Name: Hourihan, John Joseph, PVT, USA
Local address: Cliffwood Avenue, Cliffwood, NJ
John’s father Patrick J. Hourihan (1859-1913) arrived in the United States from Ireland in 1881 and subsequently married Matawan girl Bridget Cox (1870-1926) in 1884. Settling in Matawan Township, they had six children – John was the third, born November 1, 1892 in Cliffwood. The 1900 census indicated Patrick was a brickyard laborer.
Little is documented regarding John’s early years. During the mass draft registration that took part in Matawan Township on June 5, 1917, John indicate he was employed as an engineer with the “NJ Company” in Matawan. He was described as “short”, medium build, brown eyes with dark brown hair.
On May 27, 1918, John left for Camp Dix and was eventually assigned to the 312th Engineers, Company E, attached to the 87th Division. He left for Europe with that unit on August 24, 1918 aboard the SS Caronia. He apparently was involved in rear area engineering support activity for the combat troops.
During the height of the Spanish Influenza epidemic that ravished troops in Europe, John died of lobar pneumonia in France on October 25, 1918. Initially buried in the American Plot in the St. Eloi City Cemetery in La Rochelle, his body was disinterred on October 19, 1921 and returned to the United States aboard the SS Cantigny on December 1921 along with the remains of 805 other servicemen. Taken to the Bedle Funeral Home in Keyport initially, it was transported to his mother’s home in Cliffwood for a funeral on December 16th. John was subsequently buried in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery with full military honors.
NO COMMENTS