WAGNER, Henry W. 1895-1918

WAGNER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 6/4/2017 at 21:48:36

Henry W. Wagner was born in Grundy county, north of Beaman, July 21st, 1895, going with his parents to a farm south of Beaman in Marshal county in 1900. Here his father died September 27th, 1913, and the following November 20th, the family moved to Conrad, Iowa, which has since been their home. Henry attended school in the Beaman and Conrad public schools. Before the United States was in the World War, Henry Wagner and his friend Earl Middleton enlisted in the regular army February 27th, 1917, going to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. On the 28th of March, of the same year he went to Nogales, Arizona, going to Douglas, Arizona on the 30th of May, and from thence to Hoboken, New Jersey about the 2nd of June. About June the 11th, 1917, he left Hoboken and the shores of his native land for France, where he arrived June 28th. Since that time Henry passed through many experiences, having been made a corporal. He learned what hard fighting was and knew what it meant to "go over the top," being engaged in active service. Henry was killed in action October 9th, 1918, and it is reported by a wounded soldier at Fort Des Moines who belonged to the 18th Infantry, Company B, with Henry and knew him well, that Henry was killed instantly by the missiles of the enemy. He was the only boy from Conrad to pay the supreme price and while we sorrow with the bereaved family we also have the satisfaction that he gave his life in so holy a cause. He leaves his mother, Mrs. Maggie Wagner, a brother Otto, and two sisters, Mrs. Delia Reece and Aleta. They have the sympathy of the entire community.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 23 January 1919, pg 6