From the United States Veterans Administration Master Index1 comes the enlistment record of Private Albert Adair Williams, a soldier who was killed in action during World War I, and who rests at Greenlawn Cemetery in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Just three short months before Albert’s enlistment in May 1917 his young wife, Ruth Beatrice McMeans, dies after suffering from tuberculosis for two years. They were married on March 11, 1914.
The Portsmouth Valley Sentinel printed the following obituary2 in their February 14, 1917 edition:
“Mrs. Ruth McMeans Williams, aged, 20, wife of Albert Williams, died Monday at 2 PM at the home of her mother, Mrs. Louise McMeans, of 1542 Robinson avenue, after two years illness with tuberculosis. She leaves to mourn her death one child, Alma Louise, aged two years, her mother Mrs. Louise McMeans, three sisters Mrs. Blanche Anderson of Fifth street, Mrs. Harry Strong of Seventh street, and Mrs. John Simms of Fire Brick, Kentucky, two brothers, James and William of Eight street. One half-brother, Eldred Rider and one half-sister, Lena Rider, are at home.”
The above casualty list3 provided by the Mansfield News on July 25, 1918, shows that Private Albert Williams, of Sciotoville, was severely wounded. Previous syndicated reports do not detail the severity of the injury that occurred prior to this date, but we later learn that Albert was shot through the jaw while serving with Company M, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.
The above casualty list from the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune‘s Honor Roll4 on December 12, 1918, details Albert Williams, of Sciotoville, Ohio, as missing in action.
On December 28, 1918, the Steubenville Star reports the above addendum5 to previously reported soldiers who were listed as missing in action.
“A supplemental casualty list sent from Washington today contains the name of Private Raymond E Bell, Rush Run, Jefferson County, Ohio, as ‘missing in action; previously reported wounded degree undetermined.’ It also reports Harold E Temple, Richmond, Ohio, as ‘returned to duty, previously reported missing in action.’ Private Albert Williams, of Sciotoville, Ohio, is reported killed in action, previously reported missing.
“Close to 200 members of the River City Camp, Woodmen of the World, assisted by members of George A Ditty Camp, Woodmen of the World of New Boston and members of the American Legion took part in the monument unveiling exercises in Greenlawn cemetery Sunday afternoon when a monument to the memory Albert Williams, former member of the River City Camp, W.O.W. was unveiled.”
“The ceremonies were very impressive, the main address delivered by JC Harris of George A Ditty Camp. Mr. Harris took the place of Attorney WW Smith, of Huntington who started for this city by auto but was held up by engine trouble on the way and failed to reach here.”
“The fraternal members of the different organizations met at the cemetery gate Sunday afternoon and marched to the monument where the unveiling ceremonies took place. The male quartet of First Christian church had charge of the singing.”
“Albert Williams, of this city, was one of the American soldiers killed in going over the top in the Argonne drive and he is now buried in the national cemetery near the Argonne.”
“Application has been made to have the body returned as soon as the national cemetery is opened.”
“Sunday morning a committee decorated the graves of 40 deceased members in Greenlawn. The committee in charge of the memorial services included William Hyland, Arthur Boren, Albert Bailey, LJ Janetzky, and OH Lewis.”
“Next Sunday the local Woodmen will assist the New Boston Woodmen in their annual memorial service to be held at Wheelersburg cemetery.”6
“Private Williams is survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Williams, a brother, Jesse Williams at home and four sisters, Misses Mary and Nannie at home and Mrs. Bessie Barklow of Chicago and Mrs. Arthur Boren of 1230 Ninth street. While a resident of Portsmouth, Mr. Williams was a member of the First Baptist church and attended Sunday school there. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at the church at two o’clock with the Reverend H Stewart Tillis in charge. Burial will be made in Greenlawn.”
“Word was received by relatives today that the body of Albert Williams, another of Scioto county’s heroes who was killed in action in France would arrive here tonight from Columbus on the N & W train. It will be taken to Dahler’s mortuary until Saturday afternoon when it will be removed to the First Baptist church for the funeral services.”
“Albert Williams was a son of Hamilton and Florence Williams who now reside on Bouser’s Run back of Sciotoville. He was born near Haverhill this county and was about 33 years of age at the time of death.”
“In this city where he worked for years, he was employed as a cutter at the Selby shoe factory. He enlisted in the infantry May 30, 1917, and was sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana for training. In November, 1917 he was sent overseas. In May 1918, he was wounded by a rifle bullet in the jaw and was in a hospital until September when he went back to the firing line. He was killed October 1, 1918.”7
- “United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WQFK-4LMM : 26 October 2019), Albert Adair Williams, 1 Oct 1918; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.
- Mrs. Ruth McMeans Williams. (1917, February 14). Portsmouth Valley Sentinel, p. 6.
- The Casualty List. (1918, July 25). Mansfield News, p. 10.
- Honor Roll. (1918, December 12). Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, p. 7.
- Reported Missing. (1918, December 28). Steubenville Star, p. 1.
- W.O.W. Unveil Monument. (1921, June 6). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
- Body Will Arrive Tonight. (1921, September 23). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 14.
