Harbaugh, Strother Ernest 'Totsie' 1898-1919

HARBAUGH, BOWMAN, BOND, FEIDT, HANSEL, SMITH, COMBS

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 8/27/2014 at 18:49:18

A large crowd filled to overflowing the yard at the Jeff Harbaugh home last Sunday afternoon, when their son, Totsie, was buried. It is conservatively estimated that there were at least 500 people present for the services, which were conducted by Rev. Riggs of the Fairview United Brethern church. The choir of that church also furnished the music for the occasion.

The pallbearers were six of his boyhood friends who had also been in the service. They were Charlie Bond, Ira and Louis Feidt, Cecil Hansel, Frank Smith and Frank Combs.

Totsie had been home from the service since July 11, and was in his usual good health until the Saturday previous to his death. He had worked that day but during the night was attacked in the abdominal regions by severe pains. Dr. Kriebs and Dr. Dittmer were both called. A surgeon from Dubuque was secured and the operation revealed an obstruction of the bowels. It was hoped that this would succeed in relieving the condition but it did not. The poison had permeated the system to a too large extent and on Friday afternoon, Oct. 10, death called him.

Strother Ernest, the fourth child of Jeff and Edith Harbaugh, was born in Mallory township, Clayton county, November 11, 1898 and died October 10, '19, lacking a day and a month of reaching his 21st birthday.

The life spanned by these years began and closed in this neighborhood. From this home he entered the district school and from here when he completed its course he went to Toledo, Ia., spending two years in the home of his aunt, Mrs. Watty Bowman, where he completed the 9th and 10th grades. Near the close of his second school year, on the 14th of March, 1918, he enlisted in the hospital corps at Marshalltown and was assigned to the 335th Ambulance Co., 314 Sanitary Train. In the first months of his service he was assigned to sanitary work in camps in this country preparing the way for larger detachments to use the camps.

While in camp in Colorado, he signed what was called by the Y.M.C.A. "The War Roll," which signified his acceptance of the Christ as his personal Savior and his purpose to be a true soldier of the Christ as well as of his country. On June 28th he reached what was his desire and the purpose of his enlistment. His unit as ordered across and he spent one year in service "over there." He saw active service in stretcher work on the battle front in both the St. Mihiel and Argonne Forest drives.

Following the signing of the armistice his unit was made part of the army of occupation. After a year's service across he came back and on July 11, 1919 was mustered out at Camp Dodge. The remainder of this summer has been spent in work at home. He was in his usual good health until a week before his death.

Every effort by loved ones and physicians could not retain him and his soul returned to his God. He leaves to mourn, his father and mother, brothers, Ezra, Leon, Murray, Malcolm, Wayman and sisters, Mahala, Jessie and Edith. There are also many other close relatives and a host of friends who miss his cheery presence.

~Elkader Register, Thursday, October 16, 1919; Fairview column

Note: buried in the Hansel cemetery, the name on his gravestone is Ernest T. Harbaugh