Biography of Thurman Elroy Vass, M.D. - Summers Co. WV The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume II pg. 156 THURMAN ELROY VASS, M. D. A highly accomplished physician and surgeon at Bluefield, Doctor Vass enjoys a secure prestige in his profession. He possesses the personality and the ability that inspire confidence, and in addition to the good work he has done at Bluefield he has a record as a medical officer with the army, having served in home camps and abroad nearly two years. Doctor Vass was born in Summers County, West Virginia, January 27, 1889, son of Phillip Edward and Eliza (Green) Vass. His parents were born in Monroe County, West Virginia, and his father was a contractor and builder who did a great deal of construction work in McDowell and Mercer counties and, in fact, all through the southern part of the state. Doctor Vass attended the graded schools of McDowell County, graduated in the academic course from the Concord Normal School in January, 1909, and for three years was in West Virginia University, the first year in the preparatory medical course and two years in the regular course. From there he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, where he graduated M. D. in 1914. Doctor Vass practiced the first year at Princeton and then moved to Bluefield, where he was well established before the war came on. He is now a member of the staff and assistant surgeon of St. Luke's Hospital. Almost as soon as America declared war against Germany he enlisted and was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps. He spent five weeks in the Medical Officers' Training School at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, was then assigned to duty at General Hospital No. 14 at Fort Oglethorpe, a month later was sent to the Base Hospital at Camp Travis, Texas, remaining there three weeks, then one month at General Hospital No. 1 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and for three weeks was at Base Hospital at Camp McClellan, Anniston, Alabama. Ordered for duty overseas, he spent six days at Camp Mills, New York, and October 7, 1918, sailed from Hoboken, landing at Liverpool, October 19th, crossed England and the Channel to La Havre, and was assigned to Rimaucourt Base Hospital Center, where he remained until January 5, 1919. From that date until January 25, 1919, he was at Base Hospital No. 13 at Limoges, and was then sent to Mehun to join the Third Ordnance Battalion as medical off! icer. February 8th this detachment moved up to San Loubes and thence to Geni Court, and from there to Bassen docks where the command sailed for home, reaching port March 5, 1919, and proceeding to Camp Merritt. From there Captain Vass went to Camp Dix, where he received his honorable discharge May 9, 1919, and then returned to Bluefield and resumed his private practice after an absence of practically two years. While still doing duty in France Doctor Vass was apprised of the death of his wife. He had married Miss Nena Beatrice Sell, of Charleston, West Virginia, in February, 1918, and she died a little more than a year later, on March 9, 1919. She was a daughter of L. A. Sell. Doctor Vass is a member of the Episcopal Church, a Royal Arch and Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner at Alzafar of San Antonio, Texas, a member of the County, State and American Medical associations, and belongs to the American Legion and Kiwanis Club. While in college he was pitcher in the baseball team, and retains an active interest in all outdoor sports. Submitted by Chris & Kerry **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************