Byron in Shiawassee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ellen May Tower
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Spanish-American War Nurse
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021
1. Ellen May Tower Marker
The daughter of Civil War Captain Samuel and Sarah Tower, Ellen May Tower was born May 8, 1868, in Byron. She attended Chaffee School, the Byron Village School, and a nurses training program at Detroits Grace Hospital. She worked for several years at the Michigan School for the Blind. On April 21, 1898, Tower volunteered for service as an army nurse in the event of war between the United States and Spain. War was declared by Spain three days later. She took her oath on September 1, 1898, and was sent to Camp Wikoff, located at Montauk Point, New York. Known as one of the Camp Wikoff Angels, she cared for soldiers who had been returned to the United States to recover from injuries or disease. In late September 1898 she volunteered for duty in Puerto Rico where she died less than three months later.
During the Spanish-American War, approximately ninety percent of American casualties resulted from disease. On December 9, 1898, Ellen May Tower, an army nurse from Byron, died of typhoid fever in a hospital tent after only ten weeks abroad. Her remains arrived in Detroit on
this page online
Erected 1989. (Marker Number L1619.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, Spanish-American. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1868.
Location. 42° 49.447′ N, 83° 56.864′ W. Marker is in Byron, Michigan, in Shiawassee County. It is on West Maple Street 0.3 miles South Saginaw Street, on the right when traveling west. Located at the access road to Byron High School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 312 W Maple St, Byron MI 48418, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021
2. Spanish-American War Nurse Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Byron (within shouting distance of this marker); Byron Veterans Plaque (approx. 0.2 miles away); Byron Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Oakwood Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.6 miles away); Gaines Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.8 miles away); Village Of Gaines / Gaines Depot (approx. 3.8 miles away); Knaggs Bridge Area (approx. 4.9 miles away); Argentine Township Cemetery (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Byron.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Knaggs Bridge Area (was approx. 4.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021
3. Ellen May Tower / Spanish-American War Nurse Marker
Marker is next to bush.
Photographed by John Garman, August 23, 2025
4. Ellen May Tower / Spanish-American War Nurse Marker
View of the historical marker looking west.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 654 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4. submitted on September 19, 2025, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
