FORTSCH, Adolph Lewis 1895-1918

FORTSCH

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 9/3/2010 at 20:19:35

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
2 Feb 1918
Page 8

Waterloo Ranks Lose a Soldier

Adolph Fortsch Of Company B First To Die.

Taken Ill at Long Island as Rainbow Division Sailed.

Adolph Fortsch, 22, member of the Rainbow division, died yesterday at the army hospital, Long Island, N. Y., according to a telegram received by his sister, Miss Bessie Fortsch, 228 Maple street. Fortsch was taken ill and sent to the hospital on the day that his division sailed for France. Pneumonia followed other complications and was the cause of death.

Fortsch came to Waterloo about three years ago from Fairbank, Ia., where he was born. He was employed at the Chamberlain Machine works. He enlisted in Company B., I. N. G., during the trouble with Mexico and saw service on the border. Returning to Waterloo, he resumed his position until called into service when war was declared against Germany. He was transferred from Company B to the Rainbow division.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed but the body probably will be brought to Fairbank for burial. The parents, three sisters and one brother survive.

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
12 Feb 1918
Page 7

Fairbank, Feb. 12. -- Fairbank's first military funeral of Adolph Lewis Fourtch was held from the Baptist church last Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The sermon was preached by Rev. J. C. Clark, pastor of the church; scriptural reading and prayer by Rev. H. W. Artman, pastor of the Methodist church. At the close of these services the ladies of the W. R. C. gave their ritualistic burial rites. The G. A. R. Spanish war veterans, W. R. C., directors of the Red Cross, mayor and city council, Campfire Girls and Boy Scouts marched in a body. The church was packed from the auditorium to the basement and many could not gain admittance. The floral offerings were beautiful beyond description, one piece of particular note being the floral flag contributed by the citizens of Fairbank. Adolph Lewis Fourtch was born in Bremer county, Iowa, May 24, 1885, and died at Rosebud Island, Feb. 1, 1918. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Fourtch, and three sisters, Mrs. Alice Bruns, Waverly; Miss Elizabeth Fourtch, Waterloo, and Gladys at home. In the spring of 1916 he enlisted in the Co. B. Iowa national guards, Waterloo, and saw service on the border during the trouble with Mexico. When war was declared against Germany he was transferred from Co. B to the Rainbow division. On the day the division sailed from France he was taken ill of rheumatism and was confined in the hospital for several months. He was just recovering from that illness when measles set in, followed by double pneumonia. In his weakened condition he was unable to rally. The body arrived here on the early train Friday morning, accompanied by his nurse, Miss Boggs of Waterloo. He was dressed in his uniform with the American flag across his breast. The pallbearers were six men who will be called to service shortly. The remains were interred in the Fairbank cemetery.