Yates County Records
From the first draft contingent to the last, approximately eighteen hundred young men between the ages of 18 and 45, left their homes in peaceful Yates County for training at one of the various camps before being sent abroad to fight in the Great War. Beginning on September 9, 1917, these men said their final goodbyes to the life they once had and left from Penn Yan with no guarantee of ever seeing their loved ones again.
The War efforts did not stop with our county’s servicemen. Previous to the entrance of the United States into the War, the women of the Bellona community of the Township of Benton sent a large shipment of old linen and cotton cloth for hospital use to the Salvation Army head-quarters in New York City. In the winter of 1917, the Women’s Civic Club of Bellona made and sent a box of surgical supplies, bed-slippers, and old linen to the Surgical Dressing Association of New York City. Women in other parts of the town were also doing their part in the war efforts with similar work.
Upon the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918, Yates County set to work to provide a suitable memorial to its men who participated in the World War. On February 8, 1919, the county organized “The Soldier’s and Sailor’s Memorial Hospital of Yates County”. The Hospital grounds still stand in the village of Pen Yan which lies in the town of Benton.
Sources
Emma H. Scoon, Benton Local Historian, 1923, New York State Education Dept. Division of Archives and History World War I Veterans' Service Data and Photographs, 1917-1939. NYSA_A0412-78.
Yates County in the World War, 1917-1918 by Emmett De Villo Harrison
We believe that Benton is a representative township. If there were some in its borders with lack of vision; if some were inclined to be credulous of insidious propaganda, these were few. The very great majority of our people were patriotic and ready to do their share of service. We regret that both for lack of information and of space we are unable to give personal credit to all the workers who made achievement possible but that would be to mention nearly every man, woman, and child in Benton.
Emma H. Scoon, Benton Local Historian, 1923
Arthur Allen and Harold Johnson
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p1
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. men in service in the regular army at the time of the Declaration of War on April 16, 1917. Biographies and photographs of Corporal Arthur Allen and Private Harold Johnson, both enlisted in the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
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Valentine Allen, Lewis Catlin, and Harold Conklin
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p2
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. enlisted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private Valentine Allen of the United States Army, Coxawain Lewis Edward Catlin of the United States Navy, and Private Harold Welcher Conklin of the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
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Earle Conley, Hollis Culver, and William Davidson
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p3
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. enlisted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private Earle Wyman Conley, Private Hollis Hyde Culver, and William Davidson, all serving in the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
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Leon Fisher, Frank Goldsmith, Frew Hopkins and Lars Larsen
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p4
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. enlisted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Sergeant Leon Fisher and Private Frank Lee Goldsmith of the United States Army, Radio Electrician Frew Hopkins of the United States Navy, and Private Lars Larsen of the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
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Leon MacDondald and Roy Metcalf
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p5
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. enlisted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private Leon Glenn MacDondald and Corporal Roy Ransom Metcalf, both enlisted in the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
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Alfred Williams
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p6
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. enlisted men in World War I. Biography and photograph of Private Alfred Williams of the United States Marine Corps.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Donald Comstock and Frederick Beattie
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p7
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. enlisted men in World War I. Biography and photograph of Donald R. Comstock, ensign in submarine service in the United States Navy, and a biography of Frederick Beattie who served in the aviation service.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Louise Kipp, Flora Pierce, and Louise Platman
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p8
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. enlisted dieticians and nurses in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Louise Kipp, dietitian for the American Red Cross; Flora Pierce, R.N. in the United States Army Nurses Corps; and Louise Platman, R.N. for the American Red Cross.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Charles Bishop, Axel Jensen, Sinus Jorgensen, and Herbert Young
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p9
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. service records of inducted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private Charles Arthur Bishop, Wagoner Axel Holger William Jensen, Private Sinus Erik Jorgensen, and Private Herbert Allen Young, all serving in the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Henry Christensen, Homer Dunn, Chris Jensen, Ernest Kessler, and Willard Kelsey
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p10
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. service records of inducted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Sergeant Henry Christensen, Private Homer Dunn, Private Chris Jensen, Private Ernest Kessler, and Private Willard Kelsey, all serving in the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
James Lazenby, Neils Neilsen, Ledwith Poole, and Stuart Reed
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p11
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. service records of inducted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private James Lazenby, Neils Neilsen, Private Ledwith Poole, and Private Stuart Reed, all serving in the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Dorphs Sawyer, Walter Clark, Charles Gallagher, Howard McFarren, and George Excell
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p12
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. service records of inducted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private Dorphs Sawyer, Corporal Walter Clark, Private Charles Gallagher, Private Howard McFarren, and Private George Excell, all enlisted in the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user
Jens Olsen, Orville Ribble, John Tears, Lawrence Conley, Chris Jensen, and Jesse Brown
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p13
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. service records of inducted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private Jens Olsen, Private Orville Ribble, Private John Tears, Private Lawrence Conley, and Private Jesse Brown, all serving in the United States Army. Chris Jensen is also included but is lacking a biography and photograph.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Ross Conley, Henry Larsen, John Sorensen, Sorney Jacobsen, and Ernest Nageldinger
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p14
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. service records of inducted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private Ross Conley, Private Henry Larsen, Private John Sorensen, Private Sorney Jacobsen, and Private Ernest Nageldinger, all serving in the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Stanely Kennerson, Robert McFetridge, Christian Neilsen, and Hans Pallesen
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p15
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. service records of inducted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private Stanely Kennerson, Cook Robert McFetridge, Private Christian Neilsen, and Private Hans Pallesen, all serving in the United States Army.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Charles Allen, Clinton Hall, Arthur Mordecai, and George Collin
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p16
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. service records of inducted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private Charles Allen, Private Clinton Hall, Private Arthur Mordecai, and Private George Collin, all serving in the United States Army. No photograph is provided for George Collin.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Sidney Ayres, Gerald Fisher, Clyde Gelder, and James Rutenber
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p17
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. service records of inducted men in World War I. Biographies and photographs of Private Sidney Ayres, Private Gerald Fisher, and Private Clyde Gelder, all serving in the United States Army. James Rutenber's name is included but is lacking a biography and photograph.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Jennie W. C. Horton and National Guard
Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B33_F02_Benton_servicemen_p18
Description
Town of Benton, Yates County, N.Y. officials in County organizations during World War I. Included is a photograph of Jennie W. C. Horton, chairman of the Yates County Chapter of the American Red Cross and Captain W. E. DeMelt, Company O of the National Guard.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 33, Folder 2.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
