SCOVEL, Raymond 1890 - 1918

SCOVEL, ANDERSON, METZ, SCHWARTZ, SWARTZ, FRY

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 8/30/2010 at 19:00:43

Fairfield Daily Journal
Wednesday November 27, 1918
Pg. 2 Col. 1

(Note: this is a verbatim transcription; it is in two parts - a death announcement, and fuller obituary.)

RAY SCOVEL IS HUN'S VICTIM

Ray SCOVEL, of Libertyville, one of Jefferson county's soldiers, is dead. His death occurred on October 20 at a base hospital in France and was the result of severe wounds which he received in action with the Yanks when they were putting the finishing touches to the greatest war that the world has ever seen.

Raymond SCOVEL left Fairfield in May 1918 as a alternate, going because of the fact that another, Oscar ANDERSON, did not appear when called. He left his home willingly with only a few hours notice. It is practically certain that he would not have reached the scene of action as quickly if he had been allowed to await his turn to go.

He was about thirty years of age, and besides his widowed mother, Mrs. Hester SCOVEL, of Libertyville, leaves two brothers, Ira and H.L. SCOVEL, of Libertyville, and one sister, Mrs. Elmer METZ, of Glasgow. Two brothers, Frank and Loren L. SCOVEL, with his father preceded him in death. A nephew, Calvin SCOVEL, of this city, is a member of Hospital Unit R, attached to Base Hospital No. 32 in France.

His mother had been notified that Private SCOVEL was severely wounded and in the hospital. He was struck in the leg and the side by a shell and was badly hurt. However only a few days ago a letter came from him in which he said that he was getting along nicely.

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LIBERTYVILLE

Mrs. Hettie SCOVEL received word Saturday night of the death of her son, Ray SCOVEL, at the base hospital No. 116, in France. He was a member of the 355th Infantry, Co. G. Ray SCOVEL was born near Libertyville, on February 1, 1890 being 28 years 8 months and 20 days old. He left April 30th, 1918, for Camp Dodge, where he spent two weeks, from there he was sent to Camp Travis, Texas. He was there ten days when he left for Camp Mills and after being there one week he sailed for overseas service, where he was ushered right into battle. He went over the top on September 12 and on September 14th, he was severely wounded by a shell bursting near him breaking his right limb above the knee besides a number of flesh wounds. He died October 20th of bronchial pneumonia at the base hospital. As near as can be told by letters to his mother he was near Metz. His going is a rare record as he was only one out of a large number that went as a soldiers son, his father being a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. Ray SCOVEL was united in marriage to Miss Nellie SCHWARTZ (sic. SWARTZ), July 3, 1916, she having preceded him in death February 28, 1917. Besides his aged mother, he leaves two brothers, Hale and Ira, of Libertyville; one sister, Mrs. Elmer METZ, of Glasgow, besides a number of relatives and friends. Another life dedicated to the cause of humanity. Another gold star added to the service flag. The family has the sympathy of a host of friends to this sad hour.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes. I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Presumably Raymond SCOVEL was physically returned to Iowa and to Fell Cemetery, Libertyville, Jefferson County, Iowa where he was buried in the SCOVEL family plot of his parents, GEORGE SCOVEL and HESTER FRY SCOVEL.