Albert Dixon
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Albert Melvin Dixon (1895 - 1934)

Albert Melvin Dixon
Born in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, USAmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 1 Jan 1917 in Lake County, Florida, USAmap
Died at age 39 in Eustis, Lake County, Florida, USAmap
Problems/Questions
Profile last modified | Created 4 Aug 2021
This page has been accessed 673 times.

Biography

US Black Heritage Project
Albert Dixon is a part of US Black heritage.
Private Albert Dixon served in the United States Army in World War I
Service started: 4 Aug 1918
Unit(s): Co B, 546th Engineers Service Battalion; Co B, 519th Engineers; 14th Engineers Service Company, 20th Engineers
Service ended: 1919

Albert Melvin Dixon was born on 19 July 1895[1] to Henry Dixon and Amy (Taylor) Dixon.[2] In 1900, the family was living in Mt Pleasant where both his parents worked as miners,[3] probably in the phosphate mines that were booming there at the time.[4] He may have been born in Florida before his parents went to Tennessee,[3][5][6] or in Mt Pleasant soon after they arrived.[1][2]

By 1910, the family had moved back to Florida and purchased a home on Gottsche Avenue in Eustis, Lake County. His father was an engineer at a local sawmill while his mother tended to the home and family. Albert, at 15 years old, was still attending school and could read and write. He was the oldest of his surviving siblings, Jerry (age 10) and Hosea (age 4), both of whom were born in Tennessee. Seven other children had not survived infancy.[5]

Albert and Neacy Sanders were married on 1 January 1917 by Rev J. B. Gibson in Lake County, Florida.[7] O. H. Moran and Irene Sanders were their witnesses.[8] Later that year, he registered for the World War I Draft on 5 June 1917. Not quite 22 years old, he was described as being a medium height, slender man with black hair and eyes. He was employed by Dr. Getch (dentist)[9] as a laborer. He was literate and signed his own name as Albert Melvin Dixon, in spite of the registration card having Albert Melville Dixon at the top.[1] Neacy and Albert's daughter Albertina was born in late 1917 or early 1918.[6] Neacy became pregnant again in 1918.[10]

Albert reported for induction and assignment on 4 August 1918 in Tavares.[11] The inaccurate information on his Draft Registration continued to appear on government documents. He, and more than 100 other men, were inducted and left by train for Camp Devens, Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA.[12] While at Camp Devens, the men were offered the opportunity to purchase War Risk Insurance; Albert did so.[13]

On 26 August 1918, following training at Camp Devens, Albert was assigned to Co B, 546th Engineers Service Battalion[11] at Camp A. A. Humphreys,[14] on the Potomac River in Virginia. The camp was an engineer replacement and training camp, known today as Fort Belvoir.[15] There they learned how to build roads, bridges, and dig trench fortifications. Some also learned about the construction and operation of narrow-gauge railways with tracks that consisted of 5-meter-long, 100-kilogram [16' x 220 pounds] sectional pieces which could be picked up and laid down by just two Soldiers.[16]

Camp A.A. Humphreys started seeing cases of the 1918 influenza pandemic with the local peak starting on 13 September. Deaths were primarily seen only when accompanied by pneumonia.[17] The 546th Service Battalion, Albert included, left the camp bound for New York[14] about a week later. The battalion was authorized for up to 1008 enlisted men to complete their assignment, "1st Army area, road and light railway,"[18] but shipped out with 12 officers and 579 enlisted men. They boarded the SS Scotian on 24 September for departure the next day en route to England.[19]

In its heyday as a commercial liner, the Scotian's typical passenger load was less than 1100 persons. The SS Scotian left New York on 25 September 1918 with 2,413 officers and enlisted men, the bulk of them from the 73rd Artillery C.A.C.[19] The exact number of deaths during the crossing is unknown but at least twenty-four died of pneumonia.[20] The 546th arrived at Liverpool on 7 October 1918 with a total of 561 enlisted men and 12 Officers, a loss of 18 enlisted men.[21] Albert survived the crossing.

While in Europe, he was reassigned to the 14th Engineers Service Company, 20th Engineers.[11] The Fourteenth was originally designated Co B, 519th Engineers,[22] who arrived in France on 22 July 1918.[23] The when and why of his reassignment from the 546th to the 519th is still being researched. What we do know is the 20th Engineers were responsible for supplying wood to meet the needs of the allies. The Fourteenth Service Company was one of 28 companies formed "whose devotion to duty, when duty meant only hard, continuous, unrequited toil, was unsurpassed and probably never equalled."[24] The 14th Eng Service Company spend most of their time at LaMarche, Vosges, France, operating a sawmill.[25]

One must wonder when and how he would have received notification that he and Neacy's son was stillborn on 3 November 1918,[10] just eight days before the Armistice was signed.[26] Perhaps it explains why he is not listed on the January 1919 Roster with the rest of his company. Even after the Armistice, the need for wood was great. Albert was back with the Company by February. They stayed in LaMarche through the end of April 1919 but, by 23 May 1919, they had removed to Rimoucourt (Haute Marne). From there, they moved to LaMans in preparation for returning home.[27] The 14th Engineer Service Company, consisting of 1 Captain and 212 enlisted men, sailed for America on 10 June 1919, leaving from Saint Nazaire, France, aboard the SS Montpelier and arriving in Newport News, Virginia, on 24 June 1919.[28]

Albert was back in Eustis and working as a woodcutter by 1920. Living with him in a rented house on Hazzard Street were Neacy and Albertina. Just a few doors down, also on Hazzard Street, lived his mother and siblings.[6] His father died in 1918[29] just one month after Albert left for Camp Devens.[12]

In 1922, Albert and Neacy lost another son, Moses, who lived just twelve days. Moses was to be buried in Eustis[30] and may be in Mount Olive cemetery where Albert's gravestone is.[31] They may have had additional children.[32]

By 1930, the couple had separated. Each was living with their own mother and each reported that they were widowed.[33][32]

Albert died of tuberculosis in Eustis, Lake County, Florida on 7 October 1934[2] and was buried in Mount Olive Cemetery, Eustis, Florida.[31] A military gravestone was obtained for him by Mrs. Amy Dixon, presumed to be his mother.[34]

Research Notes

All Census enumerations for Albert (1900-1930) indicate that he was born in Florida. He used Mt Pleasant, Tennessee, when registering for the Draft in 1917 and the same location was given by his mother when providing information for his Death Certificate.

Sources

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K35Z-NDJ : 22 February 2021), Albert Melville Dixon, 1917-1918.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Florida Deaths, 1877-1939", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FP7L-M74 : 23 February 2021), Albert Melvin Dixon, 1934. [Marital Status Divorced; Occupation R.R. Rail Roading; Informant: Amy Taylor, Eustis [relationship not recorded; could be his mother or sister]]
  3. 3.0 3.1 "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSC1-JC8 : accessed 4 August 2021), Albert Dixon in household of Henry Dixon, Civil District 13 (excl. Mt. Pleasant town), Maury, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 83, sheet 6B, family 540, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,588.
  4. Wikipedia contributors, "Mount Pleasant, Tennessee," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mount_Pleasant,_Tennessee&oldid=1029999530 (accessed August 4, 2021). [See the History section.]
  5. 5.0 5.1 "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVK8-VB9 : accessed 4 August 2021), Albert Dickson[sic] in household of Henry Dickson[sic], Eustis, Lake, Florida, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 70, sheet 17B, family 239, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 163; FHL microfilm 1,374,176. [His parents are at the bottom of the previous page.]
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNYR-BT7 : 1 February 2021), Albert Dixon, household 219, page 8A, Eustis, ED 96, Lake, Florida, USA
  7. "Florida Marriages, 1837-1974", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FW9R-W4Q : 11 January 2020), Albert Dixon, 1917; citing "Florida, County Marriages, 1830-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89V4-HJPH : accessed 4 August 2021), Film # 7609902, image 49 of 199; Florida State Archives and various county clerks of courts. [Recorded in Book 3, page 570, Application number 595]
  8. Lake County, Florida, Clerk (https://www.lakecountyclerk.org/record_searches/ : accessed 4 August 2021), database with images, Official Records Book 3, page 570, bottom, Albert Dixon and Neacy Sanders, 1 January 1917, Lake County, Florida.
  9. Ancestry.com, database with images, "U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995" > Florida > Eustis > 1924 > Eustis, Florida, City Directory, 1924 > image 45 of 284 > "Getch Warren A (Alice) dentist 19 E Magnolia av h 518 1/2 E Citrus Av" Ancestry Image; citing Polk's Eustis and Lake County Directory Comprising Eustis, Leesburg, Mount Dora, Tavares, Umatilla, Clermont, Groveland, Sorrento, Fruitland Park, Lake Jem, Astor and Other Towns 1924-25 (Jacksonville, Florida, USA: R. L. Polk & Co., 1924) accessed 7 August 2021
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Florida Deaths, 1877-1939", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FP7L-D4R : 23 February 2021), Albert Dixon in entry for Dixon, 1918.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Florida. Military Dept. Albert M Dixon. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. (https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/212204 : accessed 4 August 2021).
  12. 12.0 12.1 Ancestry.com, database with images, "U.S., Lists of Men Ordered to Report to Local Board for Military Duty, 1917–1918" > Florida > Box 18 > images 128-151 [The images are in reverse order] > Tavares Florida 4 August 1918 induction > image 151 for Alfred[sic] Melville[sic] Dixon Ancestry Image (Ancestry Sharing Link); War Department, Office of the Provost Marshal General, Selective Service System, 1917– 07/15/1919. Lists of Men Ordered to Report to Local Board for Military Service, 1917–1918. NAI: 578684.Textual records. Records of the Selective Service System (World War I), Record Group 163. National Archives at College Park. College Park, Maryland. U.S.A.
  13. "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP2F-33L6 : 22 October 2019), Albert Melville[sic] Dixon; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985). [See the "VA MASTER INDEX" Card File KEY to CODES & PREFIXES (PDF)]
  14. 14.0 14.1 Ancestry.com, database with images, "U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939" > Outgoing > Scotian > Sep 25-1918 Oct 20 > image 669 of 843 > 546th Engineers Service Battalion, Camp A. A. Humphreys, VA., Item L-462 6th Phase, line 60 Dixon, Albert M 4185097 Ancestry Image (Ancestry Sharing Link); The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 567. [Emergency Contact: Mrs. Neacy S. Dixon, wife, Eustis, Fla]
  15. Veteran Voices Military Research (https://veteran-voices.com/world-war-i-training-camps/camp-a-a-humphreys/ : accessed 4 August 2021), "World War I - Camp A.A. Humphreys, Accotink [Ft. Belvoir], Virginia" [USA]
  16. Vergun, David, Forgotten tiny trains carried WWI vets to victory, (Soldiers Front Page), 4 November 2010; US Army (https://www.army.mil/soldiers : accessed 4 August 2021)
  17. Brewer, I. W. Lt, Report of Epidemic of "Spanish Influenza" Which Occurred At Camp A.A. Humphreys, VA., During September And October, 1918, page 6, 1 November 1918; National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) RG 112 Records of the Office of the Surgeon General (Army) (http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.6160flu.0014.616 : accessed 4 August 2021)
  18. Report of the Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, page 42 (United States: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1919).
  19. 19.0 19.1 Ancestry.com, database with images, "U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939" > Outgoing > Scotian > Sep 25-1918 Oct 20 > image 620 of 843 > Recapitulation of Passenger LIst of : C.P.O.S. S. S. "Scotian" Image (Ancestry Sharing Link); The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 567.
  20. Royal Fleet Auxiliary Historical Society, "Requisitioned Auxiliary - Scotian", (https://web.archive.org/web/20230927183533/https://historicalrfa.uk/requisitioned-auxiliary-scotian/ : accessed 5 August 2021)
  21. Ancestry.com, database with images, "U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939" > Outgoing > Scotian > Sep 25-1918 Oct 20 > image 839 of 843 > Landing Return R.M.S. "Scotian", 7 October 1918 Image (Ancestry Sharing Link); The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 567.
  22. Simmons, Perez, and Alfred H Davies, editors, Twentieth Engineers -- France -- 1917-1918-1919, (Portland, Oregon, USA: Twentieth Engineers Publishing Assn, 1920), pdf page 44, "Forestry Service Companies" (http://www.20thengineers.com/images/ww1-20thEngineersBook.pdf : 8 August 2021)
  23. Simmons, Twentieth Engineers -- France -- 1917-1918-1919, pdf page 40, "Movements of Forest Troops to France"
  24. Simmons, Twentieth Engineers -- France -- 1917-1918-1919, pdf page 157, "The Auxiliaries"
  25. FamilySearch.org, database with images, "United States, World War I, military muster rolls and rosters", Film # 106474332, images 294-341 of 1922, "14th Engr Serv Co, (Forestry) 20th Engr Regt (formerly Co B, 519th Engr Svc Bn)" (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-N3ZG-79WS-K?i=293&cat=3378445 : accessed 8 August 2021); citing "85713803|RG-64|World War I Rosters of enlisted men, 2OTH ENGR REGT 7TH ENGT SV CO MED DET - CO B 21ST ENGR REGT | Reel 5.9 | ROLL 1615, 1916 - 1939." [Albert appears on images 300 (Nov 1918), 305 (Dec 1918), 319 (Feb 1919), 326 (Mar 1919), 329 (Apr 1919), 334 (May 1919), and 339 (Jun 1919). January 1919 appears on a non-standard form (images 311). There is also a 3 February roster (images 312-317) and a 28 February roster (image 318-320) on a non-standard forms. Standard forms pick up again at image 321 for February 1919.]
  26. Wikipedia contributors, "Armistice Day," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Armistice_Day&oldid=1034684991 (accessed August 6, 2021).
  27. FamilySearch.org, database with images, "United States, World War I, military muster rolls and rosters", Film # 106474332, image 333 of 1922, "14th Engr Serv Co, (Forestry) 20th Engr Regt (formerly Co B, 519th Engr Svc Bn)" (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-F3ZG-794R-H?cat=3378445 : accessed 8 August 2021); citing "85713803|RG-64|World War I Rosters of enlisted men, 2OTH ENGR REGT 7TH ENGT SV CO MED DET - CO B 21ST ENGR REGT | Reel 5.9 | ROLL 1615, 1916 - 1939."
  28. Ancestry.com, database with images, "U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939" > Incoming > Montpelier > 25 May 1919-30 Jul 1919 > image 174 of 659, "Arrival of U.S.S. Montpelier, 25 June 1919" Ancestry Image (Ancestry Sharing Link) AND Albert on the returning passenger list Image
  29. Florida State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no 8771, Henry Dixon, Eustis, Lake County, Florida, 4 September 1918; "Florida Deaths, 1877-1939", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FPZR-879 : 23 February 2021), Henry Dixon, 1918; citing Family History Library "Florida death certificates, 1877-1939" > Film # 004026950 > Image 919 of 2775 (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/816256 : accessed 4 August 2021).
  30. "Florida Deaths, 1877-1939", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FPMG-R5S : 23 February 2021), Albert Dixon in entry for Moses J. Dixon, 1922.
  31. 31.0 31.1 Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/103025725/albert-melvin-dixon : accessed 07 August 2021), memorial page for PVT Albert Melvin Dixon (1895–7 Oct 1934), Find A Grave: Memorial #103025725, citing Mount Olive Cemetery, Eustis, Lake County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Laura Goodman (contributor 47821434).
  32. 32.0 32.1 "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:STBY-K6Z : accessed 4 August 2021), Neacy Dixon, Eustis, Lake, Florida, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 7, sheet 17A, line 27, family 495, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 322; FHL microfilm 2,340,057.
  33. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:STYP-QT2 : accessed 4 August 2021), Albert Dixon in household of Amy Dixon, Eustis, Lake, Florida, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 7, sheet 16A, line 2, family 460, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 322; FHL microfilm 2,340,057.
  34. Ancestry.com, database with images, "U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970" > 1925-1941 > Dillard, John L-Donahue, Thomas M > image 1074 of 3039 for Albert M Dixon Ancestry Record 2375 #1269112 with attached Image (Ancestry Sharing Link); National Archives at Washington DC; Washington DC, USA; Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941; NAID: A1, 2110-C; Record Group Number: 92; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General




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