BIO: C. Herbert HATFIELD, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Dave Wilson Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************************** __________________________________________________________ McElroy, James Thomas Jr., McElroy's Family Memories, Huntingdon, PA: (Author), 1930, page 105. __________________________________________________________ CAPT. C. H. HATFIELD Huntingdon, Pa. Insurance: Born at Duncansville, Blair Co., Pa., Jan. 2, 1881. Son of William Hatfield, a Civil War veteran, 22nd Penna. Cavalry. Was with Penna R.R. train service. Died in 1928, at Akron, Ohio, eighty years of age. His wife, Martha (Sharrer) Hatfield. preceded him to the grave. Died in 1915, at the age of sixty-eight years. Capt. C. H. Hatfield received his education at the Huntingdon public schools. Entered the employ of the Penna. R.R., charge of automatic air brakes; served for twelve years; entered the employ of the H.& B.T.R.R., in the same capacity; was there seven years. During the intervening years was a member of the National Guards, and filled all the offices for nineteen years. At the outbreak of war on the Mexican border was captain. Marshaled his men to the border; there for nine months; returned to Huntingdon, Pa., Feb. 28, 1917, and mustered out. Mobilization was then heard throughout the length and breadth of this country. He then, on July 15, 1917, called to the colors his men to join in a combat which is now past history, the success of which was made possible by American troops, and this in reference to the World War. The Captain was somewhat reluctant to narrate his reminiscences, and they are here given in skeleton form. Sherman has said "War is hell," and surely this company was baptized in its inferno. The company left Huntingdon, Pa., for Augusta, Ga., on Sept. 10, 1917, with a peace strength of 150 men, which later was increased to 250 men, war strength. From Augusta, Ga., to Montgomery, Ala.; to Spartansburg, S. C.; to Columbus Barracks, Ohio; back to Spartansburg, S.C.; to Camp Upton, Long Island. Left for France on transport (Great Western); was nine days on water; arrived at Brest, France; transferred to Verdun sector; under fire there one week; transferred to Argonne offensive; in action from Sept. 26th to Nov. 11th, the day the Armistice was signed. Left for Brest, France, for United States on transport (Luckenbaugh); arrived in U.S.A. in April, 1919, at Hoboken, N.J.; transferred to Camp Dix; discharged May 3, 1919. Capt. Hatfield had officers, captains and lieutenants from thirty different states under his command. Victory was attained, but at what a cost? The flower of the nation was brought forth to do battle. It was a memorable day at Huntingdon when the Company returned and time alone can efface the memory. In church matters he is a Lutheran; his wife also. He served four years as County Treasurer, with credit to himself and the public. He belongs to the Masonic Fraternity, Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 300; also the Chapter; Knights of Pythias; an Elk, No. 976; Frank P. Hommon Post, American Legion, No. 24. A Republican in politics. He has one sister, Mrs. L. M. Heifner, Philadelphia, Pa.; two brothers deceased. Capt. Hatfield was married to Jennie I. Brewer; both parents deceased. They have one son, Howard D., cost accountant for Fuller-Lehigh Co., Allentown, Pa. One daughter, Mrs. F. O. Beaver, Huntingdon, Pa. Truly a life well spent in the service of his country. At present the Captain is engaged in the insurance business at Huntingdon, Pa. Note: Herbert (County Treasurer, 39), Jennie (34), Howard (14) and Catherine (13) Hatfield appear in the 1920 Huntingdon Ward 2, Huntingdon County census.