Morris County in the Spanish-American and Philippine Wars
“A Splendid Little War”
Combatants: United States v. Spain
On April 21, 1898, the United States declared war on Spain, making this the first war wholly fought overseas by the U.S..
America had long supported Cuba and the Philippines in their struggle to overthrow rule by Spain.
The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898 provided cause for a formal declaration of hostilities.
Quick victories by the U.S. troops led Ambassador John Hay, who soon became Secretary of State, to dub the conflict: “A splendid little war.”
“Remember The Maine!”
The Maine enters Havana Harbor, Cuba, passing Morro Castle on January 25, 1898.
The Maine in ruins, February 20, 1898.
The impetus for formal entry into war was the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine on February 15, 1898 killing 268. Of the 200 bodies recovered only 78 were positively identified.
On March 28, 1898, the United States Naval Court of Inquiry concluded that the Maine was destroyed by a submerged mine. Spain was not formally accused of mining the harbor, but the implication was clear.
The Maine explosion remains a subject of studious debate; recent research suggests that the explosion may have been accidental, involving a spontaneous combustion fire in the coal bunker.
Dover Iron Era, April 29, 1898
Aftermath of “The Splendid Little War”
The Philippine War
February 4, 1899 to July 2, 1902
Combatants: The United States v. First Philippine Republic
With the United States determined to maintain control in the Pacific after the Spanish-American War, tensions remained high for over a decade in the region; leading to sporadic outbreaks of guerilla fighting in the Philippine islands.
A victorious United States held control of the islands with the Philippines becoming a territory of the U.S. until 1946.
The Morris County Chronicle, April 22, 1898
Rockaway Record, April 26, 1900
Dover Iron Era, May 29, 1903
Morris County's Soldiers and Sailors
Alvah W. Abel
Mendham
Co. G, 1st Infantry
According to The NY Times, March 29, 1895, Private Abel was awarded a Badge for New Jersey Marksmen.
George Doyle Aber
Morristown
7th REGT CAVALRY
Harmon Adams
Rockaway Borough
Service unknown.
Mr. Adams is listed on the Rockaway Borough Veterans Memorial
Marvin Whitford Anderson
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Peter Thomas Applegit
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Raymond Ayers
Dover Iron Era, November 25, 1898
James A. Babcock
Morristown Co. M 2nd Inf
Succumbed to Typhus, September 12, 1898
Dover Iron Era, September 16, 1898 Dover Iron Era, September 23, 1898
Joseph Baker
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Louis Hunt Barnes
Dover
2nd NJ Infantry
He is buried in The First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rockaway, New Jersey.
Thank you, Mr. Robert Nichols, Sexton, First Presbyterian Church, Rockaway.
Jesse W. Beam
Washington Township. Born in Middle Valley, in 1880 lived in German Valley. Co. M 2nd Inf
After service in the war, he relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee and enlisted in the regulars in 1900, enlisted at Knoxville. Occupation at enlistment: horse collar maker, Blue eyes, Brown hair, ruddy complexion 5’ 10". Attached to the 8th Cavalry Hospital Corps, Co. A. Discharged May 11, 1903 at the Presidio.
Discharged as Private First Class, with remark “Excellent”. He married Miss. Modesta Dunn April 30, 1907 in Knoxville.
PFC Beam died March 23, 1952 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee.
George L. Berry
Morristown Co. M 2nd Inf
Manning Bilby
Rockaway Record, February 15, 1900
His uncle, Charles Hockenbury, was a veteran of the Civil War
This obituary was forwarded to the sexton of Rockaway First Presbyterian Church, Mr. Robert Nichols. In reviewing it, Mr. Nichols realized that Mr. Bilby’s burial place had been misidentified decades ago. Quickly working to rectify this error, Mr. Nichols placed a stone indicating Bilby’s military service in the correct plot on August 21, 2020.
Thank you, Mr. Robert Nichols, for your unswerving dedication to the cemetery.
Ross Harris Blackwell
Wharton, Port Oram section
Co. M 2nd Inf
Pension filed September 30, 1899. Application no. 1236192, certificate no. 1056259.
Joseph Edward Blundell
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Oscar Schmidt Boyd
Denville
Co. M 2nd Inf
After his honorable discharge November 17, 1898, he worked as an Assistant Drill Foreman on the Panama Canal in 1904. On September 21, 1914 he returned home on the ship Allianca.
Robert E. Burns
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Ethelbert Byram
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
After the war, he served as Dover’s Chief of Police
Bertram B. Chamberlain
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Born in Chester, he relocated to Dover. At the time of the Spanish American War enlistment, Chamberlain gives his employment as a carpenter.
Enlisted in Regular Army in 1899 and apparently stationed at Fort Leavenworth Kansas, Co. C 1st Infantry (1900 census). Discharged 1902 with notation that reads “Excellent”.
Albert S. Chambre
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Dover Iron Era, September 16, 1898
Dover Iron Era, November 25, 1898
Albert’s father, Dr. Herbert B. Chambre, served as a surgeon during the Civil War.
Thomas J. Conlan
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
George W. Cook
Morristown
4th Regt United States Army
Killed in Action, The Philippines War, 1899
The Morris Journal, February 15, 1900; Rockaway Record, March 15, 1900; Rockaway Record, March 22, 1900
A Military Funeral: Regarding the reference to “Bugler Hessey” blowing TAPS , this is likely George Hessey, Civil War veteran who was a musician during service. He continued playing after the war with his own band.
On May 24, 2023 at the Morris County Distinguished Medal ceremony, Private George W. Cook was honored with a moment of silence.
Albert Corby
“Bert”
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
After the war, he worked as a carpenter for Picatinny.
Marshall E. Crampton
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Dover Iron Era, December 16, 1904
Robert Vincent Cryan
Morris Plains United States Army
On May 27, 1897, a 20 year old man arrived in Ellis Island, having traveled from Liverpool aboard the Majestic. His stated destination was given as Salt Lake City, occupation Labor.
Mr. Cryan enlisted in the Army at Fort Douglas, Utah June 7, 1898.
Discharged at Cuartel de Malate, P.I. (Philippine Islands). Discharge notation reads
“Exclt.”
In 1918 at the time of the World War draft, Mr. Cryan is living in Morris Plains on Academy Street. He is employed as a clerk for U.S. Customs. He notes “Shot through leg Spanish American War” on his draft registration card.
On his WWII Draft Registration Card, he has moved to New York City and indicates he was born in Cong, Ireland.
Theodore Cummins
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Joseph Curacoa
Morristown Co. A 4th Inf
After his discharge, he re-enlisted into the United States 28th Volunteer Infantry and served in the Philippines.
Mr. Curacoa would work as a Foreman at Picatinny Arsenal.
Ernest C. Dalzell
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
After the war, Mr. Dalzell relocated to Nevada, where he became State Police Officer in Carsen City.
Cornelius Dugan
Dover
United States Navy U.S.S. Congress
On April 21, 1898, an interview with Mr. Dugan was published in The Hawaii Herald.
The article focused on Mr. Dugan’s efforts at Picatinny Arsenal, preparing for war. The article was published the same day that the United States declared war on Spain, beginning the Spanish-American War.
Gunner Dugan began his Naval career in 1855 and was onboard the Congress when attacked by The Merrimac in 1861.
“PROJECTILES TO BURN. Where Armor Piercing Shells Are Being Loaded with Powder. Buried in Picatinny Valley, in one of the most inaccessible regions of Northern New Jersey, is the 1,900-acre tract. of land which comprises the Government Reservation. The naval powder magazine occupies 300 acres of this tract. For years past there has been little use for a naval powder magazine, but things are different now, hence this story. The bucolic serenity of the pretty valley has given place to scenes of unwonted activity. The natives are in a state of tremendous excitement, and even the squirrels chattering together among the bare branches of the primeval trees seem to realize that a war is hovering over them. The single-track Morris County Railroad, built Originally as a mine road in the days when iron mining was an important industry in Northern New Jersey, may yet surprise its owner by earning a profit should the war scare continue., At the naval powder magazine Cornelius Dugan, with rank of senior gunner in the United States Navy, a veteran who knows the smell of powder when it is burning, is in charge. Under his direction the government employees are. daily loading shells weighing 850 and 1. 100 pounds apiece, with charges of powder weighing fifty pounds, though ten pounds of powder would send one of these steel projectiles asunder at least, so Gunner Dugan told me the other day. And Gunner Dugan should surely know. So it will be seen that the capacity of these projectiles for destruction is well-nigh past telling. Shells are being received almost daily, some coming from the Taylor Iron Works at High Bridge, some from the Mid-vale Steel Works at Philadelphia, and others from other points in Pennsylvania. These empty steel messengers of war are loaded with powder and shipped on to the various fortifications where, in the all-wise judgment, they are most needed. Gunner Dugan could not, or would not, say where the completed projectiles would eventually find their way, it may be to the discomfiture of the haughty Dons. While there was no ostentatious watchfulness noticeable about the reservation, Mr. Dugan admitted that proper precaution was being observed to prevent damage by any possible emissary of the prospective enemy. The 850-pound shells which are being received and sent out from Picatinny are for 12-inch guns, and the 1,100-pound shells are for 13-inch guns. On the naval reservation there are three large and two small buildings used for magazines, and theirs is large building in which shells are loaded. On the, army reservation there are five large brick magazines, an office building; in engine house and a number of dwelling houses in which employees on the reservation live. Gunner Dugan's Superior officer is Admiral Bunce, commandant of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Dugan shipped in 1855, he told me, as an apprentice on the Congress, which was later destroyed by the Merrimac. He was promoted to the rank of gunner in 1861. He has been in charge of the naval powder station for the last five years.”
In 1900, Gunner Dugan was transferred to Newburg New York
Rockaway Record, May 3, 1900
Thank you, Picatinny Arsenal Historical Society, Mr. John Donado, for the The Hawaii Herald article
Charles Gustavus Endahl
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
A native of Sweden, Mr. Endahl would become a Dover postal clerk after the war.
Charles W. Ernest
Randolph
Co. M 2nd Inf
Occupation Blacksmith in the 1930 census.
Warren J. Ford
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Alonzo S. Freeman
Dover
Co. K 2nd Inf
Pension Application no. 1731054. Certificate no. A51434.
Charles Freeman
Service unknown.
Rockaway Record, May 31, 1900
Nelson M. Freeman
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
After the war, Mr. Freeman relocated to Chicago, Illinois. He died February 22, 1947 and is buried in Restland Cemetery, Mendota, Illinois.
William J. Gallagher
Mine Hill
Service unknown.
Rockaway Record, June 21, 1928
James E. Gibson
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
James E. Gibson was the father of Samuel Gibson. They enlisted together Samuel was the youngest of the company while James, 43 at enlistment, was the oldest.
Samuel James Gibson
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Samuel would serve as Dover’s Road Commissioner and later established a real estate company.
Member of Captain D. D. Mitchell Camp in Newark, Spanish American War Veterans.
Thomas Joseph Gilligan
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Alexander G. Glass
Hanover
Service unknown
Ernest W. Goodell
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Carl Edwin Gosline
Boonton
Co. K 14th Pennsylvania
Enlisted at age 18 on May 10, 1898.
A native of Pennsylvania, it is unknown when Mr. Gosline moved to Boonton. In civilian life, he worked as a Heating inspector for DL&W RR, per WWI Draft Registration.
Carl Edwin Goseline, born 1925, served in WWII was named for his father, Spanish American War veteran, Carl Edwin Gosline who died the year his son was born.
Margaret F. Goseline filed for a pension, listing Soldier as Carl E. Gosline, K 14 Pennsylvania Infantry. Filing date October 27, 1925. Filed New Jersey.
Hugh Haddow, Jr.
Rockaway Borough
Service unknown
Listed on Rockaway Borough Veterans Memorial
Charles O. Hedden
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Oliver Hedden
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
William H. Hedden
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Prior service in the Civil War, Co. A, 8th NJ Inf.
After the Civil War, Mr. Hedden served in the National Guard, Co. M, Morristown. He was upset, according to the Dover Iron Era newspaper of May 13, 1898, when he was retired due to age. He wanted to participate in the Spanish American War.
Mr. Hedden was in attendance with Co. M at their barracks in Sea Girt, serving as 1st Lt..
David W. Heiman
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Pension filed December, 1929, application no. 1656403, certificate A2-8-30.
Reinhold Heinrich
Randolph
Co. M 2nd Inf
A native of Germany, his last known living date October 28, 1920.
Frank S. Hill
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Frank A. Holloway
Born in Morristown c. 1874. Prior to enlistment, he was employed as a printer at Pierson & Surdam. Serving in the Spanish American War, Mr. Holloway served in The Philippines with Co. B, 4th US Infantry. After discharge, he worked in a Navy Yard, where he contracted Malignant Malaria. Mr. Holloway succumbed to the disease on January 22, 1908. He is buried in “the new cemetery at Nagaban Point, directly across from the naval yard where he worked.” The cemetery is now known as Clark Cemetery, Luzon, Pampanga, The Philippines.
Walter G. Hoskins
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
After the war, Mr. Hoskins relocated to California. He died February 22, 1947 and is buried in Mountain Shadow Cemetery, Sonora, California.
Joseph Kantack
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
A native of Germany, nothing else has been located regarding his life after discharge.
Arthur D. Kelly
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Martin M. Knuth
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Alonzo Preston Lawrence
Randolph, Mt. Freedom section.
Co. M 2nd Inf
Mr. Lawrence appears to have joined the Marines after the Spanish American War. In the United States 1900 census, Private Lawrence gives his residence as Dover. He is living in the Marine Corps Barracks in Kings County, New York.
William N. Lewis
Morristown
Service unknown.
Born in North Carolina. Sergeant Lewis lived on Evergreen Street. During WW I. He gathered African-American males in the community and formed a guard. They drilled on Spring Street. Sergeant Lewis died in 1958.
Arthur MacKinnon
Rockaway
Co. L 1st NJ Inf.
He is buried in The First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rockaway, New Jersey.
Thank you, Mr. Robert Nichols, Sexton, First Presbyterian Church, Rockaway
Patrick Maher
Morristown
United States Marine Corps
Dover Iron Era, August 26, 1898
Albert C. Marsh
Roxbury
Co. M 2nd Inf
William Marsh
Service unknown.
Mr. Marsh is remembered on the Rockaway Borough Veterans Memorial.
Charles C. Mase
Dover
Service unknown.
A Carpenter and general contractor, Mr. Mase died by falling off a roof in March of 1929.
Rockaway Record, March 14, 1929
Edward Mason
Morristown
United States Navy
Battle of Santiago
In the 1930 Morristown census, Mr. Mason is living with his wife, Mary and his father-in-law, Patrick Moore, a Civil War veteran.
Mr. Mason’s death date and burial location are unknown.
Madison Eagle, October 28, 1898
USS Indiana BB-1
An Edison film exists in the Library of Congress, showing the Indiana underway April, 1898.
https://www.loc.gov/item/98500971/
The Indiana was the first, American “battleship” (technically a "Sea-going coast-line Battleship") in the United States Navy, followed by The Massachusetts BB-2, and The Oregon BB-3.
Having served in the fleet until 1920, Indiana was sunk for target practice and sold for scrap in 1924.
Thank you, Mr. Tyler Watt.
George Edward Massaker
Rockaway Borough Co. M 2nd Inf
Adelbert P. McDavit
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Stephen Frederick Mills
Wharton
Service unknown.
Frederick W. E. Mindermann
Dover
Co M 2nd Reg
He is buried in Orchard Street Cemetery, Dover, New Jersey.
Thank you, Mr. Paul Wood, The Orchard Street Gatehouse Association.
Patrick Moore, Jr.
Morristown
United States Army Co. G, 12th Regiment. Additional service in the 8th Infantry.
Sgt. Moore succumbed to illness in January 25 1900 during the Philippine War, after serving in the Spanish American War.
Patrick Moore, Sr., had served in the Civil War with Co F Co F 2nd NJ Cavalry and outlived his son by thirty-one years.
Patrick Sr. and Jr. are buried in Holy Rood Cemetery.
Rockaway Record, February 22, 1900
William A. Moore
Denville
Service unknown.
Lester Gatze Mowery
Roxbury
Co. M 2nd Inf
It appears that Mr. Mowery remained in service. At the time of the WWI Draft Registration, he gives his occupation as Store Keeper Depot Quarter Master in Philadelphia.
Dover Iron Era, December 23, 1898
Christopher Nichols
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Obediah Stinson Parker, Jr.
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Member U.S.W.V. Camp John C. Dickerson.
Benjamin Franklin Pearce, Jr.
Rockaway Township
Co. B 1st Vol
Edward L. Petty
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Francis A. Philips
Mine Hill
Co. M 2nd Inf
Neldon Reiley
Denville Co. E, 1st Inf
Worked as a Lock Tender on the Morris Canal.
William A. Righter
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Charles F. Roderer
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
John Wesley Roff
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
The Dover Iron Era, December 9, 1898
Excerpt from Dover Dates, 1722-1922: A Bicentennial History of Dover, New Jersey
By Charles Davis Platt:
Charles Searles
Co. L 3rd Regt. Infantry – Musician
Rockaway Borough Veterans Memorial
He is buried in The First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rockaway, New Jersey.
Thank you, Mr. Robert Nichols, Sexton, First Presbyterian Church, Rockaway
Robert Crittendon Segur
Dover
Service unknown
Died in Philadelphia of disease November 28, 1898.
He is buried in Orchard Street Cemetery, Dover, New Jersey.
Thank you, Mr. Paul Wood, The Orchard Street Gatehouse Association.
David C. Shanks
Randolph
Co. M 2nd Inf
Morris Sharp
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
After the war, Mr. Sharp became a conductor on the Wharton Northern Railroad.
Charles Shawger
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Dover Iron Era, May 6, 1898.
Louis B. Skinner
Chester
United States Army
Killed in Action July 1, 1898 Battle of El Caney
Unlocated burial.
The outnumbered Spanish troops occupied the Cuban city of El Caney. Although the American army had superior artillery guns, the Spanish soldiers had modern rifles and howitzers, allowing the Spanish to repulse the American assaults throughout the day.
The battle continued until the evening with the American army finally making a breach in the Spanish strongholds. This allowed American soldiers to make one final assault and take over the Spanish positions.
The Battle of El Caney resulted in heavy American losses: 600 American soldiers were killed and another 360 wounded.
Soldier Skinner’s history was brought to light by the Washington Township Historical Society. Somehow, his photo and document found their way to township museum in Long Valley years ago.
The old envelope has his father’s initials on it “A. H.”, who was living in Chester by 1900.
Thank you, Ms. Mary Ann Kordys, Washington Township Historical Society
Roscoe A. Steele
Rockaway Borough
Co. D 157th Inf
Rockaway Record, June 16, 1932
Warren Sturnburger
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
James R. Sutton, Jr.
Madison
Co. M 2nd Inf
George F. Titus
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Mr. Titus served as an Artificer.
John Horace Towlen
Randolph, Mt. Freedom section. United States Army
Additional service in The Philippines.
Dover Iron Era, November 28, 1902
Frederick W. Van Duyne
Montville
Appointed to West Point in 1895; 38th in his class. In 1930, Col. Van Duyne wrote a report, published in The Quartermaster Review. The report outlined the plans of the Army for erection of permanent headstones in the World War American Cemeteries in Europe.
George Van Winkle
Service unknown
Rockaway Borough Veterans Memorial
Wallace C. Vought
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Having served in the Spanish American War, it appears as though Mr. Vought remained in service.
Enlisting in the Regular Army in 1899, Troop B - Fifth US Cavalry, he was discharged March of 1900 for disability at Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1900.
Discharge notation reads: “A pvt. Very good.”
While home in Dover, having returned from Puerto Rico in April, 1900, Bugler Vought demonstrated Cavalry Bugle calls. The occasion was The Boys' Brigade of the Presbyterian Church.
Benjamin J. Westervelt
Randolph
Co. M 2nd Inf
Charles H. Whitehead
Dover Iron Era, November 25, 1898
Corporal Whitehead died July 27, 1923. His burial location is unknown.
Spouse Sarah filed for widow’s pension September 4, 1923, application 1290568 certificate no. 943900.
George Bruik Whitham
Rockaway Borough
Co. M 2nd Inf
William H. Williams
Dover
Co. M 2nd Inf
Dover Iron Era, March 6, 1903
NEED RESEARCH
Dover Iron Era, October 7, 1898
Dover Iron Era, November 25, 1898
William H. Wilson
Co. K 1st Regt. NJ Inf.
He is buried in The First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rockaway, New Jersey.
Thank you, Mr. Robert Nichols, Sexton, First Presbyterian Church, Rockaway.