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| Click to See Larger Image Caswell County World War I Memorial |
"Lest We Forget"
"This memorial is erected by the citizens of Caswell County with pride and grateful appreciation for the services of the Caswell boys who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War." M.K.S.
Benjamin Franklin Brooks
Alvis Julian Chandler
Byrd Edward Fuller
Alexander Harris
Moses Jeffress [Jeffreys]
John Lea
Lawrence Lea
Ruffin Lea
John Lynn
Edwin Moore
Algernon Sidney Neal
Roy A. Pattillo
Thomas Phelps
Gurney Matthew Smith
Henry Anderson Solomon
John Barker Thacker
George Thomas Warren
Willie Warren
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Men from Caswell County who died in World War I but who are not listed on the memorial: John Evans; and Ed Simpson.
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1. Benjamin Franklin Brooks (1897-1918)
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Second Photograph: Benjamin Franklin Brooks is to the right of his sister Mary Fannie Brooks.
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Benjamin Franklin Brooks, a Caswell County soldier who was destined to lose his life in the service of his country, enrolled his name in the ranks of the National Army in the registration of 1918. He attained his twenty-first birthday just a short time before this registration was held. His father, Sam Brooks, married Miss Long, both of these parents being natives of Person County. Young Brooks saw the light of day in that County. This family moved to Caswell several years ago and set up their home in Hightowers Township. Young Brooks received the usual education to be obtained in the Public schools, and at the time of his registration was actively engaged in farming.
On August 5, 1918, he answered the call of his Local Board and was sent to Camp Wadsworth for training. He was given an Infantry assignment, and his comrades tell us that he developed into a very high type of a soldier. In the early days of October 1918 of World War I, he was sent overseas; sailing from Newport News, Virginia, and landing at St. Nazaire. During the voyage across the Atlantic, Jack became ill. His illness developed into pneumonia, and three days after he landed on French soil, he died. Jack was buried with military honors in the Military Cemetery at St. Nazaire, France. This soldier of freedom made the supreme sacrifice. All that is mortal of him remains in a foreign land, but his spirit still abides with us, and through years to come let us hold in reverence the sacrifice of this man.
Source: Caswell County in the World War, 1917-1918: Service Records of Caswell County Men, George A. Anderson, Compiler (1921) at 47-48:
(for larger image, click on photograph, then click "Actions/View all Sizes")
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Benjamin F. Brooks
Private, U.S. Army
4th Pioneer Infantry Regiment
Entered the Service from: North Carolina
Died: October 16, 1918
Buried at: Plot B Row 31 Grave 29
Oise-Aisne American Cemetery
Fere-en-Tardenois, France
Find A Grave Memorial
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Dedication
God in his mercy and in His unfailing love willed it that but few of the sons of Caswell, should sleep their last dreamless sleep in the land where the Poppies grow. But Caswell had four sons who "went West." Algernon Sidney Neal, Benjamin Franklin Brooks, Roy Patillo, and George Thomas Warren sleep beneath the lilies of France. To their memories I dedicate my humble work. May our County forever hold in constant recollection the memory of their Supreme Sacrifice. In the service flag of Caswell let their golden stars shine with an added lustre through the years.
In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in his bosom, which transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy, so they died to make men free.
Their souls go marching on.
Source: Anderson, George A., Compiler. Caswell County in the World War, 1917-1918: Service Records of Caswell County Men. Raleigh (North Carolina): Edwards & Broughton Printing Co., 1921.
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World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Benjamin Franklin Brooks
County: Caswell
State: North Carolina
Birthplace: North Carolina; United States of America
Birth Date: 22 Apr 1897
WWI, WWII, and Korean War Casualty Listings
Name: Benjamin F. Brooks
State Registered: North Carolina
Death Date: 16 Oct 1918
Cemetery: Oise-Aisne American Cemetery
Cemetery Burial Plot: Plot B Row 31 Grave 29
Cemetery City: Fere-En-Tardenois
Cemetery Country: France
War: World War I
Title: Private, U.S. Army
Rank: Private
Service: U.S. Army
Division: 4th Pioneer Infantry Regiment
Data Source: World War I Honor Roll
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U.S. World War I Mothers' Pilgrimage, 1929
Name: Mrs. Leah Brooks
Gender: Female
Relationship to Soldier: Mother
Residence Year: 1929
Address: Rfd
Residence Place: Prospect Hill, Caswell, North Carolina, USA
Desires Pilgrimage Later: No
Soldier: Benjamin F Brooks
Benjamin Franklin Brooks, apparently nicknamed Jack, married Clara Bell Hensley. They had at least one child, Frances Louise Brooks (1917-2006). Louise was well-known in Yanceyville as Louise Nelson (worked at the Caswell County Tax Office for 17 years -- in the old courthouse). She married Rufus Virgil Nelson. They had two children who lived to adulthood: Patricia Ann Nelson (1942-1968) and Roger David Nelson (1946-2009). Ann married Edwin L. Davis. Roger was married to Debbie Webster and Wanda Lea Potter. No children are known.
The first child of Frances Louise Brooks and Rufus Virgil Nelson lived only a few months: Rufus Brooks Nelson (1940-1940).
Thus, unless Benjamin Franklin Brooks and Clara Bell Hensley had another child, there are no living direct descendants. Of course, as Benjamin Franklin Brooks had siblings there may be other relatives living.
Jesse Brooks married Bessie Esperann Whitfield, and they had at least two children.
Robert Julian Brooks married Maggie Fulcher, but I have found no children. He died at age 20.
Hubert G. Brooks (family not researched).
Mary Fannie Brooks married Arch Grover Nelson, and they had at least nine children.
Jacob Thomas Brooks married Odell Gertrude Cheek, but I have not fully researched their children. One, Robert Thomas Brooks (1918-1918) died young.
2. Alvis Julian Chandler (1895-1918)
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Find A Grave Memorial
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World War I veteran whose biographical sketch was published in Anderson, George A., Compiler. Caswell County in the World War, 1917-1918: Service Records of Caswell County Men. Raleigh (North Carolina): Edwards & Broughton Printing Co., 1921:
Alvis Julian Chandler was born on the 16th day of August, 1895, near Hamer, in this County. He was a son of T. Y. Chandler and Sallie Elizabeth Chandler. The mother's maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Bohannon. She was a native of Pittsylvania County, Va. The grandfather, George Chandler, saw Service for much of the time during the war between the States and was slightly wounded in one of the battles in Virginia. This young soldier, having completed the Public School Course in Caswell, spent two years at Wallburg. At the time of his Registration, he was actively engaged in farming, and on August 15th 1917, he volunteered for service; his enlistment papers being signed at the Recruiting Office, in the City of Danville, Va. He was sent to Fortress Monroe, and was assigned to service in the Coast Artillery; afterward he was transferred to Ft. Monroe, and there assigned to a company of the Field Artillery.
While in active training for overseas service, he contracted the measles; complications setting in, of such a serious nature, that on Febuary 28th 1918, he died in the Hospital, at that place. The body of this young soldier was brought back to Caswell, and tenderly buried in the Graveyard at the Presbyterian Church, in the little village of Yanceyville. Of Alvis Julian Chandler, it may truly be said; "His Soul has gone West; He laid his young life on the Altar of his Country; the Great God of Battles accepted the Sacrifice; let the people of Caswell County hold in constant recollection the memory of one of her sons who loved his country, and in loving, made the Supreme Sacrifice: God rest him."
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Killed during World War I (died of complications from measles at Ft. Monroe).
Alvis Julian Chandler, fourth child of Thomas Y. and Sarah E. (Bohannon) Chandler, was born August 16, 1895. He "died Sunday night 10 o'clock, February 25, 1918 at Fort Monroe, Virginia, being a soldier in the 6th Company - C.H.C. Va." Source: Register of Deaths in the Bible of Thomas Yancey and Sarah E. (Bohannon) Chandler: Alvis Chandler died from exposure when he was kept on duty while he had the flue.
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"Yanceyville Man Dies In Service Of Nation"
Alvis Chandler, of Coast Artillery, a Pneumonia Victim; Grave Bedecked With Flags
Yanceyville, Feb. 28 -- A feeling of gloom spread over the town and community Tuesday when the message came announcing the death of Alvis Chandler, which occurred Monday night in the government hospital at Fortress Monroe, Va. His death was due to measles followed by pneumonia. He volunteered last August joining the coast artillery which is stationed at Fortress Monroe. He was about 22 years of age. He had been a member of New Hope Methodist church for several years. Mr. Chandler was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Y. Chandler.
The funeral services were held Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock in the Yanceyville Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. S. F. Nicks and Rev. George W. Oldham. The church was decorated with American flags, and 12 flags were placed upon the grave by 12 of his former schoolmates. The floral designs were many and beautiful. Mr. Chandler is survived by his parents, two sisters, Mrs. Miles and Miss Sue Chandler, and six brothers, George, Clarence, Clyde, Talbot, Eugene and Norman.
Greensboro Daily News (Greensboro, North Carolina), 1 March 1918, Friday, Page 14.
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1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Alvis J Chandler
Home in 1900: Dan River, Caswell, North Carolina
Age: 4
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
Birthplace: Virginia
Relationship to head-of-house: Son
Father's Name: Thomas G
Mother's Name: Sallie E
Race: White
Household Members: Name Age
Thomas Y Chandler 40
Sallie E Chandler 31
Minnie L Chandler 12
George M Chandler 9
Clyde Thomas Chandler 7
Alvis J Chandler 4
Clarance Chandler 2
1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Alvis J Chandler
Age in 1910: 14
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
Birthplace: North Carolina
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Thomas G
Father's Birth Place: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Sallie E
Mother's Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1910: Dan River, Caswell, North Carolina
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Thomas Y Chandler 50
Sallie E Chandler 41
Mennie L Chandler 22
George M Chandler 19
Clyde T Chandler 17
Alvis J Chandler 14
Clarence G Chandler 12
Eugene I Chandler 9
Talbatt b Chandler 6
Delmos D Chandler 3
Sue H Chandler 2/12
World War I Draft Registration Card
Name: Alvis Julian Chandler
City: Not Stated
County: Caswell
State: North Carolina
Birthplace: North Carolina;United States of America
Birth Date: Aug 16 1895
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1765626
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3. Byrd Edward Fuller (1895-1918)
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1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Biret Fuller [Bird Fuller]
Age: 5
Birth Date: Apr 1895
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1900: Yanceyville, Caswell, North Carolina
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Grand Nephew [Grand or Great Nephew (Great Nephew)]
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
Glass Fuller 39
Wood Fuller 56
Mollie Fuller 28
Levis Fuller 7
Biret Fuller 5
Dock Fuller 3
Lemma J Fuller 0
Eugene Long 13
1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Bird Fuller
Age in 1910: 16
Birth Year: 1894
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1910: Yanceyville, Caswell, North Carolina
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Mallie Fuller
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
Mallie Fuller 42
Lewis Fuller 19
Bird Fuller 16
Bandoeph Fuller 14
Jane Fuller 9
Alymer Fuller 7
Frank Fuller 4
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Byrd Edward Fuller
County: Guilford
State: North Carolina
Birthplace: North Carolina,United States of America
Birth Date: 20 Mar 1895
Race: Black
FHL Roll Number: 1765646
Draft Board: 2
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4. Alexander Harris (1893-1918)
(click on photograph for larger image)
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1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Alexander Harris
Age in 1910: 18
Birth Year: 1892
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1910: Dan River, Caswell, North Carolina
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Haygood Harris
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Chloe Harris
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
Haygood Harris 46
Chloe Harris 35
John Harris 22
Alexander Harris 18
Lucy Harris 10
Sadie Harris 9
Samuel Harris 7
Edward Harris 6
Joylet Harris 4
Wayman Harris 1
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Alexander Harris
County: Caswell
State: North Carolina
Birthplace: Virginia,United States of America
Birth Date: 18 Sep 1893
Race: African (Black)
FHL Roll Number: 1765626
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5.
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