Local newspapers frequently printed letters from local soldiers to provide more in-depth coverage of war news. This index, prepared by Dan Masters, records all soldiers' correspondence printed in Wood County newspapers during World War I. Researchers should be aware that these indexes do not necessarily represent the holdings of the Center for Archival Collections. Those wishing to review the news articles or editorials cited here should consult the Guide to Newspaper Holdings.

Correspondents by name | Index by Date
Newspaper Index List

Correspondents

Fred Bentley
734666, Grand Rapids, Ohio, age 23 5/12 years, born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted November 20, 1917 at Bowling Green, Ohio in Company G, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, transferred to Co. B, 11th Infantry, 6th Division February 21, 1918, promoted to Corporal October 30, 1918, service at St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector, severely wounded in 1918, service with A.E.F. April 24, 1918-May 6, 1919, honorable discharge May 6, 1919 for reenlistment
Letter: January 2, 1919

Peter Bentley
145776, 3 Reserve Division St., Grand Rapids, Ohio, age 20 4/12 years, born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted August 21, 1917 at Fort Thomas, Kentucky in 3rd Battery, 6th Field Artillery, transferred to Battery C, 151st Field Artillery, 42nd Division December 28, 1917, service at Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector, service with A.E.F. December 11, 1917-April 26, 1919, honorable discharge May 6, 1919
Letter: February 13, 1919

Henry Carman
437981, R. F. D. 2, Grand Rapids, Ohio, age 18 3/12 years, born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted March 22, 1918 at Columbus Barracks, Ohio in Co. E, 146th Infantry, 37th Division, promoted to Private First Class June 10, 1918, service at Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector, slightly wounded in action September 27, 1918, service with A.E.F. June 15, 1918-March 31, 1919, honorable discharge April 13, 1919
Letter: December 12, 1918

Joseph L. Culbertson
1937278, McClure, Ohio, age 22 9/12 years, born in McClure, Ohio, white, enlisted October 2, 1917 at Napoleon, Ohio in Co. G, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, promoted to Corporal November 18, 1917, promoted to Sergeant July 19, 1918, service with A.E.F. June 12, 1918-January 31, 1919, honorable discharge February 15, 1919
Letter: March 14, 1918, November 14, 1918

Robert Downing
Letter: April 25, 1918

Walter H. Downing
35541, Weston, Ohio, age 21 5/12 years, born in Weston, Ohio, white, enlisted December 6, 1917 at Columbus Barracks, Ohio in 657th Aero Squadron, promoted to Private First Class July 20, 1918, promoted to Corporal August 17, 1918, service with A.E.F. February 10, 1918-March 12, 1919, honorable discharge April 3, 1919
Letter: August 8, 1918

Howard Guy Finkenbeiner
2425899, R. F. D. 1, Whitehouse, Ohio, age 22 8/12 years, born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted February 25, 1918 at Toledo, Ohio in 158th Depot Brigade, transferred to Co. F, 330th Infantry, 83rd Division March 3, 1918, transferred to Co. F, 16th Infantry, 1st Division August 1, 1918, transferred to Co. H, 160th Infantry, 40th Division November 25, 1918, promoted to Corporal at unknown date, service at St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector, service with A.E.F. June 12, 1918-March 19, 1919, honorable discharge April 17, 1919
Letter: November 28, 1918

Leo Garry
Letter: August 8, 1918

Harley Gill
1936313, 2354 Whitney Ave., Toledo, Ohio, age 26 11/12 years, born in Gresham, Nebraska, white, enlisted September 18, 1917 at Toledo, Ohio in Co. C, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, promoted to Private First Class March 11, 1918, promoted to Corporal June 22, 1918, service with A.E.F. June 6, 1918-January 31, 1919, honorable discharge February 15, 1919
Letter: November 14, 1918

Otto Graff
2397380, 418 Segur Ave., Toledo, Ohio, age 23 6/12 years, born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted July 7, 1917 at Toledo, Ohio in 4th Training Co., Artillery Ammunition Co., 112th Ammunition Train, 37th Division, transferred to 12th Co., 4th Mechanic Regiment January 31, 1918, promoted to Private First Class July 14, 1917, demoted to Private July 20, 1917, promoted to Corporal May 1, 1918, promoted to Sergeant November 1, 1918, service with A.E.F. July 15, 1918-June 29, 1919, honorable discharge July 12, 1919
Letter: October 4, 1917

Ralph Gray
449047, Grand Rapids, Ohio, age 21 6/12 years, born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted May 11, 1918 at Columbus Barracks, Ohio in 1st Office Service Co., Camp Johnston, Florida, transferred to 746th Motor Transport Corps July 30, 1918, promoted to Corporal February 1, 1919, honorable discharge June 11, 1919
Letter: November 21, 1918

Charles E. Haight
1255946, Grand Rapids, Ohio, age 24 6/12 years, born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted June 2, 1917 at Toledo, Ohio in Co. C, 6th Infantry, Ohio National Guard, unit became Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, promoted to Private First Class May 11, 1918, promoted to Corporal December 31, 1918, service at Meuse-Argonne, Ypres-Lys, and Defensive Sector, slightly wounded July 15, 1918, service with A.E.F. May 18, 1918-March 23, 1919, honorable discharge April 19, 1919, 10% disabled
Article: April 24, 1919
Letters: March 7, 1918, March 14, 1918, March 21, 1918, March 28, 1918, April 18, 1918, April 25, 1918, August 15, 1918, October 24, 1918, January 2, 1919, January 30, 1918, February 6, 1919, March 13, 1919

Matilda Harris
U.S. Army Nurse
Letter: March 21, 1918

John W. Hite
2580892, 825 Frederick St., Toledo, Ohio, age 26 9/12 years, born in Tontogany, Ohio, white, enlisted March 6, 1918 at Toledo, Ohio in U.S. Army Medical Department, Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, transferred to 13th Evacuation Hospital at unknown date, service at St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne, service with A.E.F. August 14, 1918-July 19, 1919, honorable discharge as Private July 28, 1919
Letter: November 24, 1918

Clare Egbert Huffman
No Serial Number, Grand Rapids, Ohio, born November 10, 1899 at Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted May 16, 1918 at Toledo, Ohio in U.S. Marine Corps, sent to Parris Island Summary Court on day of enlistment, assigned to Barracks Detachment, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania June 12, 1918, honorable discharge August 30, 1919, character excellent
Letter: November 21, 1918

Glenn Huffman
Letter: November 21, 1918

D.R. McLain
159th Depot Brigade
Letter: February 27, 1919

Earl C. Neifer
5285983, Grand Rapids, Ohio, born October 31, 1897 in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted October 7, 1918 in Students' Army Training Corps, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, honorable discharge as Private December 12, 1918
Letter: November 21, 1918

Terry D. Norcross
2nd Lieutenant, Custar, Ohio, born September 8, 1892 at Reduced Jacket, Michigan, white, enlisted March 13, 1914 in Co. M, 2nd Infantry, Ohio National Guard, transferred to Co. M, 166th Infantry, 42nd Division as Sergeant May 2, 1918 to accept commission as Second Lieutenant May 3, 1918, service at Aisne-Marne, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector, killed in action October 5, 1918, service with A.E.F. October 31, 1917-October 5, 1918, buried near Crerges Montfancas Cemetery near roadside
Letter: August 15, 1918

Carey M. Roberts
2490969, 929 Stillman St., Toledo, Ohio, age 20 11/12 years, born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted December 12, 1917 at Columbus Barracks, Ohio in 840th Aero Squadron, service with A.E.F. April 16, 1918-February 27, 1919, honorable discharge as Private March 19, 1919
Letters: July 25, 1918, August 8, 1918, February 6, 1919

Edmund E. Schuster
(See Perrysburg Journal for service record)
Letter: March 7, 1918

Azor D. Sheffield
1527018, Toledo, Ohio, age 21 years, born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted May 8, 1916 in Co. L, 6th Infantry, Ohio National Guard, transferred to Co. B, 116th Supply Train, 41st Division at unknown date, transferred to Co. D, 3rd Supply Train, 3rd Division June 28, 1918, promoted to Corporal October 1, 1917, demoted to Private March 5, 1918, promoted to Corporal March 17, 1919, service at Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne, service with A.E.F. May 23, 1918-August 28, 1919, honorable discharge September 8, 1919, awarded Silver Star and cited for bravery
Letters: February 6, 1919, February 20, 1919

Harry B. Souders
1533841, Toledo, Ohio, age 21 9/12 years, born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, white, enlisted February 3, 1916 at Toledo, Ohio in Battery B, 2nd Field Artillery, Ohio National Guard, unit became Battery B, 135th Field Artillery, 37th Division, promoted to Corporal November 13, 1916, promoted to Sergeant August 20, 1917, assigned as Supply Sergeant same date, demoted to Sergeant January 2, 1918, demoted to Private March 12, 1918, promoted to Corporal June 1, 1918, service in Defensive Sector, service with A.E.F. June 28, 1918-March 24, 1919, honorable discharge April 11, 1919
Letters: October 4, 1917, November 8, 1917, November 15, 1917

Henry Tonjes
4122999, R. F. D. 2, McClure, Ohio, age 25 1/12 years, born in Napoleon, Ohio, white, enlisted July 23, 1918 at Henry Co., Ohio in 156th Depot Brigade, transferred to Co. A, 8th Corps Artillery Park September 18, 1918, promoted to Wagoner October 11, 1918, honorable discharge January 2, 1919
Letter: October 10, 1918

Index by Date

October 4, 1917
Sergeant Harry B. Souders, Battery B, 135th Field Artillery, 37th Division, Montgomery, Alabama, September 26, 1917, pg. 1
Private Otto Graff, 4th Artillery Ammunition Training Company, 112th Ammunition Train, 37th Division, Montgomery, Alabama, September 23, 1917, pg. 1

November 8, 1917
Sergeant Harry B. Souders, Battery B, 135th Field Artillery, 37th Division, Camp Sherdian, Alabama, no date, pg. 1

November 15, 1917
Sergeant Harry B. Souders, Battery B, 135th Field Artillery, 37th Division, Camp Sheridan, Alabama, November 5, 1917, pg. 8

March 7, 1918
Private Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, Camp Sheridan, Montgomery, Alabama, February 26, 1918, pg. 1
Private Edmund E. Schuster, Headquarters Company, 135th Field Artillery, 37th Division, Camp Sheridan, Alabama, pg. 1

March 14, 1918
Corporal Joseph L. Culbertson, Co. G, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, Camp Sherman, Ohio, March 3, 1918, pg. 1
Private Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, Camp Sheridan, Alabama, March 2, 1918, pg. 1

March 21, 1918
Private Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, Camp Sheridan, Alabama, no date, pg. 1
Matilda Harris, U.S. Army nurse, February 15, 1918, pg. 1

March 28, 1918
Private Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, Camp Sheridan, Alabama, March 17, 1918, pg. 1

April 18, 1918
Private Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, Camp Sheridan, Alabama, no date, pg. 1

April 25, 1918
Robert Downing, no place, no date, pg. 4
Private Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, Camp Sheridan, Alabama, no date, pg. 8

July 25, 1918
Private Carey M. Roberts, 840th Aero Squadron, June 23, 1918, pg. 8

August 8, 1918
Sergeant Leo Garry, somewhere in France, June 27, 1918, pg. 8
Private Walter H. Downing, 657th Aero Squadron, somewhere in England, July 4 and 12, 1918, pg. 8
Private Carey M. Roberts, 840th Aero Squadron, somewhere in England, July 6, 1918, pg. 8

August 15, 1918
Private First Class Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, somewhere in France, July 7, 1918, pg. 1
Second Lieutenant Terry D. Norcross, Co. M, 166th Infantry, 42nd Division, somewhere in France, no date, pg. 1

October 10, 1918
Private Henry Tonjes, Co. A, 8th Corps Artillery Park, Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, September 29, 1918, pg. 1

October 24, 1918
Private John W. Hite, Evacuation Hospital No. 13, somewhere in France, September 15, 1918, pg. 8
Private First Class Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, somewhere in France, September 15, 1918, pg. 8

November 14, 1918
Corporal Harley Gill, Co. C, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, somewhere in France, no date, pg. 1
Sergeant Joseph L. Culbertson, Co. G, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, somewhere in France, no date, pg. 1

November 21, 1918
Private Ralph Gray, Co. I, 746th Motor Transport Corps, Camp Johnston, Florida, no date, pg. 1
Private Clare Egbert Huffman, Barracks Detachment, U.S. Marine Corps, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1918, pg. 1
Private Glenn Huffman, Columbus, Ohio, November 9, 1918, pg. 1
Corporal Earl C. Neifer, Aviation Barracks, Ohio State University, S.A.T.C., November 1, 1918, pg. 1

November 28, 1918
Corporal Howard Guy Finkenbeiner, Co. F, 16th Infantry, 1st Division, somewhere in France, October 17, 1918, pg. 4

December 12, 1918
Private Henry Carman, Co. E, 146th Infantry, 37th Division, somewhere in France, October 24, 1918, pg. 1

January 2, 1919
Private First Class Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, somewhere in Belgium, November 27, 1918, pg. 1
Corporal Fred Bentley, Co. B, 11th Infantry, 6th Division, somewhere in France, November 23, 1918, pg. 1

January 30, 1919
Private First Class Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, Zeggen-Cappel, France, December 29, 1918, pg. 8

February 6, 1919
Private Azor D. Sheffield, Co. D, 3rd Supply Train, 3rd Division, somewhere in Germany, no date, pg. 1
Corporal Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, Zeggen-Cappel, France, December 23, 1918, pg. 1
Private Carey M. Roberts, 840th Aero Squadron, Latecey, France, December 23, 1918, pg. 1

February 13, 1919
Private Peter Bentley, Battery C, 151st Field Artillery, 42nd Division, Heimershiem, Germany, December 27, 1918, pg. 1

February 20, 1919
Private Azor D. Sheffield, Co. D, 3rd Supply Train, 3rd Division, Mayen, Germany, January 22, 1919, pg. 8

February 27, 1919
Sergeant D.R. McLain, 159th Depot Brigade, Headquarters, 159th Depot Brigade, Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky, February 19, 1919, pg. 1

March 13, 1919
Corporal Charles E. Haight, Co. D, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, Qouillet, France, February 1, 1919, pg. 1

April 24, 1919
"Reception to Corp. Haight, pg. 1