07/31/2026
Meet William Hix Blackburn, born September 25, 1890, in Loa, Utah Territory. He was the eighth of twelve children born to Malena Busenbark and Elias Platte Blackburn. When he was four years old, his family relocated to Ferron, where he attended public school. On his World War I Draft Registration Card, completed June 5, 1917, William listed his occupation as a sheep herder in Sanpete County.
Just over a year later, William was inducted into the Army on June 25, 1918. He was assigned to Company M, 109th Infantry, and trained at Camp Lewis for 19 days, Camp Kearney for 13 days, and Camp Mills for one week before departing overseas on July 30, 1918. His World War I questionnaire was completed by his sister, Chloe, who reported that William had been killed in action on September 28, 1918.
Further research reveals that William was initially listed as missing in action. His family was first notified that he had died in September, but military records were later amended to list his date of death as October 8, 1918. William's remains were returned to Utah in September 1921, and he was laid to rest in the Ferron City Cemetery.
Read William's World War I questionnaire here: bit.ly/4wyXT9D
