William Henry was the third oldest child of eight born to Johanna Eva "Annie" Kirchoff and August E. Niehaus. He entered this world one day after the modern Thanksgiving on Friday, November 25th, 1892 in McGirk, eastern Moniteau County, Missouri. His siblings were John Henry (1889), Elizabeth Kathryn (1890), Walter Frank (1895), Arnim William (1896), Royal Herman "Roy" (1898), Herman Henry "Pete" (1902), and Laura Ann (1907). His grandparents Wilhelm Heinrich and Ann Catherine Tunsumann Niehaus were immigrants from Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany who arrived at the Port of New Orleans on November 22nd, 1852. His parents were both born in McGirk and were married in Moniteau County on March 15th, 1888 after Annie's father gave his permission for his seventeen-year old daughter. The family lived on a farm on McGirk Road in what was then called Walker Township (now inactive) in Moniteau County. Besides helping with the family farm, he attended school and could read and write.
The California Democrat newspaper, California, Missouri, dated April 12th, 1917 carried the headline "CONGRESS DECLARES STATE OF WAR BETWEEN U. S. AND GERMANY". With President Wilson's signature that same day, the United States was officially at war with Germany and a part of the World War that had been raging in Europe since 1914. The following month, May 18th, Congress passed the Selective Service Act that gave the Federal Government the authority to temporarily expand the military through conscription and set three mandatory registration dates. The first was on June 5th, 1917 for men ages 21 to 30.
William, now age 24, was one of 991 Moniteau County citizens to register that Tuesday at the County Seat of California and complete a registration card titled "Form 1". This simple card asked fifteen questions and revealed this about William Henry: his home address was McGirk, Missouri, he was a natural-born citizen, he was employed as a farmer, he was single, of the Caucasian race, did not have prior military service, and claimed no exemption to the draft. Physically he was described as of medium height and build, with brown eyes, black hair, and was not bald nor disabled. He was then assigned Draft # 218 by the county clerk. It is not known if William stayed in California for the registration day celebration that afternoon after Mayor W. P. Handley issued a proclamation proclaiming a half-day holiday that included a parade and patriotic speaking at the courthouse.
Three months later, William received his draft notice and was ordered to report to the Moniteau County Courthouse for induction on Friday, September 21st, 1917. At the appointed time, William and thirty-four more young men raised their right hand and took the oath of enlistment becoming US Army Privates. Serial # 2190130 was assigned to Private Niehaus. A special patriotic meeting was held at the courthouse shortly after 1 p.m. and according to the California Democrat news article of September 27th, "there were people enough to fill the courthouse four or five times". Following the meeting which consisted of short talks, prayers, and patriotic songs by the high school chorus they adjourned outside where the high school band also furnished patriotic music. A march to the train station then began, headed by the old soldiers of the county, the California Band, and followed by the thirty-five young soldiers, then the schools and citizens making it the largest procession California has had for many years. At the station, 2,000 Moniteau County citizens were there to bid the "Soldier Boys" farewell. The special train arrived about 3:30 p.m. with six to eight cars housing soldiers from Cole, Miller, Camden, Gasconade, and Osage Counties. They arrived at Camp Funston, Kansas early Saturday morning and the first order of business was for everybody to take showers.
William was then assigned to the 23rd Company of the 164th Depot Brigade for basic training. On October 17th, 1917, he was reassigned to Battery C, 342nd Field Artillery (heavy), 164th Field Artillery Brigade, 89th Division which was also located at Camp Funston where intense training followed in anticipation of joining the war in France.
During his spare time, William wrote a letter to the Moniteau County Herald newspaper that was published in the December 13th, 1917 edition. It read:
"I like Camp life fine, also my training and exercise, they are all a benefit to me in every way. The soldiers have all kinds of amusements, we have 12 Y.M.C.A. buildings and a big auditorium, also Knights of Columbus, where we all spend the evenings after our day's training. These places have all kinds of music, victrolas and pianos, and all kinds of games such as checkers, etc. We also have athletic sports. The Y.M.C.A. serves as our church and are used for all kinds of lectures and speaking, and the boys do most of their writing there and the Y also furnished the writing papers and envelopes for us. Visitors are entertained in the Y. Our barracks are heated with steam and we have a fine place to sleep, so we are prepared for the mercury can go as far as it likes at any time.
We have a big exchange here, so we can buy most anything we wish for, we have all the smoking tobacco we want, that is a soldier's most important thing, so long as he has his smoking tobacco he is all right. The boys all seem to be liking the army life fine and we are in the best of health. Of mornings when the bugle blows thousands of soldiers fall out in their formation, and the band taking the lead, for the training field we go.
I receive as many as two or three letters every day and I am always ready to answer them. We are preparing for a big day Christmas. We will have a big dinner, our barracks and dining hall we be decorated with the Stars and Stripes. We have had fine weather during the month of November for drilling.
Hoping the Lord will help us to win a glorious victory and we may all return to our homes before long. With best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Respectfully yours, WM. H. NIEHAUS, 342 Field Artillery, Battery C, Camp Funston, Kansas".
During this time the 1918 influenza pandemic that would eventually cause the deaths of an estimated 50 million people worldwide was beginning. It was first identified in military personnel in the spring of 1918 and the first case at Camp Funston was reported on March 4th. Within three weeks, 1,100 of the over 56,000 troops at the camp were sick. William's father August received a telegram from Camp Funston on March 24th, that his son was critically ill from pneumonia. August then left on the first train to go to the bedside of his son. William, age 25, died in the service of his country on Monday, March 25th, 1918 at the Fort Riley, Kansas hospital with his father present.
His remains arrived in California on Wednesday, April 3rd, 1918, and taken to the home of his parents southeast of the city. Funeral services were held at the Salem Evangelical Church the following day with his pastor, Rev. Paul Niedermeyer officiating. His entire immediate family survived him, and his five brothers acted as pallbearers. There was a large crowd on hand as he was laid to rest in the Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, Moniteau County, Missouri. His mother would join him there in 1929 and his father in 1942. Day is done, God is nigh.
Bio by Larry E. Hume
SOURCES:
(1): The National Archives At Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving At New Orleans, Louisiana, 1820-1902; NAI Number: 2824927; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; Record Group Number: 85
(2): Missouri State Archives; Jefferson City, MO, USA; Missouri Marriage Records [Microfilm]
(3): Year: 1900; Census Place: Walker, Moniteau, Missouri; Roll: 876; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0087
(4): Year: 1910; Census Place: Walker, Moniteau, Missouri; Roll: T624_800; Page: 7b; Enumeration District: 0099; FHL microfilm: 1374813
(5): Registration State: Missouri; Registration County: Moniteau County
(6): "California Democrat 07 Jun 1917, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958500225/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(7): "California Democrat 27 Sep 1917, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958502080/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(8): Missouri Digital Heritage : Soldiers' Records: War of 1812 - World War I.
https://s1.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/soldiers/default.aspx. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(9): History of 1918 Flu Pandemic | Pandemic Influenza (Flu) | CDC. 22 Jan. 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-commemoration/1918-pandemic-history.htm.
(10): "California Democrat 04 Apr 1918, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958505253/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
The California Democrat newspaper, California, Missouri, dated April 12th, 1917 carried the headline "CONGRESS DECLARES STATE OF WAR BETWEEN U. S. AND GERMANY". With President Wilson's signature that same day, the United States was officially at war with Germany and a part of the World War that had been raging in Europe since 1914. The following month, May 18th, Congress passed the Selective Service Act that gave the Federal Government the authority to temporarily expand the military through conscription and set three mandatory registration dates. The first was on June 5th, 1917 for men ages 21 to 30.
William, now age 24, was one of 991 Moniteau County citizens to register that Tuesday at the County Seat of California and complete a registration card titled "Form 1". This simple card asked fifteen questions and revealed this about William Henry: his home address was McGirk, Missouri, he was a natural-born citizen, he was employed as a farmer, he was single, of the Caucasian race, did not have prior military service, and claimed no exemption to the draft. Physically he was described as of medium height and build, with brown eyes, black hair, and was not bald nor disabled. He was then assigned Draft # 218 by the county clerk. It is not known if William stayed in California for the registration day celebration that afternoon after Mayor W. P. Handley issued a proclamation proclaiming a half-day holiday that included a parade and patriotic speaking at the courthouse.
Three months later, William received his draft notice and was ordered to report to the Moniteau County Courthouse for induction on Friday, September 21st, 1917. At the appointed time, William and thirty-four more young men raised their right hand and took the oath of enlistment becoming US Army Privates. Serial # 2190130 was assigned to Private Niehaus. A special patriotic meeting was held at the courthouse shortly after 1 p.m. and according to the California Democrat news article of September 27th, "there were people enough to fill the courthouse four or five times". Following the meeting which consisted of short talks, prayers, and patriotic songs by the high school chorus they adjourned outside where the high school band also furnished patriotic music. A march to the train station then began, headed by the old soldiers of the county, the California Band, and followed by the thirty-five young soldiers, then the schools and citizens making it the largest procession California has had for many years. At the station, 2,000 Moniteau County citizens were there to bid the "Soldier Boys" farewell. The special train arrived about 3:30 p.m. with six to eight cars housing soldiers from Cole, Miller, Camden, Gasconade, and Osage Counties. They arrived at Camp Funston, Kansas early Saturday morning and the first order of business was for everybody to take showers.
William was then assigned to the 23rd Company of the 164th Depot Brigade for basic training. On October 17th, 1917, he was reassigned to Battery C, 342nd Field Artillery (heavy), 164th Field Artillery Brigade, 89th Division which was also located at Camp Funston where intense training followed in anticipation of joining the war in France.
During his spare time, William wrote a letter to the Moniteau County Herald newspaper that was published in the December 13th, 1917 edition. It read:
"I like Camp life fine, also my training and exercise, they are all a benefit to me in every way. The soldiers have all kinds of amusements, we have 12 Y.M.C.A. buildings and a big auditorium, also Knights of Columbus, where we all spend the evenings after our day's training. These places have all kinds of music, victrolas and pianos, and all kinds of games such as checkers, etc. We also have athletic sports. The Y.M.C.A. serves as our church and are used for all kinds of lectures and speaking, and the boys do most of their writing there and the Y also furnished the writing papers and envelopes for us. Visitors are entertained in the Y. Our barracks are heated with steam and we have a fine place to sleep, so we are prepared for the mercury can go as far as it likes at any time.
We have a big exchange here, so we can buy most anything we wish for, we have all the smoking tobacco we want, that is a soldier's most important thing, so long as he has his smoking tobacco he is all right. The boys all seem to be liking the army life fine and we are in the best of health. Of mornings when the bugle blows thousands of soldiers fall out in their formation, and the band taking the lead, for the training field we go.
I receive as many as two or three letters every day and I am always ready to answer them. We are preparing for a big day Christmas. We will have a big dinner, our barracks and dining hall we be decorated with the Stars and Stripes. We have had fine weather during the month of November for drilling.
Hoping the Lord will help us to win a glorious victory and we may all return to our homes before long. With best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Respectfully yours, WM. H. NIEHAUS, 342 Field Artillery, Battery C, Camp Funston, Kansas".
During this time the 1918 influenza pandemic that would eventually cause the deaths of an estimated 50 million people worldwide was beginning. It was first identified in military personnel in the spring of 1918 and the first case at Camp Funston was reported on March 4th. Within three weeks, 1,100 of the over 56,000 troops at the camp were sick. William's father August received a telegram from Camp Funston on March 24th, that his son was critically ill from pneumonia. August then left on the first train to go to the bedside of his son. William, age 25, died in the service of his country on Monday, March 25th, 1918 at the Fort Riley, Kansas hospital with his father present.
His remains arrived in California on Wednesday, April 3rd, 1918, and taken to the home of his parents southeast of the city. Funeral services were held at the Salem Evangelical Church the following day with his pastor, Rev. Paul Niedermeyer officiating. His entire immediate family survived him, and his five brothers acted as pallbearers. There was a large crowd on hand as he was laid to rest in the Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, Moniteau County, Missouri. His mother would join him there in 1929 and his father in 1942. Day is done, God is nigh.
Bio by Larry E. Hume
SOURCES:
(1): The National Archives At Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving At New Orleans, Louisiana, 1820-1902; NAI Number: 2824927; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; Record Group Number: 85
(2): Missouri State Archives; Jefferson City, MO, USA; Missouri Marriage Records [Microfilm]
(3): Year: 1900; Census Place: Walker, Moniteau, Missouri; Roll: 876; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0087
(4): Year: 1910; Census Place: Walker, Moniteau, Missouri; Roll: T624_800; Page: 7b; Enumeration District: 0099; FHL microfilm: 1374813
(5): Registration State: Missouri; Registration County: Moniteau County
(6): "California Democrat 07 Jun 1917, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958500225/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(7): "California Democrat 27 Sep 1917, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958502080/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(8): Missouri Digital Heritage : Soldiers' Records: War of 1812 - World War I.
https://s1.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/soldiers/default.aspx. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(9): History of 1918 Flu Pandemic | Pandemic Influenza (Flu) | CDC. 22 Jan. 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-commemoration/1918-pandemic-history.htm.
(10): "California Democrat 04 Apr 1918, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958505253/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
William Henry was the third oldest child of eight born to Johanna Eva "Annie" Kirchoff and August E. Niehaus. He entered this world one day after the modern Thanksgiving on Friday, November 25th, 1892 in McGirk, eastern Moniteau County, Missouri. His siblings were John Henry (1889), Elizabeth Kathryn (1890), Walter Frank (1895), Arnim William (1896), Royal Herman "Roy" (1898), Herman Henry "Pete" (1902), and Laura Ann (1907). His grandparents Wilhelm Heinrich and Ann Catherine Tunsumann Niehaus were immigrants from Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany who arrived at the Port of New Orleans on November 22nd, 1852. His parents were both born in McGirk and were married in Moniteau County on March 15th, 1888 after Annie's father gave his permission for his seventeen-year old daughter. The family lived on a farm on McGirk Road in what was then called Walker Township (now inactive) in Moniteau County. Besides helping with the family farm, he attended school and could read and write.
The California Democrat newspaper, California, Missouri, dated April 12th, 1917 carried the headline "CONGRESS DECLARES STATE OF WAR BETWEEN U. S. AND GERMANY". With President Wilson's signature that same day, the United States was officially at war with Germany and a part of the World War that had been raging in Europe since 1914. The following month, May 18th, Congress passed the Selective Service Act that gave the Federal Government the authority to temporarily expand the military through conscription and set three mandatory registration dates. The first was on June 5th, 1917 for men ages 21 to 30.
William, now age 24, was one of 991 Moniteau County citizens to register that Tuesday at the County Seat of California and complete a registration card titled "Form 1". This simple card asked fifteen questions and revealed this about William Henry: his home address was McGirk, Missouri, he was a natural-born citizen, he was employed as a farmer, he was single, of the Caucasian race, did not have prior military service, and claimed no exemption to the draft. Physically he was described as of medium height and build, with brown eyes, black hair, and was not bald nor disabled. He was then assigned Draft # 218 by the county clerk. It is not known if William stayed in California for the registration day celebration that afternoon after Mayor W. P. Handley issued a proclamation proclaiming a half-day holiday that included a parade and patriotic speaking at the courthouse.
Three months later, William received his draft notice and was ordered to report to the Moniteau County Courthouse for induction on Friday, September 21st, 1917. At the appointed time, William and thirty-four more young men raised their right hand and took the oath of enlistment becoming US Army Privates. Serial # 2190130 was assigned to Private Niehaus. A special patriotic meeting was held at the courthouse shortly after 1 p.m. and according to the California Democrat news article of September 27th, "there were people enough to fill the courthouse four or five times". Following the meeting which consisted of short talks, prayers, and patriotic songs by the high school chorus they adjourned outside where the high school band also furnished patriotic music. A march to the train station then began, headed by the old soldiers of the county, the California Band, and followed by the thirty-five young soldiers, then the schools and citizens making it the largest procession California has had for many years. At the station, 2,000 Moniteau County citizens were there to bid the "Soldier Boys" farewell. The special train arrived about 3:30 p.m. with six to eight cars housing soldiers from Cole, Miller, Camden, Gasconade, and Osage Counties. They arrived at Camp Funston, Kansas early Saturday morning and the first order of business was for everybody to take showers.
William was then assigned to the 23rd Company of the 164th Depot Brigade for basic training. On October 17th, 1917, he was reassigned to Battery C, 342nd Field Artillery (heavy), 164th Field Artillery Brigade, 89th Division which was also located at Camp Funston where intense training followed in anticipation of joining the war in France.
During his spare time, William wrote a letter to the Moniteau County Herald newspaper that was published in the December 13th, 1917 edition. It read:
"I like Camp life fine, also my training and exercise, they are all a benefit to me in every way. The soldiers have all kinds of amusements, we have 12 Y.M.C.A. buildings and a big auditorium, also Knights of Columbus, where we all spend the evenings after our day's training. These places have all kinds of music, victrolas and pianos, and all kinds of games such as checkers, etc. We also have athletic sports. The Y.M.C.A. serves as our church and are used for all kinds of lectures and speaking, and the boys do most of their writing there and the Y also furnished the writing papers and envelopes for us. Visitors are entertained in the Y. Our barracks are heated with steam and we have a fine place to sleep, so we are prepared for the mercury can go as far as it likes at any time.
We have a big exchange here, so we can buy most anything we wish for, we have all the smoking tobacco we want, that is a soldier's most important thing, so long as he has his smoking tobacco he is all right. The boys all seem to be liking the army life fine and we are in the best of health. Of mornings when the bugle blows thousands of soldiers fall out in their formation, and the band taking the lead, for the training field we go.
I receive as many as two or three letters every day and I am always ready to answer them. We are preparing for a big day Christmas. We will have a big dinner, our barracks and dining hall we be decorated with the Stars and Stripes. We have had fine weather during the month of November for drilling.
Hoping the Lord will help us to win a glorious victory and we may all return to our homes before long. With best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Respectfully yours, WM. H. NIEHAUS, 342 Field Artillery, Battery C, Camp Funston, Kansas".
During this time the 1918 influenza pandemic that would eventually cause the deaths of an estimated 50 million people worldwide was beginning. It was first identified in military personnel in the spring of 1918 and the first case at Camp Funston was reported on March 4th. Within three weeks, 1,100 of the over 56,000 troops at the camp were sick. William's father August received a telegram from Camp Funston on March 24th, that his son was critically ill from pneumonia. August then left on the first train to go to the bedside of his son. William, age 25, died in the service of his country on Monday, March 25th, 1918 at the Fort Riley, Kansas hospital with his father present.
His remains arrived in California on Wednesday, April 3rd, 1918, and taken to the home of his parents southeast of the city. Funeral services were held at the Salem Evangelical Church the following day with his pastor, Rev. Paul Niedermeyer officiating. His entire immediate family survived him, and his five brothers acted as pallbearers. There was a large crowd on hand as he was laid to rest in the Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, Moniteau County, Missouri. His mother would join him there in 1929 and his father in 1942. Day is done, God is nigh.
Bio by Larry E. Hume
SOURCES:
(1): The National Archives At Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving At New Orleans, Louisiana, 1820-1902; NAI Number: 2824927; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; Record Group Number: 85
(2): Missouri State Archives; Jefferson City, MO, USA; Missouri Marriage Records [Microfilm]
(3): Year: 1900; Census Place: Walker, Moniteau, Missouri; Roll: 876; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0087
(4): Year: 1910; Census Place: Walker, Moniteau, Missouri; Roll: T624_800; Page: 7b; Enumeration District: 0099; FHL microfilm: 1374813
(5): Registration State: Missouri; Registration County: Moniteau County
(6): "California Democrat 07 Jun 1917, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958500225/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(7): "California Democrat 27 Sep 1917, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958502080/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(8): Missouri Digital Heritage : Soldiers' Records: War of 1812 - World War I.
https://s1.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/soldiers/default.aspx. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(9): History of 1918 Flu Pandemic | Pandemic Influenza (Flu) | CDC. 22 Jan. 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-commemoration/1918-pandemic-history.htm.
(10): "California Democrat 04 Apr 1918, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958505253/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
The California Democrat newspaper, California, Missouri, dated April 12th, 1917 carried the headline "CONGRESS DECLARES STATE OF WAR BETWEEN U. S. AND GERMANY". With President Wilson's signature that same day, the United States was officially at war with Germany and a part of the World War that had been raging in Europe since 1914. The following month, May 18th, Congress passed the Selective Service Act that gave the Federal Government the authority to temporarily expand the military through conscription and set three mandatory registration dates. The first was on June 5th, 1917 for men ages 21 to 30.
William, now age 24, was one of 991 Moniteau County citizens to register that Tuesday at the County Seat of California and complete a registration card titled "Form 1". This simple card asked fifteen questions and revealed this about William Henry: his home address was McGirk, Missouri, he was a natural-born citizen, he was employed as a farmer, he was single, of the Caucasian race, did not have prior military service, and claimed no exemption to the draft. Physically he was described as of medium height and build, with brown eyes, black hair, and was not bald nor disabled. He was then assigned Draft # 218 by the county clerk. It is not known if William stayed in California for the registration day celebration that afternoon after Mayor W. P. Handley issued a proclamation proclaiming a half-day holiday that included a parade and patriotic speaking at the courthouse.
Three months later, William received his draft notice and was ordered to report to the Moniteau County Courthouse for induction on Friday, September 21st, 1917. At the appointed time, William and thirty-four more young men raised their right hand and took the oath of enlistment becoming US Army Privates. Serial # 2190130 was assigned to Private Niehaus. A special patriotic meeting was held at the courthouse shortly after 1 p.m. and according to the California Democrat news article of September 27th, "there were people enough to fill the courthouse four or five times". Following the meeting which consisted of short talks, prayers, and patriotic songs by the high school chorus they adjourned outside where the high school band also furnished patriotic music. A march to the train station then began, headed by the old soldiers of the county, the California Band, and followed by the thirty-five young soldiers, then the schools and citizens making it the largest procession California has had for many years. At the station, 2,000 Moniteau County citizens were there to bid the "Soldier Boys" farewell. The special train arrived about 3:30 p.m. with six to eight cars housing soldiers from Cole, Miller, Camden, Gasconade, and Osage Counties. They arrived at Camp Funston, Kansas early Saturday morning and the first order of business was for everybody to take showers.
William was then assigned to the 23rd Company of the 164th Depot Brigade for basic training. On October 17th, 1917, he was reassigned to Battery C, 342nd Field Artillery (heavy), 164th Field Artillery Brigade, 89th Division which was also located at Camp Funston where intense training followed in anticipation of joining the war in France.
During his spare time, William wrote a letter to the Moniteau County Herald newspaper that was published in the December 13th, 1917 edition. It read:
"I like Camp life fine, also my training and exercise, they are all a benefit to me in every way. The soldiers have all kinds of amusements, we have 12 Y.M.C.A. buildings and a big auditorium, also Knights of Columbus, where we all spend the evenings after our day's training. These places have all kinds of music, victrolas and pianos, and all kinds of games such as checkers, etc. We also have athletic sports. The Y.M.C.A. serves as our church and are used for all kinds of lectures and speaking, and the boys do most of their writing there and the Y also furnished the writing papers and envelopes for us. Visitors are entertained in the Y. Our barracks are heated with steam and we have a fine place to sleep, so we are prepared for the mercury can go as far as it likes at any time.
We have a big exchange here, so we can buy most anything we wish for, we have all the smoking tobacco we want, that is a soldier's most important thing, so long as he has his smoking tobacco he is all right. The boys all seem to be liking the army life fine and we are in the best of health. Of mornings when the bugle blows thousands of soldiers fall out in their formation, and the band taking the lead, for the training field we go.
I receive as many as two or three letters every day and I am always ready to answer them. We are preparing for a big day Christmas. We will have a big dinner, our barracks and dining hall we be decorated with the Stars and Stripes. We have had fine weather during the month of November for drilling.
Hoping the Lord will help us to win a glorious victory and we may all return to our homes before long. With best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Respectfully yours, WM. H. NIEHAUS, 342 Field Artillery, Battery C, Camp Funston, Kansas".
During this time the 1918 influenza pandemic that would eventually cause the deaths of an estimated 50 million people worldwide was beginning. It was first identified in military personnel in the spring of 1918 and the first case at Camp Funston was reported on March 4th. Within three weeks, 1,100 of the over 56,000 troops at the camp were sick. William's father August received a telegram from Camp Funston on March 24th, that his son was critically ill from pneumonia. August then left on the first train to go to the bedside of his son. William, age 25, died in the service of his country on Monday, March 25th, 1918 at the Fort Riley, Kansas hospital with his father present.
His remains arrived in California on Wednesday, April 3rd, 1918, and taken to the home of his parents southeast of the city. Funeral services were held at the Salem Evangelical Church the following day with his pastor, Rev. Paul Niedermeyer officiating. His entire immediate family survived him, and his five brothers acted as pallbearers. There was a large crowd on hand as he was laid to rest in the Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, Moniteau County, Missouri. His mother would join him there in 1929 and his father in 1942. Day is done, God is nigh.
Bio by Larry E. Hume
SOURCES:
(1): The National Archives At Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving At New Orleans, Louisiana, 1820-1902; NAI Number: 2824927; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; Record Group Number: 85
(2): Missouri State Archives; Jefferson City, MO, USA; Missouri Marriage Records [Microfilm]
(3): Year: 1900; Census Place: Walker, Moniteau, Missouri; Roll: 876; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0087
(4): Year: 1910; Census Place: Walker, Moniteau, Missouri; Roll: T624_800; Page: 7b; Enumeration District: 0099; FHL microfilm: 1374813
(5): Registration State: Missouri; Registration County: Moniteau County
(6): "California Democrat 07 Jun 1917, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958500225/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(7): "California Democrat 27 Sep 1917, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958502080/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(8): Missouri Digital Heritage : Soldiers' Records: War of 1812 - World War I.
https://s1.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/soldiers/default.aspx. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
(9): History of 1918 Flu Pandemic | Pandemic Influenza (Flu) | CDC. 22 Jan. 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-commemoration/1918-pandemic-history.htm.
(10): "California Democrat 04 Apr 1918, Page 1." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/958505253/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023.
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