France, Cigars, and Fort Logan
By Abby Walker and Charles Lowell
Hubert R. Badesheim
January 17, 1888 – October 3, 1964
Hubert R Badesheim was born January 17, 1888, in Nemaha County, Kansas to parents Peter and Mary Jordan Badesheim.[1] He had seven younger siblings: Elmer, Emma, Stella, Katherine, Tillie, Lily, Lloyd and Lela Badesheim. Tillie was only 21 months old when she died in 1898 after struggling with whooping cough for six weeks.[2] With Nemaha County holding a relatively small population the nearby schools in Kansas closed for an hour out of respect for the family. While Hubert was born in the United States, all four of Hubert’s grandparents were born in Germany. When Hubert was 12 years old, he was living in Mitchell, Kansas, where he was attending school and his father was working as a farmer. Hubert enlisted in the draft of the First World War on the earliest possible date: June 5, 1917, when men between 21 and 30 years of age were required to register for military service under the Selective Service Act of 1917.[3] At this time, Hubert was 29, working as a farmer in Seneca, Kansas, which is near Kansas City, Missouri, and had no dependents; however, his father passed away in 1910 and his mother passed away in 1916.[4] Hubert described himself as being of medium build and height, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. Though it is known that Hubert was a Private Ranking Engineer in the 32nd Infantry Division, it is unclear exactly what Hubert did in the war and how long he served in the military. It is clear, however, that the 32nd Infantry Division served throughout France and were part of the Army of Occupation at the conclusion of the First World War.[5] As an engineer, Hubert could have faced crucial responsibilities, such as assisting in the repairs or construction of bridges across rivers for both the heavy armor and the many troops needing to travel, as well as assisting in the repairs of rail lines that aided in the supply effort for the soldiers on the front lines. While it is unclear whether or not Hubert experienced combat while working, it is likely that he was near battles and even working through battles to re-establish lines of communication and working on the maintenance of supply lines and lines of communication.
After the war in 1920 at age 32, Hubert was living in Seneca, Kansas, working as a farmer and living with his younger sister.[6] By 1930, Hubert became a cigar salesman in Denver, Colorado. It is unclear what happened between 1920 and 1930 as no records could be found of Hubert during this time. In 1940, Hubert, aged 52, was living at 161 Hooker Street, Denver, Colorado, located in the Barnum neighborhood, and was now married to Ella, aged 48.[7] Under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, all men between ages of 18 and 64 were required to register for the Second World War, and in 1942, Hubert enlisted for World War II at the age of 54, and his place of employment was Fort Logan, CO.[8] It is unclear what Hubert did at Fort Logan or for how long he worked at Fort Logan. In 1945, Hubert and his wife were still living on Hooker Street, and while there are no records of his work at Fort Logan or his contributions to the Second World War, it is likely that he did not serve and assisted in some form from the home-front. This is the last record found of Hubert until his death at age 76 on October 3, 1964, and Hubert was buried in Fort Logan National Cemetery.
Footnotes ↓
[1] Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryuicontent/view/39636023:2442; “Charles H Queary (1894-1973) - Find A Grave...,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1098465/charles-h-queary.
[2] Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/36026818/hubert-badesheim : accessed 02 June 2021), memorial page for Hubert Badesheim
[3] Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/189933218/tillie-badesheim : accessed 02 June 2021), memorial page for Tillie Badesheim
[4] “U.S., World War I Draft Registration Card for Hubert R. Badeshim, 1917-1918,” (College Park, Maryland, n.d.)
[5] Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/52795087/peter-badesheim : accessed 02 June 2021), memorial page for Peter Badesheim
[6] “The 32D ‘Red Arrow’ Division in World War I From the ‘Iron Jaw Division’ to ‘Les Terribles,’” 32nd Division.org (32nd Infantry Division), accessed August 26, 2021, http://www.32nd-division.org/history/ww1/32-ww1.html.
[7] “Hubert R. Badeshim,” 1920 United States Federal Census, ancestry.com
[8] “Hubert R. Badeshim,” 1940 United States Federal Census, ancestry.com
[9] “World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) for the State of Kansas, Hubert R. Badeshim,” (National Archives, St. Louis, MO)
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