A Look Back in Time: NORTH BALTIMORE IN WORLD WAR I

NORTH BALTIMORE IN WORLD WAR I

Vernon Wymer was the first Wood County serviceman to die in combat in World War I.  He was born in Galatea in 1900 to Charles and Ella Wymer and was living in North Baltimore when the United States entered the war against Imperial Germany.

Vernon enlisted as a private in Company H, 2^nd Infantry of the Ohio National Guard in July 1917 at Bowling Green, Ohio.

He trained with them until he was sent as a replacement to the American Expeditionary Force in France in early 1918.  He was then assigned to the 2^nd United States Infantry Division as a rifleman with Company K, 23^rd Infantry Regiment.

During the Second Battle of Marne, Private Wymer was killed on July 2, 1918 while his unit was attacking Germany army units holding the village of Vaux.

At the request of his family, Private Wymer’s body was returned to the United States for burial in 1921.  Several thousand people attended his funeral in North Baltimore.  He is buried in Weaver Cemetery, Bloom Township, Wood County beside his brother Gerald, who was killed in World War II.

Four other North Baltimore area residents also lost their lives in World War I either through disease or accident.  They are:

Charles B. Lawrence, Seaman 2^nd Class, US Navy:  Lawrence died of Spanish influenza at the Naval Hospital of the Great Lakes on September 23, 1918 at age 25 years.  Surviving him were his parents Bassett and Nellie Lawrence.  Charles had attended Notre Dame University for 2 years prior to enlisting.  He is buried in Hough Cemetery.

John W. Weaver, Private, US Army.  Weaver died at Camp Forrest, Georgia on October 9, 1918 at age 27 years.  Surviving him were his parents Ichabod and Nancy Weaver.  He is buried in Maplewood Cemetery.

Howard W. Wrede, Yeoman 2^nd Class, US Navy.   Wrede died of pneumonia caused by the Spanish influenza at the U. S. Naval Hospital in Norfolk, VA on October 13, 1918 at age 22 years.  Surviving him were his parents Albert and Minnie Wrede.  He is buried in Maplewood Cemetery.

Morris H. Neiman, 2^nd Lieutenant, US Army.  Neiman died of pneumonia caused by the Spanish influenza at Camp Sherman (Chillicothe) on October 15, 1918 at age 28 years.  Surviving him were his parents Henry and Nettie; wife Helen; and 6-month-old daughter Betty Jean.   He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo.

submitted by Margaret Bobb, North Baltimore Area Historical Society