The first solider to die in World War I from Harvey county was Private MacArthur B. Brush, 354th Infantry,son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Allen & Nellie (MacArthur) Brush of Newton, was born at Walton, Kansas, July 24,1891. He graduated from the Newton high school in 1911, and from the Kansas State Agriculture College in 1916.
He entered the army Y. M. C. A. work at Camp Funston in September, 1917. In November of that year he enlisted in the medical corps of the 354th regular infantry, infirmary No. 12. While ministering to the sick he became ill of pneumonia and died at the base hospital at Fort Riley March 15, 1918. MacArthur was 27 years old
He was a member of the United Presbyterian hurch since a lad of 12 years, and lived an exemplary life, full of useful activity, and died in the service of his country, striving to make the world better. He sleeps in peace in Greenwood cemetery.
