Obit: Pollnow, Louis #2 (1893 – 1918)

Contact: Ann Stevens
Email: ann@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Pollnow, Johnson, Warlum, Milton, Frean

----Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/21/1918

Pollnow, Louis (4 Nov 1893 – 26 JUL 1918)

Private Louis Pollnow, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Pollnow, was born in the town of Hewett Nov. 4th, 1893. Was called to the colors July 26th, 1918 and later left Camp Grant for Camp Mills, New York, and from there sailed for England, where he had arrived but a few days before his death. He leaves to mourn his death four brothers, Albert of Alma Center, Fred and Walter at home and Edward in training at Camp Kearney, Cal., and five sisters, Mrs. Hans. Johnson of Eau Claire, Alvena, Mrs. P. Warlum of Neillsville, Rose (Mrs. James Milton) of Neillsville, Ella, Ruth, and Susie at home. Also a mother and father and a host of relatives and friends. He was a bright, brave boy and was liked by all who knew him. The last mail received from him was a letter written Sept. 25th.

In loving memory of our dear son and brother:
Sad was the hour that fatal day,
When God called our dear boy away,
A loving son so true and kind,
No friend on earth like him we will find,
For all of us he did his best,
May God grant him eternal rest.

Paignton, England, Oct. 1918
Dear Mr. Pollnow—
Long before this letter reaches your hands, you will have received the official intimation of the death of your son, Private Louis Pollnow, at the Military Hospital No. 21, Paignton. As visitor American Red Cross at the above hospital, I am now venturing to write to try and convey to you the deep sympathy of the society, as well as all the residents of Paignton, both American and English, in your irreparable loss. We feel sure that you would like to hear such details as it is possible to give you of your son’s last days. They were spent in one of the luxurious and well-appointed hospitals in England, where he was tenderly cared for by a skillful staff of American surgeons and nurses, ministered to by an army chaplain and surrounded by every comfort that skill and money could procure. With other Red Cross visitors I was present at his funeral, which was a military one and was conducted with all reverence and solemnity, amid touching manifestations of respect and sympathy on the part of all the residents of Paignton. The casket was covered by the stars and stripes and beautiful flowers rested upon it, sent by the Red Cross and other sympathizers. It was borne to the grave by New Zealand soldiers. At the close of the service a firing party fired three volleys, and the last post was sounded on the bugle. The cemetery in which your son lies is a beautiful one, situated on a hill with a lovely view overlooking the English Channel. We hope in a short time to be able to send you a photograph of the grave. In the meantime I enclose a flower taken from one of the wreaths that rested upon the casket, also a photo of the hospital, and a cutting from the Paignton Observer of Oct. 3rd.

With most sincere sympathy and hoping that you may find comfort in these words.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. W.P. Frean