Julius David Adler
World War I Veteran
By Camille Arbogast
Julius David Adler was born in Sudylkiv, Russia (today’s Ukraine). He used different birth dates over his lifetime, sometimes giving December 13, 1891; others December 13, 1893; or December 18, 1893. His parents were Samuel and Bertha (Shefert) Adler.
Julius sailed from Bremen, Germany, on the Prince Frederick Wilhelm in June 1910, arriving in New York City on June 21, and travelling to Massachusetts the next day. Julius began the naturalization process in September 1912, when he declared his intention to become an American citizen. His 1915 petition for citizenship was witnessed by his cousin Harry D. Goldstein, a tailor, of East Boston and Julius Sawyer, a salesman living in Dorchester. On the petition, Julius renounced any allegiance to Nicholas, Emperor of all the Russias. On that document, his birthplace was given as Wolyn, Russia, (today’s Poland). The petition was dismissed in December 1919 due to “Lack of Knowledge of Government,” perhaps referring to the still uncertain Russian political situation following the 1917 revolution.
In 1912, Julius resided at 228 Havre Street in East Boston. He had moved to 622 Massachusetts Avenue in the South End by 1915. In 1917, Julius lived in Dorchester at 214 Norwell Street. He ran a grocery and provisions store in Dorchester Center, located at 105 Harvard Street.
On August 2, 1918, Julius was inducted into the Army at Local Board #19. He was sent to Camp Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts, and assigned to Company 13, 4th Battalion, 151st Depot Brigade for training. On October 9, he was transferred to the Medical Department, 36th Infantry. Julius filed a second petition for citizenship while at Camp Devens, witnessed by Lieutenant Frank E. Smith and Corporal Joseph N. Mongeon of the 4th Battalion, Depot Brigade, National Army, Camp Devens. This time Julius renounced allegiance to “The Present Government of Russia.” On October 29, 1918, Julius was naturalized as an American citizen. He was discharged from the Army in January 1919.
On August 10, 1919, Julius married Sarah Leona Shechet at 6 Smidt Avenue in Peabody, Massachusetts. Sarah, a saleswoman, had also been born in Russia. They were married by Rabbi Judah Walters of Chelsea, Massachusetts. Julius and Sarah had one child, a daughter, Blanche.
In 1920, the Adlers lived at 82 Nightingale Street in Dorchester. Julius then had a grocery at 108 Harvard Street. In 1925, they appeared in the Boston directory both living and working at 108 Harvard Street. The next year, Julius and Sarah moved to Beverly, Massachusetts, where Julius was a meat cutter at 14 Cabot Street; they resided at 19 Bennett Street. In 1929, he was a manager at 105 North Street in Salem, Massachusetts. The Adlers appeared in the 1930 census living at 8 Jacobs Street in Peabody, which they rented for $40 a month. Julius was a clerk at a grocery company. In 1931, they moved to 95 Main Street, Peabody.
Julius appears to have died by 1932, when Sarah begins to appear in the Peabody directory as his widow. It is possible he was the Julius D. Adler who died on April 13, 1931, and buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Peabody. Sarah died in 1979 and was buried in the Independent Workmen’s Circle Cemetery in Peabody.
Sources
Immigration records, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C and National Archives at Boston, Waltham, Massachusetts; Ancestry.com
World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration; Ancestry.com
Military, Compiled Service Records. World War I. Carded Records. Records of the Military Division of the Adjutant General’s Office, Massachusetts National Guard.
“United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940,” Military Service, NARA microfilm publication (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985); FamilySearch.org
“Marriage Intentions,” Boston Globe, 5 August 1919:2; Newspapers.com
Marriage Record, Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts, State Archives, Boston, MA; FamilySearch.org
1930 US Federal Census; Ancestry.com
Boston, Peabody directories, various years; Ancestry.com
Julius D. Adler, Sarah Adler, FindAGrave.com