New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Pittsburg

Photograph of WWI Soldier’s
Monument in Pittsburg NH by
Richard Marsh at Images of New
Hampshire History. Used with his
permission.

In 1918 the State of New Hampshire’s war historian published a notice in the newspaper showing that the town of Pittsburg had sent 2-1/2 to 3 per cent of its population into service.  Between June 1917 and June 1918 all resident men aged 21 and older were required to complete a registration form.

The local Pittsburg NH registrar was Parker W. Tabor, with H.J. Holmes Deputy Clerk. After WWI ended, and by 1923 the Town of Pittsburg had either placed a soldier’s monument or was  planning to do so, for page 13 of that year’s Annual Report notes: “Soldier Monument F.G. Rancloes $4.25.”

This World War I monument is composed of a granite block with a bronze plaque affixed. It was placed in the Town Park near 1598 Daniel Webster Hwy in Pittsburg NH.  The plaque itself is unusual and includes the relief of a woman wearing a military helmet (U.S. style) and holding a hammer in her right hand, and the top of the scroll of names in her left.  To date no one has been able to tell me the name of the plaque’s creator, and I am still researching the  apparent mystery of its origin.

Sketch from the “Victorious 77th,” by Lieut. Arthur McKeough; 1919.

The names of all those from Pittsburg New Hampshire who participated are engraved on the plaque.  Normally if someone died during service their name would include an asterisk (star) or some other notation.  Since none do on this plaque, I will assume no one from Pittsburg died during service or soon after the war, though no doubt many had health problems if they had exposure to poison gas and other toxins.  The names of the heroes, as shown on the soldier’s monument, are as follows:

ALDRICH DARWIN L
BEECHER LEO N
BLAIS ROY L
DOURANT PETER P
DAVIS HOSEA B
DAVIS FRANKLIN H
GROVER JESSE A
GRAY LEROY
GAY HAROLD P
HILLIARD FRANK M
HEATH LESLIE B
HEATH FERN C
HEATH EMERY A
HAYNES STEWART H
JUDD ARTHUR S
KING EARNEST A
KING, JOHN J
MASTERS WELDON I
McKEAG GEORGE W
POTTER RAY R
RANCLOES FRANCIS G
REYNOLDS GURNEY
REYNOLDS CARL
SCOTT GEORGE C
TERRILL PERLEY A
TOWLE DONALD M
TOWLE HUGH W
VARNEY ARTHUR L
WOOD JOHN H

✫★✫★✫★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★✫★✫★
Heroes of PITTSBURG, Coos Co. NH
In Service During WWI
✫★✫★✫★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★✫★✫★

Darwin L Aldrich | P1c | Co. L, 34th Infantry | Died 14 October 1926 Lyndonville VT | Buried Lyndon Center Cemetery, Lyndon VT.  \\ Biography: Darwin Lombard Aldrich was born 28 April 1892 in Pittsburg NH, son of William Wallace & Melvina (Haynes) Aldrich. In 1900 he was living in Pittsburg NH with parents and siblings Alva R., Nina E., and Nellie L. Darwin L. Aldrich served during WWI as a Private 1st Class in Co. L. 34th Infantry.  He returned from Brest, France on 10 Jun 1919 aboard the ship, Agamemnon, as a P1C in Co. L, 34th Infantry. His service number was 450320, and his next of kin, his wife, Violet M. Aldrich.  He married 1st) 1 November 1917 in Pittsburg, Coos Co NH to Violet M. Lang, daughter of Langford & Maud (Wentworth) Lang. He m2d) 27 Sep 1925 in Lyndon, Caledonia Co VT to Grace May Heath. Darwin and Grace had a son Arthur Darwin Aldrich born 14 October 1926 in Lyndonville VT and d. 3 Sep 2007. Darwin L. Aldrich is  buried in Lyndon Center Cemetery, Lyndon VT.

Leo N. Beecher | P1c | Battery A, 72nd Artillery, CAC | He died June 1974 in Manchester NH | Unknown burial location // Biography: Leo Nathan Beecher was born 27 June 1895 in Canaan VT, son of Nathan “Nate” & Stella (Sawyer) Beecher. In 1910 he was living in Pittsburg NH with his parents, and siblings, Eulalie Beecher (who m. William Comstock) and William Nathan Beecher (who married Catherine McCaffrey).
On June 5, 1917 he completed his WWI Registration form in Pittsburg NH, at that time being 21 years old and single. He was a laborer and ‘donkey engineer’ for The Beecher Falls Co. He served during WWI, enlisting on 25 January 1918 and receiving an honorable discharge on 25 March 1919. He went through training in Camp Devens where he was assigned to serve in Battery A, 72nd Artillery C.A.C. He departed the U.S. at Montreal, Canada on 7 Aug 1918 aboard the ship Takada for Europe, and returned home on 13 Mar 1919 aboard the ship Panaman, sailing from Pauillac France to Hoboken NJ.  Leo N. Beecher married 14 October 1920 in Colebrook NH to Gert Beryl Lawton, daughter of Herbert & Bertha (Ringsley) Lawton. They had children: Bertha, Earle and Durwood. In 1930 they lived in St. Johnsbury VT. He died June 1974 in Manchester NH.

Roy L. Blais(e) | Private/Wagoner | Field Hospital Company 303, 301st Sanitary Train, 76th Division, US Army |Died July 1978 | Buried Pittsburg Hollow Cemetery // Biography: Roy L. Blais was b 10 Dec 1896 in Stewartstown NH, son of Thomas & Minnie (Grover) Blais. On 5 June 1917 he completed his WWI Registration form, showing he was 21 years old, single and a laborer at CVT&D Co. of Pittsburg NH. He was tall and of medium stature with blue eyes and black hair. He served in the U.S. Army during WWI and the Dept of Veterans Affairs document’s transcriptions are incorrect as they are contradicted by his military transport records. He probably enlisted 15 May 1917 [not 1919] and was released 19 June 1919. He departed Montreal Canada on 11 July 1918 bound for Europe on the ship Durham Castle. He was a Private of Field Hospital Company 303, Sanitary Train, 301st 76th Division. He returned from St. Nazaire France to Boston MA on 13 June 1919 aboard the ship Calamares, at that time a Wagoner in Field Hospital 303 Sanitary Train 301. On both Transport passenger lists his next of kin is his sister Miss Hazel L. Blais. He married 4 Feb 1921 in Pittsburg NH to Violet McKeag, daughter of William & Iris (Abbott) McKeag. By 1930 he was widowed and living in Pittsburg NH with children, Roland Roy, Norton L., and Howard W. His obituary states he was a farmer in Pittsburg for many years, and later operated school buses in the town. He was a licensed guide and a member of the Pittsburg Guide Association. After the war he was a member of North Country Barracks No. 272, Veterans of World War I, and the American Legion.  He died July 1978 in New Hampshire. He is buried in Pittsburg Hollow Cemetery, Pittsburg NH

Peter P. Dourant  – unknown service.  If you know who this is, please leave a comment.

Hosea B. Davis |unknown military service| Drowned 26 July 1931 CT // Biography: Hosea B. Davis was born 12 March 1891 in Bay City, Michigan, son of Joseph A. & Gertie E. (Felch) Davis. In 1900 he was living in Pittsburg NH with his parents and siblings James A., Ira M., Franklin H. (see next entry), and Cara A. Davis. He completed his WWI Draft Registration form on 5 June 1917. At that time he was 26 years old, a carpenter for Conn. Valley Log & Door Co. of Pittsburg NH. He was single, of medium height and stature with brown hair and brown eyes. I could not find his specific military service. The 1920 Census shows him working as a laborer in Pittsburg NH, but the 1930 US Census shows he had moved to Norwalk, CT where he was working as an American Express Employee. This story has a sad ending as the Hartford Courant newspaper of 27 July 1931 shows a newspaper story of his drowning at Calf Pasture Beach. His brother, Arthur Davis was a member of the Norwalk Police Department, and they and another family member went trading for clams. When the tide came in and they began to swim back, Arthur went under water. When Hosea tried to save him, he was pulled under and both drowned. Their bodies were recovered, resuscitation begun but their did not recover. [Died July 26, 1931]

Franklin H. Davis |Private |Co. I, 42nd Infantry| Died 10 May 1933 | Buried Pinehurst Cemetery, Ryegate VT  // Biography: Franklin Henry “Frank” Davis was born 23 Sep 1894 in Pittsburg NH, son of Joseph A. & Gertie E. (Felch) Davis. He was sibling to Hosea Davis (see above). Frank H. Davis completed his WWI Registration form on 5 June 1917 in Pittsburg NH. He was 22 years old and employed as a farmer by Willie Clark of Pittsburg NH. He was single, of medium height and stature with grey eyes and dark brown hair. His tombstone states he served as a Private in Co. I 42nd Infantry during World War I. Frank H. Davis married 30 July 1919 in Pittsburg NH to Mildred Iola Bennett. They had at least one child, i.e., Eva M. Davis b Groton VT who married in 1952 to Richard H. Hanchett. He died 10 May 1933 and is buried in Pinehurst Cemetery, Rygate, Caledonia Co. VT. His death certificate stated he died of acute bronchial pneumonia, possibly as a result of being gassed during the war.

Leroy Gray | unknown service | Died 1966 | Indian Stream Cemetery, Pittsburg NH // Biography: Leroy Elmer Gray was born 1 Dec 1890 in Pittsburg, Coos Co. NH son of Venson Patrick & Ruth (Cooper) Gray. On 5 June 1917 he completed his WWI Registration form in Pittsburg NH. He was 26 years old, single, of medium height and stature with light brown hair and light brown eyes. He married 27 Aug 1924 in North Stratford NH to Linnie M. Young, daughter of Frank L. & Mary J. (Haynes) Young. In 1940 he was living in Pittsburg NH with his wife and two sons, Tabor P. Gray and Robert Y. Gray. He died in 1966 and is buried in Indian Stream Cemetery, Pittsburg NH.

Harold P. Gay – unknown service.  Please comment if you have information about him.

Frank M. Hilliard | unknown service |Died 5 December 1921 Pittsburg NH| Buried Indian Stream Cemetery, Pittsburg NH // Biography: Frank Minor Hilliard was born 10 Sep 1894 in Pittsburg NH, son of James C. & Mary E. (Aldrich) Hilliard. He married 14 April 1921 in Colebrook NH to Lois M. Gray, daughter of Venson P. & Martha (Schoppe) Gray. They had a son Frank M. Gray who was born 4 months after his father’s death in April 1922. On 5 June 1917 he completed his WWI Registration form. He was 22 years old a boatman for the Conn. Valley Log & Drive Co. of Pittsburg NH. He was single, of medium height and build, with brown eyes and black hair. He died 5 Dec 1921 in Pittsburg NH at the age of 27 of acute nephritis and respiratory failure, both of which could have been the result of being gassed during the war OR of having worked at a poison gas production  factory in the United States that both used U.S. soldiers to help produce and test their products. He is buried in Indian Stream Cemetery, Pittsburg NH

Leslie B. Heath |U.S. Army 1918-1919 | Died 21 April 1974 // Biography: Leslie Burdett Heath was born 4 May 1897 in Pittsburg NH, son of William H. & Olive A. (Huggins) Heath. In 1900 living in Pittsburg NH with his parents and siblings, Bessie M., Edith L. Archie R. and Fern C. (see next entry). The U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs BIRLS document shows he served in the U.S. Army, enlisted 26 August 1918 and was honorable discharged 21 Jan 1919. He married in 1924 in MA to Grace H. Ranney. Children included Weymouth B. Heath, Charlotte L. Heath, and Susan P. Heath. In 1940 he was working as a Janitor at Amherst College, Amherst MA. He was a member of Pacific Masonic Lodge and resided in Amherst MA. Leslie Burnett Heath died 21 April 1974.

Fern C. Heath | unknown service | died 29 Dec 1964 Michigan | Buried Flushing City Cemetery, Flushing Michigan // Biography: Fern Carroll Heath was born 20 January 1893 in Pittsburg NH, son of William H. & Olive A. (Huggins) Heath. Brother of Leslie B. Heath (see entry above).He married Helen D. —. She was b. 1900 and d. 27 May 1966 in Michigan. She is buried with her husband. He died 29 December 1964 in Michigan, and is buried in Flushing City Cemetery, Flushing, Genesee Co. Michigan.

Emery A. Heath | US Army 3 months | Died 18 Feb 1980 | Wilson Cemetery, Barre VT // Biography: Emery Alton/Ealton Heath was born 5 August 1897 in Stewartstown NH, son of Daniel & Inez Clara (Sweat) Heath. In 1900 US Census living in Pittsburg NH with mother and sibling, Jennie May Heath. He completed his WWI Registration form on August 24, 1918, and he had  just turned 21 a few weeks before. At that time he was working for Frank A. Baldwin in Pittsburg NH. He was of medium height and stature with gray eyes and brown hair. The US Dept of Affairs BIRLS file shows that he served in the US Army, enlisting 21 October 1918 and being honorable discharged 16 Dec 1918.He married 27 Nov 1919 in Stewartstown NH to Thelma Hibbard, daughter of George & Ann (Sweet) Hibbard.He died 18 Feb 1980 in Berlin, Washington, Vermont, aged 82 of Chronic pulmonary tuberculosis. He is buried in Wilson Cemetery, Barre VT.

Arthur S. Judd | Private | 302nd Ambulance Co., 77th Division | Died 2o0 February 1897 Newport VT | Derby Line Cemetery, Derby VT // Biography: Arthur Scott Judd was born 3 January 1895 in Pittsburg NH, son of William Nathan “Willie & Elora May “Flora” (Lord) Judd. On 5 June 1917 he completed his WWI Registration form. At that time he was living in Pittsburg NH, a boatman for the Conn. Valley Log & Driver Co. He was single, of medium height and stature with blue eyes and dark brown hair. The US Dept of Veterans Affairs BIRLS file show he enlisted in the U.S. Army on 15 May 1918, and was honorably discharged on 15 April 1919. He would have been trained at Camp Upton. The U.S. Transport Records show that he served as a Private in Europe in the 302nd Ambulance Company, 77th Division. He returned to the U.S. from Bordeau, France on 14 March 1919 aboard the ship Pastores.He married 29 June 1927 to Ethel May Tirrill.He died 20 February 1987 in Newport, Orleans Co. VT. At the time he was a resident in Derby Line Vermont. He is buried in Derby Line Cemetery, Derby, Vermont.

Ernest A. King  – unknown.
There is a WWI registration form in Pittsburg NH for an Ernest Joseph King, aged 29,  living Pittsburg NH. He states he was born October 1887 (day not known) in Lambton PQ Canada. He was working as a clerk for Conn Valley Log & Drive Co. of Pittsburg NH.He was single, of medium height and weight with blue eyes and brown hair.  He is probably the Ernest King, son of Robert & Catherine (Coxon) King. He had siblings Marie, Adelaide, Charles and Ralph. Unknown service.

John J. King – unknown.
There are several men by the name of John King who lived in the Pittsburg NH area in the WWI era. There are two by the name of John A. King.  One of them registered in Pittsburg NH on 5 June 1917.  He was John A. King 29, residing Pittsburg NH, born 24 April 1888 in Indian Lake NY. He was working as a laborer in pulp woods C V S and D Co Pittsburg. He describes himself as single, short and slender with dark brown eyes and light brown hair. No further information, unknown service.

Weldon Irving Masters was born 27 January 1897 in Stewartstown NH, son of William H. & Cecelia (Noble) Masters. In 1900 he was living in Pittsburg NH with his parents and siblings, William Allen (who died 1915 complications of typhoid fever), and Hortence Violet (who m. Maynard Wilson Reynolds). On 5 June 1918 [2nd stage of registration] he registered at Lancaster NH stating: Weldon Irvin Masters, age 21, b 27 January 1897 Stewartstown NH. Employed by William Henry Masters of Pittsburg NH. He was tall and slender with gray eyes and dark brown hair In the 1930 US Census he indicates he is a veteran of the World War. He married 1st) Florence Evelyn Foster, and had children, Wesley Gordon, Rita C. (who m. — Lyons), Russell E., Stanley W., Betty J. (who m. Rodney B. Johnson), Jauneta E, and Ethel M. He married 2nd) 1962 Vena Emmagene (Washburn) McKeage. Weldon I. Masters died December 1968 in Pittsburg NH, and  is buried in Pittsburg Hollow Cemetery, Pittsburg NH.

George W. McKeag | Private | 3rd Co., 151st Depot Brigade, Camp Devens MA | Died 3 Dec 1961 | Buried Pittsburg Hollow Cemetery, Pittsburg NH. // Biography:  George William McKeage was born 19 September 1895 in Pittsburg NH, son of William & Iris R. (Abbott) McKeage. In 1900 the census shows him living in Pittsburg NH with his parents and siblings Gladys M., Minnie, Joseph R., and James G.  His WWI Draft Registration was completed on 5 June 1917 in Pittsburg NH, when he was 21 years old. He was living in Pittsburg, working as a farmer. He was a farmer who described himself as tall, of medium stature with grey eyes and black hair. During WWI he served as a Private in 3rd Co., 151 Depot Brigade, 76th Division. The 151st Depot Brigade was composed of 13 battalions of unattached troops at Camp Devens MA. According to Wikipedia, the “The role of the Depot Brigades was to receive and organize recruits, provide them with uniforms, equipment and initial military training, and then send them to France to fight on the front lines. The Depot Brigades also received soldiers returning home at the end of the war and completed their processing and discharges.” George W. McKeage died on 3 December 1961 and is buried in Pittsburg Hollow Cemetery, Pittsburg NH.

Ray R. Potter was born 6 April 1898 in Dummer NH, son of George A. & Mary (Ames) Potter. In the 1900 US Census he was living in Dummer NH with his parents and siblings: Lena, Johnnie A., George R., and Leon E.  On June 5, 1917 he completed his WWI Registration form in Pittsburg NH where he was living. He stated he was born 1896 in Dummer NH. He was working as a farmer in Pittsburg for Sam Marsh. He was single, short and slender with light blue eyes and black hair.  Ray R. Potter married 4 July 1925 in Stewartstown NH to Alice Bunnell, dau of Orin & Linnie (French) Bunnell. She was born Sept 1895 in Stewartstown NH. She m1) 10 March 1911 to Leon W. Buffington. In 1940 he was living in Columbia NH where he was a farm laborer. He died November 1976 and is buried in Perry Cemetery, Clarksville NH. His find-a-grave page simply states that he served as a Private in the U.S. Army during WWI.

Francis G. Rancloes | Private | Co. L, 103rd Infantry Regiment | Died 8 December 1966 | Buried Pittsburg Hollow Cemetery, Pittsburg NH // Biography: Francis George Rancloes was born 1 October 1895/96 in East Harford Canada, son of Francis Oliver & Mary (Wheeler) Rancloes/Ranclois.  He emigrated to Pittsburg NH on 3 November 1908 (he walked). He declared his intention to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S. at Lancaster NH on 1 June 1917. Approved in May 1919.  During WWI he served as a Private Company L of the 103rd Regiment of Infantry in the U.S. Adjutant General’s Military Record [a Berlin NH company]. He departed the US for Europe on 27 Sep 1917 from New York on the ship Lapland. He returned from Europe at Brest, France aboard the ship Patricia, arriving in Boston MA on 17 April 1919. He married 25 Aug 1919 Lottie Mae Young, dau of Frank Lovering & Mary Jane (Haynes) Young. They had children Marie Lucille, Francis Oliver and Norman George. He died 8 December 1966 and his burial service was performed by the Legionaires Post #62. He is buried in Pittsburg Hollow Cemetery

Gurney Reynolds | U.S. Army 1917-1919| Died 8 Nov 1966 Lancaster NH | Buried Flander’s Cemetery, Buxton Maine. // Biography: Gurney Wilbur Reynolds was born 2 September 1890 in Pittsburg NH, son of James O. & Eliza L. (Gault) Reynolds. In 1910 the U.S. Census shows him living in Pittsburg NH with his parents and siblings Fred L, Leon N., Carl R. (see next post), Willie B., Ethel M., Essie M., and Merriel G. He registered for the WWI Draft on 5 June 1917 at Pittsburg NH where he was living. At that time he was working for a local farmer, was single and describes himself as being of medium height and stature with brown eyes and dark brown hair. The U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs BIRLS files show that Gurney Reynolds served in the U.S. Army, enlisting 25 July 1917 and being honorably discharged on 14 July 1919. Gurney Reynolds married 4 Jan 1921 in Hollis Maine to Catherine J. “Katherine” Murphy. They lived in Buxton, Maine on the Jones farm on Buxton River Road, later moving to Colebrook NH. In 1940 he was living in Colebrook NH with his wife and children, Caroly, Catherine J., Philip C., and Martin J. In the 1950s and 60s he had a horse pulling team that he competed in local fairs and placed well. Gurney W. Reynolds died 8 November 1966 in Lancaster NH and is buried in Flanders Cemetery, Buxton Maine.

Carl Reynolds | Private | Co. B., 320th Machine Gun Bt., 82d Div | Died 9 July 1950 | Colebrook Village Cemetery // Biography: Carl Roy Reynolds was born 17 September 1892 in Pittsburg NH, son of James O. & Eliza L. (Gault) Reynolds. His U.S. Headstone Application for Military Veterans shows that Carl R. Reynolds enlisted 28 March 1918 from NH and was honorable discharged on 12 June 1919. He served as a Private in Co. B, 320th Machine Gun Battalion, 82nd Division. He married 28 July 1922 in Hollis, York Maine to Pauline A. Dussault, dau of Mark & Mary (Parmentier) Dussault. In 1940 the US Census shows him living in Pittsburg NH with wife and children, Laura M., George E., Paul R., Theodore W., Raymond C., and Roy B. Carl R. Reynolds died 9 July 1950 and is buried in Colebrook Village Cemetery, Colebrook NH.

Photograph: Camp Zachary
Taylor post hospital during
construction; from the Image
Database of the Filson Historical
Society, Louisville KY.

George C. Scott | Sgt. 1/c | Medical Dept, Base Hospital, Camp Zachary Taylor, KY | He died 14 April 1954 | Buried Alice Hunt Cemetery, Canaan VT. // Biography: George Carroll Scott was born 23 Jan 1896 NH, son of Roderick & Mary (King) Scott.  In the 1900 US Census he was living in Pittsburg NH with his parents and siblings Juna A., and Arthur R.  His U.S. Military Headstone application states that he served during WWI, enlisting 8 August 1917 and being honorable discharged on 19 June 1919. He was a Sergeant 1/c having served in the Medical Detr, Base Hospital, Camp Zachary Taylor KY, Medical Dept. Serial # 1988702, he received a pension. [Sadly, in 1918, an influenza outbreak at the camp killed 824 soldiers and put 13,000 in the hospital.]  He married 24 November 1918 in Pittsburg NH to Laura Harriman. She was born 13 Nov 1881 in Clarksville NH, dau of Cyrus G. & Lamira (Cross) Harriman, and died 15 June 1935 in Manchester NH. He died 14 April 1954, aged 58, and is buried in Alice Hunt Cemetery, Canaan VT

Perley A. Terrill | Private | Co. F., 103rd Infantry | Died 1967 | Pittsburg Hollow Cemetery, Pittsburg NH // Biography: Perley A. Terrill was born 5 March 1892 in Pittsburg, Coos Co. NH, son of Harvey R. & Ellen (Taylor) Terrill. In 1910 he was living in Pittsburg NH with his widowed mother, Ellen (Taylor) Terrill. [Though his father did not die until 1915]. During World War I, Perley A. Terrill serviced as a Private in Col F of the 103rd Infantry. He departed NYC for France on 20 Sep 1917 aboard the ship Saxonia, and returned from Brest, France to Boston MA on 5 April 1919. His service number was 68,275. He married 24 April 1929 in Milford NH to Antoinette M. Rousseau-Booth, daughter of Octave & Emma (Vezina) Rousseau. She had a son William from her 1st marriage. After WWI he was a N.H. game warden and Conservation Officer (for Coos County) along with Fred Scott. [1929-1946]. Perley A. Terrill died in 1967and is buried in Pittsburg Hollow Cemetery, Pittsburg NH

Donald M. Towle – unknown service. // Biography: Donald Morrison Towle was born 3 August 1901 in Pittsburg NH, son of Charles William “Will C.” & Lucy (Waldron) Towle. In the 1910 census he is living on Pittsburg Village Road in Pittsburg NH with his parents and siblings, Edwin A., Edgar A., Hugh W., Fred, and Eric. He married 19 November 1932 in Maine to Bertha M. Warren. He died 23 December 1969 in Skowhegan, Maine. He is buried in Gould Cemetery, Smithfield, Maine.

Hugh W. Towle – unknown service. // Biography: Warren Hugh aka Hugh W. Towle was born 22 May 1899 in Pittsburg NH, son of Charles William “Will C.” & Lucy (Waldron) Towle. He married Lucille Frances Hutchinson. He died 30 April 1985 in Concord NH He is buried in the Alexander Cemetery, Bow Junction, NH

Arthur L. Varney | U.S. Army 1918-1919 // Biography: Arthur L. Varney was born 26 August 1888 in Bowdoinham, Maine, son of Edward D. & Rachel M. (Curtis) Varney He completed his WWI Registration form in Pittsburg NH on 5 June 1917. He was 28 years old living there, working as a chauffeur for the C.V.S. and D. Co. His parents were his dependents and he was single. He describes himself as short, and of medium build with black eyes and dark brown hair. His US Dept of Veterans Affairs BIRLS file shows that he enlisted in the U.S. Army on 15 May 1918, and was honorable discharged 21, January 1919. He married 8 July 1933 in St. Johnsbury VT [minister from Old Orchard Maine] to Freda S. Bacon-Fuller, daughter of William H. & Nellie E. (Perry) Bacon. In 1940 he is living in Pittsburg NH, the proprietor of a Sporting Camp, with his wife and two children, Edward D. Varney and Harold C. Varney. He died 30 January 1972 in Wilton NH.

John H. Wood | Private | Battery D, 303rd Field Artillery, 76th Div. | Died 24 Sep 1962 | Shirley Village Cemetery, Shirley MA // Biography:  John Holland Woods was born 14 November 1894 in Monicello, Maine, son of William Enoch & Nellie Ardell (Luther) Wood. In the 1910 US Census he is living in Pittsburg, surname WOOD with Mother, stepfather (Thomas Amey) and step-siblings Clark E., Claude Elmer, and Isabell E. On 5 June 1917 he completed his WWI Registration form. He was 22 and living in Pittsburg NH a laborer in the Beecher Falls Factory, Beecher Falls VT. He was single, and was of medium height and slender stature with gray eyes and light hair. His U.S. Headstone Application for Military Veterans shows WOODS as his last name, service #1664819, enlisting 18 Sep 1917 and honorably discharged 13 June 1919. He served as a Private in Battery D., 303rd Field Artillery, 76th Division. He married Clara G. Shorey. He died 24 September 1962. He is buried in Shirley Village Cemetery, Shirley Mass.

[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].