Hedlund, Josef Axel Hilmer (1897-1917)

HEDLUND, PETERSDOTTER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 7/6/2025 at 15:13:06

Stratford Courier; December 27, 1917
PRIVATE HEADLUND IS LAID TO REST
The largest funeral ever held in Stratford was the funeral over the remains of Private Axel Headlund who died at Camp Cody Tuesday of last week and whose body arrived here Sunday morning for interment.
Herman Headlund, brother of the dead man, who went to Camp Cody Monday of last week when the telegram came telling of the serious illness of Private Headlund, came with the body. Private Walter Spurling also came as an escort for the remains.
Loyal and loving local citizens had made all the arrangements for the funeral and a detail of soldiers from the recruiting office at Des Moines and from Camp Dodge arrived to take charge. After a short service at the family home here, services were held at the M.E. church at 2 o'clock and Revs. H.I. Pharo and C.A. Callerstrom had charge. Long before the hour set for the service the church was filled with people who came from near and far to pay their respects to the honored dead man. Many people were compelled to stand in the aisles and many, many more stood outside the church and then went in to view the remains at the close of the service.
Private Headlund was taken sick with measles a short time before his death and was getting along nicely when he caught a severe cold. In fact he was nearly well when he caught the cold which resulted in pneumonia and his death which followed shortly after. Robust, strong and of splendid physique his death comes as a sad blow to his many friends in Stratford. Always loyal he enlisted last summer in the First Separate Company of Infantry of Boone in which so many of the Stratford entered the service of the United States. He went with the company to Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico, when it was transferred to that camp. With the others he was transferred to the 127th Machine Gun Battalion and was a prominent member of that organization at this death.
Private Headlund was a jolly, good natured young man, and was beloved by all his comrades-at-arms. His ever ready smile and hearty hand clasp was like a ray of bright sunshine which comes just at the close of a cloudy day. In the words of one of his comrades, "He will be missed more than we can tell now."
Out in yonder graveyard lie the remains of the first of Stratford's enlisted soldiers - the first hero to give up his life in the cause of humanity. Loyal to his country he took the oath to defend his country's honor and to uphold right and justice. While he was not allowed to survive long enough to serve "somewhere in France" he faced death like the good and true soldier that he was, without fear, but bravely and with a smile.
The services at the grave were very impressive. After the service by Rev. H.I. Pharo had been read and prayer offered the firing squad in command of 2nd Lieut. Will DeHaven of this place, and consisting of Sergeants Pramble and Ward, Corporal Hyssing and Trumpeter Ikola stood at attention and on command fired three volleys over the grave of the dead hero. Then Trumpeter Ikola stepped to the head of the grave and sounded "Taps" in a way that caused many a tear to be furtively wiped away, after which the body was slowly and lovingly lowered into the grave.

Axel Hilmer Headlund was born in Sweden, Europe, March 8, 1898, and died at Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico, Dec. 18, 1917, his death being caused from pneumonia. He was at the base hospital eight days and had the best of care from expert doctors and a trained nurse. He was not considered in a critical condition until the Sunday previous to his death, when a sudden turn for the worse set in. The end came in a quiet and peaceful slumber. Captain Patterson was with him to the end and made a statement on his most sacred honor that Axel died a Christian and wanted the minister in attendance at funeral to know the fact. Deceased is survived by three brothers, Herman, Oscar and Ellis, two sisters, Mrs. Guy Swanson of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Mrs. Walter Pharo of Park Rapids, Minn., as well as a large number of friends in this locality.

Card of Thanks

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to all who so kindly assisted us in our recent bereavement and loss of our dear brother, Axel. Also for the beautiful floral offerings. May God reward you for your kindness. - The Brothers and Sisters.

Farewell Soldier Boy. By D. Hamilton
(The following verses were written and dedicated to the memory of Private Axel Headlund, deceased).

Our own fair land was calling,
For young soldier boys to go.
To fight for right and justice,
In a land far o'er the sea.
Our soldier here has heard that call,
He joined the colors true.
He loved the flag, our dear old fag,
The red, the white, and blue.

No more you'll hear the bugle,
Or the mighty cannon's roar.
So peaceful is your slumber,
With all your battle's o'er.
Sleep and oh! brave young soldier,
'Till all struggles shall be past.
And God shall call his children,
To their Heavenly Home at last.

CHORUS –
Then farewell soldier boy,
Your work on earth is done.
Your precious life you gave,
Your country's cause to save.
And your fond memories,
We'll fondly treasure.
Of our soldier so loyal and true.
We'll hope to meet thee there,
On Heaven's golden shore.
So then farewell brave soldier boy.

[the headstone in Oakwood Cemetery is HEDLUND]