Boggess, Everett L., 1895-1925

BOGGESS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Rock Valley Bee, February 6, 1925:

EVERETT BOGGESS, FORMER ROCK VALLEY BOY, CALLED

Everett Boggess, a former well known Rock Valley boy, passed away at his home at 444 Magnolia street, Long Beach California, Jan. 26, aged 30 years old.

His last sickness was of about three weeks duration, although he had not been well since he contracted spinal meningitis in camp in New Mexico while he was serving in the World War. During his last sickness he was under the care of an army doctor, and was later taken to the Army hospital at San Diego, California. They could not help him there and so he was taken back to his home in Long Beach, where he passed away a few days later.

When this country entered the war, Everett was one of the volunteers who went to Sheldon to the training camp there, and soon afterwards went with other volunteers to camp in [New] Mexico, where as stated above, he contracted the dread disease which ultimately caused his death.

Everett was a fine young man and made friends wherever he went. For some time after being discharged from service, he served as city weighmaster in Rock Valley, and he held this position until he went with his parents to California. He had many friends here who will regret to learn of his death. He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Boggess, one brother, Ivan and one sister, Edna, besides other relatives and friends.

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From the Alton Democrat, February 13, 1925, Rock Valley news:

ROCK VALLEY VETERAN DIES IN CALIFORNIA

Everett Boggess, a former well known Rock Valley boy, passed away at his home at 444 Magnolia stret, Long Beach, Cal. Jan. 26, aged 30 years.

Everett was born in Rock Valley and attended the public schools here and was one of the first to answer his country's call, going to Sheldon with a number of other Rock Valley boys and enlisted in the service there in April 1917. He trained at Sheldon for several weeks and soon the company entrained for Camp Cody, New Mexico where he contracted the dread disease of spinal meningitis. He was given an honorable discharge from the service after spending many months in an army hospital.

[Rock Valley employment, move to California, final illness, and survivors same as the Bee obit.]

Everett carried a glass tube in his back to support the spinal column as the spinal cord had been destroyed from the time he left the hospital to his death. Military honors were given him and he was laid in his final resting place in California.

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The California Death Index on Ancestry.com has Everett L. Boggess, died 26 Jan 1925 in Los Angeles, age 29.

His World War I draft registration card has Everett L. Boggess, residence Rock Valley; born April 24, 1895; father W. J. Boggess; height short, build medium, eyes blue, hair light; discharged from service acct. physical disqualification, not recommended for enlistment, 9/12/1918.