sent to Hanover NH for military training at the Dartmouth Deatchment and died there 7 October 1918 of catarrhal pneumonia as the result of influenza (1 week after Herbert H. Hodge mentioned above). He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Franconia NH.  His name is found on the Roll of Honor in Doric Hall, New Hampshire State House, Concord NH.

✫★★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★
HEROES WHO SURVIVED
✫★★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★

– Roscoe Richard Bean born 28 April 1895 Franconia NH, son of Richard Conkling & Lydia S. (Chandler) Bean. Enlisted from Albany NY. Served in the U.S. Army, a Private in Company A, 2nd Pioneer Infantry. He returned home from France aboard the ship, Lancaster arriving in Brooklyn NY on 4 July 1919. Died 25 Nov 1971 in Wells, Maine. Married 16 May 1922 in Revere MA to Hazel Hope Williams, dau of Samuel Jesse & Nina J. (Emery) Williams.
– Harold Little Bowles born 5 March 1893 Franconia NH, son of Eugene E. & Harriet B. (Little) Bowles. In 1900 living in Franconia NH with parents, and siblings Mariette L., Catharine L., Fred L., and Harold L. He d Sep 1977; m. 3 April 1919 in Everett MA to Caroline E. Brownlie, dau of John & Margett E. Brownlie. Buried Elmwood Cemetery, Franconia NH.
– Roy Willard Bowles born 10 May 1887 Franconia NH, son of Hibbard & Mary E. (Harris) Bowles. Sibling Pearl Bowles. He died 3 June 1976 in Whitefield NH. He served during WW1 enlisting 17 June 1918 and honorable discharged 13 Feb 1919. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Franconia NH.
– John Lewiston Callahan born 17 Nov 1898 Franconia NH. son of James & Ina Eliza (Lewiston/Levins/Lewins) Callahan. Had siblings Maud I., James E., and Leo C. His father was a hotel keeper. He died 28 Aug 1982 in Newton MA. He m. 23 No 1920 in Brighton VT to Jennie Treffen Drohen. Children: Duane and Elaine. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Franconia NH.
– Ray Lee Chase born 11 Feb 1890 in Clarksville NH, son of Allen & Flora (Roby) Chase. He m1) 5 March 1915 in Laconia NH to Estelle E. Rowell, dau of Bert H. & Ella (Chamberlain) Rowell. He m2d) 29 June 1918 in Randolph, Orange VT to Mary Julia Oney. He married 3d) 18 Feb 1944 in Colebrook NH to Violet Florida Dubois-Jones, dau of Joseph & Hazel (Brown) Dubois. He registered for the draft from Littleton NH. He is buried in Morrison Cemetery, Canaan VT
– Albert Joseph Delage born 19 Oct 1893 in Franconia NH, son of Joseph E. & Exelia (Faurtiner/Fortier) Delace/Delage. He m1) 20 Feb 1918 in Lisbon NH to Annie N. Nayes, dau of Kimball W. & Eletta (Witchell) Nayes. He married 2d) 12 Dec 1937 in Whitefield NH to Anna L. Belker-Delage, dau of George G. & Carrie S. (Barry) Belker. In 1900 living in Franconia NH. He died May 1964. He is buried in Saint Rose of Lima New Catholic Cemetery in Littleton NH. He served as a Pvt in 60th Ammo Train during WWI
– William Arthur Dowell born 8 April 1890 Birmingham England; steamfitter in June of 1917 in Franconia NH. Registered at Hartford CT. In 1940 living in Franconia with wife Florence and children, William and George H. Dowell. He served during WWI, becoming a naturalized citizen in January 1918 at Camp Devens MA.
– Clayton Mearl Glover born 15 July 1895 Island Pond/Brighton Vermont, son of Charles C. & Mabel (Mears) Glover, and died 15 January 1977.His WWI Draft Registration form shows that he was a carpenter for S.D. Morgan of Bethlehem, was single of medium height and stature with blue eyes and brown hair. The US Dept of Veterans Affairs BIRLS file shows he enlisted in the U.S. Army on 13 July 1918 and was honorable discharged on 23 December 1918. He married 21 March 1918 in Littleton NH to Sadie Ortensia Noyes, daughter of Daniel W. & Lillian (Bartin) Noyes. In 1940 living in Easton NH with wife, and children Barbara (who m. 1946 to Courtney Field Porter, and Roger Glover (b 1933, d. Oct 1985 Franconia NH).
– Clayton Earl Herbert born 22 Sep 1896 [Beckett] Washington MA, son of Henry E. & Eliza W. (Beane) Herbert; died 8 Jan 1942. In 1900 living in Franconia NH with parents and siblings Edith, Bertie, and Hughs. He m. 12 June 1923 in Littleton NH to Amy Morse-Dexter dau of George W. & Annie (Ordway) Morse. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Franconia NH. He served during WWI as a Private in Co. C, 59th Ammunition Train.
– *Herbert H. Hodge [SEE ABOVE, Died in Wartime]
– Percival Spurr Howe Jr. born 12 April 1895 West Newton MA, son of Percival S. & Blanche Thorn (Perry) Howe. He graduated from Harvard University, and in 1917 living in Franconia NH. Student at Federal Training Camp, Plattsburg NY. He served as a 2nd Lieut in the Coast Artillery Corps during WWI departing for Europe on 2 Oct 1917. He was also aide-de-camp to Brig. Gen. William Chamberlain. He died 15 May 1965 in Manhattan NY and is buried in East Cemetery, Marlborough NH. He married in June of 1922 to Milred L. Hunting, dau of Walter Channing Hunting and had 2 children. When the war ended he was president of Textile Research Institute in Princeton NJ, and later president of American Thread Company, NYC. He was a member of the Harvard Varsity and Algonquin Clubs of Boston and the Harvard Clubs of New York and Boston.
– Hiram Leonard Johnson was born Nov 1871 in Newbury Vermont, son of Sidney & Mary E. (Ford) Johnson. H m1st) 9 July 1896 in Newbury VT to Mabel May Lang, daughter of Robert G. & Sarah (Tewksbury) Lang. She d. 9 Jan 1915 in Franconia NH. They had one child Sarah E. John b. 3 Feb 1914 died 22 March 1914. He was a physician, and a graduate of Dartmouth Medical School. In 1900 living in Franconia NH with wife Mabel.  He m2d) 8 Feb 1916 in Boston MA to Sarah E. Coppinger, dau of John & Margaret T. (Devine) Coppinger. They had a son Thomas b. abt 1917 in NH. In 1930 living in Franconia NH with wife Sarah C. and son Thomas. Hiram Leonard Johnson died 12 June 1950 in Franconia NH. He served during WWI, Major, MC. GHQ, When he returned home from the war he arrived Hoboken NJ on 18 June 1919 from Brest France. River Gale Inn in Franconia NH was once a hospital operated by Hiram Leonard Johnson.
– George McKenzie was born 17 Feb 1897 in Franconia NH, son of George Gibson & Annie (Perry) McKenzie. His parents were both Scottish immigrants. In 1910 they were living in Franconia NH, including siblings Edward James (b 1892 East Saginaw Michigan), Robert J. (b c1895 Canada), Alexander (b c1900 H), Elizabeth M. (b c1903 Franconia NH, m. 9 June 1923 to Harrison N. Heath) and Catherine (b bt 1905 NH, m. 15 Oct 1924 to Victor Snell). By 1920 his then widowed father had moved to a farm in Landaff NH. He appears to have joined the merchant marine.
– D. Harris Nelson should read Daniel Horace Nelson born 14 Oct 1898 in Franconia NH, son of Elwyn C. & Elizabeth (Brooks) Nelson. His US Headstone Application for Military Veteran shows that he enlisted 18 Oct 1918 and was honorable dischanged on 30 September 1921. He served as an apprentice seaman in the U.S. Navy. In 1930 living in Berkeley California a teacher at the University. In 1942 he was employed by New Mexico State College. He married Hazel M. Hall, who was b 14 Oct 1902 in Canada and died 5 Jan 1981 in Windsor CT. She was a registered nurse for a college infirmary. He died 14 January 1955 in Pelham MA and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Franconia NH.
– Harley Calvin Noyes born 3 July 1894 in Easton NH, son of Ora W. & Elma “Elmie” (Huntress) Noyes. In 1910 he was living in Franconia NH with his parents and sibling: Flossie May (who m. 21 Dec 1929 to Roy LaForrest Judd). On 5 June 1917 he completed his WWI Registration form in Franconia NH, stating he was a laborer in Sugar Hill, was single with blue eyes, brown hair and of medium height and slender build. In 1940 living in Darien CT with wife Alice B (Dixon), and daughter, Geraldine (b 14 Jan 1930, d. 15 Apr 1991, m. Anthony Dabrowski). During WWI he served as a Private in the U.S. Army returning from France in 1919 aboard the ship Pastores.
– Clifford Allen Peabody was born 12 March 1896 in Lisbon NH, son of Frank & Blanche Ella (Huntoon) Peabody. In 1900 living in Franconia Co with his parents and sibling, Murdock C. (b 1 Sep 1897). He married 5 July 1928 in Queens NY to Gladys Josie Marsh. She was b. 25 March 1898 and d. Feb 1986. His military headstone application shows that he enlisted 13 July 1918 and was honorable discharged 18 June 1919. He served during WWI as a Private 1st Class in Battery D, 37th CAC, and as a PFC with the Motor Transport Co 793 MT Corps. He died 10 April 1955. He is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Littleton NH.
– Roland Eugene Peabody was born 15 May 1896 in Franconia NH, son of Henry Allen & Estella Maud (Phillips) Peabody, and died 31 Jan 1950. In 1900 he was living in Franconia NH with his parents. His WWI Registration form was complted in Franconia NH on 30 May 1918 and stated he was single, a lineman for New England Telephone & Telegraph Co., employed by Starr King. He was of medium height and build with blue eyes and brown hair. He married 31 Dec 1919 in Franconia NH to Nina E. Whipple, daughter of Charles E. & Eulela A. (Williams) Whipple), sister to Fay Edson Whipple who was killed during WWI. His military headstone application states he enlisted on 28 March 1918 and was honorable discharged 17 October 1919. He served as a Corporal in Escort Co., 240 A.S. Co. (Army Signal Corps), and was a Prisoner of War. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Franconia NH.
– Paul Herbert Rich was b. 22 Sep 1900 in Franconia NH, son of John E. & Louise K. (Bowles) Rich. In 1910 he was living in Franconia NH with his mother, his step-father Moody P. Huntoon, sibling Helen E. Rich (who m. William Conway Decker) and half-siblings Vera L. Stanley (who m. Earl A. Brooks) and May B. Huntoon (who m. Herbert F. Upshall).He m. 14 Jan 1922 in Franconia NH to Marcia Ellen Tefft, dau of Daniel M. & Alice (Bowles) Tefft. She was b 22 May 1903 and d. Oct 1994. In 1930 living in Franconia NH.

Solon A. Richardson from the 1918 Yearbook of Cornell University.

– Solon Albert Richardson was born 17 Dec 1896 in Franconia NH son of Albert & Alma (Dennis) Richardson. He m. 10 March 1924 in Littleton NH to Lily Mae Kearns, dau of Andrew & Anna (Kenyon) Kearns. He died 1958 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Franconia NH. He graduated n 1918 his Cornell bio being: “SOLON ALBERT RICHARDSON, “Dick,” Franconia N.H. Veterinary. Age, twenty. Prepared at Dow Academy. Three years at Cornell. Omega Tau Sigma; Society of Comparative Medicine. He filled out his WWI Registration form in Franconia NH, and was a student at Cornell University (in 1916 he was a freshman). He was of medium height, slender build, with dark blue eyes and brown hair. In 1910 living in Franconia NH with mother and older sibling, In 1924 living in Lisbon NH.
– *Fay E. Whipple [SEE ABOVE, Died in Wartime]
– Harold Frank Young was born 1 November 1894 in Franconia NH, son of Frank W. & Nellie M. (Pease) Young. He completed his WWI Registration form in Colebrook NH, employed by H.S. Little a farmer in Stewartstown NH. He was single, of medium height and stature, with brown eyes and brown hair. He died 24 June 1983 in Brockton MA. During WWI he served in the U.S. Army enlisted 3 August 1918 and honorable discharged 10 Feb 1919.
He married 24 Jan 1923 in Lisbon NH to Idella Sarah Janes, dau of Herbert F. & Flora (Belford) Janes. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Franconia NH.
——————————-
NOT MENTIONED ON THE PLAQUE:
Allie John Peters born 10 June 1896 Brandon NY, son of John W. & Clara (Clifford) Peters. During WWI he enlisted on 25 June 1917 in the National Guard that became part of the U.S. Army during WWI. He was honorable discharged 29 April 1919. He served from VERMONT was a Wagoner in the Army Hdqrs Co 102, Machine Gun Battalion, 26th Division. He died 20 June 1959 in St. Johnsbury VT. He married 6 Aug 1923 in Lyndon VT to Mattie Louise Westover, daughter of Vernon & Mattie (Foss) Westover. He is buried in Lyndon Cemeter, Lyndon VT. His connection to Franconia. At the time of his return from Europe following WWI, on 17 April 1919 arriving in Boston MA, he stated his residence was Franconia NH.

[Editor’s Note: this story is part of an on-going series about heroic New Hampshire men and women of World War I.  Look here for the entire listing].