According to the Matawan Journal of 6 December 1918, the Matawan Honor Roll listed 142 locals who served in the Armed Forces during World War I, including two who died for their country. John Joseph Furey, of Oak Shades, was killed in action in France at the age of 23. (Source: The Matawan Journal and Matawan Advertiser, Index, Book V, 1909-1918, compiled by Joseph Douglas Alt, Dec 1996, p 29; 7 November 1918, p 3 col 3) John J Hourihan of Cliffwood died of pneuomia in France at the age of 25. (Source: The Matawan Journal and Matawan Advertiser, Index, Book V, 1909-1918, compiled by Joseph Douglas Alt, Dec 1996, p 39; 21 November 1918, p 1 col 3)
The Matawan Borough Council commissioned Councilman B E Eskesen to erect the original Matawan Honor Roll. W E Arrowhead allowed it to be placed on his vacant lot on Main Street next to Eigard's meat market. The monument was 20' long and 7' tall, with an additional 8' x 4' center section where it read Matawan Roll of Honor - 142. Old Glory flew from a staff in the center of the monument. According to the 6 December 1918 Matawan Journal, passersby in automobiles or wagons could read the large print from their vehicles as they went by.
See my previous blogs for the total list of the names appearing on the doughboy monument. I initially thought the list was a memorial to those who died, but research indicates that it instead honors those locals who served their country. Introduction, Column 1, Column 2, Column 3
Alt's Index to the Matawan Journal and Advertiser is available in the reference section of the Matawan Aberdeen Public Library in fourteen volumes: I (1869-1878), II (1879-1888), III (1889-1898), IV (1899-1908), V (1909-1918), VI (1919-1928), VII (1929-1938), VIII (1939-1946), IX (1947-1952), X (1953-1957), XI (1958-1961), XII (1962-1965), XIII (1966-1969), XIV (1970-1973)
The reference section also has a topical index to the Matawan Journal in twelve volumes.
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