Kaleb E Lindquist

Kaleb E. Lindquist died for his country in the 1^st World War.  The American Legion Post in Roseau is so named in his honor.

Kaleb Emanuel Lindquist, born in Sweden in 1893, came to the US in the spring of 1913.  He located in Roseau with a brother who had come earlier.  Kaleb was a quiet, well liked young man who counted everyone his friend.  He learned to speak English on the job, but never lost his thick Scandinavian brogue.  He walked with a distinct lumbering gait.  Prior to coming to America he had served in the Swedish Army.  He never married.

When the US declared its stance in the 1^st  World War, Kaleb was not a citizen, the war was not his.  He could have declared himself ineligible for the US Military, but his friends were being called up and he wanted to be with them. He also felt a responsibility to do his share as a future citizen of this great land.

Therefore Kaleb volunteered at the height of the need for men.  Because of urgent need for immediate replacements in Europe, due to many casualties and injuries, Kaleb was given a short basic training course and sent directly to France without furlough.  He was killed in action shortly after his arrival.

Kaleb’s brother in Roseau, concerned with lack of news from his brother, contacted his Congressman by telegram to see if he could find any information about Kaleb.  In response, a cablegram from a field location in France to Congressman Halvor Steeveenerson in Wash. Reported the following:  Private Kaleb Lindquist, Co.K, 139 Infantry, reported by company commander as slightly wounded Oct 8^th.  No further report received until Graves Registration Service reported him buried in the American Battle area cemetery, Meuse, France.  Every effort being made to ascertain full particulars---Pershing

In 1918 the governor of Minnesota posthumously awarded Kaleb a plaque and commendation for his selfless service as a volunteer in the fight against world domination by dictatorial powers.  In 1921 Kaleb’s body was returned to the US for burial with full military honors at Hope Cemetery in Roseau.  He was survived by one brother in Roseau and four in Sweden.