Irwin McPherson (Rex) Record
World War I
Irwin Record was the third of five children born to Edwin and Henrietta Record. He was born on July 30, 1886, in Norfolk, but came to Osmond in 1890 when the town was founded and spent most of his life here.
He had worked at the Osmond Republican prior to his 21st birthday, but then left to do farm work before entering the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Then in April 1913, he and his brothers, Elmer and Ralph, purchased the newspaper from B. S. Leedom. They operated the newspaper for 26 months with Irwin as business manager, selling it in May 1915.
Rex was drafted into the Army on Sept. 5, 1917, but honorably discharged Dec. 1917. According to his family history in the Osmond centennial book, he became seriously ill while at Camp Funston because of unfavorable camp conditions.
According to a short article in the Osmond Republican on Dec. 6, 1917, Rex had stated that doctors told him he would have to be discharged as his heart was in bad shape, which was the cause of his eye trouble.
Although Rex was never sent overseas, and although I couldn't find any family members to get any personal information about him or pictures, Rex himself wrote several letters while at Camp Funston.
In a letter dated Sept. 9, 1917, just after he arrived at Camp Funston, he talks about arriving in Lincoln where they were met by officers who marched them to the Army headquarters. After assembling in the street in front of headquarters and listening to a speech by Governor Neville, they marched to the depot, a distance of 10-12 blocks, the streets packed with people cheering and clapping hands and “automobile horns tooting.”
After arriving at Camp Funston, they were given a thorough examination, where they marked the “location of every scar and mole” on the body. Then they were issued clothes (except for the actual uniforms) and bedding, and the next day began drilling.
He wrote again Oct. 10 talking about the entertainment available there, including hearing Madame Schuman Heink, the great contralto singer, in the Knights of Columbus building. Then in a letter dated Nov. 21, he asks his folks to find his telegraph instruments as he might be able to get a job in that department.
Rex also says “I am enjoying the best of health that I have ever had. Of course, I wish that the war would end, but we are getting some wonderful training.”
On Nov. 27, he writes that his glasses haven’t come yet. “I certainly like the work in the signal squad. I don’t think my eyes will bother me much at that. I sure like the army life. Of course, it gets tiresome at times, but I don’t think I would feel at home while the war lasts without being in some branch of the service. . . . I heard there have been two fellows discharged from our company who are not physically fit. I am glad it is not I." In the same newspaper, just below Irwin’s letter, was a report that he had sent another letter stating that the doctors told him he would be discharged, and that he was feeling mighty blue over the prospect. He was discharged Dec. 9, 1917. According to his family history, he was one of the charter members of American Legion Post 326, although he is not mentioned in the Legion’s history. He received a 50-year membership pin in 1969.
Rex married Louise Thompson on Jan. 1, 1920, and they had three children: Doris, Leona and Irwin Jr. (Bud). Another daughter died at birth.
Irwin again became associated with the Osmond Republican in 1926 when he took over management for owner O. B. Miller, and remained in that position until 1928, when the paper was sold to Carl Will.
Apparently, Rex was well known to the people in Osmond as his occupation was painting and paper hanging. According to his family history, he was very skilled in the latter trade, having learned it when he was 15 years old from a traveling paper hanger from Germany.
Rex died Jan. 4, 1982, and is buried with his wife in the Osmond City Cemetery. Their plot is near the top of the hill on the right, about halfway across the row.
