This is a Real Photo Postcard that, as you can see, was trimmed down, and must of been in a family photo album. On the back is written, “J. Paul Zemmer. Co K. 1st Reg. N.G.S.T.[?]” These last initials were not found in reference to WWI in online searches but not much time was spent on that. This photo shows a “movie-star handsome” young man, smiling for the camera, in uniform during WWI. Nothing at first was found for this man in this regiment, but if you look closely, you will notice that the button on his collar (on our left) shows TENN. As you might guess, this stands for Tennessee, and this bit of information was key in the i.d. process.
J. Paul Zemmer’s military record shows a short week’s stay in the Leavenworth, Kansas disabled soldier’s home in January of 1924. This record provides a lot of information: enlisted June 22, 1916 at Jackson, Tennessee; Private; Company 115, U.S.F.A. (United States Field Artillery); discharged April 14, 1919 at Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia; reason for discharge: term ended; occupation in January of 1924 was copywriter; married to Pauline S. Zemmer (we find from their marriage record that her maiden name was Pauline A. Simons); their home address in 1924 is given on Benton Blvd in Kansas City, Missouri.
The fact that the regiment listed on the postcard does not match the vet’s home record was a puzzle of short duration: It is confirmed in the first source listed below (an excellent website re Knox County, TN in WWI) that there were some changes in the form of mergers, one company into another, and that accounts for the difference, and that the 1st Tennessee Infantry was converted to the 115th Field Artillery.
In checking other online records we find the 1910 Federal Census taken in Kansas City, MO shows that Joseph Paul Zemmer was born in Kansas about 1896 (actual year of birth 1895 per death records) and that his parents were Samuel (a builder for the railroad) and Jennie Zemmer. Three brothers show on this census: Ralph, Clarence and Harold. Joseph Paul Zemmer, who probably went by Paul, was married to Pauline A. Simons on July 15, 1921 in Jackson County, MO. The marriage record shows they were both living in Kansas City, MO at the time of marriage, therefor that is likely the actual city they were married in. Online Ancestry.com family trees indicate Paul was married a second time ( to Sue Lee Mainord) in about 1927, however the research for this won’t be pursued here to confirm.
Divided back, Real Photo Postcard with AZO stamp box, unused with writing. Date 1916 – 1919.
Price: $25.00
Sources: http://knoxcotn.org/old_site/military/wwi/book/2tninfantry.html (accessed online on 05/03/2014.)
Year: 1910; Census Place: Kansas Ward 9, Jackson, Missouri; Roll: T624_787; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0115; FHL microfilm: 1374800. (Ancestry.com)
Ancestry.com. U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938. Original data: Historical Register of National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1749, 282 rolls); Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Ancestry.com. Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002 . Original data: Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.