Kenora Great War Project

 

Personal Details
Date of BirthSeptember 7, 1892
Place of BirthNorman, Ontario
CountryCanada
Marital StatusSingle
Next of KinAlexander Adams, Dugdale, Minnesota, USA
Trade / CallingFarmer
Service Details
Regimental Number3128086
ForceAmerican Expeditionary Forces
Branch157th Infantry Regiment, 40th Division
Address at EnlistmentDugdale, Minnesota, USA
Date of EnlistmentMay 27, 1918
Age at Enlistment25
Theatre of ServiceEurope
Survived WarYes
Death Details
Date of DeathJanuary 11, 1974
Age at Death81
Buried AtMaple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing, Minnesota, USA
Plot4-9-7 w 1/2

Adams, Harold Craig

Harold Craig Adams was born on 7 September 1892 in Norman, Ontario, a community now amalgamated with Kenora in northwestern Ontario. His parents Alexander John Adams and Harriet Christie Farrell were both from Canada but likely married in 1883 in Minnesota, United States. Their first child, daughter Edith Electra was born in 1884 in Minnesota before the family moved to Norman where Alexander worked as a carpenter. Children born in Norman or nearby Rat Portage (later renamed Kenora) were Cora May (1886), Reuben Lloyd (1888), Edna Lucy (1890), Harold, twins Lester Alexander and Hester Isabel (1894), and Maude Harriet (1897). By the time of the 1900 US census the family was living in Dugdale in the Township of Tilden in Polk County, Minnesota where Alexander first worked as a carpenter and then later the family farmed. Children born in Minnesota after the move were Earl Douglas (1900), Robert Murray (1902), Alice Pearl (1904), Arthur Gerald (1906), and Allen Glen Ernest (1911).

Along with his brother Lester, Harold signed his WW1 Draft Registration card on 6 May 1917 in Tilden. Single, his year of birth was given as 1893, residence as Dugdale, and occupation as farmer. He enlisted on 27 May 1918, signing a Petition for Naturalization on 27 July at Camp Kearney. As a Private with A Company, 157th Infantry Regiment, 40 Division, Harold embarked from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for overseas aboard the City of Bombay on 7 August. His next of kin on the passenger list was given as his father Alexander in Dugdale. After the war Harold returned to the United States aboard the Luchenbach, arriving in Brooklyn, New York on 11 April 1919. Having been promoted to Corporal, his unit was given as the Camp Dodge Detachment, 157th Infantry on the passenger list. Further details of Harold’s service are unknown.

Harold’s brother Lester enlisted in July of 1918 and served overseas as a Private with the 54th Pioneer Infantry Regiment. He returned to the United States in late June of 1919.

At the time of the 1920 US census Harold was living on the family farm with his parents and some of his siblings, occupation given as farm labourer. On 28 May 1924, in nearby Crookston, he married Maude Ellen Jones. Born on 28 May 1902 in Minnesota, Maude was likely the daughter of Owen and Cora Jones who were farming in Godfrey in the area at the time of the 1920 census. After the marriage Harold and Maude first lived in the International Falls, Koochiching area, giving birth to children Glenn Richard and Irene Harriet. By the 1930 census they were farming in the Township of Tilden, Polk, and by the 1940 census were listed as in Island Lake, Mahnomen, just south of nearby Lengby. Harold was listed in the census as a farm operator on a private farm. Other children born to the family were sons Robert and Morgan and daughter Donna.

Harold signed his WW2 Registration card on 25 April 1942. Standing 6 feet tall, he had blue eyes and gray hair. At the time his mailing address was RR1 Lengby, MN, year and place of birth was given as 1893 in Kenora, place of employment as WPA (Work Projects Administration) in Fosston, Polk, and his wife Maude in Lengby as the person who would always know his address.

Harold died on 11 January 1974 in Hibbing, Minnesota. At the time of his death he was survived by his wife Maude, adult children and their families, and siblings Earl Douglas (d 1976 in International Falls, MN), Maude Harriet (Forrest) Wilson (d 1978 in Olympia, WA), Alice Pearl (Donald) Schegel (d 1988 in Hoquiam, WA), and Allen Glen (1989 in Camas, WA). He was predeceased by his mother Harriet in 1931 and father Alexander in 1932, both interred in the Maple Bay Cemetery in Maple Bay, Polk in Minnesota. He was also predeceased by siblings Edith (William) Nephew (1934 in Fertile, MN), Hester Isabel (John) Morefield (1937 in Eugene, OR), Edna Lucy (George) Dukek (1944 in Grand Forks County, ND), Reuben Lloyd (1950 in Dallas County, TX), Lester Alexander (1952 in Mizpah, MN), Cora May (John) Dukek (1962 in Fosston, MN), Robert Murray (1970 in Olympia, WA), and Arthur Gerald (1973 in Skagit, WA). Harold’s wife Maude died on 22 September 1983 in Steele County, Minnesota. Harold and Maude are interred in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing.

By Judy Stockham

 

Adams-Harold-Craig-2 Adams-Harold-Craig-3 Adams-Harold-Craig-4 Adams-Harold-Craig-5 Adams-Harold-Craig-6 Adams-Harold-Craig-7

Grave marker photographs provided by J. Huntley.


« Back To Soldier Biographies