Home > United States of America > Kansas > Harvey County > Newton > Greenwood Cemetery > Pvt Lauren J. Finnell

Pvt Lauren J. Finnell

Birth	:	20 Jun 1897 USA
Death	:	27 Sep 1918
Burial	:	Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate	:	38.0443993, -97.3249969
Plot	:	Add. 2, Bk. 7, Lt 16, Sp. 2
Description	:	Headstone is for both Pvt Finnell and Pvt Whitesell Private John Finnell was born at Arkansas City, Kansas, June 20, 1897. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Finnell, of Newton. He was schooled in Newton and graduated from the high school with the class of 1916, a school companion and chum of Private Arthur Whitesell. He had one year's work at Bethel College. He enlisted in Co. K,3rd Kansas National Guards, May 21, 1917, and remained with that company when consolidated with Missouri troops and designated as the 139th United States infantry until the regiment... Read More	Headstone is for both Pvt Finnell and Pvt Whitesell Private John Finnell was born at Arkansas City, Kansas, June 20, 1897. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Finnell, of Newton. He was schooled in Newton and graduated from the high school with the class of 1916, a school companion and chum of Private Arthur Whitesell. He had one year's work at Bethel College. He enlisted in Co. K,3rd Kansas National Guards, May 21, 1917, and remained with that company when consolidated with Missouri troops and designated as the 139th United States infantry until the regiment reached France, when for a short time he was detached for instruction in the intelligence department. On the second day of the famous battle of the Argonne Forest, about 5:15 o'clock in the afternoon he with Private Arthur Whitesell and other soldiers of the detachment was doing observation duty in advance of his company, when he was seriously wounded by a high explosive shell. He was left in care of his friend and comrade, Private Whitesell, and help was summoned to carry him to a dressing station at the rear. While thus situated, another high explosive shell burst near these men and both were killed being found afterward, and given military burial near Charpentry by the army chaplain. The place has since been visited by other comrades, who have stated that the place is carefully marked. Private Lauren Finnell died facing the enemy, cheerfully accepting the dangerous duty of advancing into the hotly contested territory, that needed information might be secured for the benefit of his comrades. He was a member of the Congregational church until the family moved to the farm, when he with his parents transferred membership to the Zion Evangelical church. He was 21 years, 4 months and seven days old. Private Arthur Paul Whitesell, son of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Whitesell, who reside on a farm southeast of Newton, was born near Scranton, Iowa, July 9, 1898, and came to Newton in March, 1909. He graduated from Newton high school with the class of 1916. He worked in the civil engineering department of the Santa Fe railway in Newton after graduation, up to the time of his enlistment in Co. K Kansas National Guard. He was assigned to the intelligence department, and was doing duty as an observer on outpost when he met his death in the battle of the Argonne Forest on September 27, 1918, aged 20 years, 3 months and 18 days. Private Whitesell's death was a heroic one. After his comrade and chum, Private Lauren Finnell, had been seriously wounded by a high explosive shell, Private Whitesell remained with him, while his comrades proceeded in the advance on the enemy, and to await help to get his wounded comrade back to a dressing station. It was while thus engaged that another high explosive sell came, ending the life of both brave lads. That was on September 27, 1918. He sleeps where the poppies bloom near Charpentry, France, the army chaplain having conducted a burial service and carefully marked the grave on October 1, 1918. There bodies were shipped back from France and arrived back in Newton on September 14,1921.On Sunday September 18, 1921 the American Legion was in charge of a military service at Greenwood, where both boys were returned to Kansas soil almost three years after being killed in France. VFW Post #971 was named after Whitsell and Finnell and chartered September 30th 1899. Article and photo furnished by Julian Wall

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Pvt Lauren J. Finnell's memorial?
Pvt Lauren J. Finnell's memorial is located at: Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, Harvey County, USA.
When did Pvt Lauren J. Finnell death?
Pvt Lauren J. Finnell death on 27 Sep 1918 in
Where are the coordinates of the Pvt Lauren J. Finnell's memorial?
Latitude: 38.0443993
Longitude: -97.3249969

Family Members:

Parent

John Wesley Finnell

(1858 - 1935)

Nettie Leuella Merriam Finnell

(1866 - 1925)

Siblings

Pearl May Finnell Merrell

(1890 - 1981)

Ralph Dow Finnell

(1892 - 1963)

Nell M Finnell

(1901 - 1985)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Greenwood Cemetery
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0443993, -97.3249969

2. Saint Marys Cemetery
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0419006, -97.3277969

3. Shalom Mennonite Church Memory Garden
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0429870, -97.3316650

4. Boot Hill
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0426220, -97.3343410

5. Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church Columbarium
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0663870, -97.3486940

6. Bethel College Columbarium
North Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0730000, -97.3420000

7. Faith Mennonite Church Columbarium
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0672700, -97.3547700

8. Restlawn Gardens of Memory Cemetery
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0275002, -97.4075012

9. Royer Cemetery
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0139008, -97.4068985

10. Church of God of the Firstborn Cemetery
Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0142400, -97.4073500

11. Eastlawn Cemetery
Zimmerdale, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1151100, -97.3902900

12. Harvey County Memorial
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0716090, -97.2184190

13. Kemper Cemetery
Sedgwick, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9993600, -97.4228800

14. Church of God of The Firstborn Cemetery
Emma Township, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0940100, -97.4269800

15. Joseph Golden Gravesite
Annelly, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9698700, -97.2456600

16. Highland Cemetery
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1440540, -97.3531320

17. Walton Cemetery
Walton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1302986, -97.2533035

18. Unruh Pet Cemetery
Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1421100, -97.2632800

19. Old Grace Hill Mennonite Church Cemetery
Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0128870, -97.1859870

20. Grace Hill Mennonite Church Cemetery
Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0289800, -97.1803300

21. Horace Hayes Gravesite
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0435950, -97.1757810

22. Missionary Church Cemetery
Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0581017, -97.1622009

23. Whitestone Mennonite Church Columbarium
Hesston, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1458950, -97.4297920

24. Hesston Cemetery
Hesston, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1448900, -97.4402400