Lemont's Unknown Soldier Still A Mystery A Century Later

LEMONT, IL — For 100 years, the people of Lemont have kept watch over its unknown soldier, visiting his grave and leaving flowers and wreaths throughout the year. While the soldier will most likely never be identified, there a century worth of history surrounding this man.

The body of the unknown soldier was taken out of the Sag Canal at Sag Bridge on July 9, 1919. He was found by bargemen working on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Finding bodies was such a common occurrence, that the workers called them "floaters."

According to an article of the "Lemont Optimist News," the funeral home believed the body had been in the water for about 10 days. The remains were brought to Lemont, and they tried to identify the body. Besides the uniform, there were no identifying papers on the body.

All that is known about the body is that it was found in 1919 and was wearing a World War I infantry uniform, indicating he was a member of Company H. The Lemont Historical Society said no one came forward in Lemont to identify the body and the Lemont American Legion buried him with full honors in the Danish Cemetery.

According to a letter from descendants of those buried there, the cemetery, which was deeded to St. Matthew Lutheran Church in 1989, was originally purchased in 1892 by members of the Old Hans Christian Anderson Lodge #52. The cemetery is located off of 127th Street near the Lemont Park District and Old Quarry Middle School. The last burial at the cemetery took place in 1968.

Thirteen years after the unknown soldier was buried, it was suggested that Lemont erect a memorial for all unknown soldiers. The historical society said the memorial gravestone was designed like the Washington Monument and was donated by Ernest Wunderlich of Joliet. According to a "Lemonter" article from June 2, 1932, a total of 1,200 people came out to the dedication on Memorial Day held at the unknown soldier's grave. The population of the entire town at the time was just over 2,500.

At the dedication, a Rev. Frank Coats spoke about the unknown soldier.

"...he represents to us in Lemont the spirit of unselfish sacrifice that marked the going of our own young men in response to the nation's call."

The Lemont Legion post and auxiliary were also present at the event, according to the article, and were in charge of the exercises. A poem by Lemont resident Anna Collin Rieck was also written for the dedication. Part of the poem reads:

"Nameless, friendless, alone we found you
Somebody's boy in the hush of death
You wore a suit of faded khaki
To us a mantle of Royal hue

Proudly we hailed you and whispered "Buddy,
Well find a name and a grave for you."
We're just plain folks in Lemont
But plain folks are warm and true"

At the time, Lemont Legion officials said it was one of the most successful events ever held on Memorial Day, the article states.

The Lemont Historical Society has compiled a history of what the unknown soldier may have gone through in World War I. It is possible that the soldier may not have been local, but may have been passing through Chicago on his way home to somewhere else in Illinois.

The historical society said the 33rd Illinois Infantry Division, of which Company H was a part, was formed in July 1917 and activated at Camp Logan in Zion. Overseas, the company fought in France, including at the battle at Saint-Mihiel and the battle of Argonne.

The 33rd Infantry Division was deactivated at Camp Grant south of Rockford in May 1919, just two months before the unknown soldier's body was found.

At this point, it is unlikely that the unknown soldier's remains will ever be identified. There is no one searching for him on various databases, and there isn't any identifying information known about him.