Kellman Family Papers and Photographs
1912-1943
WVM Mss 1291
1.3 linear ft. (3 archives boxes and 2 oversized folders) of papers, 0.5 linear ft. (1 archives box and 3 oversized folders) of photographs.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
(Map)
Correspondence, military papers, and photographs pertaining to Vilas, Forrest, and Norris Kellman, three brothers from Galesville, Wisconsin who served in the Army during World War I. Vilas was the only brother to be sent overseas and was stationed with the Headquarters Department of the 62nd Field Artillery Brigade. He arrived in France soon after the signing of the Armistice in 1918 and served as part of the occupation force for six months. Forrest and Norris were stationed in the United States during the war. Forrest served as part of the Students' Army Training Corps and was stationed in Indianapolis as a mechanic. Norris was trained as a lieutenant at College Station, Texas, but was never attached to a specific unit. The collection includes military papers, correspondence, a diary, newspaper articles, military ephemeral, photographs, and postcards. Most of the manuscripts are letters written between the three brothers while they were serving in the Army. They also individually corresponded with their parents, Frank and Lizzie, other relatives, and a few neighbors in Galesville. In the letters, the brothers ask questions about the whereabouts of friends who were also serving in the military, how they felt about life in the Army, and engaged in small talk about their family in Galesville. Vilas and Forrest also asked Norris about his training as an officer and congratulated him when he became the youngest lieutenant commissioned in 1918. The letters also convey concern over Vilas being sent overseas. In one letter from Forrest to Norris (August 4, 1918), Forrest expressed his concern over Vilas's well being and instructs Norris to write to Vilas often in order to “keep his sprits up.” In another letter to Norris (November 8, 1918), Forrest writes how he wished he was overseas with Vilas to keep him company. Concern over the Spanish influenza is also a major theme within the letters and is discussed between the brothers, their parents, and their neighbors. Norris and Forrest describe the number of cases at their respective bases and what preventative steps were taken to stop the spread of the disease. Letters from their parents and relatives discuss the severity of influenza outbreaks in Wisconsin and around Galesville. The letters written by Frank and Lizzie mainly discuss life at home and the health of relatives and neighbors. By the end of the war they frequently asked if there was any news about when the brothers would return home. The diary was kept by Vilas and records a few short entries during his time overseas. It also includes some training notes. Other manuscripts include draft registration for all three brothers, military records for Vilas and Norris, and a newspaper article about Norris being commissioned as a lieutenant. Also included are manuscripts pertaining to Norris's attempt to receive a commission in the Army during World War II. These include correspondence with various military departments, Forrest, and his father. There are also some materials pertaining to Norris's active participation in Wisconsin politics as a member of the Republican Party, and his service as Sergeant at Arms for the State Assembly. The still images consist of photographs and postcards collected by the brothers during their service. Photographs include images of all three brothers posing in uniform and a few images taken after the war. Other photographs pertain to Norris and include images of him posing with family members, fellow soldiers, images taken at his graduation and commission, and buildings around College Station. Postcards include those collected by Vilas while in France, Camp Zachary Taylor (Kentucky), and Newport News (Virginia).There is also an interesting collection of postcards showing U. S. Navy battleships, and a series showing sailors on an unidentified Navy warship.
English
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