Visit the National Genealogy Trails Site

McLean County Home

Visit the Illinois Genealogy Trails Site

WWI
Y. M. C. A.
(Young Men's Christian Association)
McLean County, Illinois
(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

The work of the Young Men's Christian Association of Bloomington during the Great War was directed along two very important lines, that of taking care of the boys who were in the Training Camps in this country and those who embarked for camps in other countries and those who were at the front. The task of enlisting men to minister to the comforts of our boys both in camp and at the front was of such a stupendous nature that it early became necessary to enlist men of high character and of ability to perform this service. The Bloomington Association received and passed upon almost sixty applications and accepted for actual service in the field twenty men. These men were enlisted and accepted for their arduous task in the home Association and worked under the direct supervision of the National War Council. The association was proud to list among the twenty who went from this county the following: William Wallis, Ralph McCarroll, Elmer W. Gavins of Normal, Elmer Packard of Normal, D. C. Ridgely of Normal, D. E. Hagin, Rev. Moore of Lexington, Rev. E. K. Masterson of Normal, G. Kimball of Lincoln, B. C. Moore, County Superintendent of Schools, E. E. Haines of Normal, Gannon J. Gates, 236 Front street, Bloomington, and others who were recruited indirectly through the local committee for this work. These men performed a valiant service for our boys, both at home and abroad, that will never be forgotten. The secretaries of the local Association were instrumental in bringing comforts to the boys while enroute from one camp to another in that they served as secretaries on troop trains, and in other ways served the boys while enroute. Free privileges were given at the Y. M. C. A. building to over 10,000 soldiers and sailors, who greatly appreciated the comforts of, the institution. The building was also headquarters for various departments of the Red Cross. At one time most of the second floor was given over entirely to this work. McLean County contributed during 1917 and 1918 over $200,000 to carry on the work of the Y. M. C. A. in this country and overseas. The boys of the Y. M. C. A. were active participants in all of the loan drives, in the Thrift Stamp drive and in all Red Cross and other activities, taking part in carrying out such details as distributing posters, soliciting loan subscriptions and many other details which boys could be called upon to handle. More than two-thirds of the time of the General Secretary was given to war activities of some form. On account of the large call for manpower, the Bloomington Y. M. C. A. was almost stripped of help during part of the war. General Secretary A. J. Luebbers and the janitor were at times the only men on the job in the building. The Association organization during the war consisted of: H. O. Stone, president; Campbell Holton, vice presi- dent; G. A. Washburn, treasurer; and the following directors: F. R. Bean, J. A. Beck, Paul F. Beich, Charles Brokaw, L. M. Crosthwait, C. E. Dagenhart, C. B. Hughes, W. H. Johnson, Henry Keiser, B. M. Kuhn, F. H. Mclntosh, H. B. Patton, Frank Rice, W. D. Snow, J. K. Stableton, W. A. Whitcomb. The National War Work Committee of the Bloomington Association who examined all applicants for war work in the local association, consisted of H. O. Stone, Mark Evans, Rev. W. B. Hindman, AV. D. Snow and General Secretary Luebbers. [McLean County, Illinois, in the World War, 1917-1918; by Edward E. Pierson & Jacob Louis Hasbrouck c 1921]

HOME