| |
Stephen
Asberry Graves
Aug 1891 - 1922 |
HOME |
|
Cpl. Stephen A. Graves is the son of Mrs. S. M. Graves of Kerens. He was
born in Panola County August 31, 1892, and educated in the rural schools of
Oklahoma. He entered the service October 4, 1917, with Company G, 357th
Infantry, 90th Division, training at Camp Travis. He was later transferred
to Company C, 111th Infantry, just before sailing overseas, May 28, 1918, to
France. He went into action on the British front, his regiment being
placed with the British troops. He was killed July 1, 1918, making the
supreme sacrifice for the world's freedom.
History of Texas World War Heroes - World War I
 STEPHEN ASBERRY GRAVES—
Steve was born 31 Aug 1892 in Carthage, Panola Co TX. His parents were James EW
and Sophronia Monie (Mixon) Graves. His father died in Roger Mills Co OK around
1911 where the family was living and which is where Steve was working when he
signed the Draft Registration card. He was employed as a farm labor for Frank
Crouch, he claimed as dependants his mother, six brothers and sisters. Steve was
single, tall, and slender with gray eyes and dark hair.
He entered service on Oct 7, 1917 at Hamon, OK and trained at Camp Travis,
Texas. He served as a corporal attached to the 357th Infantry, 90th Division.
Just before he sailed to the theater on the British front, he was reassigned to
Co C, 111th Infantry. This unit was attached to the British troops. He went
overseas to France with the 28th Division on March 25, 1918. He was killed in
action at the battle of Chateau Thierry on 01 Jul 1918 and was buried in France.
Kerens’ local American Legion branch was named in honor of Stephen A. Graves. He
was the first and only soldier from Kerens to make the supreme sacrifice.
In the first week of Feb, 1922 the chapter received a telegram stating on Feb.
16, 1922, the remains of Pvt. Stephen A. Graves should arrive in New York so
plans for the arrival in Kerens around Feb. 21 were put in progress.
Arrangements were then made for burial at the Bazette cemetery near Kerens with
military honors on Feb. 22.
However, because of some delays, the funeral was not possible until March 6,
1922 when Stephen was finally brought home for the last time. The memorial
service was in charge of the Stephen A. Graves’ post of the American Legion of
Kerens. A large delegation from the Johnson-Wiggins post of Corsicana also
attended the funeral and took part in the ceremonies. One of the largest crowds
ever assembled in the county for a soldier’s funeral attended the last sad rites
which included Hershel McCown as Color Bearer; Clyde Westbrooks and Andrew
McClung as Color Guards; Pallbearers were WA Smith, Finis Scale, Fate Sherrill,
Cliff Coates, Preston Wilson and Lawrence Head; the Firing Squad composed of
Adran Westbrook, WH Sheppard, EH Gray, Joe Washburn, Ezra Crowley, Ama
Carpenter, Jess McClung and Pete Paschal. Revs. Jon Everhart, IT Jones and WA
Crokern delivered the funeral eulogy.
He was survived by his mother, two sisters and four brothers.
Submitted by Dana Stubbs
See Also:
|
|
OBITUARY Stephen Asberry Graves
Aug 31, 1892 - July 1, 1918
Soldier's Body To Arrive in Kerens
Special to the Sun.
Kerens, Feb. 14.—The Stephen A. Graves post American Legion received
a telegram today stating that the body of Private Stephen A. Graves
would arrive in New York Feb. 16th. Graves fell at Argonne and was
the only one from Kerens that fell on the foreign field. The post
here is named for him.
It is expected that the body will arrive in Kerens about Feb. 21st
and the body will b buried with military honors on the 22nd. The
family of the deceased live near Bazette.
Notes:
---
He Died Fighting
The remains of Corporal Stephen A. Graves, aged 25 years, son of
Mrs. Sophonia Graves, were laid to rest yesterday afternoon at 2
o'clock in the Bazette cemetery with full military honor's.
The funeral was in charge of the Stephen A. Graves' post of the
American Legion of Kerens, the post being named after the deceased.
A large delegation from the Johnson-Wiggins post of Corsicana also
attended the
funeral and took part in the ceremonies.
One of the largest crowds ever assembled in the county for a
soldier's funeral attended his last sad rites yesterday.
The following was the order of the Legion services:
Color Bearer: Hershel McCown.
Color Guards: Clyde Westbroks and Andrew McClung.
Pallbearers: W. A. Smith, Finis Seale, Fate Sherrill, Cliff Coates,
Preston Wilson and Lawrence Head
Firing Squad: Adran Westbrook, W. H. Sheppard, E. H. Gray, Joe
Washburn, Ezra Crowley, Ama Carpenter, Jess McClung, Pete Paschal.
Revs. Joe Everhart, I. T. Jones and W. A. Corkern will deliver the
funeral eulogy.
Stephen Ashcrry Graves was killed in action in France. He entered
the service October 7th, 1917, and was trained at Camp Travis. He
was a corporal in the 357th Infantry, 90th division. He is survived
by his mother, two sisters and four brothers.
Notes:
---
Soldier Buried at Bazette
Kerens, Texas. March 6. - The largest crowd that ever attended a
funeral here followed the body of Corporal Stephen A. Graves to its
last resting place at Bazette Sunday afternoon. It was estimated
that between 500 and 600 automobiles were in the procession with
many horse-drawn vehicles. The crowd was estimated at 2,000.
The American Legion Stephen A. Graves Post was in charge. The
religious services were conducted at the tabernacle by the Rev. Joe
Everheart, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, assisted by Pastor W.
A. Corken of the Baptist Church.
Notes:
---- Corp. Stephen Asberry Graves
HE DIED FIGHTING.
STEPHEN A. GRAVES
The remains of Corporal Stephen A. Graves, aged 25 years, son of
Mrs. Sophonia Graves, were laid to rest yesterday afternoon at 2
o’clock in the Bazette cemetery with full military honors.
The funeral was in charge of the Stephen A. Graves’ post of the
American Legion of Kerens, the post being named after the deceased.
A large delegation from the John-Wiggins post of Corsicana also
attended the funeral and took part in the ceremonies. One of the
largest crowds ever assembled in the county for a soldier’s funeral
attended the last sad rites yesterday.
The following was the order of the Legion services:
Color Bearer: Herschel McCown
Color Guards: Clyde Westbrooks and Andrew McClung
Pallbearers: W. A. Smith, Finis Seal, Fate Sherrill, Cliff Coates,
Preston Wilson and Lawrence Head.
Firing Squad: Adran Westbrook, W. H. Sheppard, E. H. Gray, Joe
Washburn, Ezra Crowley, Ama Carpenter, Jess McClung, Pete Paschal.
Revs. Joe Everhart, I. T. Jones and W. A. Corkern will deliver the
funeral eulogy.
Stephen Asberry Graves was killed in action in France. He was a
corporal in the 357th infantry, 90th division. He is survived by his
mother, two sisters and four brothers.
Notes:
-
KERENS NEWS.
(The Kerens Tribune.)
Expect Soldier’s Body.
M. Queen, adjutant of the local post, American Legion, announced
that he has received a wire from the War Department that the body of
Stephen A. Graves has arrived at the New York port and that same
will be shipped to Kerens for interment.
Stephen A. Graves was the first and only soldier from Kerens to make
the supreme sacrifice. He was born in Panola county, Texas, August
31, 1891, and entered the service of the United States Army
September 17, 1917. He trained at Camp Travis and was assigned to
Co. G. 357th infantry, 90th Division, after which he was transferred
to Company A., 111th Infantry, 28th Division, February, 1918. He
went overseas to France with the 28th Division March 28th, 1918. Was
killed in action at the battle of Chateau Thierry, July 1, 1918.
Kerens should feel proud of this boy who made the supreme and only
sacrifice from our city. His body will be buried with military
honors immediately on arrival, the funeral services to be conducted
under the auspices of the local post of the American Legion.
Notes:
|
Navarro County TXGenWeb
© Copyright
February, 2020
Edward L. Williams
|