Bemon Garsee Family Collection

Collection

Identifier: A-0017

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains several photographs of the Garsee family in the 1940s, three funeral registers, as well as a San Augustine High School Diploma, and a Masonic Bible and notes. There is also a newspaper clipping and photocopy about Corporal Bemon Garsee’s time in the “bloody bucker” 28^th Infantry Division in World War II. One item of interest is an original poem written by Corporal Bemon Garsee exactly one year after June 6, 1944 in remembrance of his lost comrades.

Dates

Creation: 1940-1956

Language of Materials

The collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research.

Biographical or Historical Information

Corporal Bemon Garsee was born in San Augustine, Texas on June 14, 1916 to Samuel and Georgia Garsee. He married Erma J. Epps and they had two children, Glenda Jean, born in 1943, and Jimmy Wayne, born in 1947. Bemon enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. He served through the end of the war in the famous 28^th Infantry “bloody bucket” division. Erma, Glenda, and Jimmy all passed away in 1956. After his service in the Army and the deaths of his family, he moved to Nacogdoches and was an iron worker. At some point, he married Evelyn Doty, through which he gained a stepdaughter Cindy Jolls. Bemon passed away on May 24, 1995.

Extent

0.30 Cubic Feet

Additional Description

Arrangement

The bulk of this collection consists of 14 items described in six folders. These were originally housed in two clamshell boxes. The collection is now housed with other collections in a banker's box. The original folder numbering remains in place. There are also two items in an oversize bundle. The collection is organized at both the folder and item levels.