Photo: Mike Noonan, Marinette, Wisconsin.

PESHTIGO, WISCONSIN

Near N 45° 3.798 / W 87° 44.6688

Copyright version 1934, cast zinc.

Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: WI000443
(record shows unknown sculptor).

In southwest corner of Riverside Cemetery, north of town off 493 County Road RW, and near Ogden Avenue.

There is a large plaque on the front of the base, which reads:

DEDICATED TO HER SONS
WHO OFFERED THEIR LIVES
IN FREEDOM'S CAUSE
IN THREE GREAT WARS
WAR OF THE REBELLION
1861    -    1865
SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
1898
THE GREAT WORLD WAR
1914        -       1918
ERECTED BY THE
CITIZENS AND FRIENDS OF
PESHTIGO  -  WIS.

A small plaque at the bottom of the base reads:

ERECTED BY
WM. TAYLOR
RELIEF CORPS
MAY 30, 1936

(followed by two more lines listing Corps President Anna Albrecht and Patriotic Instructor Margaret Carsen.)

Knowledge of this Doughboy surfaced in the Spring of 2004 when I discovered an article from the Peshtigo Times by Justin Rioelle about a restoration in process. However, the piece had been listed in the Smithsonian Inventory of American Sculpture (IAS) since at least 1995, but the sculptor was (and still is) listed as unknown.

According to the article, funds for the original purchase and 1936 dedication were raised by the Peshtigo Women’s Relief Corps and the Carlson-Alguire Post 312 and its auxiliary.

At the time of the article, the Doughboy was missing its left hand and rifle. Funds for the 2004 restoration were being provided by DAV Post 42 of Marinette, the VFW Post of Pestigo, and the Peshtigo American Legion Post 312 Auxiliary. The restoration, which included replacing the hand and rifle, was completed by May 31, 2004. The bayonet apparently was not included in the restoration.

Special thanks to Mary Beth Noonan Jensen of Lena, Wisconsin, and her brother Mike Noonan, Marinette, Wisconsin, for the photograph.