“Carroll County’s Army Nurses in World War I”

Carroll County Times Article for 22 August 1993

By Jay A. Graybeal

This November 11th will be the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Great War or World War I as it is known today. The Historical Society of Carroll County will present a special exhibition and publish a book on the participation of local men and women.

Included on Carroll County’s Roll of Honor are the names of 13 women; six served as Army nurses and seven as Navy Yoemen. Little has been written about these women except a brief service record published by the Maryland War Records Commission in 1933.

Laura E. Buckingham of Woodbine, but then living in Westminster, became a nurse on October 14, 1918. She served briefly at the Base Hospital, Camp McArthur, Texas and was honorably discharged on January 14, 1919.

Julia Irene Kauffman of Westminster, but then living in Baltimore, became a nurse on May 13, 1918. She served briefly at the Base Hospital, Camp Lee, Va. and was sent overseas with the 42nd Base Hospital in July 1918. This unit had been organized at the University of Maryland, Baltimore with personnel drawn from Baltimore hospitals. Arriving in Bazoilles, France in July 1918, the unit provided first aid for a large number of American wounded. Nurse Kauffman returned home in May 1919 and was honorably discharged on April 10.

Katherine Miller of New Windsor joined on April 6, 1918. After serving at Walter Reed General Hospital, she was sent overseas with the 45th Base Hospital. She remained in France after the Armistice and served with the 82th Base Hospital and at the Hospital Center at Vannes. Her unit was involved in the St. Mihiel Offensive of September 12-16, 1918. She was the only Carroll County woman to serve in a combat area. She returned to the United States on July 13, 1919.

Laura Matilda Nygren of Westminster joined on September 13, 1918. She served briefly at Camp Meade and was sent overseas on December 6, 1918. After serving with the 110th and 90th Base Hosiptals, she returned to New York in May 1919. She was honorably discharged on June 12, 1919.

Ellen Elizabeth Shaeffer of Westminster, but then living in Baltimore, became an Army nurse on June 10, 1918. She was initially assigned to the 2nd General Hospital but was sent overseas shortly after the Armistice. She served at the 97th Base Hospital and with the 108th Camp Hospital. She returned home on June 20, 1918.

Margaret Catherine Wohlgemuth of Westminster, but then living in Annapolis, joined the Nurse Corps on May 8, 1917. She was immediately sent overseas to serve with the 5th Base Hospital. She returned to the United States on March 25, 1919.

Although their numbers were small, the service of these Army nurses was great. They gave aid and comfort to ill soldiers in stateside camps and to the wounded from numerous French battlefields.

The writer would appreciate hearing from anyone who has information, photographs, or artifacts related to the abovementioned women. Next week’s article will present similar profiles of Navy Yoemen Ella Mary Rebecca Doster, Caroline Webb Hewitt, Belva Agnes Lynn, Nellie May Lynn, Mary Grace (Schweigart) Moore, Caroline May Sappington and Derma Marie Yeiser.

Photo Caption: Laura M. Nygren seated at right beside Ralph Williams enjoys an outing at Winters Dam with Claude Kimmey and Anna Yingling. Historical Society of Carroll County Collection.