Wartime Wooster
Wooster in the American Civil War
Ohio played a critical part in the outcome of the U.S. Civil War (1861-1865), providing the Union with supplies, soldiers, and leadership. Wayne County helped make Ohio’s contribution to the war effort possible, sending thousands of volunteers and a number of officers, who witnessed some of the darkest and most decisive moments in the nation’s history. Although Wooster profited from the economic boom that followed the war, the conflict also left physical and mental scars on the people of the city that had a direct connection to it.
Wooster in WWI
When the United States was called to arms to join its allies in the “War to End All Wars”, Wooster’s patriotic zeal was palpable. Wooster not only sent young men to fight, but engaged its women and farmers as well to help the war effort. However, this patriotism also led to unfair discrimination towards Wooster’s German community as suspicion towards German Americans grew.