BIO: Alburtus W. WHITTAKER, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Dave Wilson Copyright 2007. 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 247. __________________________________________________________ ALBURTUS W. WHITTAKER Shirleysburg, Pa. Artist: Born on the homestead in Shirley township, about one mile from Shirleysburg, Pa., June 21, 1894. A son of Alburtus J. Whittaker, a barber for forty-five years; owns a beautiful home near Shirleysburg, Pa., a plot of four acres. His mother is Carrie (Jamison) Whittaker; both parents are living. Alburtus W. Whittaker received his first schooling at Shirleysburg, Pa. He later on took a three years course at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pa.; graduated; he traveled abroad; in private study in Florence, Italy and Paris, France, specializing in still life, becoming very proficient at his profession. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Served in the World War; enlisted at Harrisburg, Pa., June 24, 1916; was in Mexican border uprising; returned home temporarily. Was called July 15, 1917, to return to Camp Hancock, Ga., Sailed for England on transport (Aquitania); landed at Liverpool, England; from there to Calais, France; went into temporary training in marksmanship. First engagement in action known as the fifth German offensive, July 28 to September 7, 1918. Next operation was known as Orucq, Vesle river, July 28 to September, 1918. Was gassed; went to local field hospital; was then transferred to Base 42 Hospital; returned to outfit about September 20, 1918; went through the Meuse-Argonne offensive, Sept. 26th to Oct. 9, 1918, followed by the Thiacourt sector, Oct. 15, 1918. Still in action, Nov. 11, 1918, when armistice was signed. Remained in France at Saint Nazaire until April 21, 1919. All during the war was on detached duty, known as the intelligence section, whose duties were patroling, observation and mapping information of the enemy. Left France on transport (Pocohontas); arrived at Philadelphia, April 30, 1919; discharged at Camp Dix, May 7, 1919; a service of three years. A remarkable record. Alburtus W. Whittaker has six sisters: Mary, married to Landis Winger, in business at Manheim, Pa.; Jessie, married to Bruce Snyder, a mechanic, Indiana, Pa.; Edith, a trained nurse, Rhode Island; Carolyn, an interior decorator, Philadelphia, Pa.; Elizabeth, a school teacher, Bellwood, Pa., and Florence, married to Harry Thomas, Shirleysburg, Pa.