The 'Great War', also known as World War I, took place between 1914 and 1918. The original conflict began in Europe, but ultimately involved countries world wide. Also, there is still active disagreement over the fundamental causes of the war. Complex tangles of diplomacy and political maneuvering were going on in the period leading up to the war's beginning. On the other hand, we all confidently agree with the consequences of the war. World War I set up the playing field for many inportant events in the twentieth century and led almost directly to World War II.

Many young soldiers from around the world joined the war at different times and places. The United States took part in the war starting in April of 1917. Finding their place with the Allies, American soldiers would be siding with the British and the French. Many young men and women lost their lives in the terror of this chaotic war. Combining battle casualities, civilian deaths, and the victims of disease; the total number of war deaths exceeded 40 million! The United States contributed over 116,700 of those courageous soldiers.

Corporal Fred M. Grube was one of the many brave men to lose his life for our country. Fred was a contributing member of the 161st Ambulance Co., 116th Sanitary Train, 41st Division; and was "somewhere in France' at the time of his death. He tragically died of a severe case of broncho-pneumonia, on December 31st, 1917. His troop was traveling through 'no man's land' at the time. Fred lived with his wife, Pearl E. Grube, at 2954 Taylor Ave. N.E., Minneapolis, before departing through Fort Snelling in October. Fred's parents, Mr. amd Mrs. Louis Grube, of Auburndale, received the news of their son's death shortly after Pearl E. Grube found out herself. Fred was about 30 years of age.

We give our appreciation to all the fallen soldiers of World War I, especially the ones right here in central Wisconsin. We also want to thank their families for pushing through this together and staying strong.

Carissa Freeh, Student
East Junior High, Wisconsin Rapids

World War I was a brutal war killing thousands of people with each battle. There were a lot of countries that contributed to this war. They included England, France, Russia, and Italy Austria- Hungary and Germany. All of these countries fought for their nations and what they believed in. These countries and treaties with each other, some went badly and some went well.

One of the issues in Marathon County is that the price of wool has gone up a lot. A group of 5 small business men have been ensuring people to raise sheep. Any boy between the ages 9 and 13 will be eligible to join the club on trying to raise sheep. Since everyone was so cold they needed a constant amount of sheep wool to keep them warm at night. If the wool from the sheep stopped then all the solders from this brutal war would die or suffer great illness.

Word was received in Auburndale on 1918 by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Grube that there son, Fred has died in the war by pneumonia. Mrs. Fred Grube gave his parents the news on how there son was killed. Corporal F. M. Grube of the 161st ambulance company, 116 Sanitary Train, 41st division, which was doing duty in France died in no mans land, France, December 31 from pneumonia.

Fred Grube was about 30 years of age when he died from this war. Some people get this disease when they have just gotten over a cold, or been out in cold weather too long. It sometimes starts off as a cold/flu and gets worse. In Fred’s case he was constantly in the cold and wet from the war. There was know where to go, he was stuck in the war and nobody could get him out.

This war had a great turning point in Americans history and had a big impact on the solders that went to fight for there country. This report is dedicated to all the solders that died on the battle field in World War 1.

Adam Brewbaker
Wisconsin Rapids East Junior High School

10 Jan 1918, Thu The Marshfield News and Wisconsin Hub (Marshfield, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com