ISHPEMING — The military’s list of those from Ishpeming who died in the First World War has only three names on it, not the almost 20 names it should have.

The very first Ishpeming native to die in combat during the First World War, Edward Lind, would not have made the U.S. military’s list of war dead as he died in November of 1916, fighting as part of the Canadian Army.

“Edward Lind, son of Erick Lind, of this city, was killed a short time ago on the Somme front in France, where he was fighting with one of the Canadian regiments, according to word received by his father this week from the Canadian military authorities.

The young man, who was 25 years of age, left Ishpeming about a year ago to engage in diamond drill work in Canada, he having had considerable experience in that class of work. Soon after reaching that country, he became quite interested in the European war and the part that Canada was playing and applied for a place in one of the new regiments that was being formed. He spent some time in training in Canada and then was sent with other troops to England, where he remained for a short time before going across the channel to France.” (Iron Ore, November 14, 1916)

Edward was not the only Ishpeming resident who was killed during the first World War while serving for the Canadian Army.

“Sam Huot, 660 Pine St., last evening received a telegram from the director of records at Ottowa, Canada, stating that his son, Henry Huot, who was dangerously wounded about three weeks ago, died Saturday, Oct. 26. The young man went to Toronto, Jan. 17, 1918, where he enlisted with the Canadian Engineers. After a few weeks training at St. Johns, Canada, he was transferred to Sussex, England. On June 12 he left for France, and within two weeks was in the trenches where he remained up to the time he was wounded.

The deceased was 29 years of age and was born in the Copper Country, coming to Ishpeming with his parents when a baby. He was employed for several years by the Oliver Iron Mining company. His parents yesterday received letters from him, written the week of Oct. 5.” (Mining Journal, November 9, 1918)

Henry had tried to enlist in the U.S. Army several times but failed to pass the physical. He had a brother, Oliver, who enlisted in the U.S. Army and was somewhere in France. A second brother, William died on Nov. 3, 1926 when he was working in the Barnes-Hecker EMine.

Henry was buried in a cemetery in Belgium. Over 100 years later, his grave was part of the “Adopt a U.S. Tommy” organization. The person who adopted his grave reached out to Ishpeming’s city hall for more information and perhaps living relatives, and in 2023, two of Henry’s grand nieces were able to visit his grave in Flanders Field.

Not all of the Ishpeming deaths attributed to the First World War happened in France. Some of the enlistees never even reached France. Accidents happened, but the most common cause of death was disease, as the barracks were breeding grounds for disease.

“Richard Johnson, son of John T. Johnson, corner Third and High streets, passed away Saturday morning, after five days illness with spinal meningitis, contracted at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station.

Young Johnson arrived home a week ago yesterday on a four-day furlough, together with a number of other young men from this city who are in training there. He was feeling well when he left camp and when he arrived home but was taken ill the next evening and from the first his condition had been serious. Two other young men with whom he had come in contact died from the disease a short time before he left Great Lakes.

The deceased, who was born and brought up in Ishpeming was one of the city’s finest young men. He was of a quiet and mannerly disposition and all who knew him liked him. He was 22 years of age and the only son of the family.

Young Johnson had been at the camp but a short time, he having enlisted Nov. 27. He passed one of the most perfect physical examinations of any young man now training for the nay and he always enjoyed perfect health. He told his relatives and friends upon his arrival home how well he liked the camp and his new work and expressed the hope that he would soon be sent aboard a ship. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon with services at the house.” (Mining Journal, December 31, 1917)

Richard’s funeral was well attended since it was the first funeral for an Ishpeming native involved in the First World War and it brought home the reality of the war.