Johnny R. Rost (1897-1918)

ROST, MEEHLHAUSE, GEISER

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 5/29/2016 at 02:57:52

SOLDIER BOY BURIED SUNDAY

JOHNNY R. ROST

The military funeral of Johnny R. Rost who gave his life on the battlefield overseas, was held Sunday afternoon at the home of his uncle, John. J. Meehlhause in this city and was one of the most largely attended funerals ever held in Hartley. Several hundred paid their respects to the memory of this fallen soldier.

The body arrived Friday evening via the Rock Island and funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at two o'clock on the Meehlhause lawn. Music was furnished by Messrs. Wagner, Carr, Hesse and Johnson. Rev. Sievert of Cresco, Iowa, preached the sermon and the body was laid at rest in Pleasant View Cemetery.

Arthur Kirchoff Post of the American Legion was out in full uniform and the local band headed the funeral procession to the grave, where the post took charge of the services. The services at the grave were the regular military services.

Johnny R. Rost, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rost, was born near Hartley on March 17, 1897, and spent his entire life in this community until he was called to service on July 24, 1918. He left Primghar for Camp Gordon and on September 12th he left for oversears and landed in England September 19th. He reached France on October 18th and was in the trenches on the 28th. He met his death on November 6, 1918 and was buried in the Argonne American cemetery in France.

He leaves a father, mother, seven sisters and four brothers, who at the time of his death resided at this place but who now, with the exception of one brother, Will Rost, have moved to Brandt, S.D.

He was well liked by all who knew him and his name will ever be honored as one of the World War Heroes who made the Supreme Sacrifice.

Those from out of town who attended the services were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rost and family and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Geiser and family of Brandt, S.D.; Mr and Mrs. Roy Claus and Emmanuel Benson of Emmetsburg, and Mr. and Mrs. W.E. McNeil of Harris.

The Hartley Sentinel, Hartley, Iowa, October 27, 1921