Ernest Jefferson Stover, son of Monroe Jefferson and Martha Ellen Stover, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, was born in Berrien County Michigan, December 28, 1886. He was raised a farmer and employed on his father’s farm until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he left home and set out for the west. After traveling for some time in the western states, he located at McGill, White Pine County, Nevada. He was employed in the smelters there until he was called into the service. On October 4th, 1917, he was enrolled as a private in the 34th Battalion, 166th Depot Brigade, Camp Lewis, Washington. For a month he drilled with the brigade, then received a transfer to Company A, 161st Infantry, 41st Division, (November 8th, 1917). He served with his regiment until the month of June, 1918, after having crossed to France with it on December 13th, 1917, and having been made a Private 1st Class, on the 11th of January. In June he transferred to Company K, 23d Infantry, of the 2d Division. The history of the 2d Division from the month of May until the day of the Armistice is one of savage battles and successes to its arms. From the 31st of May until June 5th, it stopped the headlong rush of German battalions on the Marne, on June 6th it took Hill 142 and Bouresches, on June 26th, Belleau Wood, and on July 1st, Vaux. Then followed the Aisne-Marne Offensive with more glories to the Second, including the capture of Beaurepaire Farm and Vierzy (July 18-19.) This was followed by the occupation of sub-sectors on the front and a period of intensive training, which continued until September 12th, when the battle of St. Mihiel took place. There again the Second played an important part in an offensive which drove the Germans out of a whole sector.

On October 3d, 1918, the division entered the fight in Champagne. By a brilliant operation it captured the heights of Mont Blanc and drove the enemy into a retreat of 30 kilometers. General Pershing in his first report thus described the battle: “The Second Division conquered the complicated defense works on their front against a persistent defense worthy of the grimest period of trench warfare and attacked the strongly held wooded hill of Mont Blanc, which they captured in a second assault, sweeping over it with consummate dash and skill. This division then repulsed strong counter attacks before the village and cemetery of St. Etienne and took the town, forcing the Germans to fall back before Rheims and yield positions they had held since September, 1914.”

On the first day of the seven day battle, Private First Class Stover fell on the field near Somme-Py. He gave his life amid the rush as a soldier of the Flag, and thereby earned the ever-lasting affection and gratitude of his fellow patriots. He was buried in the cemetery of the commune of Somme-Py, Marne, France. Besides his parents three brothers and two sisters survive him; Clayton M. and Arthur E. Stover, of Berrien Springs, Michigan; Charles F. Stover, of Hoquiam, Washington; Mrs. Gertrude Morey, of Irma, Alberta, Canada, and Mrs. Jennie C. Trockenbrod, of Elkhart, Indiana.