Otto’s Column

LOCAL HISTORY Horace Sheets served in WWI as a medical officer

He was stationed at Camp Grant before returning home

Editor’s note: Otto Dick, Oregon has researched the people, places and events important in the Oregon area’s history for the Ogle County Historical Society. The following is one of a series of the articles he has written.

BY OTTO DICK

We have Dr. Horace Sheet’s WWI Uniform on display in the Military Room at the Ogle County Historical Society. On Dec. 11, 1918 he was assigned to duty at Fort Riley, Kansas with the Rank of Captain.

While he was stationed at Ft. Riley his brother George died Dec. 29, 1918. He was called home for the funeral and we have the Western Union Telegram sent Dec. 30, granting him a three day leave extension.

On May 19, 1919 he was assigned as Ward Surgeon at Camp Grant in Rockford. On June 28, 1919 Captain H. H. Sheets received his discharge from the Army. He returned to his home in Oregon and resumed his medical practice.

Horace Sheets was born in Oregon, Nov. 20, 1877. This was five years after the train came through Oregon and 25 years before the first car passed through Oregon.

His father B. F. Sheets moved to Oregon in 1861. The following year he enlisted and served in the 92nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

Horace graduated from Oregon High School in 1896 and attended Rush Medical College receiving his Medical Degree in 1901. He practiced medicine in Byron for one year and then came to Oregon where he successfully practiced for 27 years.

The year he moved to Oregon he married Miss Gussie Wilson on Sept. 6, 1902.

Dr. Horace and Gussie Sheets built their house at 500 S. 6th Street. The Oregon High School 1937 football team practice field was located on an empty lot adjacent to the Sheets’ home.

At that time, the football field at the high school was under construction. The Hawks played their home games on the Mt. Morris High School field.

Dr. Sheet’s office was located above the Oregon State Savings Bank building at 406 Washington St. On Oct 26, 1929 he died at the Dixon Hospital from a cerebral hem-

ABOVE: Horace Sheets is the boy on the right who is reclining in the front row. This photo was taken in 1890. BELOW LEFT: The B.F. Sheets home was located at 100 S. Seventh Street in Oregon. BOTTOM RIGHT: Dr. Sheet’s Office was located above the Oregon State

Savings Bank building at 406 Washington St. Photos supplied by Otto Dick

orrhage.

He was stricken while attending the Dixon theatre in Dixon with Mr. and Mrs. Spoor who were owners of the Spoor Hotel in Oregon. Dr. Murphy, his friend, was attending a convention of surgeons at Detroit Michigan and hastened home to Dixon to assist and help his friend.

His condition improved, but a

relapse followed. The funeral was held at his house with burial in Riverview Cemetery.

Dr. Sheets was a founding member of the Oregon Country Club. On April 24, 1919 the Athletic Director at Camp Funston, Kansas wrote “Returned by Capt. Sheets to camp athletic office, 3 mashies, 3 brassies, 3 putters and 12 balls.” He must have

enjoyed his golf game while he was in the service.

There are three Sheet Homes in Oregon. His father, Illinois Senator B. F. Sheets, lived at 100 S. 7th Street, his brother Reverend Fred Sheets lived at 101 S. 7th St., and Dr. Horace Sheets lived at 500 S. 6th Street.

The Sheets family left their mark in this community.