52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 45 Prompt - Soldier

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 45

Prompt – Soldier

This is Bill's Great Uncle. Another words he was his grandfather's ( Arthur Jahnke) brother.  

 1917 - Leonhard F. Jahnke - PFC BTRY E 79 Field Artilery

Leonhard F. Jahnke was born in Prussia however his parents immigrated to United States when he was just 10 months old in November, 1891. They settled in Winthrop, Minnesota. When Leonhard was 5 years old the family moved to Ulen, Minnesota and bought a farm. In the spring of 1903 Leonhard's family moved yet again. They moved to Saskatchewan apparently because of the free land that was being offered. They moved to Killaly, Saskatchewan where his father bought a 1/4 section of land.

Once again around 1911. the family moved to Entwistle, Alberta to help establish Leonhard a homestead. However by spring of 1912 Leonhard left the homestead in Alberta because 3/4 of the land was “muskeg”.

By this time his parents and younger brother (Bill's grandfather, Arthur Jahnke) had moved on to Hatton, Saskatchewan. As of now I cannot establish the whereabouts of Leonhard until I pick up his trail again on his WWI Draft Registration card which was filled out in June of 1917.

June 1917 - Draft Registration for Leonhard Jahnke

Leonhard is 26 years old and listed his employer as St. Paul, Minnesota Twin City Rapid Transit. He worked as a motorman. Initially on his card he lists his address as Forres (Hatton), Saskatchewan. Then it is crossed out and a Minnesota address is given.

WWI draft was mandatory for all men between 21 and 30 years of age in the United States. It was called many things – Conscription Act of 1917, Enrollment Act of 1917, or Selective Service Act of 1917. It was legislated in May 1917.

Leonhard was actually an Alien listing his last citizenship as Canadian. His younger brother, Arthur was an American by birth living in Canada. Arthur was 23 years old but as far as the family history goes he never signed up for the draft. I do know that Arthur married in June of 1917 in Canada at the time Leonhard was signing up as a single man in Minnesota.

Leonard's enlistment date was September 20, 1917.  Leonhard did go off to War according to Elaine Hoffart's Oral Family History. If you recall Bill's sister, Elaine interviewed and recorded Arthur Jahnke in 1976.  This would be what Arthur remembered about the time. 

In a later discussion with Bill's mother she said he was apparently “gassed”.  Mustard Gas was introduced into WWI around July of 1917 by the Germans. It did not take long before The Allies sent Mustard Gas toward the Germans.   It was introduced not as a fatal gas but what they called a “vesicant”. However in greater quantities it was fatal. Apparently the death was long and very painful. Vesicant meant it caused severe irritation to the eyes and skin. It caused blistering of the skin. Mucousal membranes such as the bronchial tubes were stripped and bled. Once Mustard Gas was in the soil it could last up to months. It was meant to disable their enemies in their trench warfare.

Leonhard joined about this time and was probably given the respirators to counteract the effects which were not always successful. But it was better than not having them. Leonhard was honorably discharged on June 13, 1919.

The 1920 U.S Census which was taken in January of 1920 shows that Leonhard was already married to Amelia Rose Krueger with no children and living at her parent's home. 

A letter written to his brother, Arthur shows that he is being followed by a doctor and not working since December 10th 1919.  This was several months after his discharge.  This could be why Leonhard and Emily are living at her parent's place.

Leonhard and Emily had a daughter in May of 1923 (Delpha Jahnke) and according to Delpha's obituary the family moved to Selah, Washington when Delpha was 3 years old - 1926.

Leonhard lost his first wife to cancer in 1932 and married Emily's cousin Freda the following year in  1933.

Can you imagine how Leonhard felt when he had to register for WWII when he was 51 years old? Once again mandatory selective draft registration was ordered in United States. Obviously Leonard did not serve in the U.S Army in WWII.

Leonhard Jahnke passed away on January 25, 1962 at the age of 71. He lived in Selah / Yakima Washington, United States.  He is buried in Tacoma Cemetery.  His family made application for a special flat gravestone marker that deceased former members of armed forces were allowed to have. 

 Bill and I visited his grave in May of 2009 while visiting Yakima, Washington.  

Leonhard Ferdinand Jahnke served in the US Artillery as a Private First Class in WWI.  He was a soldier. He was gassed.  He came home never feeling physically healthy again. 

Bless all men who served and continue to serve their country.

Thank You,

Wendy