Veterans' Memorial Project

Algernon DeWaters Gorman

Elmira, NY

World War I

Mr. Gorman entered the Illinois State College (now University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) after studying for two years at the University of Buffalo (NY). When war was declared, Mr. Gorman enlisted as a private in the Army, but relatives and friends prevailed upon him to apply for a position where his collegiate and scientific training would be of benefit to the nation. The call finally came from the government for chemists for the poison gas department. Algernon eagerly volunteered. He was accepted at once and passed with high honors the required examinations. He was sent to Washington, DC and soon was placed in charge of a department in the war chemical service station at the American University. At this time Algernon contracted Spanish influenza and entered the Reed Hospital, Washington, DC for treatment. His parents, Frank J. and Martha Gorman were notified of the illness, and Frank traveled to Washington, DC at once to see their son. Because of the strict quarantine of the Spanish influenza, he was not permitted to reach the bedside. The report of the attending physician at that time was encouraging and Mr. Gorman returned to Elmira, hopeful that his son would recover. However, Mr. and Mrs. Gorman received news shortly thereafter that Algernon had died of the illness. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, NY. His name is included on the World War I Memorial at Elmira.

– taken from the Elmira Sunday Telegram dated October 13, 1918. Submitted by Barbara R. Lucas, Latham, NY.