C L Mann at Two Points in Time

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, from Ancestry.com

During World War I, men born between September 11, 1872 and September 12, 1900 were required to register for the draft on September 12, 1918.  When he was 40 years old, married and had 10 children at home, my Great Grandfather Clarence L Mann completed this requirement.  




He was living and farming in Ellis, Gage County, Nebraska then. My Great Grandma Cora Mabel Mann was his nearest relative. I can imagine how she felt about the idea that he might have to go to war. 

Most of the 1917-1918 draft registrations I've seen are signed with the registrants full name, as if maybe they were instructed to do so. It's a nice way to get that information if it's not known. And signatures are such personal things and wonderful to have!  Great Grandpa's handwriting is very nice.

His description is medium height with slender build, blue eyes and brown hair and no obvious physical disqualifications. He signed up at the Local Board for Jefferson County, when his address was Ellis, Gage County. It may be that his land was actually just across the county line in Jefferson county.








On April 27, 1942, the fourth round of registration for World War II was conducted.  Men who were between 45 and 65 years old were legally required to register for the draft. Notice the top line below - "Men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897". Clarence was born in June of 1878.

World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 from Ancestry.com

Twenty-five years after that first draft, now living at 626 W Mary Street in Beatrice, he states "no regular employment". At 63 years old, I assume this means he is retired. His hair has gone gray, his eyes still blue, he stood 5 ft, 7 inches tall and weighed 140 lbs. What caused the scar on the base of his left thumb? 

My Great Grandpa Mann and Great Grandpa Menke both registered on April 27, 1942 at probably the same place in Beatrice. They shared two grandchildren in 1942 - my dad and his sister. I'm sure both families were relieved that neither man was sent off to either war. These draft registration cards are interesting and give an idea of what their lives were like at two particular points in time. 


UPDATE 7/26/18: I've learned now from Clarence's youngest daughter that the scar on his thumb was likely from butchering. Also that he worked until he was 73 years old and may have been off work at this time due to an eye injury he got while working for the Gage County bridge crew. The settlement from his injury helped him buy the last house he owned. 

C A Menke at Two Points in Time

June 5th, 1917 - the year was left off the Registrar's Report below, but I did the math (notice his birthday is in November). Charles Albert Menke was 30 years old when he filled out his Draft Registration card for "The Great War". Born in Clatonia, living and farming in Clatonia with his wife and 6 children. Another child was on the way - my Grandpa was born in November of 1917. Albert had no prior military service. He described himself as medium height, medium build with brown eyes and dark hair, not bald and no physical disabilities. 

World War I Draft Registration Card 1917-1918, from Ancestry.com

He signed the above card with his full name. In 1942 he signed "Albert Menke" on what is sometimes referred to as the "Old Man's Registration" below.  He was 55 years old, living in Virginia Sherman, Gage County, Nebraska. I wonder why he listed his sister Rose Wayman as the "Name and address of person who will always know" his address? He was married at the time with 3 children at home under 18. He was working for the W. P. A., or Works Progress Administration in Homesville, about 14 miles southeast of Beatrice. It doesn't look like he had a telephone. 

World War II Draft Registrations 1942, from Ancestry.com

He was 5 ft, 6 inches tall, approximately 150 lbs with brown eyes, black hair and light brown complexion. He wrote "none to my knowledge" in the blank for "obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification".  Under the statement: "I certify that my answers are true; that the person registered has read or has had read to him his own answers; that I have witnessed his signature or mark and that all of his answers of which I have knowledge are true, except as follows:", something appears to have been erased. 

He did not get drafted and was able to stay at home with his family during both wars. It was the same case for my other paternal Great Grandfather C L Mann. 

Friday's Faces from the Past - Mrs Murphy

"Mrs Murphy" was written on the back of this photograph, nothing more. Several wives named Murphy lived within a 50 mile radius of Eldorado, Nebraska in 1900, but a few were in their 70's or 80's. A Mrs Mary, wife of William Murphy was 48 years old and lived in Edgar. Also Mrs Eliza, age 50, wife of J E Murphy lived in York. Both towns not too far from Eldorado. But the most likely candidate for this picture is Mrs "L L", wife of Andrew Murphy, who was enumerated just 12 households from the Negley family in Eldorado. This photo came from the stash that once belonged to my Great Grandmother Sadie (Negley) McGrath or someone in her family. 

"L L" turns out should actually be Sarah Lenora, who went by Sallie. She was 38 years old in 1900. Of course, I don't know what year this picture was taken of her. Besides her husband Andrew, a daughter named Maud, 15, was also living in the household. I've posted a photo of a Maud before, but I didn't include Maud Murphy in my list of who it could be. Either I missed her or was off in my estimation of the time of the photo. Maud's and Mrs Murphy's photos have the same type of frame, although the photographs don't look like they were taken the same year. There is no photographers logo on either one. 

If I'm right, these women are mother and daughter. What do you think?