Park Ridge in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Edmund F. Bentley

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 9, 2025

1. Edmund F. Bentley Marker

Inscription.
In memory of Edmund F. Bentley
Jr. Engr. Merchant Marine
Died in service Apr 13 1918

Erected by Mel Tierney American Legion Post 247.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is April 17, 1917.

Location. 42° 0.544′ N, 87° 49.851′ W. Marker is in Park Ridge, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of Courtland Avenue and Prospect Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Courtland Avenue. The marker is on the north end of Hodges Park, at the rear a newer war memorial. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Park Ridge IL 60068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker 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

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walking distance of this marker: Pvt. Henry J. Ziegenbein (here, next to this marker); Sgt. Emmons Harries (here, next to this marker); Lt. Herbert C. Petersen (here, next to this marker); Pvt. Richard F. Boettcher (here, next to this marker); Park Ridge War Memorial (here, next to this marker); Corp. Mel Tierney (here, next to this marker); Milestones of History (within shouting distance of this marker); Park Ridge Camp Fire Girls (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Park Ridge.

More about this marker. This bronze plaque is one of more than a half-dozen individual markers to World War I veterans that can be found surrounding a newer war memorial on the north end of Hodges Park. It could not be determined how these markers were originally displayed, or when they were placed in Hodges Park.

Regarding Edmund F. Bentley. According to a brief article in the Chicago Tribune in April 1918, Edmund Bentley of Park Ridge was an engineer on a ship called the Florence H., which exploded in a French port on April 17, 1918. The article said that Bentley was from Park Ridge and that his

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 9, 2025

2. Edmund F. Bentley Marker

The marker is one of six surrounding a newer war memorial at Hodges Park.

family, which included a wife and two small children, was awaiting a list of survivors. No other article about either his death or the discovery of his body could be found. The Tribune said that Bentley had given up a position as general superintendent of the Pitt Engineering Company to particpiate in the war effort even though he was too old to be drafted.

A New York Times report from April 21 reported that 34 members of the 75-man crew of the Florence H. were rescued, with the remaining 41 probably lost. The Navy reported that the ship had blown up due to an internal explosion.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 9, 2025

3. Hodges Park

The war memorials are on the north end of the park.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.