Military Monday - The Steinbrecher Brothers in World War I

My grandfather and his brothers contributed to the American Cause during World War I. 

They were the children of John William Steinbrecher who immigrated from Russia in 1892.

My grandfather was:
John Steinbrecher, born 22 June 1894 at Wauseon, OH.  He enlisted in the Army on 24 June 1918 as a Private in the 336th Infantry.  He was honorably discharged at Camp Sherman, OH on 9 December 1918.

John Steinbrecher in 1918

His older brother Henry Steinbrecher was born 10 September 1890 at Saratov, Russia.  He enlisted in the Army at Wauseon, OH on 2 October 1917.  Prior to going overseas he married Rosa Kaiser on 24 March 1918 at Fulton Co., OH.  He was part of the American Expeditionary Forces beginning 6 June 1918, first joining Compay A 329 Infantry until 29 July 1918, then Company B 38 Infantry.  The 38th Infantry fought in the Second Battle of the Marne, one of the turning points of the war in Europe.  He died of wounds on 17 October 1918 in France.

Henry and Rosa (Kaiser) Steinbrecher in 1918

His younger brother Lorenz Louis Steinbrecher was born 18 September 1898 at Fulton Co., OH.  He was living in Hammond, IN but joined the Army at Defiance, OH on the same date his older brother died.  He was at the Student's Army Training Corps at the College at Defiance until his honorable discharge on 20 December 1918. 

The Students Army Training Corps was a program started by the U.S. War Department during WWI that was designed to use existing colleges and universities to train new military personnel.  In addition to the usual college courses, there was daily instruction in military procedure.

An ad from The Herald of Gospel Liberty, published by Defiance College

Their oldest brother was William Steinbrecher, born 13 August 1882 in Russia.   He registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 while living at Lenawee Co., MI.  He was 36 years old and was not called upon to serve.

Their youngest brother was Arthur E. Steinbrecher, born 25 May 1906 at Wauseon, OH.  He was only 12 years old when the Great War ended.

Military Monday - Nathaniel Ormsby

I would like to pay tribute to one of my Revolutionary War Ancestors, Nathaniel Ormsby.

Nathaniel Ormsby who was born on 7 November 1734 at Norwich, CT, the son of Samuel and Dinah (Fisher) Ormsby.  He married Elizabeth Perkins on 7 May 1759 at Norwich, CT.  She was born 28 March 1740 at Norwich, CT to Robert and Lydia (Bushnell) Perkins. 

Nathaniel served as an Ensign in the French and Indian War.

Nathaniel and Elizabeth had 8 children:
1.  Nathaniel Ormsby
2. Lydia Ormsby, born 24 February 1761 at Norwich, CT
3. Anne Ormsby, born 11 January 1763 at Norwich, CT
4. Salle Ormsby, born 15 September 1765 at Norwich, CT
5. Elizabeth Ormsby, born 1 September 1768 at Norwich, CT
6. Samuel Ormsby, born 10 November 1770 at Norwich, CT and died there 3 April 1771.
7. Eunice Ormsby, born 26 November 1772 at Norwich, CT and married Ezra Phillips, Jr.
8. Samuel Ormsby, born 30 August 1775 at Norwich, CT and married Rachel Day.

In 1776, Nathaniel moved his family to the "far west", now known as Hampshire Co., MA.  The following year, he volunteered in the Continental Army.   He served as a Private in Col. Nixon's Sixth Regiment from 15 May 1777.  He was captured by the British and died at Albany, NY while captive on 25 October 1777.

After his death, Elizabeth married Deacon William P. Miller on 24 September 1778 at Huntington, MA and had two more children.

Nathaniel was one of thousands who were held captive by the British during the Revolutionary War.  Approximately 80% of those POW's died in captivity.