World War, 1914-1918

Abstract The American War Mothers organization was founded in September 1917, developed a constitution and by-laws in August 1918, and was granted a Congressional charter on February 24, 1925. The purpose of this organization was for mothers of young men and women at risk during World War I to engage in patriotic service to those serving their country. At the time, their membership was strictly limited to mothers whose sons and daughters served between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918. Among their...

Abstract In the aftermath of World War I, a number of volunteers from American agencies went overseas to help with the return to peacetime and assist the military with this and other projects. Annie Lee Hoffman was one of these volunteers, serving as part of the YMCA. Annie was born on August 9, 1887 in Morganton, NC to Julius and Martha Hoffman. She attended Oxford Seminary in Oxford, NC where she studied office administration. She moved to Rocky Mount, NC where she was employed as a private...

Abstract The Downs/McCachren and Cappiello/Piscitelli Collection contains a variety of materials for the Downs, McCachren, Cappiello, and Piscitelli families. The Downs and McCachren families have been longtime residents of Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties, while the Cappiello and Piscitelli families came from Italy and settled in New Haven, Connecticut. Anthony Piscitelli settled in Charlotte after marrying Alice McCachren in 1947. Members of these families for whom materials may be...

Abstract This collection contains materials relating to the Guion family of Charlotte, North Carolina. Many of the items in the collection pertain to military service, including the Spanish-American War and World War I. Clyde Doyle Guion served in US Army from 1918-19 and in the American Expeditionary Forces for 3 months. C.D. Guion was also a pharmacist in Cornelius. Several items are related to the USS Relief, a hospital ship in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War, confined to...

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Israel Dorman was born in Russia on August 18, 1892 or 1893, to Benjamin and Goldie Buchrinsky Dorman, and was one of eight children. The family immigrated to America in 1906, arriving first in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and finally settling in Baltimore, Maryland. This collection contains clippings, correspondence, financials, military records, postcards, photographs, and negatives relating to his time in the military. Materials are dated 1918-c1939.

Abstract Camp Greene was a training camp for American soldiers during World War I, 1917-1918. Located about three miles west of uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, it quickly grew to surpass the size of the city, reaching 60,000 troops at its height. The majority of soldiers came from the northern states, in particular Massachusetts, and although segregated, included both black and white troops. The first troops arrived in September 1917, and continued until the armistice was signed on November 11,...

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Julia McNinch (1891-1975) was born in 1891 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Samuel Sylvanus McNinch and Julia Magill McNinch. Julia was a schoolteacher and married John Klump Slear of Pennsylvania, who had been a soldier training at Camp Greene. This collection includes one scrapbook with documents, photographs, postcards, songs, stamps, and textiles relating to Camp Greene. The scrapbook is dated 1918 and in good condition.

Abstract Mary Brevard Alexander Howell was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1901, the only child of Sydenham B. Alexander, Jr. and Mary Watson Robertson Alexander. In 1922, Howell married Billy Shaw Howell, with whom she shared two sons, Sydenham Alexander Howell and Billy “Wool” Shaw Howell, Jr. Howell was very active in civic affairs. At various times, she was a board member for a number of charitable organizations including the Florence Crittendon Home and the Presbyterian Foundation. She...

Abstract Maurice W. Biggers (1892-1962), a resident of Union and Mecklenburg counties, served in World War I in both France and Germany from 1918-1919. He was a machinegunner in France during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, and later moved to Germany where he was “in charge of schools” for the military. In 1919 he returned stateside, where he played a large role in the field of education as a principal and educator. He further invested in his community through dedicated service in the Post Office...