Local Veterans Service Organizations
American Legion Posts
Garrett Cochran 1876 - 1918
(photo courtesy of American Legion Post 1)
American Legion Post 1
Garrett Cochran
10 E. 3rd St.
Williamsport , PA 17701
Phone: 570-323-9409
Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month, 8:00pm
Post 1 - Pennsylvania’s First American Legion Post
The Legion was founded on March 15, 1919, during a caucus convened in Paris, France, by Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt,son of President Teddy Roosevelt. One of the colonel’s friends with whom he talked about his plans was Carl A. Schug, later a district attorney of Lycoming County. Mr. Schug was enthusiastic about the idea of a veteran’s organization and, although hospitalized in France, backed it strongly.
When, in May 1919, a caucus was called by Roosevelt for St. Louis, Mayor Archibald M. Hoagland appointed Byron C. Houck,then city clerk, and Lydell S. Spangle, later a chief clerk to the county commissioners, to represent Williamsport. They attended.
Enroute home, Mr. Spangle was present in a railroad coach wile Colonel Roosevelt, Franklin Dolier and George Tyler, two Pennsylvanians, discussed launching the Legion in this state. They faced the problem of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh vying for Post No. 1. At this point Mr. Spangle suggested the honor of the first unit be given to “a Central Pennsylvania city” with Nos.2 and 3 going to the metropolitan cities.
His idea was endorsed with the result that Williamsport became the home of Pennsylvania’s first American Legion Post; Mr. Schug was chosen first commander; Mr. Spangle, the first adjutant; with Mr. Houck and Carl W. Herdic being prominent in organizational efforts.
War Memorial at Hughesville
Memorial Closeup
American Legion Posts
Sign at Post 35, Hughesville
Plaque at Post 35, Hughesville
The following is reprinted from the 1952 Souvenir Booklet commemorating the 100th anniversary of Hughesville, PA. In that publication, it was noted that the following article appeared originally in a November 1918 edition of the Hughesville Mail.
Hughesville was awakened at 4:15 o’clock on Monday morning by the ringing of the Methodist church bell by the pastor, the Rev. J. C. Young,after he was notified of the armistice by Burgess Lyon. It was but a few minutes until the whistles, bells, and fire alarms spread the good news of the end of World War I. The streets were filled with people, overjoyed with the news, a bonfire was lighted, and a parade was formed. A thanksgiving service was held in the afternoon at the Methodist Church, which was very well attended. When the world was celebrating the great victory, one heart was made sad by the news of the death of her son in action at the front. The following letter came to Mrs. Addie Sharrow at Philadelphia, Pa., dated Oct. 12, 1918:
"Dear Madam: It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter, yet I would not miss the opportunity to express my sympathy and the sympathy of the battery to you in your hour of bereavement."Your son, Glenn, joined us at Souge [France], where he had a detail in the artillery school. He could not endure to lose his chance to do his bit at the Front, and came up with us. He has been a great help to me in the battery and his work always recommended him for higher rank. "He fell serving his gun under shellfire and death was instantaneous. I have personally seen to it that he had a suitable burial, and that his grave is properly marked.
Sincerely, Charles W. Gallagher, Capt. 13th F. A., Comdg Btry 'F'."
The body of Corporal Sharrow was returned to Hughesville Sept. 7, 1921, and he was buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery on Sept. 9th, with full military honors, conducted by the Post, which bears his name—Glenn Sharrow Post No.35, American Legion, Hughesville.
NOTE: According to the 1910 Federal Census, it is recorded that Glenn (who was 13 years old at the time) lived in Hughesville with his parents,Elmer (who was 45 years old and worked as a filer at a saw mill) and Adeline, who was 38. Glenn also had a 16 year-old brother, Clayton, and two sisters, Pearl, age 19, and Martha, age 11. Records held at the Lycoming County Courthouse state that Glenn Sharrow was born January 10, 1897 and entered the military on Sept. 16, 1915 when he was 18 years old. He was killed in action in France on October 3, 1918.He was 21 years old.
Glenn Sharrow
76 N. Main St.
Hughesville , PA 17737
Phone: 570-584-2123
George Webster Pepperman
P.O. Box 211
Jersey Shore , PA 17740
Phone: 570-398-4174
Eugene Grafius1312 Broad St.
Montoursville , PA 17754
Phone: 570-368-9000
Bower Decker185 Broad St.
Montgomery , PA 17752
Phone: 570-547-2039
Roland Ritter
515 Legion Rd.
Muncy , PA 17756
Phone: 570-546-5210
Royal P. Steinbacher901 Market Street
South Williamsport, PA 17702
Phone: 570-327-0255
Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts
Edward J. Smith Post
12 N Market St
Muncy, PA 17756
Phone: 570-546-3820
201 N Lincoln Ave
Jersey Shore, PA 17740
Phone: 570-865-6216
Le Roy O. Buck Post
150 Shaffer St
Williamsport, PA 17702
Phone: 570-323-1579
P.O. Box 8046
Williamsport, PA 17701
Website: http://www.dar.org/
(Korean War Veterans Memorial on Wahoo Drive, Williamsport)
P.O. Box 3232
Williamsport, PA 17701
Contact Howard Wilt, Phone: 570-745-3775
(to arrange military funerals)
Info being updated
La Societe des Quarante Hommes at Huit Chevaux is an independent fraternal organization of U. S. veterans,more commonly known as the Forty & Eight.
The Forty & Eight was formed in 1920 by American Legionnaires as an honor society and from its earliest days it has been committed to charitable aims. Membership is by invitation for members of the American Legion who have shown exemplary service. All Forty & Eight members are thus veterans of congressionally recognized wartime periods via their Legion membership.
The Forty & Eight’s titles and symbols reflect its First World War origins. American servicemen in France were transported to the battle front on narrow gauge French railroads (Chemin de Fer) inside boxcars (Voitures) that were half the size of American boxcars. Each French boxcar was stenciled with a “40/8”, denoting its capacity to hold either forty men or eight horses. This ignominious and uncomfortable mode of transportation was familiar to all who traveled from the coast to the trenches; a common small misery among American soldiers who thereafter found “40/8” a lighthearted symbol of the deeper service, sacrifice and unspoken horrors of war that truly bind those who have borne the battle. (from http://fortyandeight.org)
Marine Corps League Inc.
507 Cemetery Street ,Williamsport ,Pa. 17701
Commandant Barron Zimmers
Phone: 570-323-9900
Chapter 47
P.O. Box 3372
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-244-6649
Meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10 E. Third Street, Wmspt @6:oopm