Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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16 Paxton High School Reflector CLASS OF 1912. The graduating class of 1912 numbered in its membership eleven boys. Five of these have either enlisted or in some other way entered the U. S. army service. These five are Kenneth Hathaway, Swan Swenson. Frank Mor- gan, Donald Moffett, and Wendell McCracken. Corporal Kenneth Hathaway, Class of 1912, the First Paxton Boy to Land in France With the First U. S. Expeditionary Army—Sailed from America Oct. 18, 1917, and Landed Nov. 1st. Corporal Kenneth Hathaway of the graduating class of 1912. has the honor of being the first soldier boy from Paxton to land in France A few brief months have brought to Kenneth Hathaway a variety of new and unex- pected experiences. At the breaking out of belligerent activities along the Mexican border, he enlisted as a member of Battery F which was organized at the Univer- sity of Illinois. For three months or more he was stationed with his com- pany at San Antonio, Texas, but saw no actual service. A short time after the re-opening of school at the University, in September he, with others con- nected with the work of the University, was given honorable discharge. In July, of the present year, after the declaration of war with Ger- many, he re-entered the Artillery service and was stationed at Fort Sheri- dan. Ill, until about the first of September. He was then sent to Garden City Training Camp. Ix ng Island, and from there dispatched to France, Oct. 18th. arriving “somewhere in France” Nov. 1st. The last word from him indicated that the time was rapidly approach- ing when his division would be placed on the firing line. No doubt, before this appears in print he will have won the special distinction and the new honor of being the first Paxton High School graduate to fire a gun in France in the cause of humanity and of liberty universal. Later.—Feb. 21. 1918.—Word has been received from Kenneth Hathaway, who is in France, that he is now in the trenches with other members of the Rainbow Division. Swan Swenson, ’12. Swan Swenson taught school in Ford County one year after his gradu- ation from high school. In the fall of 1914, he entered Franklin College, Ind., where he continued his studies until the call for volunteers to take training in the U. S. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. His application was accepted, and he entered the camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind. As a result of an unusually weak voice he failed to receive a commis- sion. He however, found his way into the service as the result of the se- lective draft and was sent to Ft. Dodge, Iowa. Within e few days Swan was promoted from private to corporal and a little later from corporal to sergeant. At the opening of the third Reserve Officers’ Training Camp, Swan was given his choice of the rank of Head Sergeant or of re-entering

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Paxton High School Reflector 15 arose on the Mexican border, his company was mustered into the Federal service, and he was sent to Texas for training and participation in such act»V3 service as the exigencies of the situation might require. He remained here as a member of the 3rd Indiana Infantry until about Christmas when, no longer needed, he was given an honorable discharge. WItn this backgroud of military training and experience, covering nearly a year, it is not strange that Elam should be among the first to seek some form of service in the Nation’s greatest hour Of need. He therefore re-en- listed. and was assigned to the Lilly Base Hospital branch of the service—a department of the service in some official way affiliated with Red Cross work. He was sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison, and later to Ft. Riley. Kan- sas for training. About the first of January, 1918. he made application for entu.nce into the Third Reserve Officers’ Training Camp, and was accepted. He was assigned to Camp Funston. Kansas, where he now is undergoing the most trying, yet wonderfully effective training for an officer’s commission. Lieutenant Charles Cunningham, '11. Charles Cunningham, after graduating with the class of 1911, entered the Wesleyan Law School, and was duly graduated therefrom in 1914. Soon thereafter he successfully passed the Illinois State Bar Examination and began the practice of his profession in Paxton, his home town, where he was ra’dd.v winning a reputation as a successful attorney at law, when the war with its varied opportunities and attractions changed, for a time, at least. ! r pians for a career in professional Ufe. He made successful application for admission to the Second Reserve Officers’ Training Camp at Fort Sheri- dan. i nd was duly graduated therefrom in December with the Commission of Second Lieutenant. He was assigned to duty at Camp Dodge about the first of December, and was still there at the last report. Ralph Wascher, ’ll. Ralph Wascher, like so many others of the Paxton High School repre- sentatives. decided not to await the uncertainty as to the workings of the se- lective draft, especially as to the time of getting into the service and the as- s -mnent thereafter. He therefore, some time about the first of October, en- listed in the Signal Corps, and was ordered to report for training at Fort 1 ea enworth, Kansas. October 19th. He was then assigned to Co. C.. Fifth Field Battalion. He is now a first-class private and motorcycle orderly. He was given leave of absence for a few days during the holiday week, which he spent in Paxton visiting with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. A C. Was- cb-r and in exchanging pleasant greetings with his many Paxton friends. He reports that he is enjoying the vigorous training that he is being oiven to insure efficiency when he is called upon to take part in the “Big C.ame” over the sea. Recent word has reached relatives that Cheater Birkett «a'£h. 'v f- and Leonard Asperaren are now at an eastern port ready to embark tor France.

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Paxton High School Reflector 7 R. O. T. C. at Fort Dodge. He proirptly chose the latter, and no doubt will receive a commission within a short time. Wendell McCracken, '12—U. of I., ’16- Some time before the holidays. Wendell McCracken, '12, enlisted at Detroit. Mich., in the aviation department of the Signal Corps. He expected to be assigned for study and training at some ground school by February 1. 191S. At the last report the assignment had not been received, but he was ex- pecting to be under ordeis in the near future. Mr. McCracken, after completing his high school course, entered the University of Illinois, and graduated therefrom in June, 1910. Since that time he has been successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance busi- ness at Detroit, Michigan. Corporal Donald Moffett, '12. Donald MofTett enlisted in his country’s military service some time last fall or summer. He chose for his branch of army work, the Signal Corps. He was assigned to Co. A. 311th Field Signal Battalion, and since some time in August has been stationed at Camp Grant, Rockford, 111. Indirect reports received through relatives and friends indicate that he is taking a lively interest in his work, and his efficiency is attested by ♦he fact that he has so soon won the rank of Corporal. A friend who recently visited him said: I saw Don at Camp Grant and he was the same eager fellow in soldier life as in times of peace—right up on the bits and doing his best.” Donald entered the U. of I. in September. 1913. after having spent the year immediately following his graduation from high school in travel and in «•roughing it” on a Western ranch with his two elder brothers. He graduated from the University with the class of 1917, having won high honors. Frank Morgan, ’12, and Clarence Morgan. Frank Morgan, who transferred to Paxton High School after three vears at Buckley, and graduated here in 1912, enlisted last June in the am- bulance service. He left July first for Allentown. Pennsylvania, and is now with the 610th U. S. A. Ambulance Section at that place. He is a proficient cometist and plays in the army band. He does not expect to go to France before April. While Frank was at home for the Christmas vacation, Clarence decided to go into the same branch of the service, and now the two brotners are in the tame section at Allentown. Clarence did not graduate from Paxton High .being a graduate of Buckley, but took one year of post graduate work bore. Both brothers were working in banks at the time of enlistment, Frank at Hoopeston. and Clarence at Rankin.