Our Heroes
Clayton county men and women who served in the Great War

Too many of them made the ultimate sacrifice.

Pvt. Edgar A. Asmus
Strawberry Point
Died of disease

Additional information: Edgar A. Asmus was born in September 1895. Burial place unknown. He was enumerated on the:

• 1900 US census, Fayette co., Putnam twp., with his parents Gustav & Anna and siblings
• 1905 Iowa State census, Arlington, Fayette co.
• 1910 US census, Clayton co., Cass twp., Strawberry Point town, with his widowed father, Gustav and siblings.
• 1915 Iowa State census, Strawberry Point

photo from Soldiers of the Great War,
Vol I, 1920, Memorial Addition, pg 342

Pvt. Clarence J. Borcherding
Guttenburg
Died of disease

Additional information: Clarence J. Borcherding was born on March 3, 1894 and is buried in the Guttenburg City cemetery. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was working as a bartender in Prairie du Chien, WI. He was enumerated on the:

• 1910 US census Iowa, Clayton co., Jefferson twp., Guttenburg; with his parents William & Minnie, and siblings.
• 1915 Iowa State census
  

photo needed

Pvt. William F. Brockmeier
[Brockmeyer]
Colesburg
Killed in action

Additional information: William Fred Brockmeier was born February 25, 1894 in Clayton co. He died on August 1, 1918. He is buried in Zion cemetery, Delaware co. Iowa. 'Willie F.' Brockmeier is enumerated on the 1900 U.S. census, Clayton co. Mallory twp. with his parents John H. & Margaret A. Brockmeier and his siblings. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was employed by his father as a farm hand in Mallory twp.

Pvt. Harry Clemons
[Clemens, Clemmens]
McGregor
Died of wounds, July 26, 1918

Additional information: Harry C. Clemens was born in November 1895 and died of wounds suffered at Chateau Thierry, France. His father was a brother of Andrew Clemens, the well-known sand-artist. Harry is buried in Pleasant Grove cemetery, McGregor. He was enumerated on the:

• 1900 US census Iowa, Clayton co., Mendon twp., McGregor city with his father August Clemmens & brother Roy.
• 1910 US census Iowa, Clayton co., Mendon twp., McGregor, C Street with his father August Clemens & brother Roy.

photo from 'The Iowa Magazine'
Vol 2 No. 6, December 1918

Pvt Fred L. Dunsmoor
Strawberry Point
Died of wounds, November 10, 1918

Additional information: Fred Leroy Dunsmoor was born in Strawberry Point on June 18, 1894. He is buried in County Corners cemetery, Cass twp. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was single & working as a farm laborer in Madison twp. Buchanan co. 'Freddy' was enumerated on the 1900 US census Iowa, Clayton co., Cass twp. Strawberry Point, Vernon St. living with his father, City Marshall Fred M., his mother Louisa, and his siblings

Red Cross Nurse Elsie M. Hatch
Edgewood
Died of disease

Additional information: Elsie May Hatch was born on May 6, 1890 in Redfield, South Dakota. She died in Paris, France in 1918, one of the 161 American 'Gold Star Women' who gave their lives in the Great World War. She is buried in the Honey Creek cemetery, Delaware co. Iowa. On her October 1918 Passport application, Elsie gave her occupation as teacher, and her place of destination, France. Elsie was enumerated on the:

• 1895 Iowa State census living in Lodomillo twp. Clayton co.
• 1900 U.S. census, Honey Creek twp. town of Edgewood, Delaware co. Iowa with her parents Austin P. & Ella Hatch and her brother Floyd
• 1905 Iowa State census living in Edgewood, Clayton co.
  

photo from Soldiers of the Great War,
Vol I, 1920, Memorial Addition, pg 315

Pvt. Roy H. Jewell
Strawberry Point
Died of disease

Additional information: Roy Harrison Jewell was born on August 16, 1888 in Seales Mound, Illinois, and died in New Jersey on October 1, 1918. He is buried in the Strawberry Point cemetery. He served in Co. 8 ARD Infantry. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was single and was farming near Dundee, Iowa. Roy was enumerated on the:

• 1905 and 1915 Iowa State census, living in Richland twp., Delaware co. Iowa, postoffice - Strawberry Point.
• 1900 and 1910 U.S. census, Iowa, Delaware co., Richland twp. living with his parents Thomas & Eliza Jewell and his siblings.
  

Pvt. Francis E. Kellogg
Volga
Died of disease

Additional information: Francis Ellingwood Kellogg was born in Strawberry Point on July 3, 1895 and died December 16, 1918. He is buried in the Strawberry Point cemetery. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was single, occupation automobile repairman and living in Volga. Francis was enumerated on the:

• 1900 & 1910 U.S. census, Iowa, Clayton co. Cox Creek twp. with his parents William H. & Rose Kellogg and his siblings
• 1905 Iowa State census living in Mederville, Clayton co.
  

Pvt. Frank Kinyon
Turkey River
Died of disease

Additional information: Frank Kinyon was born in Leadville, Colorado on June 18, 1892. He was enumerated on the 1900 U.S. census, Colorado, Teller co., Goldfield town, with his parents Ira & Anna Kinyon and his siblings. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was single, his home address was Turkey River and occupation farm laborer in Millville. His death by disease was reported on the war casualty lists published in Novemeber 1918. His burial place is unknown.

Pvt. August W. Kottke
Guttenburg
Killed in Action

Additional information: August William Kottke was born in Jefferson twp. Clayton co. on November 29, 1887 and died in France on September 30, 1918. He is buried in St. Paula cemetery, Jefferson twp. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was a single man, farming in Jefferson twp. August was enumerated on the:

• 1910 U.S. census, Clayton co. Jefferson twp. living with his parents August & Anna Kottke.
• 1915 Iowa State census, living in Jefferson twp., occupation was a mason
  

Pvt. Arthur F. Krueger
Luana
Died of disease

Additional information: Arthur Fred Krueger was born September 7, 1889 in Clayton co. He died in France on October 9, 1918 and is buried in the Lutheran cemetery, Luana. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was single, occupation musician and living in McGregor. His parents were Henry D. Krueger & Caroline Charlotte Louise Kregel. Arthur was enumerated on the:

• 1905 Iowa State census in Luana
• 1910 U.S. census, Clayton co. Monona twp. working as a hired farm hand

 

Pvt. Henry Lembke
[Lembka, Lemka]
Elkader
Killed in action

Additional information: Henry Lembke was born in Cox Creek twp. on August 17, 1895. He was killed in battle in 1918 and is buried in East Side cemetery, Elkader. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was single, address Elkader and employed on a farm. Henry Lembka was enumerated on the:

• 1900 & 1910 U.S. census, Clayton co., Cox Creek twp. living with his parents Louis & Bertha Lemka and siblings
• 1915 Iowa State census living in Cox Creek twp. working as a farm laborer.
  

photo from Soldiers of the Great War,
Vol I, 1920, Memorial Addition, pg 328

Pvt. George C. Leuchtenmacher
Elgin
Wounded in action

Additional information: George Christian Leuchtenmacher was born in Elgin, Iowa on July 12, 1893. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was single, address Lennox, S.D. and employed on a farm. He married Louise B. Spicholsky in 1921. The Social Security Death index indicates he died in November 19, 1973. He is buried in East Side cemetery, Elkader. George was enumerated on the:

• 1910 U.S. census, Clayton co., Highland twp. he is age 16 and living with his parents John & Lydia H. and siblings
• 1930 U.S. census, Clayton co., Highland twp. he is living with wife Louise & 2 children.
  
  

photo from Soldiers of the Great War,
Vol I, 1920, Memorial Addition, pg 328

Corp. Erwin L. Lewin
[Lowin]
Guttenberg
Died of disease

Additional information: Erwin Lewin was born January 26, 1895 in Ceres. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was single and employed on a farm in Clayton co. Erwin Lewin was enumerated on the:

• 1905 Iowa State census in Guttenberg
• 1910 U.S. census, Clayton co. Jefferson twp. Guttenberg with his parents John & Hilda Lewin and siblings
  

Corporal Glenn E. Mathews
Farmersburg
Died of disease

Additional information: Glenn E. Mathews was born in September 1897. He died September 11, 1918 and is buried in the Farmersburg-Wagner cemetery. Glen was enumerated on the:

• 1900 & 1910 U.S. census, Clayton co., Farmersburg twp. with his parents James L. & Ina Bell Mathews and siblings.
• 1915 Iowa State census, in Farmersburg twp. working at home for board & clothes.
  

photo from Soldiers of the Great War,
Vol I, 1920, Memorial Addition, pg 329

Pvt. Charles A. Matusch
Edgewood
Killed in Action

Additional information: Charles Adam Matusch was born in Blunt, South Dakota [draft registration] on August 19, 1886. He died October 23, 1918 and is buried in Oakland cemetery, Manchester, Delaware co. Iowa. Charles is enumerated on the:

• 1910 U.S. census in Iowa, Delaware co. Honey Creek twp. living in the household of his brother William Matusch.
• 1915 Iowa State census in Edgewood, Honey Creek twp. Delaware co. He is working as a farm hand. Birth place given as Iowa.
  

Pvt. Herman H.C. Moser
Osterdock
Died of disease

Additional information: Herman Henry Carl Moser was born in Clayton co. August 27, 1895 [draft registration]. He served with Co B, 150th Battery A.E.F. He died in 1918 and is buried in Bethel cemetery, Mallory twp. Herman was enumerated on the:

• 1900 U.S. census, Clayton co. Mallory twp. living with his parents Emile & Lena Moser and his siblings. Date of birth given as Aug 1895.
• 1910 U.S. census, Clayton co. Mallory twp. town of Osterdock, living with his widowed mother Lena and siblings.
• 1915 Iowa State census, Osterdock; occupation farmer
  

Richard James O'Reiley
[O'Rieley, O'Reily, Riley]
McGregor
Killed in Action, August 191?

Additional information: Richard James O'Reiley was born November 18, 1895 in Farmersburg twp. Clayton co. He is buried in St. Mary's cemetery, McGregor. He was enumerated on the 1910 US census Iowa, Clayton co., Farmersburg twp. with his father Daniel O'Reily and siblings.

 

Pvt. Richard James O'Reiley

photo from 'The Iowa Magazine'
Vol 2 No. 6, December 1918

Pvt. Harry E. Tangeman
McGregor
Died of disease

Additional information: Harry Elmer Tangeman was born in Garnavillo on April 23, 1891. He was a member of the US Army, Company K, 352nd Infantry. He died in France on October 7, 1918. He is buried in the Garnavillo City cemetery. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he gave his residence as McGregor and occupation as a farmer. Harry is enumerated on the 1910 U.S. census, Clayton co. Reed twp. living with his parents Benjamin & Mary Tangeman and his siblings.

Pvt. Fred J. Theviot
McGregor
Killed in Action

Additional information: Fred John Theviot was born November 30, 1889 in McGregor. He died in 1918 and is buried in Pleasant Grove cemetery, McGregor. 'Fredie' Theviot is enumerated on the 1905 Iowa State census, McGregor. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was married.

photo from Soldiers of the Great War,
Vol I, 1920, Memorial Addition, pg 337

Pvt. Charles L. Topel
Monona
Died of wounds

Additional information: Charles Topel was enumerated on the 1915 Iowa State census in Allamakee co., Linton twp., postoffice Monona.

Pvt. Otto Troester
Osterdock
Died of disease

Additional information: Otto Troester was born in Millville on August 28, 1895. He died in Warwickshire, England on October 2, 1918 and is buried in the Guttenburg City cemetery. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was employed as a farm laborer near McGregor. Otto was enumerated on the 1900 U.S. census, Clayton co. Mallory twp. living with his parents John & Emma Troester and siblings.

Theodore C. Wettleson
Postville (postoffice)
Died of wounds received in action in France, August 3, 1918

Additional information: Theodore Clarence Wettleson, born July 8, 1894, was the son of Wettle & Lena (Alsaker) Wettleson. The 1900 US census enumerates Theo., his parents & siblings in Grand Meadow twp. He is buried in Marion Lutheran cemetery, Gunder, Clayton co.

Memorial card
Obituary

Theodore C. Wettleson

photo from 'The Iowa Magazine'
Vol 2 No. 6, December 1918

Corp. Hewitt L. Williams
Co. L., 352nd Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces
Killed in Action

Hewitt Larrabee Williams was born July 9, 1890, at Grand Meadow Farm, the fifth of ten children of Frederick and Dora (Pinney) Williams.  Hewitt was elected to Alpha Zeta, honorary fraternity in his field at the Iowa State University, Ames.  He returned to Grand Meadow Township in 1912 to build a Holstein dairy herd.  World War I broke out and Hewitt answered his call in 1918.  He trained at Camp Dodge and was sent to the front with the 88th Division.  Hewitt died in action Oct. 15, 1918.  He lies in the beautiful USA Military Cemetery near Romague, France.  Dora Williams, with a group of Northeast Iowa World War I Gold Star Mothers, traveled to France to visit the grave of her son. In honor of their son, Hewitt, and all the World War I Servicemen, the Fred Williams family gave a sundial to the town of Gunder.  John Sampson of Clermont, an employee at the Williams Quarry, carved the sundial. The sundial and a flagpole were installed at the T-intersection in Gunder.  They both had to be moved in 1963 for the widening and paving of the Gunder Road.  The sundial and flagpole were then placed at the north end of Marion Cemetery. There is only on other sundial like the one in Gunder in the country.  It is at Montauk (Clermont), the home of Iowa's 12th governor, William Larrabee and Anna Larrabee, his wife.

photo & information are from 'GUNDER AND THE SURROUNDING AREA HISTORY AND HERITAGE',
a historical project of the Gunder Community Club

Pvt. Michael Wolfe
North Buena Vista
Died of disease

Additional information: Michael Wolfe was born July 13, 1894 in Bode, Humboldt co. Iowa. He died September 18, 1918 and is buried in St. Joseph cemetery, St. Joseph twp. Kossuth co. Iowa. When he registered for the draft in Dubuque June 1917, he was living in North Buena Vista, Clayton county and working as an automobile mechanic in Holy Cross.