About Art Semro

Art Semro (1887-1918) was a World War I casualty, the first from Grant County, Washington. His parents opened the Melrose Hotel in Wilson Creek, WA, and Semro died in the Argonne Forest, France, on October 2, 1918, while serving in the military. The local American Legion post in Ephrata is named in his honor.

• Family history:Art Semro's parents, who were hoteliers, opened the Melrose Hotel in Wilson Creek around 1903.

• WWI service:Semro served during World War I and was killed in action in the Argonne Forest in France.

• Date of death:He died on October 2, 1918, just a little over a month before the end of the war.

• Cause of death:The American Legion notes that he was ill with the flu and was killed by shrapnel.

• Legacy:The Art Semro Post 28 of the American Legion in Ephrata is named after him to honor Grant County's fallen soldiers.