PVT Paul R. Purcell
1894 – 1975
USAR
WWI
Paul Robert Purcell was born in Barrington on January 9, 1894, to Robert and Cora Gray Purcell.
He entered the U.S. Army on February 26, 1918, and served in Co. A, 52nd Engineers during World War I. He was honorably discharged as a Private on August 9, 1919.
In May, 1924, Purcell married Ruth D. Dorwaldt in Barrington; they had no children and were divorced by 1934. He married Gertrude M. Ziegler on February 21, 1935; they had no children.
Through the years, Purcell was employed as a locomotive fireman, a welder-boilermaker, and eventually became the Superintendent of the Barrington Streets and Water Department. He lived in the Village for 72 of his 83 years.
He was a member of Lounsbury Lodge #751 A.F. & A.M. and Barrington’s American Legion Post #158.
Private Paul Purcell died May 9, 1975 in Oak Park, and is buried with Purcell family members in Barrington’s Evergreen Cemetery.
-----
Remember. Honor. Teach.
Courtesy of Signal Hill Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.