Ross McGee Obituary

ROSS McGEE DIES AT CAMP MEADE

Wednesday morning Mr. and Mrs. Oscar McGee received a message that their son, Private Ross McGee, Co. C. Third Training Battalion, Signal Corps, had died of influenza at Camp Meade, Md., where he had been sent on his way overseas. He had been at Camp Meade about three weeks and had been ill with influenza about ten days. Hiawatha relatives telegraphed for more information, but up to the time the World went to press had received no word. The body will be shipped to Hiawatha for burial.

Ross McGee was born in Hiawatha Township and a number of years ago moved with his parents to Hiawatha. For a number of years he worked for the Hiawatha Light, Power & Ice Co., and later for Frank Daeschner. He was 31 years old and registered for draft June 5, 1917. Ross waived claim for deferred classification. June 15 of this year Ross was sent to the vocational training school at Lawrence and later was sent to Ft. Leavenworth for training in the signal corps. Ross was able to get 48 hour passes each week end and he took advantage of every opportunity to visit home. He said he felt he should do this because he did not know how long he would be gone. And now the relatives and friends feel comforted because of these visits.

Ross McGee was very popular among the young men and Wednesday there was general expression of regret because his call came. He developed into a fine looking soldier and his name is honored because he is the first from Hiawatha City to give his life in our present cause.