Abraham Grant Fountain (1895-1924)

by Gabriela A. Reyes

Abraham Grant Fountain was an African American World War I veteran from Norfolk, Virginia. Fountain was born on April 2, 1895 in Atlanta Georgia. His parents were Virginia and Richard Fountain. He enlisted in the United States Army on August 3, 1917 in Norfolk, Virginia. His draft card index describes him as a medium height and medium build man. He only had an 8th-grade education. His training was located in Camp Humphreys, Virginia. His training took a total of three months and ended on December 28, 1917. While in basic training, he married Elnora White, who was 23 years old, on December 22, 1917 in Norfolk. Three months later they welcomed a baby girl named Virginia Elizabeth Fountain on February 2, 1918. Fountain and his wife had another daughter named Ruth Joy Fountain, who was born after Virginia but was a premature baby of seven months. Ruth sadly passed away at the young age of three months on March 11, 1920. Her cause of death was listed as a heart-related issue.

Abraham G. Fountain had previously worked as a cook at a restaurant. As a former cook fountain was assigned the occupation of a cook in the Army. Eventually, he was assigned to a different occupation and worked as the Company Clerk for Co “F” 2nd Development Battalion located in Camp Humphreys. He was then promoted to the rank of Private First Class in November 1919. Prior to World War I, Fountain lived at 417 Scott Street, Norfolk Virginia. After his service, he lived at 804 Cumberland Street, Norfolk. After his enlistment was over, Fountain worked as a cook and was the main breadwinner for his family. His occupation remained the same until his death.

On April 12th, 1924 at the age of 34 Abraham Grant Fountain passed away from damage to the lungs with a contributory of heart disease. He was survived by his wife Elnora Fountain and his daughter Virginia. Five years later Elnora Fountain joined Abraham Fountain in death on February 10th, 1929. 

Sources:

“Fountain, Abraham Grant.” World War I History Commission Questionnaires. Library of Virginia.

“United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918”, database with images, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark: 61903/ 1:1: K6ZQ-PW7: 23 December 2021), Abraham Grant Fountain, 1917-1918.

“United States Census, 1920”,, FamilySearch (https://www.famlysearch.orge/ark: /61903/1:1: MJJ7-TL3: Fri Oct 06 20 03: 36 UTC 2023), Entry for Elnora Fountain and Grant Fountain, 1920.

“Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, County Marriage Registers, 1853-1935”,, FamilySearch (https:// www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1: 84KS-12MM: Fri Oct 06 22: 20: 33 UTC 2023), Entry for Grand Fountain and R Fountain, 22 Dec 1917.

“Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVRW-N637: 16 August 2019), Grant Fountain in entry for Elnora Fountain, 10 Feb 1929; from “Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850,” database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: 2012); citing Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia, United States, entry #, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.

“Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987,” , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVR7-8CV2: 16 August 2019), A Grant Fountain in entry for Ruth Joy Fountain, 11 Mar 1920; from “Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850,” database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: 2012); citing Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia, United States, entry #, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.

“Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVR7-YXCQ: 16 August 2019), Grant A Fountain, 12 Apr 1924; from “Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850,” database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: 2012); citing Richmond, Henrico, Virginia, United States, entry #, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.

Gabriela A. Reyes is a Norfolk State University graduate, class of 2023.