The Great War: June 23, 1917

During the early days of the United States' involvement in the Great War, accounts of doctors offering their service to the war effort were no doubt common. This report of a Hudson doctor being commissioned, however, caught my eye, because Henry C. Galster is a familiar character in Gossips posts. We know he made it safely through the war because in 1922, when Hudson police chief John J. Cruise was being investigated, accused, and tried for dereliction of duty, for allowing the production and sale of liquor to continue in Hudson in the early days of Prohibiton, Henry C. Galster was the mayor of Hudson.

Dr. Henry C. Galster, as well known physician and surgeon of this city, to-day received a commission as captain in the medical section of the Officers Reserve corps of the United States army. He is now awaiting orders to leave Hudson for some concentration camp, from which he probably will be detailed to Europe.

In April Dr. Galster offered his services to the United States government, and stated that he was ready for immediate service in Europe. He was recommended for a captaincy commission, but subsequently received word that led him to believe that he would be appointed a first lieutenant.

This morning he received a communication from the office of the secretary of War, in which was his commission as captain in the medical section of the Officers' Reserve corps, which commission became effective June 15. His many friends will be delighted to learn of the designation and that he will make a most capable officer is not doubted.

Dr. Galster for some time was first lieutenant in the Medical corps of the Tenth regiment, National Guard, a position he filled in a most capable manner. He has, therefore, considerable military experience.

Galster, who was 29 in 1917, lived and practiced medicine at 454 Warren Street. It is the address given on his draft registration card.

The picture below, by Walker Evans, shows the house, which is now the location of Nolita, as it was in the 1930s. Galster's shingle can be seen on the street level door.

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