Aug. 23, 1989 Ellis Akin, 95, of Old Greensburg Rd. in Campbellsville, son of the late Moses Akin and Lou Ellen Perkins Akin was born in Green Co., 9 Sept 1893. He died at 10:20 pm Wed. 23 Aug 1989 at his home after an illness. He was a member of the Woodlawn Christian Church. He was a veteran of WWI, having served in the US Army in the 25th Field Artillery, Battery A. He was a prominent retired farmer and was a member of the Honorable Order of Ky. Colonels. He united in marriage to Carrie Bale on 9 Jan 1918. She preceded him in death 5 May 1982. Survivors include 2 daughters, Geneva Moss and Virginia Caulk, both of Campbellsville and 1 son, Russell Akin, of Campbellsville. He is also survived by 4 granddaughters and 2 grandsons, Connie Clem of Elizabethtown, Donna Smith of Columbia, Melissa Mallard of Lawrenceville, Va., Mary Beth Akin and Robert Akin, both of Lexington, and Rocky Akin of Campbellsville; 4 great-grandsons, Laura Clem of Elizabethtown, Leah Levi and Rachel Akin, both of Campbellsville, Carrie Nicole Akin of Greensburg, David Smith of Columbia, Matthew Mallard and Jared Mallard, both of Lawrenceville, VA; 1 great-great-granddaughter, Samantha Whitney Levi of Campbellsville; 1 brother, Fred Akin of Louisville; several other relatives and many friends. One sister preceded him in death, Lillie Elmore on 13 Apr 1989.
The funeral was at 2 pm Sat. 26 Aug at the Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville by the Rev. Ron Ferree. Burial was in Campbellsville Memorial Gardens with Military Honors conducted by Taylor Co. Chapter #70, Disabled American Veterans Honor Guard. Pallbearers were Robert Akin, Rocky Akin, Roger Smith, Fred Clem, Elliott Mallard and Gary Levi. Obituaries of Green Co. Ky. Vol. 4, compiled by Eunice Montgomery Wright, p. 4
Below was from Russell Perkins
From the Greensburg Record-Herald Nov 17, 1988:
WORLD WAR I VETERAN
A vanishing brotherhood, those from this area who served their country during World War I.
Robert Ellis Akin is the last surviving veteran of the First World War in the Green County area.
Akin who was born Sept 9, 1893 in a large log house in Green County, said he was not surprised when he was called to serve in the army.
He was then living as a farmer in Green County and had just recently married Carrie Ellen Bale. The story behind their romance is that they had known each other for some time but when he drove to church one Sunday in his new buggy, she decided he was the one for her. They were married in Jefferson County on July 7, 1918.
His family, including parents, Moses and Lavanne Akin, must have been upset to see their son and husband leave going on the road to war.
"I was not afraid," Akin said, even though this was also his first experience of being out of the state.
He was sent to Camp Taylor along with 75,000 other men and from there to Camp McClean near Annistan, Ala. for training.
"The first few weeks were really bad," he explained. Akin served as a sergeant and chief cook there. "It's been a long time ago, but I remember it was a lot of hard work. We did everything there is to do in a kitchen from building a fire at 2 A.M. and keeping it going until 9 at night."
The men were ready to ship out whenever called. "We weren't sure when, but we were all ready," he explained.
He got leave one time while serving. The leave was for ten days, but it took him two days to get home and then another two to get back by train. "They were short of everything and there were layovers of four to five hours every time I had to change trains," he explained.
Later, his wife stayed in Alabama to be near him for a while.
As a sergeant with 200 men under him, Akin received $36 in pay per month. "It was not good pay at that time, in 1918, or at any other time," he said. A private made $30 per month and second classmen received $31 or $32; a Corporal received $33.
He, along with most of the other men, were ready to be shipped out when the great flu epidemic hit. Akin remember, "They were hauling them (those who had died) to town by the truck load," he said. At that time fear of the flu almost overcame the fear of fighting.
Akin fell ill and was sent to a hospital where he stayed for a month. When he recovered the war was over and he was discharge in February of 1919.
When those soldiers in Alabama heard the good news they ran out into the streets shouting. He was ready to come home.
When he arrived in Green County it was night. He had to stay over in town until his brother came for him the next day.
There was a big snow and it was hard to travel. When he arrived home he met his daddy going to town with a load of tobacco. Needless to say his family was glad to see him back.
Akin remembers the war vividly, even though he is 95 years old, his mind is that of a younger man. He also remembers struggling through the Great Depression.
As for the depression, Akin says he "kind of hates to talk about it."
In 1927 Akin and his family left Green County and began farming in Taylor County. During the depression he remembers his hogs selling for only 3 cents a pound; corn brought 20 cts a busher; a good veal calf $6 per hundred; and bread cost 5 cts a loaf.
"Managing during the depression was kindly rough. For a farmer it didn't look like we would make it. People were trying to sell their farms or just walking off and leaving them." he said.
Akin worked his farm and took other jobs where he could find them. He walked 2-1/2 to 5 miles to find work, worked eight hours and then came home to work on the farm just to pay interest on the money he had borrowed to buy the land.
"We were never short of anything though. We always had something to eat and ate good. We raised a big garden every year and butchered hogs. We had plenty of meat, bread and sorghum molasses," he smiled.
"We liked it all."
Akin continued to farm through the lean years and prosperous ones. He semi-retired when he was 80, but even now still farms from his chair.
He has always liked to keep up with the news and began subscribing to the Courier-Journal when it was still a weekly paper. He also subscribes to the Greensburg Record-Herald and The Central Kentucky News Journal.
He has three children, Geneva Moss, Russel Akin, and Virginia Caulk, all of Campbellsville; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
(added to bio by Russell Perkins)
Contributor: Russell Perkins (47213352) • [email protected]
The funeral was at 2 pm Sat. 26 Aug at the Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville by the Rev. Ron Ferree. Burial was in Campbellsville Memorial Gardens with Military Honors conducted by Taylor Co. Chapter #70, Disabled American Veterans Honor Guard. Pallbearers were Robert Akin, Rocky Akin, Roger Smith, Fred Clem, Elliott Mallard and Gary Levi. Obituaries of Green Co. Ky. Vol. 4, compiled by Eunice Montgomery Wright, p. 4
Below was from Russell Perkins
From the Greensburg Record-Herald Nov 17, 1988:
WORLD WAR I VETERAN
A vanishing brotherhood, those from this area who served their country during World War I.
Robert Ellis Akin is the last surviving veteran of the First World War in the Green County area.
Akin who was born Sept 9, 1893 in a large log house in Green County, said he was not surprised when he was called to serve in the army.
He was then living as a farmer in Green County and had just recently married Carrie Ellen Bale. The story behind their romance is that they had known each other for some time but when he drove to church one Sunday in his new buggy, she decided he was the one for her. They were married in Jefferson County on July 7, 1918.
His family, including parents, Moses and Lavanne Akin, must have been upset to see their son and husband leave going on the road to war.
"I was not afraid," Akin said, even though this was also his first experience of being out of the state.
He was sent to Camp Taylor along with 75,000 other men and from there to Camp McClean near Annistan, Ala. for training.
"The first few weeks were really bad," he explained. Akin served as a sergeant and chief cook there. "It's been a long time ago, but I remember it was a lot of hard work. We did everything there is to do in a kitchen from building a fire at 2 A.M. and keeping it going until 9 at night."
The men were ready to ship out whenever called. "We weren't sure when, but we were all ready," he explained.
He got leave one time while serving. The leave was for ten days, but it took him two days to get home and then another two to get back by train. "They were short of everything and there were layovers of four to five hours every time I had to change trains," he explained.
Later, his wife stayed in Alabama to be near him for a while.
As a sergeant with 200 men under him, Akin received $36 in pay per month. "It was not good pay at that time, in 1918, or at any other time," he said. A private made $30 per month and second classmen received $31 or $32; a Corporal received $33.
He, along with most of the other men, were ready to be shipped out when the great flu epidemic hit. Akin remember, "They were hauling them (those who had died) to town by the truck load," he said. At that time fear of the flu almost overcame the fear of fighting.
Akin fell ill and was sent to a hospital where he stayed for a month. When he recovered the war was over and he was discharge in February of 1919.
When those soldiers in Alabama heard the good news they ran out into the streets shouting. He was ready to come home.
When he arrived in Green County it was night. He had to stay over in town until his brother came for him the next day.
There was a big snow and it was hard to travel. When he arrived home he met his daddy going to town with a load of tobacco. Needless to say his family was glad to see him back.
Akin remembers the war vividly, even though he is 95 years old, his mind is that of a younger man. He also remembers struggling through the Great Depression.
As for the depression, Akin says he "kind of hates to talk about it."
In 1927 Akin and his family left Green County and began farming in Taylor County. During the depression he remembers his hogs selling for only 3 cents a pound; corn brought 20 cts a busher; a good veal calf $6 per hundred; and bread cost 5 cts a loaf.
"Managing during the depression was kindly rough. For a farmer it didn't look like we would make it. People were trying to sell their farms or just walking off and leaving them." he said.
Akin worked his farm and took other jobs where he could find them. He walked 2-1/2 to 5 miles to find work, worked eight hours and then came home to work on the farm just to pay interest on the money he had borrowed to buy the land.
"We were never short of anything though. We always had something to eat and ate good. We raised a big garden every year and butchered hogs. We had plenty of meat, bread and sorghum molasses," he smiled.
"We liked it all."
Akin continued to farm through the lean years and prosperous ones. He semi-retired when he was 80, but even now still farms from his chair.
He has always liked to keep up with the news and began subscribing to the Courier-Journal when it was still a weekly paper. He also subscribes to the Greensburg Record-Herald and The Central Kentucky News Journal.
He has three children, Geneva Moss, Russel Akin, and Virginia Caulk, all of Campbellsville; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
(added to bio by Russell Perkins)
Contributor: Russell Perkins (47213352) • [email protected]
Aug. 23, 1989 Ellis Akin, 95, of Old Greensburg Rd. in Campbellsville, son of the late Moses Akin and Lou Ellen Perkins Akin was born in Green Co., 9 Sept 1893. He died at 10:20 pm Wed. 23 Aug 1989 at his home after an illness. He was a member of the Woodlawn Christian Church. He was a veteran of WWI, having served in the US Army in the 25th Field Artillery, Battery A. He was a prominent retired farmer and was a member of the Honorable Order of Ky. Colonels. He united in marriage to Carrie Bale on 9 Jan 1918. She preceded him in death 5 May 1982. Survivors include 2 daughters, Geneva Moss and Virginia Caulk, both of Campbellsville and 1 son, Russell Akin, of Campbellsville. He is also survived by 4 granddaughters and 2 grandsons, Connie Clem of Elizabethtown, Donna Smith of Columbia, Melissa Mallard of Lawrenceville, Va., Mary Beth Akin and Robert Akin, both of Lexington, and Rocky Akin of Campbellsville; 4 great-grandsons, Laura Clem of Elizabethtown, Leah Levi and Rachel Akin, both of Campbellsville, Carrie Nicole Akin of Greensburg, David Smith of Columbia, Matthew Mallard and Jared Mallard, both of Lawrenceville, VA; 1 great-great-granddaughter, Samantha Whitney Levi of Campbellsville; 1 brother, Fred Akin of Louisville; several other relatives and many friends. One sister preceded him in death, Lillie Elmore on 13 Apr 1989.
The funeral was at 2 pm Sat. 26 Aug at the Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville by the Rev. Ron Ferree. Burial was in Campbellsville Memorial Gardens with Military Honors conducted by Taylor Co. Chapter #70, Disabled American Veterans Honor Guard. Pallbearers were Robert Akin, Rocky Akin, Roger Smith, Fred Clem, Elliott Mallard and Gary Levi. Obituaries of Green Co. Ky. Vol. 4, compiled by Eunice Montgomery Wright, p. 4
Below was from Russell Perkins
From the Greensburg Record-Herald Nov 17, 1988:
WORLD WAR I VETERAN
A vanishing brotherhood, those from this area who served their country during World War I.
Robert Ellis Akin is the last surviving veteran of the First World War in the Green County area.
Akin who was born Sept 9, 1893 in a large log house in Green County, said he was not surprised when he was called to serve in the army.
He was then living as a farmer in Green County and had just recently married Carrie Ellen Bale. The story behind their romance is that they had known each other for some time but when he drove to church one Sunday in his new buggy, she decided he was the one for her. They were married in Jefferson County on July 7, 1918.
His family, including parents, Moses and Lavanne Akin, must have been upset to see their son and husband leave going on the road to war.
"I was not afraid," Akin said, even though this was also his first experience of being out of the state.
He was sent to Camp Taylor along with 75,000 other men and from there to Camp McClean near Annistan, Ala. for training.
"The first few weeks were really bad," he explained. Akin served as a sergeant and chief cook there. "It's been a long time ago, but I remember it was a lot of hard work. We did everything there is to do in a kitchen from building a fire at 2 A.M. and keeping it going until 9 at night."
The men were ready to ship out whenever called. "We weren't sure when, but we were all ready," he explained.
He got leave one time while serving. The leave was for ten days, but it took him two days to get home and then another two to get back by train. "They were short of everything and there were layovers of four to five hours every time I had to change trains," he explained.
Later, his wife stayed in Alabama to be near him for a while.
As a sergeant with 200 men under him, Akin received $36 in pay per month. "It was not good pay at that time, in 1918, or at any other time," he said. A private made $30 per month and second classmen received $31 or $32; a Corporal received $33.
He, along with most of the other men, were ready to be shipped out when the great flu epidemic hit. Akin remember, "They were hauling them (those who had died) to town by the truck load," he said. At that time fear of the flu almost overcame the fear of fighting.
Akin fell ill and was sent to a hospital where he stayed for a month. When he recovered the war was over and he was discharge in February of 1919.
When those soldiers in Alabama heard the good news they ran out into the streets shouting. He was ready to come home.
When he arrived in Green County it was night. He had to stay over in town until his brother came for him the next day.
There was a big snow and it was hard to travel. When he arrived home he met his daddy going to town with a load of tobacco. Needless to say his family was glad to see him back.
Akin remembers the war vividly, even though he is 95 years old, his mind is that of a younger man. He also remembers struggling through the Great Depression.
As for the depression, Akin says he "kind of hates to talk about it."
In 1927 Akin and his family left Green County and began farming in Taylor County. During the depression he remembers his hogs selling for only 3 cents a pound; corn brought 20 cts a busher; a good veal calf $6 per hundred; and bread cost 5 cts a loaf.
"Managing during the depression was kindly rough. For a farmer it didn't look like we would make it. People were trying to sell their farms or just walking off and leaving them." he said.
Akin worked his farm and took other jobs where he could find them. He walked 2-1/2 to 5 miles to find work, worked eight hours and then came home to work on the farm just to pay interest on the money he had borrowed to buy the land.
"We were never short of anything though. We always had something to eat and ate good. We raised a big garden every year and butchered hogs. We had plenty of meat, bread and sorghum molasses," he smiled.
"We liked it all."
Akin continued to farm through the lean years and prosperous ones. He semi-retired when he was 80, but even now still farms from his chair.
He has always liked to keep up with the news and began subscribing to the Courier-Journal when it was still a weekly paper. He also subscribes to the Greensburg Record-Herald and The Central Kentucky News Journal.
He has three children, Geneva Moss, Russel Akin, and Virginia Caulk, all of Campbellsville; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
(added to bio by Russell Perkins)
Contributor: Russell Perkins (47213352) • [email protected]
The funeral was at 2 pm Sat. 26 Aug at the Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville by the Rev. Ron Ferree. Burial was in Campbellsville Memorial Gardens with Military Honors conducted by Taylor Co. Chapter #70, Disabled American Veterans Honor Guard. Pallbearers were Robert Akin, Rocky Akin, Roger Smith, Fred Clem, Elliott Mallard and Gary Levi. Obituaries of Green Co. Ky. Vol. 4, compiled by Eunice Montgomery Wright, p. 4
Below was from Russell Perkins
From the Greensburg Record-Herald Nov 17, 1988:
WORLD WAR I VETERAN
A vanishing brotherhood, those from this area who served their country during World War I.
Robert Ellis Akin is the last surviving veteran of the First World War in the Green County area.
Akin who was born Sept 9, 1893 in a large log house in Green County, said he was not surprised when he was called to serve in the army.
He was then living as a farmer in Green County and had just recently married Carrie Ellen Bale. The story behind their romance is that they had known each other for some time but when he drove to church one Sunday in his new buggy, she decided he was the one for her. They were married in Jefferson County on July 7, 1918.
His family, including parents, Moses and Lavanne Akin, must have been upset to see their son and husband leave going on the road to war.
"I was not afraid," Akin said, even though this was also his first experience of being out of the state.
He was sent to Camp Taylor along with 75,000 other men and from there to Camp McClean near Annistan, Ala. for training.
"The first few weeks were really bad," he explained. Akin served as a sergeant and chief cook there. "It's been a long time ago, but I remember it was a lot of hard work. We did everything there is to do in a kitchen from building a fire at 2 A.M. and keeping it going until 9 at night."
The men were ready to ship out whenever called. "We weren't sure when, but we were all ready," he explained.
He got leave one time while serving. The leave was for ten days, but it took him two days to get home and then another two to get back by train. "They were short of everything and there were layovers of four to five hours every time I had to change trains," he explained.
Later, his wife stayed in Alabama to be near him for a while.
As a sergeant with 200 men under him, Akin received $36 in pay per month. "It was not good pay at that time, in 1918, or at any other time," he said. A private made $30 per month and second classmen received $31 or $32; a Corporal received $33.
He, along with most of the other men, were ready to be shipped out when the great flu epidemic hit. Akin remember, "They were hauling them (those who had died) to town by the truck load," he said. At that time fear of the flu almost overcame the fear of fighting.
Akin fell ill and was sent to a hospital where he stayed for a month. When he recovered the war was over and he was discharge in February of 1919.
When those soldiers in Alabama heard the good news they ran out into the streets shouting. He was ready to come home.
When he arrived in Green County it was night. He had to stay over in town until his brother came for him the next day.
There was a big snow and it was hard to travel. When he arrived home he met his daddy going to town with a load of tobacco. Needless to say his family was glad to see him back.
Akin remembers the war vividly, even though he is 95 years old, his mind is that of a younger man. He also remembers struggling through the Great Depression.
As for the depression, Akin says he "kind of hates to talk about it."
In 1927 Akin and his family left Green County and began farming in Taylor County. During the depression he remembers his hogs selling for only 3 cents a pound; corn brought 20 cts a busher; a good veal calf $6 per hundred; and bread cost 5 cts a loaf.
"Managing during the depression was kindly rough. For a farmer it didn't look like we would make it. People were trying to sell their farms or just walking off and leaving them." he said.
Akin worked his farm and took other jobs where he could find them. He walked 2-1/2 to 5 miles to find work, worked eight hours and then came home to work on the farm just to pay interest on the money he had borrowed to buy the land.
"We were never short of anything though. We always had something to eat and ate good. We raised a big garden every year and butchered hogs. We had plenty of meat, bread and sorghum molasses," he smiled.
"We liked it all."
Akin continued to farm through the lean years and prosperous ones. He semi-retired when he was 80, but even now still farms from his chair.
He has always liked to keep up with the news and began subscribing to the Courier-Journal when it was still a weekly paper. He also subscribes to the Greensburg Record-Herald and The Central Kentucky News Journal.
He has three children, Geneva Moss, Russel Akin, and Virginia Caulk, all of Campbellsville; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
(added to bio by Russell Perkins)
Contributor: Russell Perkins (47213352) • [email protected]
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