PVT Elmer A. Albertson

Private Elmer A Albertson, born in Brandon, Minnesota 16 Dec 1891, was the oldest son of Albert E and Mary E Albertson. Elmer was baptized in Elbow Lake, Minnesota, on 15 May 1892 through St. Peter Lutheran Church in Evansville. Brandon, Evansville and Elbow Lake are in west central Minnesota 90 miles southeast of Fargo, North Dakota.

In the 1900 census 8 year-old Elmer is living in Urness, Douglas County, MN., with his parents and siblings Elling (7), Carl (6), twins Alfred and Milford (4), Kristina (2), and Clara (7 mos). Urness is 8 miles southwest of Brandon. His father is a farm laborer. His mother was born in Norway. In the 1910 census 18 year-old Elmer is living and working as a servant in the household of Arne B and Maria Lunde in Wanamingo, Goodhue County, Mn. Wanamingo is 62 miles south southeast of Minneapolis. Elmer moved to South Dakota in 1912. In the 1915 South Dakota state census 23 year-old Elmer is living in Harding County.

At the time of his 1917 draft registration Elmer lived in Bullock, Harding County, in extreme northwestern South Dakota. Bullock, established in 1911, is now a ghost town. The post office closed in 1957. Elmer was assigned to the 9th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd US Division.

At the beginning of the century the U.S. Army dispatched the 9th Infantry Regiment to Qing China during the Boxer Rebellion and the China Relief Expedition where the regiment earned the nickname "Manchus". In early October 1917, the Manchus deployed to France as part of the "Indianhead" 2nd Infantry Division. During the course of the war, 9th infantrymen earned battle streamers for their colors at Lorraine, He de France, Aisne-Marne, and St. Mihiel. In 1918, the Manchu Regiment received the French Fourragère for gallantry during the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

Soldiers of the Great War, South Dakota lists Privates: Albertson, Elmer A., as Died of Wounds so he must have been mortally wounded in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, Montana) 11 Dec 1918, Wed – Page 3 – ROLL OF HONOR – The following casualties are reported by the commanding general of the American expeditionary forces. – NORTHWEST CASUALTIES – Died of Wounds: Privates: Elmer A. Albertson, Bullock, S.D.

PVT Elmer A. Albertson