Lee County, Illinois - Chapter 26, 1920

In writinjiahrief history of the part China townsliip has taken in the war with Cei'many, I wish to |)ay tribute to the loyaUy. patriotism and eheeiiul attitude its citizens have (lisi)hiyed. Duiinii tlie past eighteen months Clnna lias resi)on<l(Ml to every call made U|ion her willi courage and di'termination, whethi'r the <leniand was for her sons, her money or any other requirement, she has readily resi^ontleil in the most creditable manner. Wlien war was declared between the United States and the Central Powers, April 1917, the situation in China township was much the same as elsewhere; many of its citizens liein.t!; of l)ie opinion that the war woidd not effect tlu in nnich. the battle front was three thousand miles aci-oss the sea and that conditions here would remain al.iout the same. At the time the first liberty bonds were placed on sale, very little interest was manifest, only a few of our citizens making any purchase. The Franklin Grove Bank, however, having assumed the responsibility of taking over the balance of the allotment, created renewed interest and confidence to such an extent that the succeeding issues met with a more ready response and at the third and fourth issues, more money was offered than the allotment required. The same may be said of the war offerings; money for the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A. and other organizations being donated freely and cheerfully, the result showing a determination to contribute in every way to the vigorous prosecution of the war and its successful termination. The sacrifices and economics practiced by the citizens of Franklin Grove and China township w'ere numerous and varied in character and throughout the entire period their citizens have lun-er faltered, but responded in a most splendid manner to each and every call.

China township furnished sixtj^ nine men to help Uncle Sam win the war; four of whom have given their lives in defense of home and country. Tw-o of these are buried in France, the other two are buried in our beautiful little cemetery. Six have been wounded, two of whom have suffered the loss of their right arms.

Harry Altexberg - Pri\;it IfllS, in the Argonne. Pii\-. Anp. Ofik- County, Illinois, l)r 111(1 Paulina Altenberg, wIki incnilicrof tlu'33r(l Division, C licldvcd liv his officers and I'oi

Lee Gilbert - Private. The next one to lose his life in our country' service was Private Lee Gilbert, who died after a short service in tli Tank Corps at CamjD Polk, Raleigh, N. C, his death being a result (

Hkkmax Leslie Wilson - Private, was born in Westminister, Carroll County, Maryland, March 9th, 1899; died in Base Hospital No. IS France, May 10, 1918. He was the son of Columlnis and Florence Wilson, who came to Franklin Grove, Illinois, September 1004. He enli.sted m the Marine Corps on May 2:M. 1017 at Chica-o, Illinois and was assigned to Camp Quantio, Virginia, where he served in the soih Cp., 6th Regular Marines until January 19, 1918 when he was tiaiisferred with his company to France. A few months later he was taken with a severe cold which develo|)ed into iie|)hrites and broncho |)neumonia, which resulted in his death. He was buried with mihtary honors tarv Cdueterv. attaciied to Base Hospital, Xo. IS, France.