Born: 1839, United States
Died: 21 April 1894
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Martha Gertrude Bowen
From Famous Women: An Outline of Feminine Achievement Through the Ages With Life Stories of Five Hundred Noted Women. Written by Joseph Adelman, published 1926 by Ellis M Lonow Company:
Martha Gertrude Kimball, an American philanthropist and war nurse, born in Portland, Maine. She accompanied her husband, who was appraiser of captured cotton, to the front of the Civil War, acted as nurse during Sherman’s campaign in Georgia, and was appointed inspector of hospitals.
Acting on her suggestion, General Logan, as head of the Grand Army of the Republic, introduced the observation of Decoration Day.