Harvey Alton MCPEAK

MCPEAK, PALMER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/16/2012 at 19:38:03

March 4, 1886 --- April 21, 1918

The Humboldt Republican -- Humboldt, Iowa
26 April 1918

The Story Grows

Harvey McPeak has covered himself with glory if the reports prove true. It is said that a trench in which they were working was struck by a shell and knocked into smithereens. Harvey was wounded in the leg, but his comrades were covered with dirt in the in explosion. He caught up a spade and began to dig to uncover them. Just then five Germans sprang into the cave intending to capture him, but in this way they missed their guess. He whirled on them with the spade and killed three of them before they had time to think and the other two ran and got away. Harvey is an athlete, a wrestler of noted agility, and strong as an ox. That spade proved to be a formidable weapon in his hands and a weapon which he wielded in self defense and cleared the field. It is just like him, and if those Germans who escaped him judge the rest of the "yankees" by him they will look at least twice before they leap next time. --Britt Tribune.

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The Renwick Times -- Renwick, Iowa
2 May 1918

Harvey McPeak Gives Life to His Country
Harvey enlisted in Minneapolis in Battery C - 151 Field Artillery on August 10, 1917, and sailed for France October 15. A telegram from Washington D. C. told of Harvey being slightly wounded March 6th. He was awarded a medal for bravery from the French government and also one from the U.S.A. The second telegram from Washington D. C. brought the sad news of his death from pneumonia April 21st., in a hospital Somewhere in France.

Harvey McPeak is the first soldier from Wright county to give his life in the world war. For the first time a golden star is placed upon the Renwick service flag. Memorial services were held at the Renwick Baptist church Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Nicholdson of Goldfield, a friend of Harvey's, and assisted by the four pastors of Renwick. The town of Kanawha, once Harvey's home, expressed their respect for their friend thru the gift of a beautiful floral pillow. A large crowd was present at the Memorial service to pay sincere tribute of respect to the memory of the first one from our vicinity to do his all by giving his life for his country.

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The Renwick Times -- Renwick, Iowa
2 May 1918

Harvey Alton McPeak was born at Maquehta, Jackson Co., Iowa, March 4, 1886, and died April 21, 1918, in a hospital somewhere in France, at the age of 32 years, 1 month and seven days. He came to Wright county in 1898, and in the year of 1909, on October 28, was united in marriage to Nellie Palmer. To them one child Lawrence Glenn, was born on Sept. 15, 1913. Both wife and child have preceded into the Great Beyond. He leaves a father and mother, six brothers and one sister besides many other relatives and friends. His parents, brother Hugh and sister Alice live at Arickaree, Colo. Ben in Idaho, Verni and Ned in Minnesota and Walter and Arch near Renwick, Iowa.

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The Humboldt Republican -- Humboldt, Iowa
3 May 1918

Harvey McPeak Dead In France

Passed Away In Hospital After Severe Siege Of Pneumonia.

Had Recovered from Wounds and was in Service When Stricken by Disease -- Highly Honored.

Humboldt county was shocked to learn of the death of Harvey McPeak, of Renwick, who had lately been decorated for bravery in France. It was known that Mr. McPeak, well remembered here as a wrestler, had been wounded in battle with the Huns, and that he had been in the hospital, and had also been decorated for bravery, but it was also known that he had recovered from his wounds and was again in the service. His death, then, came as a distinct shock to the people. It is understood that special services were held in Renwick because of the death of this young man who had brought honor to himself and his native country. We believe this is the first death among Humboldt county boys who have gone to the front. While it is simply a forerunner of what is to follow, never the less it grips the hearts of all. Few guessed that Harvey McPeak, that strong, active, resourceful wrestler whose magnificent physique and mental resources were so universally admired by Humboldt county people, would be the pioneer to blaze the path of glory for the Humboldt county boys, and to give to the cause his all -- his life.

The war is with us. As the fingers of death creep closer and close about the lives of our dear ones, we will realize more and more the sanctity of the cause, and the call of all manhood to help in putting down this thing that at the crook of a finger can plunge the world in blood. The lives of such men as Harvey McPeak are sacrificed on the altar of happiness and security of all mankind now and hereafter. Their gift to the world will live in letters of fire in the centuries to come. Harvey McPeak fought the good fight, and he paid the highest price that man can pay, but the cause was worth the price. He did not die in vain, and his soul and inspiration are with us.

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The Humboldt Republican -- Humboldt, Iowa
28 June 1918

McPeak's Last Sad Rites.

Told by the Chaplain Who Officiated -- Was Honored Soldier.

Walter McPeak of Renwick, brother of the late Harvey McPeak, who died in France from wounds received at the hands of the Huns, received the following of the last sad rites to his brother, written by the chaplain who officiated. The letter was dated April 27 and was from N. D. Maxon chaplain of base hospital No. 36 A. E. F., France. It is as follows:

"As chaplain of base hospital No. 36 I write concerning your brother H. A. McPeak, private Bat. C, 151 Field Artillery, who was a patient in our hospital in March and April. He was brought to us wounded from the American front near Luneville, France, and received from our nurses and surgeons every possible attention and care. One of his legs was badly fractured from a beam of a dugout crushing it, following a shell from the enemy. A plate was set on the broken parts, and the operation was entirely successful. Later pleuro-pneumonia developed and in spite of every care he passed away peacefully about nine a.m. on Sunday morning, April 21. He had been in all respects patient and self-controlled through his sickness, and his personal and military record was unblemished, and we all felt a disappointment when it was seen that nothing human could avail to stay his departure. I saw him frequently and conversed with him, and not long before his death I had a prayer of commendation at his bedside. On the day of his burial, April 23, I pinned a small American flag on the breast of his soldier's blouse, and I placed within the casket a sealed bottle containing a paper on which were written the name, rank, date, and cause of death. I also caused the casket to be draped with a large American flag. At four o'clock on April 23, the burial was held. The procession left the hospital and passed through the village street to the local cemetery. The chaplain, sir pall-bearers, and a detachment of 85 soldiers of unit 36, commanded by Lieut. Eugene Smith, with the bugler, escorted the body, which was borne in an open ambulance. A bunch of flowers sent by the Red Cross was on the casket. At the burial the chaplain, in his address, quoted the words of the commander of the 151st F. A., who, in a special order spoke of Harvey A. McPeak as at all times a good soldier, and who was highly commended for his gallant bravery and sacrifice. The burial service was then held and 'taps' was sounded. The wreath was placed on the grave, and a large wooden cross bearing his name, the rank, date of death, and identification tag was set at the head of the grave. The grave is number 13 and is in the local French cemetery on a hill overlooking the valley in a plot of ground taken over by the United States Government. Here your brother's body rests in peace, and we firmly believe his soul is forever in the keeping of God."

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The Renwick Times -- Renwick, Iowa
16 June 1921

Body of Harvey McPeak Given Military Burial

On Sunday, June 12th, before one of the largest gatherings of people ever assembled in this community to pay tribute to a fallen hero, the body of Private Harvey A. McPeak, Battery C, 151 Field Artillery, A.E.F., was laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery. Services were in charge of the Harvey McPeak Post 289 of the American Legion, which post was named in his honor. Harvey McPeak enlisted at Minneapolis on August 10th, 1917, in Battery C, 151 Field Artillery and October 15th sailed for France. Harvey covered himself with glory in all his engagements at the front and was cited for bravery by the French and U.S. governments and awarded the French Croix De Guerre Medal of Honor for exceptional bravery and heroic conduct on the field of battle. The local post of the American Legion was assisted at the services by the Posts from Livermore, Corwith and Kanawha, Iowa, which made a representation of about 100 ex-service men. Music was furnished by the Renwick Band and Past Post Commander J. G. McGinley and Rev. J. S. Nicholson were the speakers for the services. Rev. Emil Herman acted as Chaplain. Lt. John Zimmerman had charge of the escort and the services were conducted in a military manner throughout. Three volleys being fired over his grave and taps sounded by Bugler Percy Saxton.

Harvey was a good soldier and one of our finest citizens. He gave up his life in the great struggle for democracy and paid the supreme sacrifice that our government might live. His soul has passed on but the memory of his brave deeds will linger with us forever.