Letters Home From Soldiers During World War I is going to be a regular weekly feature in celebration of the centennial of the United States entering World War I.
From Tyler Daily Courier-Times, July 17, 1917:
Negro Soldier Writes to Home People
The Troup Banner is in receipt of the following letter:
Ft. Des Moines, Ia., June 28.
Editors Banner:
I wish to inform you that Troup, Texas is represented at the colored citizens’ training camp at Fort Des Maines. I am the youngest son of Scott Henry and was born and raised in Troup. Of late years I have been living in Houston where I left most of my people. I left a good job which I had held for seven years to serve Uncle Sam in the army.
Respectfully,
Wm. McKinley Henry,
Company 4
We found a World War I draft registration card that William McKinley Henry filled out in Houston Texas on June 5, 1917. He resided at 3018 Austin St., Houston Texas. His birth date was August 23, 1894 in Troup Texas. He was employed by J. E. Sternenberg as a Chauffuer and Musican at 3018 Austin St., Houston, Texas.[1]
We also found a World War II draft registration card from William McKinley Henry filled out in Los Angeles California in 1942. He resided at 670 S. Hobart, Los Angeles, California. This is the same address as his employer C. J. Waldson. Edward Tapscott of 1238-1/2 East Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Calif. is listed as the person who will always know his address. His birth date in listed as August 23, 1895 in Troupe, Texas which is a year different than what is on the WWI draft card.[2]
On www.findagrave.com, we find a Wm. McKinley Henry tombstone with a birth date of August 23, 1895 and a death date of December 14, 1965 in the Woodlawn Memorial Park, Compton, Los Angeles County, California. Since the ‘McKinley’ part of his name is unusual, I believe that this is our William McKinley Henry. The tombstone has “Beloved Uncle” on it which suggests that he had no children and at least one niece or nephew.[3]
Information, research and assistance for the Letters Home from Soldiers During World War I project provided by Andrew L. Leath, Vicki Betts, Tiffany Wright, Savannah Brantley Cortes, Randy Gilbert, Jeanne Sellers and Scott Fitzgerald.
If you wish to add or correct any information about William McKinley Henry or other Letters Home from Soldiers During World War I, please use the comment feature or Contact Us down below. We appreciate any feedback.
[1] Ancestry.com U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards,1917-1918 [database on-line], Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operation Inc. 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, M1509, 4582 Rolls, imaged from Family History Library microfilm [accessed 4 May 2017, www.ancestry.com].
[2] Ancestry.com U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards,1942 [database on-line], Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operation Inc. 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System, Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration, Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group 147, National Archives and Records Administration [accessed 4 May 2017, www.ancestry.com.]
[3] Ancestry.com. Web: Texas, Find A Grave Index, 1761-2012 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012, (www.findagrave.com: accessed 5 May 2017), created and added by: WMP on 11 April 2012 Find A Grave Memorial #88365934.
