Biography
John M. Klaassen was a Mennonite conscientious objector from Oklahoma imprisoned during World War I. Court-martialed for refusing military service, he was held at Fort Leavenworth. He died in custody in 1918. (Documented in the Swarthmore College Peace Collection's World War I Conscientious Objectors database.) Archival note: sent to Camp Travis & assigned to 57th Co., 165th Depot Brigade; put in CO detachment; one of the 41 COs court-martialed at Ft. Travis for refusing to wear the uniform; imprisoned & died in Ft. Leavenworth during the flu epidemic; …
Historical photograph source
Historical portrait labeled John Klaassen at 22; added by Jason Miller on October 16, 2018. Find a Grave photograph 177362182.
Case
United States Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth