Ross Reid, 1891-1918

REID, HISTED

Posted By: Jeanie Belding (email)
Date: 12/28/2018 at 09:09:30

Ross Reid

Source: Oelwein Register, August 14, 1918, pg. 1 (excerpts)

SERVICES HELD FOR TWO OELWEIN BOYS GONE WEST
Ross Reid and Paul Histed, Held In The Christian Church Sunday Afternoon at 3.

It was a very impressive service held in the Christian church Sunday at 2 p.m. in memory of two Oelwein boys who have "gone west" in the service of their country. On the service flag displayed on the west wall were noted two golden stars in honor of the two young men who have made the supreme sacrifice for their country.

A chorus choir composed of singers from the churches rendered appropriate selections and Dr. Shaffer and Rev. Gillet assisted Rev. Leisher in the services. The ladies of the W.R.C. occupied pews in the central section and they bore the American flag as the emblem of the nation and of their order.
Rev. Gillet offered prayer, referring to the great sacrifice that is being made that the democracy as taught by Jesus Christ may have a place on the earth. The choir rendered another selection and Rev. Leisher delivered the sermon.

Rev. Leisher took for his text the words of Paul when he wrote: "I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith." He referred to the fact that sacrifice is necessary in order to bring about the advancement of reforms. he referred to the sacrifice that Abraham was ready to make in offering up his only son. It is necessary for mankind to make sacrifices and Abraham and others down through the centuries who have been true to God, have been ready to offer up the best in their possessions to forward the cause of the Almighty.

At the present time the American nation is called upon to offer up the lives of its sons that freedom of worship and democratic institutions may continue on the earth. The boys of America are fighting bravely on the fields of France. And the young men are fighting not for aggrandizement, but for principal. Perhaps never in the history of the world has a nation made such sacrifices for principles.

The war has been brought home to our city by the recent death on a battlefield in France of one of the boys of Oelwein, and another died in the service of the country in a neighboring state. And this is but the beginning of the sacrifices to be made.

The mothers who are offering their dearest treasures on the altar of the country are the greatest heroes in the world. Somewhere, perhaps on the Marne, under the trees is resting the body of Ross Reid who fell July 19, while fighting bravely for America. He was 26 years, 11 months and 16 days of age and he was a young man popular among his associates. His life was passed in Oran and in Oelwein when he went to Valley City, N.D., from where he was enrolled last September in the 59th Regiment of the National Guard, Company E and went to Camp Dodge for training. Last November he visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Reid on a furlough and about three months ago he went over there with his regiment.

(transcriber note: see paper for more to article & specifics on 2nd soldier, Paul Histed)

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Additional Note - the American Legion in Oelwein was later named the Ross Reid Post.