Nathan Rachel: Escambia's first draftee

The recent commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I marked a time that had a great impact on our local area. Many local men fought in the war. Some such as Sidney Manning became legendary for their bravery on the battlefields which bled Europe white. Many others did their duty as well and served their country.

Local men had to sign up for the draft. The draft cards from this era contain a priceless treasure trove of information about these men and their lives before the war. Escambia's young men did their duty and signed up for the draft. Yet have you ever wondered who was the first man drafted from Escambia County?

While browsing The Pine Belt News, a Brewton paper from August 9, 1917, this writer found; quite by accident, the name of the first inductee of the World War I draft from Escambia County.

His name was Nathan Rachel, and he was from Canoe, Alabama. He claimed no exemption and was found physically sound. He told The Pine Belt News that he was ready and willing to go and is now at home awaiting orders. His orders stated he'd likely be called to service in September 1917.

Nathan likely lived on what is now Arthur Hall Road in Canoe although it is labeled on the 1910 census as the Canoe to Flomaton Road. He was born November 14, 1894 to Morgan (sp?) and Laura Rachel. His father listed his occupation on the 1910 census as farm laborer. He had several siblings, Maggie, Young, Ollie, Harry, Thelma and Lelia. It is likely the family moved to Canoe from Monroe County Alabama.

Young Nathan left for boot camp on September 4, 1917, most likely by train from Canoe Station, and traveled to Camp Gordon, Georgia. He was shipped out to Europe on October 10, 1918 from New York City aboard the Derbyshire, a transport ship.

He was assigned to Company B 106th Infantry Batt. of the 27th Division. Private First Class Rachel wasn't in Europe long before the war ended and he shipped out from Brest, France on February 26, 1919 aboard the Leviathan. This ship was actually a German shipped seized by the US government at the start of the war and used to transport troops back and forth across the Atlantic it is listed as the largest ship in the world in some maritime history books. The ship arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey on March 8, 1919.

Nathan Rachel returned to Canoe, Alabama in 1919 and settled down to farming. He married his wife, Luvenia, in Mobile on November 29, 1919. The 1920 census shows the couple married and living in Canoe. Apparently the couple had their own farm, in that the census records show him carrying a mortgage.

Eventually all of the Rachel family disappear from the Canoe record. By 1930, Nathan and his wife are found on the census, living in Mobile where he was working as an ice delivery man. The couple had no children. The 1932 city directory shows him working as a carpenter and the couple living at 370 Fresonia and North Elsmore in the Crichton community.

At least one of Nathan's siblings, Harry, moved to Mobile as well. He is listed as working as an inspector in the Alabama Dry Dock Company in 1942, a very important job in war-time Mobile. Harry's son, Newburn Rachel, served in the US Army during World War II from May 8, 1943 to October 30, 1945.

The record is void as to whether Nathan and Luvenia had children. The last census record, 1940, shows only husband and wife in the household. Nathan Edgar Rachel died on May 25, 1983, five days before the Memorial Day holiday of that year, and is buried at Mobile Memorial Gardens in Tillman's Corner beside his wife.

Private First Class Nathan Rachel isn't mentioned in the history books, but he was the first called in his community and he answered that call. When one surveys the old abandoned homesites and cemeteries of our areas, it is important to remember that every lonely chimney standing in a neglected patch of weeds by an old homesite tells a story and every headstone holds a lot of history between the two dates on the inscription.

Thank you for answering the call PFC Nathan Rachel.

Shadows and Dust Volume III: Legacies is available for purchase in the amount of $30.00+$5.00 shipping and handling to PO Box 579 Atmore, AL 36502 or visit Lulu Publishing.com; Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles.com OR at the Monroe County Heritage Museum in Monroeville, Alabama or by calling 251 294 0293.