Keokuk Co. and the War to end all wars- 100 years since the U.S. joined WWI

In what was going to be the final edition of our special covering Keokuk County’s roll in WWI, we will take a look at all the wonderful stories, items and pieces of your family and our County’s history that you all have brought in. And because of the overabundance of information we have decided to extend our series one more week after this week’s edition. So, next week we will finish looking at all of your stories and family heirlooms that have been so graciously brought in by you, the reader. Thank you so much again for sharing your families connections with the Great War, and another special thanks to the Historical Society for all their help with this series. So without further a due your stories of WWI.

            Amy Phillips recently contacted us with a funny story that I thought would be a humorous way to transition to your stories. Here is what Amy sent in; “ I have a funny (story) about my Great Grandpa, Herald C. Bottger (from Ollie) who served in both WWI and WWII. He was born in 1900, and wasn't eighteen when the US went to war. When he enlisted, he lied about his age to serve and when they were enlisting him, they asked his name. He told them Herald C. Bottger. They told him they needed a middle name and he told them he didn't have one, just an initial, which was true. They weren't going to allow him in without a middle name, so being as ornery as he was, he made up his own middle name telling them the "C" stood for Cecil. Now mind you, he could have used either of his father's first or middle names of Charles or Christopher, but he didn't. Now Cecil is my uncle's middle name. All because Grandpa needed a name and was ornery.” Herald (Cecil) Bottger was the longest surviving WWI Veteran in Keokuk County, as he passed away at 94 years old in the mid 1990’s. He was in many parades and served as Grand Marshall for the Ollie Big Days parade at least once.

Complete article in March 29 edition of The News-Review