Ollie B. Chandler – Beloved Son, WW1 Soldier – Lyon County

By Kentucky Kindred Genealogical Research on May 19, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

While looking through gravestones photos taken at Chestnut Oak Cemetery in Lyon County, Kentucky, I found the beautiful stone placed there for Ollie B. Chandler. Ollie was one of the many brave young men who gave their lives during World War I.

In 1900 we find the Chandler family in District No. 2 of Lyon County, in the town of Kuttawa. William Chandler, 59, was a farmer, his mother born in Virginia. Sallie, his wife, was 31, with three children – Ollie, 12; Gala, 7; and Stella, 3. The couple had been married for ten years. Since William was almost 60 years old, I believe this to be his second marriage.

In 1910 two children had been added to the family, Eugene and Arlene, both aged 7, so they must be twins. Burchel, a grandson, 18, also lives in the household.

Four years later World War I broke out. At the age of 25 Ollie Chandler was of the age to serve his country. His draft registration card lists him of medium height and build, with dark blue eyes and brown hair. He was a bridge carpenter. The registration card is dated June 5, 1917.

Ollie sailed on board the ship Caserta out of Newport News, Virginia, for France, July 26, 1918. He was a private in the first squad. How long did it take to arrive in France? Possibly a week? I can’t be sure. Let’s say he arrived August 2. Three months later he was dead. Lobar Pneumonia was cause of death. It is characterized by the infection and inflammation of one or more lobes of the lung. It sounds like Ollie died of Spanish Influenza. It is uncertain if this is correct, but we know that it spread from the battlefields in Europe to all parts of the world.

The Paducah Evening Sun, Paducah, Kentucky

Sunday, February 5, 1919

The next information I found on Ollie Chandler was his return trip to the United States on board the Princess Matoika which sailed from St. Nazire, France, on August 24, 1920, slightly over a year from the time Ollie arrived in France. He is listed as a private with ADM, Labor Company #49. A quick search said this was probably referring to the American Expeditionary Force or AEF. Labor Company was likely a unit within the AEF tasked with labor duties, not direct combat, crucial for maintaining infrastructure, repairing damage and supporting the AEF’s operations. As a bridge carpenter Ollie would have been a very important member of this unit.

Ollie B. Chandler, Corp. 49th Q.M.C., December 17, 1886 – November 4, 1918, in France. Sacrificed his life for liberty. Chestnut Oak Cemetery, Lyon County, Kentucky.

Ollie Chandler died November 4, 1918, one week before the end of the war. He was buried in Chestnut Oak Cemetery, not far from Lake Barkley. His parents are buried beside him. His gravestone is not a traditional military stone. I believe his family purchased this particular stone and made it into a special memorial for a special son.