October 13, 1891 - June 30, 1918

Carl Harvey Horton was born as Carl Harvey Pancake, son of Harvey Milton Pancake and Nancy "Jennie" Sharp. Carl is part of a family unit including father, mother and 1 brother and 3 sisters on the 1900 Liberty twp, Crawford Co, IN census. On this census he is listed as being born in Indiana as is all of his siblings and mother. A military biography indicates he was born in Van Wert, OH. Another source indicates Chillicothe, OH may have been his birth place. After his father died in 1901, his widow, Jennie Pancake, married Addison Ellsworth Horton on 18 Jan 1905 in Grant Co, IN. Carl appears to be found on the 20 April 1910 US Census listed as Carl H Pancake, occupation soldier with US Army, age 21. There is a US Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914 (Original data: Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls); Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.) for 1910 on page 170 listing Carl H Pancake enlisted 25 Jan 1910. Register specifically indicates place of birth as Chillicothe, Ohio age 21 3/12, occupation listed as electrician. Description shows flaxen hair, ruddy complexion and height of 5'10 1/2" tall. Regiment assigned shows H.C. Under remarks it states "Dishon. dis., June 27, 1910, at Presideo, S.F., Cal, G.O. 81, Sept, Cal, June 17,1910. Pvt. not h.&f." There does not appear to be any further explanation of circumstances. A military biography (source unknown) listing him as Horton, Carl Harvey - - Sergeant, U.S.M.C.: Son of Addison and Nancy Sharp Horton; born October 13, 1891, Van Wert, Ohio. Moved to Miami County, Ind. in 1905. Athletic instructor. Enlisted in U.S. Marine Corps April 6, 1917, San Francisco, Cal. Sent to Pensacola, Fla.; then to Quantico, Va. Overseas in June, 1917; assigned to 6th Company, 15th Machine Gun Battalion, 2nd Division. In combat service during campaign of 1917-18. Died June 30, 1918 from wounds received in action, Bordeaux, France. Body returned to U.S., and buried in I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Macy, Ind. There is further explanation of his name change from Carl Harvey Pancake to Carl Harvey Horton in newspaper article "Macy Boy Dies From Wounds" found in Peru Journal 13 Jul 1918 stating that he assumed the name of Horton five years previously when he enlisted in the regular army. This would be approximately 1913, and my personal assumption, this may have been to bypass the earlier mentioned dishonorable discharge from the US Army in 1910. Further investigation found multiple US Marine Corps Muster Rolls (only one month was missing from initial enlistment until his death) beginning 18th January 1913 continuing until what appears to be re-enlistment beginning 14 Feb 1917, different than mentioned in the military biography as enlistment date of 6 Apr 1917. His entire service was with the US Marine Corp rather than US Army as mentioned in the article "Macy Boy Dies From Wounds". The news article notation may have been referring to the period in 1910 for being with the US Army. Noted monthly muster rolls show initial enlistment with US Marine Corp beginning 18 Jan 1913 in Portland, OR, boot camp at the Navy Yard at Mare Island as a private, transport for duty station at Marine Barracks, Naval Station, 40th Company in Guam May of 1913 until Aug of 1915 (he achieved rank of corporal Jul 1914). He was at Marine Barracks, Navy Yard in Charleston, SC in Sep 1915. He went back to Guam and The Philippines Oct 1915 returning to Mare Island in Vallejo, CA Jan of 1916. He appears to have re-enlisted 14 Feb 1917 (as noted as the new primary date used on each of the muster rolls after that date) - which also brought the new rank of Sergeant. He went to the Marine Aviation Section, US Navy Aeronautic Station at Pensacola, FL for Mar-Apr 1917 before being sent to Quantico, VA with the 15th Co, 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment in May 1917 and finally shipped to France Jun 1917. As of July 1917 he had notation as being Gunnery Sergeant with the 6th Machine Gun Battalion until being mortally wounded prior to his death 30 Jun 1918. The IOOF Cemetery where he is buried is also known as Plainview Cemetery and maintained by the IOOF. A memorial has been established on Find a Grave website (memorial #44951885) for Sgt Carl Harvey "Pancake" Horton showing a picture as added by Friends of Falls Cemetery as well as a picture of his tombstone added by a Find a Grave member: "Sgt. Carl Pancake Horton 15th. Co. 6th. M.G. Batt. US Marines A.E.F. 1891-1918". Biography written and submitted by Sandra (Mollenhour) Miles