Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ernest Mensching

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. Ernest Mensching Marker

Inscription. In memory of
Ernest Mensching
Pvt. Co. D, 129th Inf
Oct. 15, 1918

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I.

Location. 42° 2.332′ N, 87° 53.193′ W. Memorial is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on East Prairie Avenue east of Pearson Avenue, on the left when traveling east. The marker is in a small World War I garden located on the grounds of the Des Plaines History Museum. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 781 Pearson Avenue, Des Plaines IL 60016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elmer Zaleski (here, next to this marker); John Markgraff (here,

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next to this marker); George Cook (here, next to this marker); Frederick Ladendorf (here, next to this marker); Anthony Biba (here, next to this marker); Ernst Beth (here, next to this marker); World War I Memorial (here, next to this marker); Socrates Rand Grist Mill (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.

More about this memorial. Pvt. Mesching is one of seven Des Plaines men who died in World War I and were honored with small plaques that are preserved in a small garden on the grounds of the Des Plaines History Center. An article about the creation of this garden could not be found. The seven plaques are presumed to have previously been erected somewhere outdoors in Des Plaines (and each has been given its own listing), but it could not be determined where.

Regarding Ernest Mensching. Ernest Mensching's draft registration card uses the name Ernst, as does the war memorial at Des Plaines's Lake Park, but his gravestone calls him Ernest. Whatever the case, Mensching was born in 1893 in Illinois and, at the onset of the war, was working in the iron shop at Lord and Burnham,

World War I memorial garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

2. World War I memorial garden

the greenhouse maker whose manufacturing plant was in Des Plaines. He joined the Army in 1917 and entered a field artillery unit that later was assigned to the 33rd Division. On October 5, 1918, Mensching was part of the U.S. forces fighting in Argonne Forest when he was wounded. He died 10 days later. Mensching was buried at Town of Maine Cemetery in Park Ridge, about three miles southeast of here.

Also see . . . Findagrave: Ernest Mensching. (Submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Des Plaines History Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

3. Des Plaines History Center

The WWI garden is on the right side of this photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.