By Cilisa Irvin

 

Arthur James Wells was born one of four children on May 16^th, 1888 to James and Fannie Wells. James Wells worked as a salesman on a streamer to provide for his four children Rufus, Adella Timothy and Arthur James Wells in the Tanner Creek and wards corner areas of Norfolk, Virginia. Arthur J. Wells was well educated although prior to serving in WWI his occupation was a bricklayer. Wells attended Henderson Normal institute a division within Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia and Ferris Institute in Michigan, later Wells attended and graduated from Northwestern in Chicago Illinois. Wells also received training at Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia.

Wells enlisted on October 1^st, 1917 as private medical reserve S.A.T.C (Student Army Training Corps) in Chicago Illinois while still attending Northwestern University as a dental student. Wells did not travel during his service but did serve his community as a Dentist in his private dental practice.

After returning home to Norfolk, Virginia in 1922 at the age of 32 Wells married Susie Geneva Wells from Norfolk, Virginia. From their marriage, three children were born Geneva Wells, Juanita Elizabeth Wells, and Arthur J. Wells Jr. At age 53 in 1942 Wells again enlisted in WWII as a dentist. Wells again returned home to Norfolk, Virginia and continued worked in his dental office until his death on December 2, 1969, from colon cancer. Wells was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia.

Sources

“Arthur James Wells” World War I History Commission Questionnaire, Library of Virginia

United States Census, 1900-1940

“Arthur James Wells” Virginia, Death record, 1912-2014 

“Arthur James Wells” U.S., World War I Draft registration cards, 1917-1918

“Arthur James Wells”U.S., World War II Draft registration cards,1942

 

 

Clarence Carlyle Bailey was born on January 19, 1895 in Norfolk, Virginia to parents William J. Bailey, who worked as a porter, and Lula, who worked as a laundress. He had two sisters, Bessie and Zenobia. The Baileys lived in the Tanner Creek neighborhood of Norfolk Virginia.  Bailey furthered his education at Norfolk Mission College and later completed junior college as well as the dental school at Howard University in Washington, DC. After graduating from dental school, Bailey passed the Maryland Dental examination in 1916 and began to serve the Norfolk community. Bailey married Caroline Carleen of Wilmington, NC on August 1, 1917, in Hampton, VA. The following year they had a child, Elizabeth M. Bailey on March 10, 1918.

Shortly after the birth of his daughter, Bailey enlisted on March 24, 1918, and went to basic training at Camp Meade, Maryland until June 12th, 1918. Bailey was a 1st Lieutenant of the 368 the Infantry 92nd Division Dental. Bailey served his military tour in France as a dentist from June 27th, 1918 until July 21st, 1919. Before being discharged from service Bailey would applied to the dental reserve corps. Bailey was committed to helping his county and stated he would always be available to help his country in its time of need. On July 31st Bailey arrived in Newport News, VA on the USS Eten and was later discharged on August 21, 1919, at Camp Lee, VA.

Bailey returned to his previous occupation as a dentist until his death on March 31th, 1931. Bailey was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY.

Sources:

The Dentoscope Vol 14 Issue 2 1931 available online: http://dh.howard.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=dentoscope

World War I commission Questionaire

United States Census 1910

“Y.C.W.A”  New [Norfolk] Journal and Guide December 5, 1916

U.S National Cemetery interment control forms 1928-1962 available online: https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/2590/40479_2421406272_0448-05143?pid=2143994&backurl=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D2590%26h%3D2143994%26tid%3D%26pid%3D%26usePUB%3Dtrue%26_phsrc%3DVCa175%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=VCa175&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true

Cilisa Irvin is a history major at Norfolk State University.

David Thomas Lynn was born on January 6th 1888, in Morrisville Wake, North Carolina to Geneve Lynn. His mother died when he was two. Because Lynn never met his father, he went into the care of his grandmother, Hester Lynn and his grandfather, Samuel Lynn. He completed his formal college training at Franklin Christian College, in Franklin, N.C. Before entering the service, Lynn worked for Lamenberg Goodman Corp and resided at 746 Freemont Norfolk county, VA, in the Olde Huntersville district of Norfolk Va. It was in 1910 that he married his wife Pocahontus Smith born in 1892 and had two children, Hihawatha and Kharis. He was a particularly well-known and successful electrician and engineer.

His military service was extensive and began on July 1918 in the United States Army, enlisting under Major Black, Chief of Engineers, to the 48th Engineers Co. B. He enlisted as the only colored man in his unit, eventually making the rank Sargent. He was first stationed in Columbus Ohio before moving to Ft. Benjy, Ft. Harrison and then to Camp Merritt N.J. Aboard the USA Mami, he left Camp Merritt N.J on July 31, and arrived in Breast France on Aug 12. His training was also done in Belgium and Germany. He was discharged from the service on June 18, 1919 at Camp Lee, Va., with the rank of Sargent.

After the war, Lynn continued his work as an electrician and engineer. He was a devout Christian and became active in his community church, A.M.E. Zion. He was on the board of directors for his church as well as trustee work with the colored hospital in Norfolk. His reasons for leaving the military were due to his family and he believed his work in the military helped him to become a better man.

The Lynns lived in Norfolk through 1920, but by 1930, he and his family moved to New York City where they lived in Manhattan and moved to the Bronx after 1940. His son, David T. Lynn, Jr., served in World War II. David Thomas Lynn, Senior died in New York City on January 23, 1944. He is buried in National Cemetery in New York.

Sources:

Caldwell, A. B., The History of the American Negro. Vol. 5: Virginia. Atlanta: A.B. Caldwell Publishing Company, 1921.

“David Thomas Lynn,” World War I History Commission Questionnaires, Library of Virginia.

“David Thomas Lynn.” New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949.

“To Live in New York” The New Journal and Guide. December 29, 1945.

United States Census, 1900-1940.

Kristy Holloway is a history major at Norfolk State University.

 

William Battle was born May 04, 1891 in Sparrow Point, Maryland to Annie and Richard Battle. He grew up Baptist and went to a public preparatory school. William later moved to Berkley, Virginia, where he lived with his wife Laura Battle (her maiden name was Woodhurst, born 1897). Together William and Laura did not have any children before his time in the war. Outside his home life, William Battle was a laborer before the war, and he worked for the US Preserving Company.

Private First Class Battle enlisted  October 27, 1917 in the Virginia National Guard as an Infantryman. He was assigned to Company G, 15th Regiment, 93rd Division, and conducted his basic training at Camp Lee in Virginia. He said that his time spent in training improved his overall health greatly.  He was later transferred to Camp Merrit, NJ under the 39th Training Battalion. He was then promoted to Private First Class before he embarked from New York City on the troop transport USS Pocahontas. He landed at Santa Diego and was sent to the Champagne Front, where on April 4, 1918 he saw his first action. William said of his overseas experience that it “did not bother me at all.” Furthermore, he said the conflict he was faced with improved his  religious beliefs, and that at the end of his of whole experience in the military he came out as a better man.

William Returned home from his overseas deployment to Camp Lee February 12, 1919. He was discharged February 27, 1919. Upon his return to Norfolk, he and his wife rented a room from Martha Kerney on Martin Street. After the war he continued to live in Virginia and work as a laborer at the shipyard.

Sources:

“William Battle,” World War I History Commission Questionnaires, Library of Virginia.

United States Census, 1920.

Sean Carmody is an ROTC cadet at Old Dominion University.

World War 1 was fought by men of valor who give it their all even if it meant giving up their lives in the process.  However, not all men who served in the war held active combat duties,  James Jones was one of those many men.  He was born in 1893 in the Berkley County, Norfolk, Virginia, to Maggie Burgess and Bud Jones.  As an child, James attended common school, grades one through eight, however his graduation remains unconfirmed.  As time went on, James  began to work as a Longshoreman, a port laborer.  He held his job as a longshoremen until his move to the Hartford County, Connecticut.  Here he began work as teamster, driver of carriage carrying goods,  under his new employer, Edward A. Deacon.

At the time of his draft registration James was 23. He did not enlist in the United States Navy until December 5th, 1917. Upon his enlistment, James was assigned to the US Navy ship the USS Manta.  Despite his non-combative role, James Jones still served his country proudly as a 3rd Mess Attendant on the USS Manta.  Throughout his service, James’ exceptional performance granted his promotion to Cook 3rd Class.  As the war progressed, James was transferred to Naval Hospital Portsmouth where he also served as a cook.  James remained at this station until his retirement on August 30th, 1919.

Upon his retirement James Jones returned to his hometown of Norfolk, VA.  It was here that James met his wife and mother of his children.  James Jones is survived by his two children.

Darius Jones is an NROTC cadet at Norfolk State University.

James Brown was born in Norfolk, Virginia on November 27, 1897. His parents were Lavinia Griggs and D.H. Brown. Both of his parents were born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. The Browns were Baptists and raised James as a Baptist as well. The highest level of education James reached was high school. After he completed high school, James decided he wanted to enlist in the United States Navy.

On December 14,1917 James enlisted in the United States Navy. His enlisted rank was a sailor and his first assignment was at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth Virginia. A year later he had his first and only daughter, Earnistine Roberts Brown, with wife Katie Brown. A year after that, James’s military service ended in August 8, 1919. His final rank was Mess Attendant, first class. James worked at the United States Post Office in Norfolk until his retirement.

Sources:

“James Brown,” World War I History Commission Questionnaires, Library of Virginia.

United States Census, 1900-1940.

Xavier Sivels-Farrington is a history major at Norfolk State University.

Floyd Lee Green was born on 11 July 1894 to Jesse and May Green in Norfolk, Virginia. His parents raised him in the area and he grew up in the Baptist church. He lived a majority of his life in Norfolk and gained some education before entering the workforce. Before joining the Army, Green worked at the Naval Shipyard employed by W. H. Cobbs. On the 20 June 1918 he joined the United States Army in Norfolk and served with the first company 155th Dep. Brg.

At 23 years old he went into the Army and contributed in World War I until his discharge on 14 September 1919. After being discharged Green returned to his job at the Naval Shipyard and his home on Princess Ann Avenue. Almost four years after his discharge, Floyd Green married his wife Mary Peeden on 10 May 1923. After his marriage he moved to Portsmouth and continued enjoying life till his passing on 14 July 1955. His wife buried him at the Lincoln Cemetery in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Sources:

“Floyd Lee Green,” World War I History Commission Questionnaires, Library of Virginia.

“Floyd Lee Green,” United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.

United States Census, 1940.

Rebekah Lewis is a NROTC cadet at Norfolk State University.

 

Charles Henry Coleman was born October 4, 1897 in Norfolk, Virginia to Maggie Coleman and Joseph Coleman. His father worked as a grocery stocker and his mother worked as a domestic worker. His family lived 807 Monticello Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia. He was a member of the historic Saint Johns African Methodist Church located on 545 East Bute Street. Coleman worked as a bellboy after grammar school before joining the military. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve out of Norfolk on December 12, 1917. Coleman served as a mess attendant during his two-year enlistment. He was discharged from the Navy Reserve on January 10, 1919 at Naval Base, Norfolk. After his years in the military he worked as a porter for a clothing store in Norfolk.

Charles Henry Coleman passed on August 7, 1980 at the age of eighty-two. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia.

 

 

Sources:

“Charles Henry Coleman,” World War I History Commission Questionnaires, Library of Virginia.

Death Certificate for Charles Henry Coleman, August 20 1980, File No. 80-024925 Department of Health-Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Richmond, VA.

United States Census, 1910-1940

 

 

David Malone is a history major at Norfolk State University.

 

James Albert Kettrell was born May 8, 1895 or 1896 in Princess Anne County, Virginia now the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. James A. Kettrell’s parents were, Frank Kettrell a farmer and Lu Ella/Ella Kettrell a home maker. The Kettrell family, including James and his five brothers and sisters (Daniel, Iona, Frank J., Ella, and Palmer), lived on Salem Road near the intersection of Stumpy Lake Road. The Kettrells’ had seventh child who died before 1900. James Kettrell received an only elementary school education in Princess Anne County, since the county made no previsions for secondary education of African Americans.  James worked as a farm hand and general laborer before the war.

He lived at 1018 Dunbar Street, Norfolk, Virginia. when he was inducted into the Army on July 18. 1918. James Kettrell was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia for his army training, On October 28, 1918, he was assigned to Company B, 446 Regiment at Camp Mills, Long Island, New York. He was sent back to Camp Lee, Virginia for discharge June 6, 1919.

After being discharged from the Army, James worked at the Naval Base as a laborer. James lived with his older sister Ella and her husband in Norfolk, Virginia while working at the Naval Base. James Kettrell died on May 8, 1921, at 138 Lexington Street Norfolk, Virginia, He died of Phthisis Pulmonalis or Tuberculosis at the age of 25. James Albert Kettrell was buried in Princess Anne County, Virginia

Sources:

“James Albert Kettrell,” United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1895-1896. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC.

United States Census, 1900, 1920.

Two students worked on this biography. Waverly Williams is a history major and Brittney Belcher is an AROTC cadet at Norfolk State University

 

 

Kesler Duvalle Cherry was born on Thursday April 18^th, 1895 in Norfolk, Virginia to Charles S. Cherry and Emma Gray. Kesler had a younger brother named Charles, who was four years younger than him. The Cherrys lived on Washington Ave in the Tanner’s Creek District of Norfolk, Virginia. They were devout Baptists and raised their son as such in the early part of his life. Kesler Cherry attended John T. West School which was also known as Tanner’s Creek School No.4 or Barborville School. John T. West School was a historic school for African-American children that sought to teach students on a high school level located in Norfolk, Virginia. After high school Cherry continued his education at Norfolk Mission College. He would not go on to finish his education but instead Cherry chose a path to serve his country.

On June 4^th 1918, Cherry enlisted as a private into the Virginia National Guard of Army. While in the service, Cherry trained at Hampton Institute which is now Hampton University, as a Private in the Students Army Training Corp (SATC).  Due to heavy segregation in the Army during that time, African-American soldiers where in separate units away from their white counterparts. While at Hampton Institute, he worked as an electrical instructor while still in service to the country. Cherry was enlisted for several months and saw no combat, due to the fact that he was in the Students Army Training Corp (SATC) program. On December 16^th, 1918 Cherry was honorably discharged and rated as an electrical sergeant in his colored unit. However, his rate held no real value in the Army and therefore was not warranted. When asked about his attitude towards the military Cherry stated, “I really wanted to do service on the other side, the reason I enlisted.”

After being discharged from service, Cherry went back home to Norfolk, Virginia where continued his work as an electrician’s helper. He was never married and did not father any children. On May 12^th 1929, Cherry died and was later buried at the African American Calvary Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia. Calvary Cemetery was the first cemetery in Norfolk that buried African American veterans of all military services and eventually African Americans from all occupations.

Sources:

“Kesler D. Cherry,” Find A Grave.org Available online: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=102583809 December 8, 2016.

United States Census, 1900-1920.

Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

“National Register Information System”. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.

 

Aaron Jones is an ROTC cadet at Norfolk State University.