PVT Ward J. Flock
1892–1978
USAR
WWI
Ward John Flock was born July 19, 1892 in Whiteside County, Illinois, to John and Nettie Schlink Flock.
He received a degree in Agriculture with the Class of 1918 from University of Illinois, where he played Varsity Baseball, was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi and Alpha Gamma Rho, and active in student activities.
Flock served in World War I from December 11, 1917 to June 9, 1919 with the 370th Aero (Service) Squadron in France as a Private. Aero Squadrons were the designation of the first U.S. Army aviation units until the end of World War I, consisting of combat flying, training, ground support, construction and other components of the Air Service. The 370th was responsible for the major work of constructing roads, hangars, barracks and technical buildings for the Aero Squadron base at Chatillon-sur-Seine, France.
Flock moved to Barrington in 1919 with his mother and grandmother. He married Laura Verdelle Richardson of Barrington on July 12, 1922; they raised five children.
Professionally, Flock was a farmer and cattle buyer his whole life. This longtime resident of Cuba Township played college baseball with his friend George Halas, was once mistaken for President Truman by a New York cabbie, and rode freight trains on winter cattle buying trips to Canada. He was recognized by Barrington area citizens for his ever-present cowboy hat, year-round top-down convertible, and friendly manner to all.
Ward Flock died September 15, 1978 in his Cuba Township home, and is buried with his wife in Barrington’s Evergreen Cemetery.
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Remember. Honor. Teach.
Courtesy of Signal Hill Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.