Nelson Morrow Collection of World War One Ephemera

Nelson Doolittle Morrow (February 9, 1893-December 15, 1976) was born in Oswego, New York, and graduated from Cornell in 1915. He taught physics and chemistry at East Aurora High School before American entry into World War I. He enlisted in the 75th New York National Guard regiment on August 30, 1917. Upon entry into Federal service, the unit became part of the 108th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division of the American Expeditionary Force. The 27th Division served in France as part of the British 4th Army, serving alongside the Australian Corps in the Battle of the St. Quentin Canal and took part in breaking the Hindenburg Line on the Somme. Following demobilization, Morrow moved to Rochester, New York, where his father had relocated during the war. Morrow found work with the Genesee Valley Trust Company. He later married Margaret Culp; they had no children. Nelson was active in local amateur theater and was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension.

Frederick Couchman (January 2, 1874-November 16, 1921) was born in Cobourg, Ontario; his family emigrated to Rochester in 1887. He married Jennie Mylarcraine in 1896; they had a daughter named Thelma. In 1895, he enlisted in the 3rd Regiment of the New York State militia. Service with this unit would be Couchman’s career; he saw active duty during the Spanish-American War (1898), the Mexican expedition of 1916, and in World War I. In the Great War, he served as commander of the First Battalion of 108th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division. As such, he commanded the unit in the breaking of the Hindenburg Line. Upon return to Rochester, he was a charter member of the George H. Yerkes Post of the American Legion and of the A.W.O.L. Club.

In civilian life, Couchman was an active member of numerous social clubs. He was a Freemason and member of multiple Masonic lodges, including the Hamilton Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Damascus Temple, and serving as senior warden of the Frank L. Simes Lodge. He also held memberships in the Kiwanis Club, City Cadets, Knights of Pythias, and the Rochester Automobile Club. Religiously, he was affiliated with Asbury Methodist Church. In politics, he served as an alderman from the 6th Ward between 1912 and 1920. He was elected Monroe County Sheriff in 1920. His tenure was short, as he passed away from appendicitis the following year. He is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery.