CAC listed above could stand for Coast Artillery Corps - but not sure.
Company M, 351st Infantry, 38th Battalion
He received his early education in the Peterson grade and high schools. Following the world war, he was a student in the Oakland Technical College, Oakland, California, for three years.
He was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Rothfolk of Manning, Iowa in 1916. To this union three children were born a daughter, Margaret Frances (Mrs. Harold Kellogg) of Kewanee, Illinois; two sons, Harold Kenneth and William Arthur. He also leaves his father and a sister, Miss Adeline Esser to mourn his untimely passing. His mother and a younger brother Francis Harold, preceded him in death.
Previous to the World War he served in the U.S. Army. When America entered the war he volunteered for the service. He had suffered a severe leg injury during his first enlistment, which necessitated an operation at Letterman Hospital, Presidio, San Francisco, California. While in training at Camp Dodge the strenuous practice marching brought back the old weakness and he was confined to the hospital and disqualified for overseas service. Later he became Company Supply Sergeant at the Presidio, San Francisco, California, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged with excellent character rating.
While serving at the Presidio San Francisco, he became a victim of the severe flu epidemic of 1918 and was seriously ill for three weeks after which illness he never regained his health. December 1920, he entered the Veterans' Hospital at Prescott, Arizona, for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. From then until death he had sought treatment and relief in various parts of the country. About a year ago his illness became aggravated by tuberculosis of the throat and a chronic heart ailment. He entered the Veterans' Facility at Tucson, Arizona, December 22, 1935, where in spite of every care and every known treatment he passed away April 5, 1936.
Until shortly before his death he was a member of the Disabled Veterans of the World War.
His love and loyalty to his family were outstanding throughout his life and although separated from his children many times when seeking health in the various parts of the country he kept in loving touch with them. His great courage, cheerfulness, and patience during the long period of his disability will always be an inspiration to those left to mourn his passing.
Dr. James, Manager of the Veterans Facility at Tucson stated that he was one of the most patient members in their facility of three hundred veterans. In a letter to the family he said: "He died in the Service of his Country, honored and respected by all of us."
Funeral services were held in Manning on Friday, April 10th, 1936, at the Ohde Funeral Home at two o'clock in the afternoon, the Rev. A.D. Steffenson pastor of the M.E. church officiating. He was buried with military honors, services being conducted by Emil Ewoldt Post No. 22, American Legion.
Casket Bearers were Dr. Raymond B. Kelsey, Amos Lee, Anton Mergele, Dr. Charles C. Sullivan, Lionel Surridge, and Ernest D. Sutherland.
Those from out of town attending the funeral were: Mrs. Hazel A. Batta of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Rothfolk of Bagley, Iowa; Mrs. Marie Martin of Bagley, Iowa; and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kellogg of Kewanee, Illinois.
Esser Funeral Rites Will Be Held On Friday
Manning Resident Dies In Veterans' Hospital In Arizona
Military services for William Tecumseh Esser, 44, will be held in the Ohde
Funeral home Friday at 2 o'clock. Funeral services will be in charge of Emil Ewoldt Post of the American Legion.
Mr. Esser, a World War Veteran, passed away at the Veterans' Hospital in Tucson, Arizona, Sunday evening, a victim of Fibroid Tuberculosis contracted during his Army service. His father, Dr. William Esser of Manning, has been with him the past three weeks, also his wife and children.
Born At Peterson
Mr. Esser was born in Peterson, Iowa, January 29, 1892. He graduated
from the Peterson High School. Later he was a student for three years at Technical College, Oakland, California.
Previous to the world war he served enlistment at the Presidio, San Francisco, and at Fort Rosecrans, San Diego. He volunteered for service in the war in May 1917.
Because of injuries suffered during his former enlistment, he did not see service abroad; but served as Supply Sergeant in the Presidio.
In 1916, he was married to Miss Johanna Rothfolk, at Manning. They lived in Manning the greater share of their married life.
During the past summer, his ailment became worse and in September the family went to Corpus Christi, Texas, a month later to San Antonio, and finally to Tucson, Arizona. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Esser is survived by his widow, one daughter, Margaret Frances, Mrs. Harold Kellog of Kewanee, Illinois, two sons, Harold Kenneth and William Arthur, his father, Dr. William Esser, and one sister, Miss Cora Esser of Manning.
The body is expected to arrive in Manning, Thursday at noon.
Carroll Daily Herald, April 8, 1936