New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Whitefield

King Square and Town Common, Whitefield NH
in the 1950s, from an old postcard.

Whitefield New Hampshire had less than 2,000 residents during the World War I era. From that small population the town managed to send slightly more than 86 of its best and brightest young men and women into service. [In 1910 Whitefield had 1,635 residents and by 1920 had 1,935.] Not all of them returned home.

I am grateful for that early Whitefield historian, Edward M. Bowker, who compiled a list of the men in service and included it in the 1919 Town Report. It shows all in military service who were credited from the town, along with providing a list of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Someone, possibly the Librarian at the time, created an amazing collage of photographs of WWI veterans, and that collage can still be found on the wall in the Whitefield Public Library. I am grateful to Sandy Holz, current librarian, and her husband, Stanley A. Holz, for providing information and some of the hero’s photographs that I have included in this story.

Within the last ten years, Robert Herman and Roy Birard were individually responsible for spearheading an effort to have a monument created to recognize the names of all those from the town who served during both World War I and II. This memorial was placed in Whitefield’s King Square on the town common.  A photograph of the engraving is shown later, along with a transcription of the World War One names.

✫★✫✫★✫★✫★★✫★✫★✫★★✫★✫★✫★★✫★
✫★✫ 1919 Whitefield NH Town Report✫★✫

MEN IN SERVICE
—-
WHITEFIELD
Edgar M. Bowker, Historian

THE HONOR ROLL
Priv. Dewey W. Ingerson
Priv. Amey J. Dubey
Priv. Edward J. McGoldrick

Commissioned Officers
Capt. John B. Wardon
Ensign James F. Mulleavy
Ensign Richard N. Wilder
Lieut. Wesley E. Howard
Lieut. Charles McIntyre

Non-Commissioned Officers
Sergt. Oscar A. Brooks
Sergt. Valmour D. Levesseur
Sergt. George B. Marden
Sargt. Henry McCarthy
Sargt. Earl S. Stevens
Sergt. Loma L. Whitcher
Sergt. George E. Wylie
Corp. Frederick Boucher
Corp. Amidie P. Fournier
Corp. Howard R. Miner
Corp. Edward D. Spaulding
Corp. John F. Walker

Privates and Seamen
Napoleon J. Bedard
Frederick O. Betz
Elmer B. Bishop
Alphonse Boswell
John F. Boyle
Harvey H. Byron
Leon Chabot
Arthur G. Clishe
Earnest Clishe
Carl E. Colby
Hollis B. Corbett
Henry J. Cushey
Ronald J. Darby
Leslie Demeritt
Frank S. Dodge
Emile J. Dubey
Henry A. Eaton
Guy L. Estey
Charles (Gandy) Gormley
John H. Fisher
John P. Fitzmorris
George A. Gelalles
Harold W. Gleaves
Philomon Guay
George F. Harvey
Claude H. Hubbard
Alfred N. Huntoon
Carl H. Kelso
Irving Leavitt
Alfred Leboux
L. Amidie Levasseur
James G. Lezotte
Philip Libbey
Wilfred C. McGoldrick
Edward C. Moore
William F. Mulleavey
Andrew P. Morrison
Hilton A. Newell
Ramond Newell
Charles I. Richardson
George A. Rolf
Charles A. Shallow
George W. Smith
Harold M. Smith
Andrew L. Snow
Lester Staggles
Frank Travers
Herbert W. Tetzlaff
James Twombly
John Carl Wallace
Norman Earl Wallace
Harry M. Ward
Leon W. Weare
Chauncey S. Wells
Almond D. White

Forestry Unit
William Finley
Alfred Fourniet
William J. Laughery
Arthur Machell
James Fred Plunkett
Henry Murphy
Harold Nutbrown

Students’ Army Training Corps
Leon W. Crocett
Chest H. Wiggin
Ressell M. Wiggin

✫★✫✫★✫★✫★★✫★✫★✫★★✫★✫★✫★★✫★

Whitefield New Hampshire’s Soldier’s
Monument is located in King Square on the
town common. World War II engravings
can be found on the opposite side.
Photograph by Stanley Holz, used here with
permission.

✫★WHITEFIELD NH SOLDIER’S MONUMENT✫★
This monument is located in Whitefield NH in an oval at King Square across the street from the town common. Note: Only the WWI engravings are shown here. The other tablets of the same monument have WWII names.
Bedard, Napoleon J.
Betz, Frederick O.
Boswell, Alphonse
Boucher, Frederick
Brooks, Oscar A.
Chabot, Leon J.
Cishe, Ernest J.
Colby, Carl E.
Corbett, Hollis B.
Cliche, John
Cushey, Henry J.
Darby, Ronald J.
Dubey, Amey J.
Easton, Henry
Estey, Guy
Finley, William J.
Fisher, John E.
Fitzmorris, Joseph P.
Fornier, Amidia
Gandy, Charles
Gellales, George A.
Gove, Anna M.
Guay, Philomon
Hall, Elsworth F.
Howard, Wesley E.
Hubbard, Claude H.
Huntoon, Alfred F.
Ingerson, Dewey S.
Kelso, Carl H.
Leavett, Wagoner I.
LaVasseur, Amidie
LeHoux, Alfred A.
Levasseur, David V.
Machell, Arthur R.
McCarthy, Henry A.
McGoldrick, Edward J.
Miner, Harold R.
Moore, Edward C.
Mullavey, James F.
Murphy, Henry
Newell, Hilton A.
Newell, Raymond E.
Nutbrown, Harold C.
Plunkett, James F.
Richardson, Charles I.
Shallow, Charles E.
Smith, George W.
Smith, Harold M.
Snow, Andrew L.
Spaulding, Edward D.
Stevens, Earl G.
Tetzlaff, Herbert W.
Travers, Frank
Trombly, James E.
Walker, John F.
Wallace, Norman E.
Wallace, John C.
Warden, John B.
Weare, Leon W.
Wells, Chawncey
Whitcher, Loma L.
White, Almon D.
Wiggin, Russell M.
Wilder, Richard N.
Wylie, George E.

Guy L. Estey who served in the
United States Navy. Example of one of
the many photographs from the Whitefield NH Library
photograph collage of World
War I. Photography courtesy of
Stanley Holz.

✫★✫✫★✫★✫★★✫★✫★✫★★✫★✫★✫★★✫★
✫★Whitefield NH Library Photo Gallery of WWI✫★
(Thanks to Sandy Holz, Librarian for providing this list)
Pvt Henry A. Eaton
Pvt. James F. Plunkett
Pvt. Harold C. Nutbrown
Pvt. Norman E. Wallace
Pvt. Leone W. Weare
Pvt. Carl E. Colby
Cook John H. Fisher
Pvt. Charles E. Shallow
Pvt. Raymond E. Newell
Pvt. Andrew L. Snow
Sgt. Loma L. Whitcher
Radio Operator Herbert W. Tetzlaff (navy)
Corp. Howard R. Miner
Lieut. Ronald J. Darby
Chief Machinist Mate Harold M. Smith
Ensign James F. Mullazey
Ensign Richard N. Wilder
Signalman Charles [Gormley] Gandy
Gunners-mate Guy L. Estey
Sgt. Henry McCarthy
Pvt. Hilton A. Newell
Pvt. Russell M. Wiggin
Cook Frank Travers
Pvt. Ernest J. Cliche
Sgt. George E. Wylie
Sgt. Leon J. Chabot
Pvt. Carl H. Kelso
Pvt. William J. Finley
Pvt. Alfred A. LeHoux
Pvt. James E. Twombly
Corp. Charles I. Richardson
Pvt. Henry J. Cushey
Sgt. John C. Wallace
Corp. Frederick Boucher
Pvt. Hollis B. Corbett
Sgt. John F. Walker
Sgt. Earl G. Stevens
Pvt. Alfred F. Huntoon
Pvt. Arthur E. Cliche
Corp. Frederick O. Betz
Pvt. George G. Gelalles
Pvt. Louis A. Lavasseur
Pvt. Almon D. White
Capt. John B. Warden
Pvt. Amey J. Dubey
Corp. Dewey W. Ingerson
Pvt. Edward J. McGoldrick
Dr. Anna M. Gove
Corp. Edward D. Spaulding
Cook Philomon P. F. Guay
Lieut Wesley E. Howard
Corp. Chauncey S. Wells
Pvt. Arthur R. Machell
Sgt. David V. Levasseur
Sgt. Oscar A. Brooks
Pvt. George W. Smith
Mechanic Edward C. Moore
Mechanic Joseph P. Fitzmorris
Pvt. Claude H. Hubbard
Cook Napoleon J. Bedard
—–
Pvt. Henry Murphy
Pvt. Alphonse Bozwell
Corp. Amadia P. Fournier
Wagoner Irving Leavitt
Private Ellsworth F. Hall

So now I move on to acknowledge and detail those known to have been wounded or who made the supreme sacrifice and died in action, of wounds or from disease.  At least one man was wounded. One of those who served was a woman doctor names Anna Gove, and she is also included here.

★✫★✫★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★✫★★
HEROES OF WHITEFIELD NH
All those who served during WWI
including those who made the ultimate sacrifice
★✫★✫★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★✫★★

–LEGEND–
The following legend is used to show the source of the name provided on this list. Soldier  is listed on:
[A] WWI Roll of Honor, Doric Hall, State House, Concord NH
[B] Adjutant General’s List of Killed in Action from New Hampshire
[C] Buried in Europe, American Battle Monuments Commission
[D] Other Official Military Sources
[E] 1919 Whitefield Town Report
[F] Birth and/or Marriage Records
[G] U.S. Military Transport Records
[H] Soldiers of the Great War, Haulsee, W.M.
[I] Whitefield Soldier’s Monument (WWI)
[J] Whitefield’s Photo Gallery in Public Library
[K] Gold Star Mothers listing
* Photograph or likeness provided or available.
[#] Numbers refer to a footnote following the list with additional information on a particular soldier or sailor.

★✫★THEY PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE★✫★
Amey J. Dubey* | Private | Killed in Action 24 October 1918, France | 102d U.S. Infantry, Company M, 23d Squadron | Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery | [A][C][G][I][J][K] [1 ]
Dewey W. Ingerson* | Private/Corporal | Died of Wounds (gas) on 10 May 1918 at Chateau Thierry, France | U.S. Army, Co. D, 103rd Infantry | Forest Vale Cemetery, Jefferson NH | The Ingerson-Smith Post 41, Whitefield NH American Legion Post is named after him | [A][B][H][I][J][2 ]
Edward J. McGoldrick* | Private/Corporal | Died of Disease (pneumonia / influenza) 23 September 1918 Fort Devens Base Hospital, Harvard MA | U.S. Army | St. Matthew Cemetery, Whitefield NH | [A][I][J][3 ]
Howard H. Shawney* | Private | Killed in Action 20 July 1918, France | Co. D, 103rd Infantry, US Army | Glenwood Cemetery, Littleton NH | Credited to Whitefield by Adj. Gen, and to Littleton NH | Howard H. Shawney Post in Littleton NH named for him | [A][B][G][H][4]

★✫★WOUNDED IN SERVICE★✫★
Joseph P. Fitzmorris* | Mechanic | Wounded in Action | U.S. Army, Co. D 103rd Infantry | Died 24 January 1966 | [H][I][J] [5]

★✫★WOMEN IN WARTIME★✫★
Dr. Anna Gove* | Physician and Surgeon |Organized Red Cross Auxiliary at North Carolina College for Women, and first aid classes, 1917; supervised Red Cross Work Rooms, summer 1917; with Dept. of Civilian Relief, Amer. Red Cross, France, March 1918; Medical Director, Smith College Unit, Grecourt, Somme, France working under French Govt. Apr.-Aug 1919 | [I][J] [6]

★✫★HONORABLE MENTION★✫★
Guy Lynwood Estey* | U.S. Navy | Died 28 Aug 1973, Flushing, Queens NY | [E][I][J][See Photograph above]

Claude H. Hubbard | Private | U.S. Army, Machine Gun Company, 103d Sn Infantry | Died 17 August 1932  New London NH | Buried Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH
Irving Leavitt | Private | U.S. Army,  103 Infantry Supply Co., 26th Division |

★✫★✫★✫★✪ B I O G R A P H I E S ✪✫★✫★✫★★
[1] Amey Joseph Dubey was born Amey Lewis Dubey on 9 March 1894 in Whitefield, Coos Co., NH, the son and 6th child of Philip Dube and Marie Thebollet/Baldo.  In 1910 his family was living in Whitefield NH. Known siblings include Annie Dube, b abt 1888 Whitefield NH, m. 5 Apr 1910 Philip Laroche; Frederick “Fred J.” Duby b 25 Apr 1890 Whitefield NH, died 11 March 1936 in Manchester NH. (bur St Jos Cem Manchester); Emile J. Dube b 3 May 1896 , d. May 1967 Twin Mountain NH; Delila Dube b 13 Feb 1898 Whitefield NH; Florence Mary Dubey b 25 April 1900 Whitefield NH, m. 21 Dec 1929 in Manhattan NY to Walter W. Malone; Ora F. Dubey b abt 1900 Whitefield NH // 2nd wife (Mary McCarthy): Phillip Joseph Dubey b 28 Oct 1908, Leo Vincent Dubey b 30 Dec 1909
— On 5 June 1917 when he completed his WWI Registration form as Amey Joseph Dubey, he  was living at 312 Asylum Street in Hartford CT, working as a plumbers helper for J. Lyon & Sons of Hartford.  He was single and supported his mother. A description shows he was of medium height and build, with blue eyes and black hair.
— U.S. Army Transport Service lists show that he served as a Private in the 23rd Squadron, 102d U.S. Infantry, Company M. That document shows his next of kin as his father, Mr. Phillip J. Dube, 156 Allen Place, Hartford, Conn.
— Private Amey Joseph Dubey was killed in action in France on 24 October 1918, and is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.  His service is credited to Connecticut.

[2] Dewey W. Ingerson was born 16 December 1897 in Jefferson, NH son and fourth child of Alvah & Katherine Sophia “Katie” (Graham) Ingerson. In the 1900 US Census he was living with his family in Carroll NH, and in 1910 they were living in Randolph NH. His siblings include Harry (b 10 Apr 1883), Vernice/Bernice Harold (b 5 Apr 1890), Bessie S. (b 24 March 1893, m. 1910 F.P. Corrigan), Hattie E. (b Dec 1894 m 1912 Warren B. Brown), Dora F. (b June 1898), Hilda B. (b abt 1905 NH; m. 1924 Raymond Goss) and Clifford (b 17 Sep 1908, d. Jan 1975).
– U.S. Military Transport Records show that Dewey W. Ingerson departed from NYC on 27 Sep 1917, aboard the ship Caltie bound for Europe.  He was a Private, in Co. D, 103rd Infantry. His residence was Whitefield NH, and next of kin, his mother Catherine Ingerson.
– Military records show that he died of wounds in France, a grandson indicating from a gas attack. Initially buried there, his body was returned to the United States and buried in Forest Vale Cemetery, Jefferson NH.   His tombstone shows the birth year of 1899 however both his birth record, and the 1900 census showing him born December 1897 conflict with this. The Ingerson-Smith Post 41, Whitefield NH American Legion Post is named after him

Edward J. McGoldrick (1888-1918)

[3] Edward John McGoldrick was born 25 February 1888 in Berlin NH, son and 2nd child of Charles & Alice (Travers) McGoldrick. In 1910 he was living in Whitefield NH with his family. Siblings includedRose A. (b July 1891), Margarette (b Feb 1893), Ann T. (b June 1895), Charles W. (b July 1896) and Delia G. (b May 1898).  But 1910 Edward had moved to Carroll NH where he was working as a teamster for a hotel.
– On 5 June 1917 he registered for the WWI Draft in Whitefield NH. At that time he described himself as slender, tall with blue eyes and brown hair.  He was single and working as a tanner at the Whitefield Tannery.
– He entered the U.S. Army, and was stationed at Camp Devens MA when he died on 23 September 1918, at the Base Hospital, Harvard MA, of pneumonia.  He was buried in Saint Matthews Cemetery, Whitefield, Coos Co. NH.

[4] Howard Henry Shawney was born 31 December 1896 in Littleton, Grafton Co NH, son of Henry Dean & Prudence Maud (Morse) Shawney.
-In 1900 and 1910 he was living in Lisbon NH with his family. Siblings include: Harold A. and Edward M. Shawney.
– The United States Army Transport Service documents show that he departed for Europe from New York City on 27 September 1917 aboard the ship, Caltie.  His remains were returned to the United States from Antwerp Belgium to Hoboken NJ aboard the ship, Wheaton, on 6 August 1921.
– Howard H. Shawney died 20 July 1918 in France. Originally buried in France, when the war ended his body was returned to the United States and reburied on 4 September 1921 in Glenwood Cemetery, Littleton NH. He served in the U.S. Army in Co. D, 103rd Infantry.  The NH Adjutant General list attributes him to Whitefield NH, though he is usually credited to Littleton NH.  The Howard H. Shawney Post in Little NH is named for him.  The Howard Shawney Post 916 and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Howard-Shawney VFW Post 816 were named in his honor.

Joseph Peter Fitzmorris (1896-1966)

[5] Joseph Peter Fitzmorris was born 2 November 1896 in Jefferson NH, the son of John & Adeline (Duquette/Deguest) Fitzmorris. He died 24 January 1966 in Rumford, Maine.
– United States Army Transport Records show that Joseph P. Fitzmorris departed the United States from Hoboken NJ in September of 1917.  He returned to the United States from Brest France, arriving in Boston MA on 5 Apr 1919, aboard the ship, America.
– During WWI he was wounded in action, and his likeness was posted in the New York Times.
– He married 18 June 1924 in Lancaster NH to Alice Ogle, dau of James & Mary (McCarton) Ogle. He worked as a plumber, and in the 1930 lived at 73 High Street in Whitefield New Hampshire.

[6] Dr. Anna Maria Gove was born 6 July 1867 in Whitefield NH, daughter of Dr. George Sullivan & Maria Pierce (Clark) Gove. She died 28 January 1948 in Greensboro, Guilford Co. North Carolina. She is buried in Pine Street Cemetery, Whitefield NH. Physician and Surgeon.  Technology’s War Record, An Interpretation of the Contribution Made by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, etc. 1914-1919, published 1920 by MIT
“GOVE, ANNA M. (VII) Organized Red Cross Auxiliary at North Carolina College for Women, and first aid classes, ’17; supervised Red Cross Work Rooms, summer ”17; with Dept. of Civilian Relief, Amer. Red Cross, France, March 1918; Med. Director, Smith College Unit, Grecourt, Somme, working under French Govt, Apr.-Aug 1919. physician and lecturer in physiology and hygiene to the State Normal College for young ladies at Greensboro NC beginning in 1912.

For the entire list of New Hampshire World War One heroes also read: “New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of the Great War.”