MILITARY FUNERAL FOR GEORGE BABCOCK The funeral of George Babcock, U. S. N., who died last Saturday afternoon of Spanish influenza, at the Great Lakes Training Station, will take place from the home of his par- ents, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Babcock, First avenue south, tomorrow Wednesday, October 2nd at 2 p. m., the services being conducted by Rev. Ludwig of the M. E. Church. The burial will be under military auspices, Company K, turning out with the band and furnishing the pall bearers. As a special honor to the deceased the entire company under arms will act as escort. George Babcock was born March 1, 1894 in this city, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Babcock. He grew up here and attended school up to the junior year in high school, after which he worked for Mr. Peerinboom in the Tea & Coffee store for two years, one year for Mr. Nason in the carpentry trade and just prior to his enlistment he was employed by the Nash Grocery Co. George was a young man of unusual conscientiousness of spirit, one who made and held friendships. His concept of duty and loyalty were especially high and when his mind was made up as to what was right, his will was strong to do the right. On May 5th, 1916, he was married to Ione Fishbeck, who survives with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Babocck, his brother, Wesley Babcock, of Stevens Point and sister, Mrs. Ray Sutor, of this city to mourn a most devoted husband and son and an affectionate and considerate brother. Grand Rapids honors its first sailor to die for his country. --Daily Leader, Grand Rapids, Wisconsin; Tuesday, October 1, 1918

George Babcock
World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War, and The War to End All Wars, was a global war that took place primarily in Europe from 1914-1918. Over 40 million casualties resulted, including approximately 20 million military and civilian deaths.


"The funeral of George Babcock, U.S.N., who died 28th September, 1918, of Spanish Influenza at the Great Lakes Training Station, took place from the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Babcock, First Ave. South on Wednesday, October 2nd at 2 PM. The services were conducted by Rev. Ludwig of the M.E. Church. The burial is under military auspices, Co. K., turning out with the band and furnishing the pallbearers. As a special honor to the deceased, the entire company under arms acted as an escort. George Babcock who was in training at the Great Lakes Naval Station, died of Spanish Influenza at that place on Saturday last week. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Babcock, who reside near Grand Rapids."

George Babcock was born on March 1st, 1894, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Babcock. He grew up in Grand Rapids and attended school up to the junior year of high school, after which he worked for Mr. Peerinboom in the Tea and Coffee store for two years, one year for Mr. Nason in the carpentry trade and just prior to his enlistment he was employed by the Nash Grocery Co. George was a young man of unusual conscientiousness of spirit, one who made and held friendships. His concept of duty and loyalty were especially high and when his mind was made up as to what was right, his will was strong to do the right.

On May 5th, 1916 he was married to Ione Fishbeck, who with his parents, his brother, Wesley of Stevens Point, and sister Mrs. Ray Sutor, of this city mourn a most devoted husband and son and an affectionate and considerate brother. Grand Rapids honors its first sailor to die for his country.

The 1918 flu pandemic was an influenza pandemic that was first found in the United States, appeared in Sierra Leone and France, and then spread to nearly every part of the world. It was caused by an unusually severe and deadly Influenza A virus strain of subtype H1N1. Many of the victims were healthy young adults, in contrast to most influenza outbreaks, which predominantly affect juvenile, elderly, or otherwise weakened patients. The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the Great War, known as World War I, at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people. It has been cited as the most devastating in recorded world history. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347-1351. It was known as "Spanish Flu" or "LaGrippe", the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster.

George Babcock will be missed, remembered, and honored for his service.

Eric Schiesser, Student
Marshfield Middle School