Private Elbert F. Mills

Akron Register-Tribune
October 17, 1918

AKRON SOLDIERS GIVE LIVES
Two More Young Men Added to Roll Who Have Made Supreme Sacrifice for Their
Country

The sad news was received by his wife and other relatives in this city
Saturday that Private Elbert F. Mills had been killed in action in France
just a month before, on September 12, 1918. The word came in the form of a
telegram from the Adjutant General’s office in Washington D.C.

Private Mills and Miss Olive Port, of this city, were married February 6,
1918. He had been employed by John Aalfs, west of town, for about two years
and was in the Union county, S.D., contingent of selected men who left Elk
Point for Camp Funston, Kansas, the 26th of last April. He was sent
overseas only a few weeks afterward, being a member of Co. K, 355th
Infantry. Mrs. Mills received the last letter from her husband under date
of September 8th. He had not then been in the front line fighting, and it
seems rather strange that he should have been killed only four days later.
It is known there was another man by the same name in his regiment, and
relatives here are hoping against hope that in this way some mistake may
have been made in the casualty report, so that further details are awaited
with great anxiety and concern.

Private Mills is remembered here as a quiet, unassuming and industrious
young man, well thought of by all who knew him. Word of his death comes as
a hard blow to the young wife, who has resided here with her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Bert Port, since his departure, and the community offers its
sympathy in her bereavement. He came here from Zionsville, Ind., where his
parents reside, and also three sisters and one brother and one sister at
Wyatt, Mo.

In honor of this young man who so heroically gave his life for his country
and that liberty and freedom might bless the world, an appropriate memorial
service will be held in Akron in the near future.

Private Mills is the third Akron young man to make the supreme sacrifice in
France, the other two being Albert Hoschler and Carl Barr. The latter was a
cousin of Mrs. Mills.

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Akron Register-Tribune, Oct. 24, 1918

Private Elbert F. Mills, of Akron, a member of Co. K., 355th Infantry,
A.E.F., who was reported killed in action in France on September 12, 1918.