Jasper York
Jasper York (Dec. 9, 1891 – Feb. 9, 1818) was a Cordell man who died of Spanish flu during World War I.
See Also: Scott Countians killed in war
Biography
Born Dec. 9, 1891, Jasper York was the son of Andrew York (1849-1922) and Lucinda Newport (1853-1915). He had 12 siblings: Malinda Jeffers (1870-1919), William York (1872-1959), John York (1874-1964), Rebecca Brown (1877-1945), James York (1878-1949), Riley York (1880-1965), Joseph Fowler York (1882-1970), David York (1886-1928), Ardilla Lewallen (1888-1914), Melvin York (1890-1956), Daniel York (1894-1964) and Silas York (1896-1981).
The York family was prominent in the Bull Creek community around the start of the 20th century. Andrew York spent his entire life there. He owned approximately 600 acres of land, including tracks on both side of New River. He helped build both the church and school at Bull Creek. Lucinda Newport York was the daughter of Sterling McDonald and Rebecca Newport.
The York family was very active in the U.S. armed forces. Four of Andrew and Lucinda’s sons (John, James, Riley, and Joseph) served in the Spanish-American War. In addition to Jasper, David, Melvin, Daniel and Silas all served in World War I. Silas also served in World War II.
All nine of the York sons were war veterans who served overseas, with the exception of Jasper, who fell ill and died before he could make it overseas.
World War I
Sgt. York enlisted in the U.S. Army at Laredo, Tex. on Feb. 24, 1917. He was assigned to Co. L, 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.
Sgt. York was training at Camp Greene in Charlotte, N.C. when he fell ill with Spanish flu in February 1918. He died on Feb. 9, 1918, at age 26.
Aftermath
The U.S. Army notified Sgt. York’s brother, Daniel, of his death. Daniel fought in France during the war, as did brothers David, Melvin and Silas.
Sgt. York’s body was returned to Scott County, and he was buried in the family cemetery on a mountaintop at Bull Creek. His mother had been buried there in 1915, and his father would be buried there in 1922.