Post History
Our Post History goes way back into the History of Greenville and Darke County, Ohio. To give you a look back in time we have listed some of the events here as they appeared in the newspapers and Offical Military Roster's of the time. These papers are The Richmond Palladuim / Sun Telegram and The Greenville Journal and the Ohio Soldiers Roster in WWI.
Post 140 is named after Erk M. Cottrell, so who was Erk M. Cottell. Well, he was born in North Star, Darke Co., OH on March 24th 1892. He later lived at 232 East 4th St. in Greenville, OH and enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 15th 1917. He was stationed at Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Indiana in the 329th Infantry Division and also at Camp Sherman in Ohio. On June 12th 1918 he was shipped over to France as part of the Allied Expeditionary Force. He later served in the 126th Infantry during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He was Killed-in-Action at Romagne, France. He was then buried at Cemetery C-280 in France. The government then notified his father James A. Cottrell and his mother Mary in Greenville, OH of the lost of their son. Lt. Erk Cottrell WW1 
Now let us look back at the stories that people read in the newspapers then.
THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM and SUN-TELEGRAM –Sept. 29, 1919
GREENVILLE, The American Legion here was organized last Thursday day night (Sept. 25, 1919) with thirty-seven members and has been named Erk Cottrell post,
in honor of Lieutenant Erk Cottrell, of this city, who lost his life in France.
THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM and SUN-TELEGRAM –Nov. 09, 1920 Armistice Edition
Many Darke County Boys
Made Supreme Sacrifice
GREENVILLE, Nov. 9th The following Is an incomplete list of the service men of Darke County who died in the service or in camp:
Clarence Schultr., Greenville, killed in action; Orville Fourman. Greenville, killed in action; Elmo C. Wise, Bradford, O., died of wounds; Holme Russard, New Madison, killed in action; Chance Ludy, Arcanum, killed in action; Frank Kyle, Gettysburg, died of disease Raymond Mangen, Rossburg, died disease; Denver Ratliff, Greenville, died of wounds; John II. Frobe, Greenville, killed in action; Charles A. Winn. Ansonia, died of disease; Pearly McQuay, Arcanum, died of disease; Elmer C. Oerthman, Versailles, died of disease; Alva Shnltz, Ansonia, died of disease; Earl Mikesell. New Madison, died of disease; Jesse Zeeck, New Madison, died of disease. Claude Fifer. Union City, killed in action; Andy Bobenmoyer, Greenville, died of wounds; John C. Dyers. Arcanum, killed in action; Ora J. Douglass, Greenville, died of wounds; General Edward Sigerfoos, Greenville, died of wounds; Leo Finnarn, Greenville, died of wounds; Merle II. Dull, Arcanum, drowned at sea; Russell II. Swadener, Arcanum, drowned at sea; Lieutenant Erk Cottrell, Greenville, killed in action. James Minnich, Greenville, killed in action; Basil Shuff, Arcanum, died of disease; Deo Lutz, Greenville, killed in railroad accident; Leroy Farst, New Madison, killed in action: Leo B. Kothman, Burketsville, died of wounds; Harry Thomas, Union City, died of disease; Gus J. Pequinot, Versailles, killed in action; Robert A. Shank, Arcanum, killed in action; Claude A. Byrne, Union City, died of disease; Keppel Brock, Ithaca, died of disease.
THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM and SUN-TELEGRAM –Jan. 27, 1921
GREENVILLE, Jan. 27th. Announcement has been made by Erk Cottrell Post, American Legion, they have announced that they have secured an official government film, showing the 26th and 37th divisions in action overseas and it will be shown in a local movie theater in the near future. This film will be of great interest to the people of Darke County, as many of the local boys were members of the 37th division and are shown in the film.
THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM and SUN-TELEGRAM –Feb. 07, 1921
GREENVILLE LEGION WILL SHOW MOVIES OF OVERSEAS TROOPS
GREENVILLE, Feb. 7th. Next Monday and Tuesday have been fixed as the dates for showing the films of the 37th division overseas, according to members of Erk Cottrell Post. American Legion, who are bringing the film to this city. Actual combat scenes, taken by the signal corps, are shown, which will be interesting to residents of this county, as practically all local overseas veterans served in this division. The local American Legion post has announced that any former soldier identifying himself on the film will be given a duplicate print of the picture.
THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM and SUN-TELEGRAM –Sept. 01, 1921
Body of Greenville War Victim to Arrive Soon
(Special to The Palladium)
GREENVILLE, Sept. 1st. A telegram received by Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Cottrell, Washington avenue, announced the arrival of the remains of Lieut. Erk M. Cottrell, their son, at Hoboken, N. J. The deceased was killed in action during the World war on Oct. 9, 1918, at the age of 27 years. Erk Cottrell Post, American Legion, which bears the name of the dead soldier, will have charge of the funeral services, but as yet no arrangements have been made, as the remains will not arrive in Greenville for several days at least.
THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM and SUN-TELEGRAM –Sept. 12, 1921
GREENVILLE, Sept. 12th Funeral Services.
The body of Erk Cottrell, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Cottrell, who was killed in action, Oct. 9, 1918, was expected to arrive in Greenville. Saturday evening. Young Cottrell was a Lieutenant in the 329th Infantry, Eighty-third division. The Erk Cottrell Post, American Legion, of Greenville, was named in his honor.
THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM and SUN-TELEGRAM –Sept. 14, 1921
Cottrell Funeral Held.
Funeral services over the remains of Erk M. Cottrell, Second Lieutenant in the World War, killed in France, Oct. 7, 1918, whose body was sent home for burial, was held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence of his parents at 531 Washington Avenue, and was largely attended. Rev. Youmans, Pastor of the Christian Church, delivered the sermon and funeral services were held under the auspices of Erk Cottrell Post, American Legion and the body given a military burial in Greenville cemetery.
The American Legion is the largest wartime Veterans' organization with nearly 15,000 local Posts throughout America and over 3 million members who care about America, Veterans, their families and our nation's youth. As you reviewed the information above and saw the names of those veterans think what it would have been like to actually see them and talk with them and hear their veteran stories. Well our Legion Post 140 is involved in a National Project for military veterans to record and video tape their veteran stories for preservation in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. so please go to the next history page and take a look at how you as a Veteran can participate.
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