Post 57 Cobleskill ,Schoharie County, New York
Post 57
Cobleskill ,Schoharie County, New York
About This Post
Post Namesake
Ceremony to Commemorate the 100-Year Anniversary of the Funeral and Interment of Sergeant Fred L Stilson - American Legion Post 57 Namesake
October 16, 2018
Interment October 16, 1918, at Cobleskill Rural Cemetery
Cobleskill, New York
Today we honor a hero.
Fred was born in March of 1896 in Warnerville, New York, at the home of his grandparents, Alex and Augusta Larkin. He was the son of Mert and Ada Stilson, my grandparents.
Fred grew up at 29 West Main Street, Cobleskill, New York. He attended Cobleskill High School and graduated with the class of 1913 at the age of 17. He graduated from Albany Pharmacy College at the age of 19.
Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 5, 1917, as a member of the Medical Corps. He was assigned duty at Fort Ontario, Oswego, New York, Base Hospital Number 5. His duty was to operate the pharmacy. Because of the shortage of pharmacists, he was alone in the dispensary much of the time during the summer of 1917. He attended to some 1,500 patients, most of whom were suffering from influenza.
Fred was tired and sick; but because the other boys needed help, he worked on and on, day and night, filling prescriptions. It was noted that five or more boys were dying each day. On October 3, 2018, Fred had a temperature of 103.5. Like so many others, he had contracted influenza. His condition worsened and he was admitted to the pneumonia ward.
His parents were summoned to Oswego on October 6, 2018 to be at his bedside to comfort him. His fiancée, Miss Harriet Barnum of Cooperstown, New York, was also summoned.
Fred L Stilson died on October 12, 1918 at 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning at Fort Ontario, Oswego, New York. His remains were escorted home by Corporal Ralph Young, a chum and comrade at Fort Ontario.
Fred's funeral was held on October 16, 1918, one hundred years ago today. Sergeant Fred Larkin Stilson was buried with military honors at this site (Larkin plot at the Cobleskill Rural Cemetery). The honor guard fired three volleys on that day and Taps were sounded by bugler C. F . Boughton. To honor Sergeant Stilson, the Schoharie County Honor Guard fired three volleys on October 16, 2018 and Taps were sounded by Brian Swanhall.
Sergeant Fred L. Stilson gave his last full measure of devotion at the age of 22.
Notes:
Fred L. Stilson's name is inscribed on two World War I monuments in New York State--at the Old Stone Fort in Schoharie County and in Otsego County, in the village of Cooperstown.
The Fred L. Stilson American Legion Post 57 honored Sergeant Stilson by displaying a banner with his name and photo in Cobleskill, New York.
The tribute above was written by Richard Frank and is based on Fred L. Stilson's obituary, which appeared in the Cobleskill Index (#9 Vol. 54) on Thursday, October 17, 1918. Richard is the nephew of Sergeant Stilson.
What Makes this Post Unique
Our Post 57 namesake Fred L Stilson has his name engraved on two WW l monuments in upstate NY.
He enlisted in Schoharie County and had residency in Otsego County.
Schoharie County monument located at Old Stone Fort, Schoharie NY
Otsego County monument located in Cooperstown NY,
Photos
Placing of Wreath by Post 57 First Vice Commander
Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America 2019
Cobleskill Veterans Day
American Flags for Radez students
Lt George W Snyder
Decoration Day Ceremony
Al Post 57 Honor Guard
On My Honor
Wreaths Across America....... Stilson Grave Site Decorated
Saratoga National Cemetery
Fred L Stilson honored
HISTORY
1910
Sgt. Fred L Stilson gravesite
Nov 10, 1918
American Legion Post 57 namesake. Born 1896 Died 1918 Fort Ontario,Oswego N.Y.
Located in the Cobleskill Rural Cemetery,old section G
Formation of Post 57 Signers Section
Jun 13, 1919
Dated June 13,1919
Charter for Fred L Stilson Post 57 June 13,1919
Jun 13, 1919
Original Charter for the Fred L Stilson Post 57 Cobleskill NY
Dated June 13 1919
I will be adding more close-ups of specific areas of the Charter.
Or you can zoom in to read details.
Post 57 June 13,1919 Charter Members ...... 15 in all
Jun 13, 1919
First Post Commander Maynard K Van Deusen
1920
WWI Memorial at Cooperstown NY
Jul 4, 1920
This WWI Memorial is located in Cooperstown NY. Decated long before the establishment of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
It is located across the street from the Otesaga Hotel. Many hall of fame inducties have visited this site.
Post 57 namesake Fred L Stilson is honored on the monument
1940
Thru War Bonds.... Fighter Plane Purchased
Jun 6, 1944
Post 57 purchases War Bonds to help support War efforts.
Note Post name painted on fuselage.
Commander Joe Buckley..Plane Purchase Acknowledgement
Jun 7, 1944
Letter from the War Finance Committee.
Dated June 1944
Post 57.....American Legion Baseball
Aug 1, 1948
This photo was taken in the late 1940s.
Post 57 Commander Edward Lingenfelter is the team manager/coach.
You can zoom out to read many of the names of the players.
1950
Dedication of Post 57 home on Legion Drive
May 27, 1950
The new American Legion Post 57 home on Legion Drive in Cobleskill NY.
As part of this event I will post articles and photos.
Dedication Program Dias Stilson Home
May 27, 1951
The new Post 57 home was built on Legion Drive,Cobleskill NY.
It is a very large brick structure. The main meeting room is located upstairs and the bar located downstairs.
Unfortunately due to declining membership and increasing expenses the legion home had to be sold. The post was relocated to a much smaller building on MacArthur Ave in 1969.
Today the former post building is the home of the Cobleskill Elks Lodge 2040.
Post 57..
Memorial Day Parade 1952 or 1953
May 30, 1952
This photo (1952 or 1953)captured the Cobleskill HS band marching from Center Park in Cobleskill NY to the Cobleskill Rural Cemetery.
A Memorial Day service was held in the park and a service was also held at the cemetery.
The march was about one mile long, all uphill.
The Quarry St. bridge can be seen in background.
1960
The White House Washington DC August 1968
Aug 11, 1968
Post Commander Edward Lingenfelter recieved this correspondence from President Lyndon Johnson.
Mr Whitney Shoemaker served as Public Affairs Director for the President.
Honorary Life Members of Post 57
Jun 25, 1969
Pictured are the 1969 honorary life members of Post 57.
Paid Up For Life did not exist at this time.
Pictured are: Frances Pratt Lee Mackle Henery Mattey Ham Acheson Charles Reghi
William Bolcott Fenton Mereness Ed Lingenfelter Maynard VanDuesen
Post 57 Home on MacArthur Ave.
Jun 30, 1969
Our Post 57 home is still alive and running.
We are the only Legion Post in Schoharie County with our own building.
We are finally replacing the furnace installed in 1967.
Post 57 50 Year Celebration
Jun 30, 1969
Photo of news article about the Fred L Stilson Post 57 50th anniversary.
Post 57 50 Year Celebration
Jun 30, 1969
Photo of news article about the Fred L Stilson Post 57 50th anniversary.
New Post 57 home on MacArthur Ave.
Jun 30, 1969
This artical is part 2 of the move to our new Post 57 home on MacArthur Ave ,Cobleskill New York.
2010
Fred L Stilson graveside ceremony
Oct 16, 2018
This ceremony was held one hundred years to the exact date of Sergent Fred L Stilsons burial in Cobleskill Rural Cemetery.
B-October 3,1896 / D-November 12,1918
Fort Ontario Oswego,New York
Fred L Stilson gave his last full measure of devotion at age 22 years.
Fred L Stilson headstone restoration
May 26, 2019
The before and after photos show the results of the cleaning Stilsons headstone.
We used a product called D2 .
This is one way of honoring veteran buried in local cemeteries.
