Clarence William McGowan

Clarence was born October 15, 1896 to parents William and Esther (Duxbury) McGowan in Eden Township, Pipestone, Minnesota. He had two older brothers, Edwin Raymond (February 3, 1883) and Leslie Ezra (July 20, 1892). By 1910, his family had moved to South Dakota and lived near White in Brookings County. William had noted on the Census for that year that his occupation was 'notable cripple' though no indication was given as to the reason for this status change (previously he had been a day laborer). Clarence had completed his fifth year in school and would not go any further, instead staying home and helping his family.

​

His military draft registration, denoting him as medium height, medium build with blue eyes and brown hair, is stamped June 5, 1918. When the numbers were assigned for the call on July 4, 1918, he was number 21 (see image below). By July 31, 1918 he was at Camp Joseph E. Johnston in Florida (see Roster of Company #34, Labor Regiment, QMC). By November 30th, he was in Camp Funston, KS per the Roster of Company F 41st Infantry (see Rosters for Camp Funston for November 30 and December 31, 1918). The Master Index document for McGowan, Clarence William shows that he served until May 20, 1919 (see image below).

​

After the war​, Clarence and his brother Leslie returned to live with is parents in White, SD. Their father passed away in 1925 while visiting family in Sumner, WA; and while this may not be the reason, by 1928, Clarence has moved to Helena, Montana and is marrying a young lady formerly from Sturgis, SD named Gladys Marguerite Tracy on December 1st. Clarence worked as a salesman for the Schaeffer Oil Co of Helena while supporting his wife and newborn son, Donald Chauncey (July 18, 1931). By the record of the 1940 Census, Clarence had taken to the occupation of Farming in Stevens, Montana. Gladys passed away on July 13, 1971 in Umatilla, Oregon. Clarence survived her for almost three years but on March 2, 1974, Clarence passed away in Seattle, Washington.

​​​

_____________________
 

Co F 41st Infantry, WWI

The 41st was ordered to be organized by the War Department on 18 July 1917, about three months after the American entry into World War I, from National Guard units from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington state, and Wyoming. Additional units from Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the District of Columbia were later added to complete the division.

In France the 41st Division received a major disappointment when it was designated a replacement division and did not go into combat as a unit. The majority of its infantry personnel went to the 1st, 2nd, 32nd and 42nd Infantry Divisions where they served throughout the war.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/41st_Infantry_Division_(United_States)

 

_________________________________