Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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Paxton High School Reflector 13 Battalion Sergeant Major Neil Kerr, '10. ;)n July 23rd, 1917, Neil Kerr of the Class of 1910. enlisted in the chine Gun Co. of the 3rd Illinois National Guard. He is now Battalion Ser- geant-Major or the 129th U. S. Infantry, and is stationed at Camp Logan, Ho.!, ton, Texas. Though he enlisted as a private, his military aptness and a i:.y were speedily recognized as evidenced by the official rank which has so uoor teer. given him. Mr. Kerr, after graduating from P. H. S. entered the -sleyan Law 3 lir.oi at Bloomington, graduating therefrem with honors in 1913. A little later as a result of a single and successful encounter with the examination • Cs‘'ons of the State Examining Board, he was admitted to the Bar. For t-.v- v?'rs thereafter, he was engaged in the practice of his profess.on in con- nection with the law firm of Kerr Lindley of which his father. Judge H. H. Kerr is the senior member. Three years ago he removed to Pontiac. 111.. where he onened an office, and where he was rapidly building up a large and pro.ltal le practice, when the hour came that he felt that he could no longer resist the call, no matter how great the personal and professional sacrifice might be. Harold Ferris, ’10. Harold Ferris enlisted September 1st. 1917, at Grand Junction, Colo-

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12 Paxton High School Reflector Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia. He entered the U. of I. in September 1909, and af- f.ei .spending two years there entered the Northwestern Medical College. He graduated lrom this institution in 1915, receiving the degree of M. D. Jhe next year be spent at the County Hospital at St. Louis and was six months at the Steel Mills’ dispensary in that same city. In October 191G, Dr. Kelso came to Paxton and began to practice medicine and met with great success in his profession. In August 1917, he was married to Eleanor Watts, of Car- linvjlle, Illinois. He enlisted in September in the Medical Corps and receiv- ed his commission as First Lieutenant in October. Lieutenant Kelso was called to Ft. Oglethorpe. Georgia, during November and is still located there. About a month ago he was thrown from his horse, fracturing a bone in his wrist. Lieutenant Kelso expects to be called for service abroad at anytime no.v, and his friends all wish him the best of luck. Sergeant Ralph Stine, ’09. Ralph Stine enlisted in Co. B., 3rd 111. (now the 129th U. S. Infantry) at Hoopeston in June, 1917. Mr. Stine attended Monmouth College after completing his high school work here, which included a post-graduate year of special work in science, and was duly graduated in 1914 Having special- ized in science work, he secured the position of science instructor in the Hoopeston high school, which position he held until he resigned to enter the army. The summer and fall were spent by him in training at Camp t Logan, Houston, Texas. Though enlisting as a private, he was soon promot- ed, becoming as a result thereof what is known as Gas Mask Sergeant. Before the holidays, he made application for training in the Third Reserve Officers’ Taining Camp at Fort Leon Springs, Camp Stanly, Texas. He is there now. and hopes to be successful in winning a commission. We have no doubt that he will. Melvin Froyd, '09. ?delvin Froyd of the class of 1909, drew one of the early, lucky draft rumbers: but, as he was pursuing a course in medicine at Rush Medical Col- lege, he was granted a temporary exemption to give him sufficient time to comnlete his medical training. This training will be completed in May of this ear when his exemption will terminate and when he expects to obtain a commission in the U. S. A. Medical Corps. Though he is not yet wearing the khaki, he very properly may be considered in training under the selective draft for service with “Uncle Sam’s” soldier boys. CLASS OF 1910. Two of the six boys who graduated in the class of 1910 are numbered among the million and more manly men of heroic courage and patriotic pur- pose in America, who, for the time, have given up the peaceful pursuits of life to take up the flagrant challenge to defend, if we dare, the principles of democracy, and of justice and humanity, which as a Nation we have so long cherished and professed. Neil Kerr and Harold Ferris are the two soldier champions of Ameri- ca’s lighteous cause from the class of 1910.

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14 Paxton High School Reflector rado. where he had for a number of years been engaged in some branch of the public telephone service. He was immediately assigned to the 19th Com- pany, Infantry, at Fort I,ogan, Colorado. After about three months’ training at Fort Logan, he was transferred with his company to Madison Barracks, New York City, evidently to be in readiness for transport to France. On February 14th, a letter was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Ferris, informing them that he had safely arrived in France. He gave a graphic description of the exciting journey through the submarine danger zone. His letters at all times reflect a strong, bouyant spirit of patriotism, along with a full realization of what it all may mean to him. CLASS OF 1911. The class of 1911 has sent five of its twelve boys to participate in the World War, or as it may be more appropriately named “The War of the Na- tions.” Two of the five are already in France. In till® particular, the Class of 1911 is distinguished above all others. The two who represent this class in Frarce are Sergeant Lvnn Corbly and Lieut. Gustaf Lindstrom. Sergeant Lynn Corbly, '11. Mr. Lynn Corbly enlisted early in September as a special quarter- master clerk, and was assigned to Fort Eer.jamin Harrron where he was given the rank of Sergeant. After being on duty here for about a month he was transferred to Fort Jay, Governor’s Island, N. Y. During the greater portion of the time he was at Fort Jay, his chief duty (and a . ery responsible one) was censoring the U. S. mails at Hoboken, N. Jersey. On December 2nd, lie left for France. He has been assigned to im- portant clerical work at one of our Army Supply Stations there, an 1 reports that he has comfortable quarters, and is very well satisfied with his work. Mr. Corbly after graduating from P. H. S. entered ilie University of Illinois and graduated from the law course in 1915. Until hi: enlistment, he was successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Champaign. Lieutenant Gustaf Lindstrom, ’11. Gustaf Lindstrom was a successful applicant for admission to the first Reserve Officers’ Training Camp at Fort Sheridan. He completed the course and was awarded the commission of Second Lieutenant in August. He was then assigned to duty somwhere in the East .and what seems to be authentic information is to the effect that he is now in France. Elam Stewart, '11. Elam Stewart’s military career began in 1915 or '16 while he was at- tending school at Valparaiso, Ind., by his joining a company of Indiana Mili- tia that was organized among the students of the University. When troubles