Hamilton County, NYGenWeb - World War I casualties

Roll of Honor; Citizens of the State of New York who died while in the service of the United States during the World War, compiled by Brigadier General J. Leslie Kincaid, The Adjutant General of the State, J. B. Lyon Company, Printers, Albany, 1922

Under Hamilton County:

Bugold, Edmond, Long Lake, N.Y., Pvt, 1st cl., Co. M. 308th Inf, killed in action, September 5, 1918
Farrell, Sheridan P., Indian Lake, N.Y., Pvt., Co. C. 167th Inf, killed in action, July 26, 1918
Maxam, George W., Raquette Lake, N.Y., Pvt, Co. M. 71st Inf, died of broncho pneumonia, October 7, 1918
Payne, Henry, Raquette Lake, N.Y., Wag., Sup. Co., 107th Inf, died of influenza, November 3, 1918
Steves, Stanley, Raquette Lake, N.Y., Corp., Co. M. 328th Inf, killed in action, July 6, 1918
Watson, Freeman, Blue Mountain Lake, N.Y., Pvt., Btry C, 334th F. A., died of pneumonia, October 3, 1918

Information found on each soldier through research by Lisa Slaski

Edmond Bugold/Bujold

Edmond Bugold was of Long Lake, N.Y., in 1917 at the time of the Civilian Draft Registration, but he was born on 6 Jun 1887, in Canada, a son of Jean and Philomene Bujold. Military records show that he was inducted at Northville, NY, on 22 Feb 1918 while his brother Alexis (a.k.a. Alex) was inducted at Tupper Lake, NY on 1 Mar 1918. He was 31 years and 8 months old at the time of his induction into the army and gave his birth place as Bonaventure, Canada. He served overseas from 7 Apr 1918 until his death on 5 Sep 1918. His mother, Philomene Bujold, resided in Montreal, Canada.

from "Life of Edmond Bujold, history of VFW Post profiled during Memorial Day observance," Tupper Lake free press and Tupper Lake herald, 2 Jun 1999, the following information is extracted:

The American Legion Post #3120 is named after Edmond Bujold, of which his brother, Alex who served with Edmond, was one of the founding members. Edmond and Alex, were inducted into the army on 7 Mar 1918, at Saranac Lake. They went overseas on 11 Apr 1918, arriving in Bordeaux, France on 24 Apr 1918. They left behind their mother, sisters and a brother Charles and described France in letters home to them, as a country of "mourning women," (husbands, sons, and brothers lost in the on-going war). They were fluent in French, which helped while in France. Edmond died in the Oise-Aisne offensive during a hail of German machine gun fire. Alex returned to the U.S. on 28 Apr 1919. His brother, remains in the US Military Cemetery at Oise-Aisne, France.

Sheridan Farrell

Sheridan P. Farrell was the son of James and Sarah Porter Farrell of Indian Lake, N.Y.

Warrensburgh News, Thursday, November 7, 1918

The official report of the death of Private Sheridan Farril [sic] was recently received by his mother, Mrs. Sarah Farrell. Private Farrell was one of our earliest volunteers after the declaration of war. He was just past the age of twenty-one when he gave his life for his country on July 26. He was one of our best known young men and it is with deepest regret that we realize that he will not be with those who return when victory is won. Mrs. Farrell is the proud mother of two more sons who are fighting on foreign soil for a victorious peace.

The Adirondack record, Ausable Forks, NY, 8 Nov 1918

North River Boy Killed in Action

Private Sheridan Farrell, a former resident of North River, was killed in action in France July 26th, according to a telegram received from the war department by his sister, Mrs. Henry Lynch of that place.

Notes:
The brothers mentioned as being soldiers in the war are:
Peter Farrell, b. 4 Aug 1888 in Indian Lake, NY (discharged in 1919). He died 13 Dec 1922 of typhoid fever in Indian Lake.
Richard Farrell, age 27 y 11 m on 4 Apr 1918, b. in Indian Lake, NY (discharged in 1919)

George W. Maxam

George W. Maxam was born in Johnsburg, Warren County, NY on 19 Feb 1893, a son of Fred Maxam. He resided in Raquette Lake at the time of his induction on 21 Jul 1918, however only a short time before he was residing in Athol, NY and working in Thurman, NY at the time of the WWI Civilian Draft registration of 1917. But a few years before that, he and his father, are found working in Raquette Lake in 1915. He died on 7 Oct 1918 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. It appears that his father, who was a guide, worked in the Raquette Lake area for years. It also appears that George was raised by his grandparents in Warren county, but lived with his father during the summers.

Henry Samuel Payne, a.k.a. Harry Payne

Henry Payne was born on 10 Mar 1892 in Indian Lake, N.Y. and was 25 years and 2 months old, residing in Raquette Lake at the time of his enlistment on 7 Jun 1917 in Utica, NY. He was first a private for one month, then a wagoner for a year and then promoted to mechanic on 19 Jun 1918, as part of the 1st NY Supply company, 107th Infantry. He was sent overseas on 9 May 1918 and died of influeza on 3 Nov 1918 and was buried several years later in St. James cemetery, North Creek, Warren county, NY. In his military records, his mother was listed as Mrs. S. Roberts of North Creek, NY. She is found with Henry's brother, Frederick W. Payne, in the 1905 census as Sarah Roberts, wife of Charles Roberts. Frederick also served in WWI, alongside his brother in the same unit. It appears in this census that Henry is listed as Harry H. Payne, age 13. A newspaper clipping states that her brother was George Johnson of Indian Lake, NY.

The Warrensburgh News, Warrensburgh, NY, Thursday, 10 Nov 1921

Mrs. Sarah Roberts wishes to thank the American Legion posts of North Creek and Long Lake for the beautiful floral tributes, also the coir of St. James' church who assisted at the funeral of her son, Harry Payne, who died in service at Rouen, France, November 3, 1918, and whose body was brought home for burial.

The Warrensburgh News, Warrensburgh, NY, Thursday, 10 Nov 1921

Soldier's Body Laid to Rest

Harry Payne, Died in France, Buried with Honors at North Creek

The body of Harry Payne, of Indian Lake, a soldier in the World War, who died of pneumonia in the military hospital at Rouen, France, in 1918, was brought across the ocean and arrived last week at the home of his mother, Mrs. Sarah Roberts, in North Creek. He was twenty-nine years old and besides his mother leaves a brother, Fred Payen, who was with him when he died. Funeral services were held Thursday at St. James' church, North Creek, a requiem high mass being celebrated by the Rev. J. F. McMahon. There was a large attendance of mourning friends.

The Warrensburgh News, Warrensburgh, NY, Thursday, 21 Apr 1932

Surrogate Paul L. Boyce also granted letters of administration to Fred W. Payne of the town of JOhnsburg in the estate of his brother, Harry Payne, who died November 3, 1918, in France, while in the service of his country. The estate is valued at no exceeding $4,071, the present value of war risk insurance carreid by the deceased. Mr. Morehouse is also attorney for the administrator in this case.

Stanley Steves

Stanley Steves was born on 31 Jan 1890 in Queensbury, N.Y., a son of Warren and Mattie Steves. He resided in Raquette Lake, N.Y. by 1905, well before his induction into the Army on 5 Oct 1917 in Lake Pleasant, N.Y. At the time of his induction he was 27 years and 10 months old. He became a private 1st class on 1 Feb 1918 and was sent overseas on 1 May 1918. On 1 Jun 1918 he became a Corporal and was killed in action on 6 Jul 1918. His father was Warren Steves of Raquette Lake, N.Y. He's buried in Jenkins cemetery, Queensbury, Warren county, NY.

The Morning Herald, Gloversville and Johnstown, Monday, 29 Jul 1918

Two Hamilton County men Gave Their All

Richard Stuart of Wells and Stanley Steves of Raquette Lake Killed Overseas

From the army casualty list it is learned that two men from Hamilton county have given their 'all' in the great fight for Democracy, and their names will be placed upon the honor roll than which there is no greater.

The death of Richard (Dick) Stuart was chronicled recently in casualty dispatches. Dick Stuart was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Stuart of Wells. He spent his boyhood and received his early training there and he will be remembered by the older residents. Some twelve or thirteen years ago he entered the service and was stationed at Washington for some time. His death is sufficient evidence that he was ready to serve the nation in troublous times, no only in times of peace. And while his death is regretted, there is room for rejoicing that he had a part in bringing about the victory that must ensue.

The name of Private Stanley Steves of Raquette Lake was included in the casualty list of July 22nd. His career as a soldier has been brief, but the fact of his having been sent "over there" to active service indicates his merit. He was among the first quota of thirty-five who were inducted into the service from Hamilton county. He made the supreme sacrifice and his memory will ever be held sacred.

Freeman Watson

Freeman Watson was born 18 Apr 1890 in Minerva, NY. According to his marriage record, he is a son of Henry and Angeline Johnson Watson, though this does not quite fit with census records. In 1900, Freeman (age 11) is living with his grandparents Louis and Alice Watson, in Minerva. Several children of Louis are living with him, including Angeline (age 31) who are all listed as single. Angeline also shows up with them in the 1880 census record. By 1905, his grandfather had apparently died and he is living with his grandmother in Johnsburg, Warren, NY (but listed as a son). In 1915, he is listed as Freeman Alger the son of Mrs. Frank Alger (who was Angeline), with his step-father listed after the two of them, as head of the household, all of Blue Mountain Lake. On 16 Oct 1916, in Glens Falls, NY, he married Anna May Fisk of Glens Falls, NY. He was at this time living in Blue Mountain Lake, Hamilton, NY. She was the daughter of Frank Fisk (born in PA) and Carrie Moon (born in Crown Point, NY). On 5 Jun 1917, he was a chauffeur at Eagles Nest Country Club and resided with his wife, Anne, in Blue Mountain Lake, when he filled out his Civilian Draft Registration. He was inducted into the army on 21 Jul 1918, sent overseas on 27 Aug 1918, and he died on 3 Oct 1918 and is buried in Suresnes American Cemetery, Suresnes, France. It should be noted that his surname has also been spelled as Watso and Watsaw. Also his grandmother's maiden name is likely Alice Johnston, and Angeline appears to be the daughter of Louis and Alice Watson and they do not appear to have a son by the name of Henry.

World War I Casualties