Private Howell Grady Sanford
United States Army, World War I
Company F, 19 Infantry Regiment, 18 Division
June 9, 2025 - Howell Grady was born September 21, 1900 or 1901 as there are conflicting documents listing his year of birth. There are also conflicting ways of spelling the last name as some family members used Samford. Grady was the sixth child of seven born to Catherine Lenora and Elkanah Asbury “Shank” Samford in Center, Shelby County, Texas. His siblings were Leah Renna (1888), Fannie Pearl (1893), Della Mae (1895), William Evan (1891), James Walter (1896), and Otealia (1905). The family resided on a farm his father owned around the Center Timpson Road, in Shelby County that was located in the far eastern part of the state.
World War I Record
The United States declared war on Germany, April 6, 1917, and entered the World War in Europe that began in 1914. A year later at the age of seventeen and no doubt with his parents signed permission, Grady voluntarily enlisted in the Regular Army at Port Arthur, Texas on April 28, 1918. At that time he was living in Jonesboro, Coryell County and following the oath of enlistment Private Sanford, serial # 1140088 was entrained to Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas to begin basic training with the 165 Depot Brigade. Following basic he was assigned to Company F, 19 Infantry Regiment, 35 Infantry Brigade; 18 Division also at Camp Travis. The division was in training when the war ended November 11, 1918, and demobilization began. Grady was honorably discharged December 2, 1918, and for his seven plus months of service he was awarded the World War I Victory Medal.
WWI Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin
Returning to civilian life he settled in Dallas, Texas and found employment as an auto mechanic and truck driver. He was once married and divorced. On February 16, 1942, he registered for what was called the “old man’s draft” and although not called to service at age 40 he saw the beginning and ending of a world war for the second time in his life. On January 15, 1980, he was admitted to the Pleasant Grove Hospital in Dallas with pneumonia and died four days later. Howell Grady was buried in Laurel Oaks Memorial Park, Mesquite, Dallas County, Texas. Day is done, God is nigh.
Epilogue: His two brothers William and James also served and survived World War I.
Sources:
(1): Year: 1910; Census Place: Justice Precinct 1, Shelby, Texas; Roll: T624_1588; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 0144; FHL microfilm: 1375601
(2): "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89MN-C9L9-7?cc=2202707&wc=334L-HZ9%3A1560656702%2C1561164401 : 26 March 2015), Enlisted men > Runnels, Andrew-Schendel, Will R, 1917-1920 > image 3082 of 4439; Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin.
(3): Brief Histories of Divisions, US Army 1917-1918.
(4): National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Texas, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 1332
(5): Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA
