EARLY YEARS: Charles Bee Webb was born on the last day of the year in 1895, December 31 in Center, Shelby County, Texas to Ellen Ora Bush and James W. Webb. His parents were married there on August 16, 1891 and had two other children, son Renzie (1892) and daughter Effie (1899). Like many at that time his father provided for the family as a farmer and no doubt the children had specific chores to help out.
PREMILITARY: On June 5, 1917, two months after the United States entered the World War, Charles registered for the military draft as required by the Selective Service Act of 1917. He registration card (Form 1, # 11) noted: home address as Center; natural born citizen; self-employed as a farmer near the Short community; single; Caucasian; no prior military service; and he listed being a farmer as an exemption to the draft. Physically he was described as short and stout with gray eyes and sandy color hair.
MILITARY SERVICE: Three months later Charles received his draft notice and took the oath of enlistment in Center on September 19, 1917 becoming US Army Private Webb, serial # 2236163. The Champion Newspaper, September 19, 1917 described the activity as "Contrary to the first instructions published in the Champion last week, the department changed the plans and called for all eighty of the men from this county to entrain from here Wednesday morning [September 19]. When this information was given out the ladies of Center became busy and called for assistance from Shelbyville, Josquin, Tenaha and Timpson to assist in getting ready comfort bags for the boys. These comfort bags were made of khaki and contained soap, buttons, needles, thread, tooth brush and paste, shaving soap, etc. The men came here Tuesday morning and many were accompanied by fathers, mothers, sisters and other relatives as well as sweethearts. The town was full of people all day and many remained over night to see the final entrainment this morning. A special program was held at the court house at 8 o'clock where Revs. Russell and Hall made splendid and timely talks and extended every encouragement to the men called to the aid of their country. This morning the soldiers formed in line on the court house lawn and marched to the station under the captainship of J. F. Willis. All stores closed at train time, schools turned our and practically every citizen of the town went to the depot". Of the eight inductees that day, two, John W. Temple and Jodie Ferguson would not survive the war.
The eighty newly enlisted men were sent to Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas to begin basic training with the 165 Depot Brigade. Upon completion of basic, Carl was assigned to Battery F, 344 Field Artillery (light) that had just been organized at Camp Travis under the 90 Division. On March 14, 1918, Charles was reassigned to Company E, Fourth Engineers, Fourth Division at Camp Green, North Carolina. At this same time his mother Ellen died on March 20 and was buried in the Short Cemetery. It is unknown whether Carl was able to attend her funeral.
OVER THERE: On April 30, 1918, a little over a month following his mothers death, Charles boarded the troopship USS Martha Washington with the Fourth Engineers at Hoboken, New Jersey and departed for the war in France. He listed his father James as the next of kin. Upon arrival some eleven days later they were sent to the commune of Samer, department of Pas-de-Calais in northern France for training. The Fourth Engineers saw combat in the Aisne-Marne Offensive, the Vesle Sector, The Toulon Sector, the Saint Mihiel Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive that ended the war on November 11, 1918. During combat operation the Fourth Division took 2,756 prisoners and suffered 12,504 casualties. The division was now assigned to the Army of Occupation and entered into Germany on December 3, 1918.
HOMECOMING: On July 21, 1919 the long awaited day arrived, Company E, Fourth Engineers departed Brest, France aboard the transport ship USS Von Steuben for the journey home to the United States. The Von Steuben with 1,419 troops aboard docked at Hoboken, New Jersey on July 29. They were then transported to nearby Camp Merrit for physicals and discharge processing along with catching up on pay matters. On September 24, 1919 after just over two years of military service, Carl was honorably discharged and awarded the World War I Victory Medal.
POST WAR: Following his discharged Carl returned to Shelby County where he and Miss Madell Murphy were married on December 26, 1919. They would be blessed with two daughters, Maxine (1922) and Ila Mae (1930). Carl worked as a farmer and laborer before moving to Houston where he was employed by the County Highway Department. On April 27, 1942 he again registered for a military draft and although not called to serve at age 45 he saw a world war begin and end in his lifetime.
FINAL YEARS: Carl, age 69, died at his home 5114 Charwon in Houston on May 5, 1965 of heart disease. His death certificate indicated that he was widowed but information about the death of his wife could not be found. Carl was buried in the Brookside Memorial Park, Houston where his brother Renzie joined him in 1983. Day is done, God is nigh.
Obituary by Larry E. Hume, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904, Center, Texas.©
PREMILITARY: On June 5, 1917, two months after the United States entered the World War, Charles registered for the military draft as required by the Selective Service Act of 1917. He registration card (Form 1, # 11) noted: home address as Center; natural born citizen; self-employed as a farmer near the Short community; single; Caucasian; no prior military service; and he listed being a farmer as an exemption to the draft. Physically he was described as short and stout with gray eyes and sandy color hair.
MILITARY SERVICE: Three months later Charles received his draft notice and took the oath of enlistment in Center on September 19, 1917 becoming US Army Private Webb, serial # 2236163. The Champion Newspaper, September 19, 1917 described the activity as "Contrary to the first instructions published in the Champion last week, the department changed the plans and called for all eighty of the men from this county to entrain from here Wednesday morning [September 19]. When this information was given out the ladies of Center became busy and called for assistance from Shelbyville, Josquin, Tenaha and Timpson to assist in getting ready comfort bags for the boys. These comfort bags were made of khaki and contained soap, buttons, needles, thread, tooth brush and paste, shaving soap, etc. The men came here Tuesday morning and many were accompanied by fathers, mothers, sisters and other relatives as well as sweethearts. The town was full of people all day and many remained over night to see the final entrainment this morning. A special program was held at the court house at 8 o'clock where Revs. Russell and Hall made splendid and timely talks and extended every encouragement to the men called to the aid of their country. This morning the soldiers formed in line on the court house lawn and marched to the station under the captainship of J. F. Willis. All stores closed at train time, schools turned our and practically every citizen of the town went to the depot". Of the eight inductees that day, two, John W. Temple and Jodie Ferguson would not survive the war.
The eighty newly enlisted men were sent to Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas to begin basic training with the 165 Depot Brigade. Upon completion of basic, Carl was assigned to Battery F, 344 Field Artillery (light) that had just been organized at Camp Travis under the 90 Division. On March 14, 1918, Charles was reassigned to Company E, Fourth Engineers, Fourth Division at Camp Green, North Carolina. At this same time his mother Ellen died on March 20 and was buried in the Short Cemetery. It is unknown whether Carl was able to attend her funeral.
OVER THERE: On April 30, 1918, a little over a month following his mothers death, Charles boarded the troopship USS Martha Washington with the Fourth Engineers at Hoboken, New Jersey and departed for the war in France. He listed his father James as the next of kin. Upon arrival some eleven days later they were sent to the commune of Samer, department of Pas-de-Calais in northern France for training. The Fourth Engineers saw combat in the Aisne-Marne Offensive, the Vesle Sector, The Toulon Sector, the Saint Mihiel Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive that ended the war on November 11, 1918. During combat operation the Fourth Division took 2,756 prisoners and suffered 12,504 casualties. The division was now assigned to the Army of Occupation and entered into Germany on December 3, 1918.
HOMECOMING: On July 21, 1919 the long awaited day arrived, Company E, Fourth Engineers departed Brest, France aboard the transport ship USS Von Steuben for the journey home to the United States. The Von Steuben with 1,419 troops aboard docked at Hoboken, New Jersey on July 29. They were then transported to nearby Camp Merrit for physicals and discharge processing along with catching up on pay matters. On September 24, 1919 after just over two years of military service, Carl was honorably discharged and awarded the World War I Victory Medal.
POST WAR: Following his discharged Carl returned to Shelby County where he and Miss Madell Murphy were married on December 26, 1919. They would be blessed with two daughters, Maxine (1922) and Ila Mae (1930). Carl worked as a farmer and laborer before moving to Houston where he was employed by the County Highway Department. On April 27, 1942 he again registered for a military draft and although not called to serve at age 45 he saw a world war begin and end in his lifetime.
FINAL YEARS: Carl, age 69, died at his home 5114 Charwon in Houston on May 5, 1965 of heart disease. His death certificate indicated that he was widowed but information about the death of his wife could not be found. Carl was buried in the Brookside Memorial Park, Houston where his brother Renzie joined him in 1983. Day is done, God is nigh.
Obituary by Larry E. Hume, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904, Center, Texas.©
EARLY YEARS: Charles Bee Webb was born on the last day of the year in 1895, December 31 in Center, Shelby County, Texas to Ellen Ora Bush and James W. Webb. His parents were married there on August 16, 1891 and had two other children, son Renzie (1892) and daughter Effie (1899). Like many at that time his father provided for the family as a farmer and no doubt the children had specific chores to help out.
PREMILITARY: On June 5, 1917, two months after the United States entered the World War, Charles registered for the military draft as required by the Selective Service Act of 1917. He registration card (Form 1, # 11) noted: home address as Center; natural born citizen; self-employed as a farmer near the Short community; single; Caucasian; no prior military service; and he listed being a farmer as an exemption to the draft. Physically he was described as short and stout with gray eyes and sandy color hair.
MILITARY SERVICE: Three months later Charles received his draft notice and took the oath of enlistment in Center on September 19, 1917 becoming US Army Private Webb, serial # 2236163. The Champion Newspaper, September 19, 1917 described the activity as "Contrary to the first instructions published in the Champion last week, the department changed the plans and called for all eighty of the men from this county to entrain from here Wednesday morning [September 19]. When this information was given out the ladies of Center became busy and called for assistance from Shelbyville, Josquin, Tenaha and Timpson to assist in getting ready comfort bags for the boys. These comfort bags were made of khaki and contained soap, buttons, needles, thread, tooth brush and paste, shaving soap, etc. The men came here Tuesday morning and many were accompanied by fathers, mothers, sisters and other relatives as well as sweethearts. The town was full of people all day and many remained over night to see the final entrainment this morning. A special program was held at the court house at 8 o'clock where Revs. Russell and Hall made splendid and timely talks and extended every encouragement to the men called to the aid of their country. This morning the soldiers formed in line on the court house lawn and marched to the station under the captainship of J. F. Willis. All stores closed at train time, schools turned our and practically every citizen of the town went to the depot". Of the eight inductees that day, two, John W. Temple and Jodie Ferguson would not survive the war.
The eighty newly enlisted men were sent to Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas to begin basic training with the 165 Depot Brigade. Upon completion of basic, Carl was assigned to Battery F, 344 Field Artillery (light) that had just been organized at Camp Travis under the 90 Division. On March 14, 1918, Charles was reassigned to Company E, Fourth Engineers, Fourth Division at Camp Green, North Carolina. At this same time his mother Ellen died on March 20 and was buried in the Short Cemetery. It is unknown whether Carl was able to attend her funeral.
OVER THERE: On April 30, 1918, a little over a month following his mothers death, Charles boarded the troopship USS Martha Washington with the Fourth Engineers at Hoboken, New Jersey and departed for the war in France. He listed his father James as the next of kin. Upon arrival some eleven days later they were sent to the commune of Samer, department of Pas-de-Calais in northern France for training. The Fourth Engineers saw combat in the Aisne-Marne Offensive, the Vesle Sector, The Toulon Sector, the Saint Mihiel Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive that ended the war on November 11, 1918. During combat operation the Fourth Division took 2,756 prisoners and suffered 12,504 casualties. The division was now assigned to the Army of Occupation and entered into Germany on December 3, 1918.
HOMECOMING: On July 21, 1919 the long awaited day arrived, Company E, Fourth Engineers departed Brest, France aboard the transport ship USS Von Steuben for the journey home to the United States. The Von Steuben with 1,419 troops aboard docked at Hoboken, New Jersey on July 29. They were then transported to nearby Camp Merrit for physicals and discharge processing along with catching up on pay matters. On September 24, 1919 after just over two years of military service, Carl was honorably discharged and awarded the World War I Victory Medal.
POST WAR: Following his discharged Carl returned to Shelby County where he and Miss Madell Murphy were married on December 26, 1919. They would be blessed with two daughters, Maxine (1922) and Ila Mae (1930). Carl worked as a farmer and laborer before moving to Houston where he was employed by the County Highway Department. On April 27, 1942 he again registered for a military draft and although not called to serve at age 45 he saw a world war begin and end in his lifetime.
FINAL YEARS: Carl, age 69, died at his home 5114 Charwon in Houston on May 5, 1965 of heart disease. His death certificate indicated that he was widowed but information about the death of his wife could not be found. Carl was buried in the Brookside Memorial Park, Houston where his brother Renzie joined him in 1983. Day is done, God is nigh.
Obituary by Larry E. Hume, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904, Center, Texas.©
PREMILITARY: On June 5, 1917, two months after the United States entered the World War, Charles registered for the military draft as required by the Selective Service Act of 1917. He registration card (Form 1, # 11) noted: home address as Center; natural born citizen; self-employed as a farmer near the Short community; single; Caucasian; no prior military service; and he listed being a farmer as an exemption to the draft. Physically he was described as short and stout with gray eyes and sandy color hair.
MILITARY SERVICE: Three months later Charles received his draft notice and took the oath of enlistment in Center on September 19, 1917 becoming US Army Private Webb, serial # 2236163. The Champion Newspaper, September 19, 1917 described the activity as "Contrary to the first instructions published in the Champion last week, the department changed the plans and called for all eighty of the men from this county to entrain from here Wednesday morning [September 19]. When this information was given out the ladies of Center became busy and called for assistance from Shelbyville, Josquin, Tenaha and Timpson to assist in getting ready comfort bags for the boys. These comfort bags were made of khaki and contained soap, buttons, needles, thread, tooth brush and paste, shaving soap, etc. The men came here Tuesday morning and many were accompanied by fathers, mothers, sisters and other relatives as well as sweethearts. The town was full of people all day and many remained over night to see the final entrainment this morning. A special program was held at the court house at 8 o'clock where Revs. Russell and Hall made splendid and timely talks and extended every encouragement to the men called to the aid of their country. This morning the soldiers formed in line on the court house lawn and marched to the station under the captainship of J. F. Willis. All stores closed at train time, schools turned our and practically every citizen of the town went to the depot". Of the eight inductees that day, two, John W. Temple and Jodie Ferguson would not survive the war.
The eighty newly enlisted men were sent to Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas to begin basic training with the 165 Depot Brigade. Upon completion of basic, Carl was assigned to Battery F, 344 Field Artillery (light) that had just been organized at Camp Travis under the 90 Division. On March 14, 1918, Charles was reassigned to Company E, Fourth Engineers, Fourth Division at Camp Green, North Carolina. At this same time his mother Ellen died on March 20 and was buried in the Short Cemetery. It is unknown whether Carl was able to attend her funeral.
OVER THERE: On April 30, 1918, a little over a month following his mothers death, Charles boarded the troopship USS Martha Washington with the Fourth Engineers at Hoboken, New Jersey and departed for the war in France. He listed his father James as the next of kin. Upon arrival some eleven days later they were sent to the commune of Samer, department of Pas-de-Calais in northern France for training. The Fourth Engineers saw combat in the Aisne-Marne Offensive, the Vesle Sector, The Toulon Sector, the Saint Mihiel Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive that ended the war on November 11, 1918. During combat operation the Fourth Division took 2,756 prisoners and suffered 12,504 casualties. The division was now assigned to the Army of Occupation and entered into Germany on December 3, 1918.
HOMECOMING: On July 21, 1919 the long awaited day arrived, Company E, Fourth Engineers departed Brest, France aboard the transport ship USS Von Steuben for the journey home to the United States. The Von Steuben with 1,419 troops aboard docked at Hoboken, New Jersey on July 29. They were then transported to nearby Camp Merrit for physicals and discharge processing along with catching up on pay matters. On September 24, 1919 after just over two years of military service, Carl was honorably discharged and awarded the World War I Victory Medal.
POST WAR: Following his discharged Carl returned to Shelby County where he and Miss Madell Murphy were married on December 26, 1919. They would be blessed with two daughters, Maxine (1922) and Ila Mae (1930). Carl worked as a farmer and laborer before moving to Houston where he was employed by the County Highway Department. On April 27, 1942 he again registered for a military draft and although not called to serve at age 45 he saw a world war begin and end in his lifetime.
FINAL YEARS: Carl, age 69, died at his home 5114 Charwon in Houston on May 5, 1965 of heart disease. His death certificate indicated that he was widowed but information about the death of his wife could not be found. Carl was buried in the Brookside Memorial Park, Houston where his brother Renzie joined him in 1983. Day is done, God is nigh.
Obituary by Larry E. Hume, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904, Center, Texas.©
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