William T. McCoy
William T. McCoy (credit for picture: Olmsted County History Center) http://www.olmstedhistory.com/
William T. McCoy was born in Madelia, MN on Jan. 20, 1893. When "Billy" was four years old he moved to Rochester for one year and spent his childhood in Simpson. After his school days, he came to Rochester and learned to be a telegraph operator and became manager of the Postal Telegraph Company. He also worked as operator and ticket agent for the Great Western Railway and he held this position when he volunteered and was part of a big unit that mobilized in Chicago. William served as a train dispatcher and station agent on one of the military lines in France. That he performed all of his duties which were exceedingly arduous, is self evident from the fact that his military record is entirely unblemished and that he was promoted to be corporal in the engineers, a division in which promotions were few. Unfortunately, in October 1918 William T. McCoy got sick and died. Corporal McCoy now sleeps beneath the soils of France. He is buried at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne, France.
****************************************************************************************
LEGION WELFARE HOUSE
Post 92 Welfare House (picture credit: Post-Bulletin & Olmsted County History Center)
Grouped in front of the welfare house near the Worrall Hospital are several Legionnaires who participated in the William T. McCoy post welfare work in 1931-32. Left to right, unidentified, Ray Guy, Jim Starkey, John Cutshall, James Pruett, Art Reiter, William Fitzgerald, Jack Feller, E. C. Bathers, Al Mitten and Jack Crowe. The five standing on the porch also are unidentified.
POST HISTORY FACTS
Q. Did you know that Soldier's Field was started by the American Legion Post 92?
In the 1920's Soldier's Field was originated through efforts of the William T. McCoy post of the American Legion. The Legion sought to promote community welfare by meeting a long felt need for a public golf course and well equipped athletic field. A Legion committee investigated sites and in the summer of 1926 entered into a contract with Dr. Christopher Graham for purchase of the area which now is Soldiers Field. The Legion then set out to survey the land and prepare a topographical map with volunteer labor. A nine hole course, caddy house and shop building were provided. (Information from PB article August 8, 1941).
Q. Did you know that the Mayo brothers were a big part of American Legion Post 92?
1. Letter from Dr. William J. Mayo and Dr. Charles H. Mayo to American Legion Post 92
3. Post-Bulletin article "Dr. C.H. Mayo Gives Legion Quarters in Civic Auditorium"
History Links
Mayo brothers military service
Picture of Mayo brothers in uniform
Q. Do you know how William T. McCoy Post 92 was formed?
Post-Bulletin article "Rochester Unit Formed After Paris Meeting" page 1, page 2, page 3
Q. Do you know that William T. McCoy Post 92 owns many burial plots in Oakwood cemetery and has given many plots to veterans who couldn't afford plots?
Picture: American Legion Post 92 stone in Oakwood cemetery (there is also a large flag pole with a flag supplied by the Legion which is not in the picture).