World War I
World War I Veterans
Brule County, South Dakota - Ryan, Smith, Quillin
Introduction:
World War I did not pass our relatives by. We know Irish John Smith enlisted as a Private during the great Civil War. He was seriously wounded at Champion Hill, Mississippi. Still later we know our own father, John W. Smith, served his country during World War II. Several of our relatives served their country during World War I. Four men related to us participated in this war: William Patrick Ryan, John Clair Smith, Patrick Smith and James Joseph Quillin. All four registered for the Selective Service in Brule County, South Dakota.
What started as a local European War between Austria-Hungary and Serbia on July 28, 1914, was transformed into a wider war with the declaration of war against Russia in August. On April 6, 1917, the US declared war against Germany and its allies. Finally on November 11, 1918, an armistice was signed between the Allied and Central Powers which effectively ended this war. Total casualties counted exceeded 37 million people. One of these casualties of war included our own relative, William Patrick Ryan.
Various articles are added here, and have not been edited or proofread. All words appear as found in the original documents. We start with the Smith veterans of the Great War. All boys mentioned in this article registered with the Selective Service Administration on the same day – June 5, 1917.
Smith Veterans of World War I
William Patrick Ryan
Will Ryan was one of 325 young men from the Brule County area who left to fight in the War to End all Wars. Unlike many others who returned home to family at war’s end, young Will died in France. Cause of death was influenza. In 1918 the great flu epidemic swept much of the world killing millions of people along the way. What killed him was the ‘Spanish flu’, which in many respects is similar to swine flu.
The flu is an old ailment. In Andrew Jackson’s time (1829) it was known as “Jackson’s itch”. During President Tyler’s term it was known as “Tyler’s grippe”. The word “grippe” is a French word for flu. Our ancestor, Catherine McGonigle, also died of grippe in 1916.
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From the Chamberlain Democrat, Thursday, November 28, 1918
TWO MORE GOLD STARS FOR BRULE COUNTY
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Will Ryan and Owen Rose Added to List of Our Boys Who Have Made the Supreme Sacrifice
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Graphic: A wave of sorrow passed thru Kimball last week when word was received that Will Ryan and Owen Rose had made the supreme sacrifice. News came the first of the week thru the war department of the death from pneumonia in France of Will Ryan on October 2, and Friday G.D. Rose received a message from the same source that Owen died in France from the same disease October 20.
Will Ryan went to the training camp with a contingent of other boys July 22. He was among the large number on the train which met with such marked demonstration by the crowds assembled here and at Chamberlain. Little did we realize then that we should never see him again. Will was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Batt Ryan. He was born on the farm a few miles west of town and passed all his young life in this community. He was a fine young man in every respect.
Owen Rose was likewise a Brule county boy and to the manner born; raised from early childhood here and he was unusually well educated and qualified for a successful career in any undertaking. He entered an officer’s school a year ago and was commissioned a first lieutenant in the coast artillery. He left Fort Stevens, Oregon, for France in August and arrived safely the first week in September. The last letter received from him was dated September 29. The first intimation that all was not well with him came in the death message Friday.
With the war over there was a feeling of relief in Kimball that our boys might all return safe and well. But it was not to be, and with so many other communities in this fair land we must accept the same sorrow and parting with loved ones. The afflicted parents and brothers and sisters must know that they have the sincerest sympathy of all – tho words are powerless at this time to alleviate the heart aches they must feel.
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Brule County servicemen, 1917 – 1918 (As found in the Daily Republic, Mitchell, South Dakota)
Of the 325 men who left Brule County, 25 have been listed in the casualties. This valuable record has been compiled by Mr. A. G. Hill; chairman of the draft board at Chamberlain.
Two of this honor list were killed in action; six died either from disease or wounds and seventeen were wounded
Following is the list:
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Brule County History, published 1977, page 134
Henry Bickner family history
Time went by and years seemed good. Life was peaceful and everybody prospered.
Then the First World War began in Europe and in 1918 our peaceful existence came to an end. At first we thought it was a long way from us but then the U.S. entered the war and our boys were called into service. From our neighborhood – Joe Quillian, Will Ryan and Frank Bickner. Mothers would meet and talk in hushed tones sharing their hopes, fears and prayers. I missed my brother very much and learned in my own way to pray. If someone could have heard me, it probably wouldn’t have sounded much like a prayer. When it was cold, I’d get out of bed and just talk to God about how much I thought of my brother and how much I wished he was home. I asked Him to watch and care for him and the other boys in the service.
I believe the happiest day of my life was when Frank came home after the war was over. Joe Quillan came too but how sad the whole neighborhood was when we heard that Will Ryan had died in France.
Frank was one who did not show his feelings but he was visibly shaken when we told him about Will’s death.
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Click to Enlarge. This is the original newspaper article describing the lives of William Ryan and Owen Rose. |
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Conclusion
Where are all these men buried? Four of the five men mentioned in this article are buried in various South Dakota cemeteries.
St. Margaret’s Cemetery; Kimball, South Dakota
Ryan, William P.; male; born 14 May 1892; Died 02 October 1918; age 26y 04m 25d; plot A 1 25 1; veteran
Smith, John C.; male; born 23 June 1889; died 19 October 1957; age 68y 03m 26d; veteran
Kimball City Cemetery; Kimball, South Dakota
Bickner, Frank W.; born 24 March 1894; died 20 July 1975; age 81y 03m 26d; plot 4 76
St. Michael’s Cemetery; Kennebec, South Dakota
Quillin, James J.; born September 15 1894; died March 7 1983; WWI veteran
By 1930 Patrick Smith had moved back to Wisconsin and could be found living with his brother and sister in Madison. Patrick died in 1960.
ORIGINAL DRAFT RECORDS
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