Grand Army of the Republic

Iowa Department of the G.A.R.

"The Grand Army of the Republic is a unique organization. No child can be born into it. No proclamation of President, edict of King or Czar can command admission. No university or institution of learning can issue a diploma authorizing its holder to entrance. No act of Parliament or Congress secures recognition. The wealth of a Vanderbilt cannot purchase position. Its doors open only on the presentation of a bit of parchment, worn, torn, and begrimed as it may be, which certifies to an honorable discharge from the armies or navies of the Nation during the war against the rebellion, and, unlike any other organization, no new blood can come in. There are no growing ranks from which recruits can be drawn into the Grand Army of the Republic. With the consummation of peace through victory its ranks were closed forever;

its lines are steadily growing thinner, and the ceaseless tramp of its columns is with ever-lessening tread. The gaps in the picket lines grow wider every day. Details are made for the reserve summoned into the shadowy regions until by and by only a solitary sentinel will stand guard, waiting until the bugle call from beyond shall muster out the last Comrade of the

Grand Army of the Republic. "

DEED OF CONVEYANCE

THE INDENTURE made this 13th day of February, 1954 by and between the GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, a Corporation organized by an act of the Congress of the United States approved June 3, 1924, by Albert Woolson, sole surviving member of said Grand Army of the Republic, and the COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF, SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR, a Corporation organized and existing under and pursuant to the laws of the State of Illinois;

WHEREAS, because of the age and infirmity of the last surviving member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and being desirous of carrying out the objects and purposes for which said Grand Army of the republic was organized and believing that the Sons of Union Veterans is the natural heir of the Grand Army of the Republic;

THEREFORE, pursuant to the provisions of Sections six and seven of said act incorporating the Grand Army of the Republic, I, ALBERT WOOLSON, as sole surviving member thereof do hereby grant, bargain, sell and convey to said Commander[y]-in-Chief, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War all property of any and every kind and nature owned by said Grand Army of the Republic, and wheresoever situate, and all the records and archives thereof; except such property and records as are specifically mentioned and described in a resolution adopted by the Grand Army of the Republic at its 83rd and final Encampment held at Indianapolis, Indiana August 28th to September 1st, 1949.

The meaning and intent of this conveyance is to convey to said Commandery-in-Chief, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, all post and department records of the Grand Army of the Republic and it is my express wish and desire that said Grantee shall use its best endeavors to return said records to the Communities where Grand Army posts were located, so far as possible, for the use and benefit of the Communities where such posts were located.

This conveyance shall become effective upon compliance with Section seven of the said act incorporating the Grand Army of the Republic.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the said Albert Woolson, as sole surviving member of the Grand Army of the Republic have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at the City of Duluth in the County of St. Louis and State of Minnesota the day and year first above written.

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC

By: /s/ Albert Woolson (seal)

The Deed of Conveyance conveyed the records and property to the Commandery-in-Chief -- the National Organization. Therefore, no Camp or Department has any claim to any of the records and property without the express approval of the National Organization. Camps and Departments are subordinate organizations which hold all property and funds in trust for the National Organization.

Stated in other words, Camps and Departments have no primary claim to any Grand Army of the Republic property or records and only have secondary claims based upon the explicit delegation of the claim by the National Organization.

Iowa Code 37A.1 Veterans commemorative property — penalty.

1. For purposes of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

a. “Department” means the Iowa department of veterans affairs.

b. “Veteran” means a deceased person who served in the armed forces of the United States during a war in which the United States was engaged or served full-time in active duty in a force of an organized state militia, excluding service in the national guard when in an inactive status.

c. “Veterans commemorative property” means any memorial as defined in section 523I.102, including a headstone, plaque, statue, urn, decoration, flag holder, badge, shield, item of memorabilia, or other embellishment, that identifies or commemorates any veteran or group of veterans, including any veterans organization or any military unit, company, battalion, or division.

d. “Veterans organization” means the Grand Army of the Republic, SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, United Spanish War Veterans, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States, Inc., the Catholic War Veterans, Inc., American Legion, American Veterans of World War II, Italian American War Veterans of the United States, Inc., or other corporation or association of veterans.

2. A person who owns or controls property where any veterans commemorative property has been placed shall not sell, trade, or transfer any part of such veterans commemorative property unless the department authorizes the person to do so. The department may authorize the sale, trade, or transfer based upon the following criteria:

a. The veterans commemorative property is at reasonable risk of physically deteriorating so that it will become unrecognizable as identifying or commemorating the veteran or group of veterans originally identified or commemorated.

b. The veterans commemorative property is proposed to be sold, traded, or transferred to a suitable person that will preserve the current condition of the veterans commemorative property and place it in a suitable place that will commemorate the veteran or group of veterans.

c. The person needs to sell, trade, or transfer the veterans commemorative property to ensure that sufficient funds are available to suitably maintain the cemetery where the veterans commemorative property is placed, and the specific lot, plot, grave, burial place, niche, crypt, or other place of interment of such veteran or group of veterans.

d. The veterans commemorative property that is to be sold, traded, or transferred will be replaced at its original site by a fitting replacement commemorative property, monument, or marker that appropriately identifies and commemorates the veteran or group of veterans.

e. If the person reasonably believes that the veterans commemorative property to be sold, traded, or transferred was donated by a veterans organization, the veterans organization consents to the sale, trade, or transfer of the veterans commemorative property.

f. If the person is not the owner of the veterans commemorative property that is to be sold, traded, or transferred, the person is authorized by the owner of such veterans commemorative property, or by operation of law other than this section, to sell, trade, or transfer the veterans commemorative property and to retain and use the proceeds of the sale, trade, or transfer.

3. A person who engages in the sale, trade, or transfer of veterans commemorative property without the authorization of the department pursuant to this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

4. The department may adopt rules in accordance with chapter 17A to administer this chapter.

2006 Acts, ch 1107, §2; 2008 Acts, ch 1067, §1

DEPARTMENT OF IOWA

An organization of veterans was effected in Davenport, in the fall of 1865, under the title of the “Old Soldiers’ Association of Scott County, Iowa.” Brevet Brigadier-General Addison H. Sanders, Lieutenant Colonel 16th Iowa Infantry, was President, and Captain N. N.Tyner, now of Fargo, Dakota, Secretary. The Association was merged into the Grand Army of the Republic as Post No.‘ 1, Davenport, Department of Iowa. Early in July, 1866, General Sanders visited Dr. Stephenson at Springfield, Illinois, was then instructed in the work, provided with copies of the Ritual and Constitution, and authorized to organize Posts. A charter was issued, dated July 12, 1866, signed B. F. Stephenson, Commanding Department of Illinois, and Robert M. Woods, Adjutant General, to General Add. H. Sanders, Colonel Robert M. Littler, General J. B. Leake, Lieutenant O. S. McNeil, Captain N. N. Tyner, Lieutenant-Colonel T. J. Saunders, A. P. Alexander, Captain A. T. Andreas, Captain John G. Cavendish and J. W. Moore. A meeting was held in Davenport, July 24, 1866, to organize Post No. 1, and at the same time the Provisional Department was formed with General Sanders as Commander; N. N. Tyner, Adjutant-General; Rufus L. Blair, Assistant Adjutant-General, and A. T. Andreas, Quartermaster-General. A circular was at once mailed to all parts of the State, stating that such an organization of old soldiers had been formed, that, “like a prairie-fire, it has run over certain States in the Northwest, and now this

fire is being kindled in Iowa.” On September 15, 1866, a sufficient number of Posts having been organized for the purpose, General Sanders issued General Orders No. 2, calling a special meeting of the Department, on September 26, at Davenport, to organize a permanent Department. Delegates were present from Post 1, Davenport; Post 3, Iowa City; Post 5, Clinton; Post 6, Lyons; Post 7, Dubuque ; Post 9, Wilson ; Post 14, Muscatine ; Post 16, Grinnell ; Post 19, Des Moines; Post 21, Floyd; Post 26, Boonsboro’; Post 28, Comanche ; Post 43, Sabula; Post 45, Bellevue. At the second Encampment, held at Davenport, April 10, 1867, the Adjutant-General reported ninety-five Posts organized, but at the next Encampment, January 8, 1868, only eight Posts were represented out of 130 then chartered. In 1870, the aggregate strength of the Department was reported as “not to exceed 500 members.” By General Orders from National Headquarters, dated February 5, 1871, the Posts in Iowa were instructed to report direct; and the Department organization was dissolved. Post No. 1, at Davenport, alone of all the Posts in Iowa, held its charter, though not meeting regularly, elected its Officers each term and attended to the duties of Memorial Day.

REORGANIZATION

Early in 1872 an effort was made from National Headquarters to re-establish the Order in Iowa. J. N. Coldron, Iowa City, was appointed Provisional Commander; E. G. Fracker, Assistant Adjutant-General. Torrence Post No. 2, was organized at Keokuk, April 18, 1872, with sixteen charter members. Joseph E. Griflith, of this Post, was appointed Senior Vice-Department Commander, and represented the Department in the Sixth National Encampment. Commander Coldron was, on February 16th, 1874, relieved at his own request, and General J. C. Parrott, of Keokuk, one of the best known veterans in the State, was appointed to the vacancy, with L. S. Tyler, Post 2, Keokuk, Assistant Adjutant-General, and W. B. Collins, of the same Post, as Assistant Quartermaster-General, who was later succeeded by L. W. Huston. Other changes were made in the Provisional Staff : J. C. Stone, Post 5, Burlington, was appointed Senior Vice-Department Commander, and Chas. Werner, Post 1, Davenport, Junior Vice-Commander. Council of Administration—A. G. McQueen, Post 2; \V. H. Rockford, Post 1; A. A. Perkins, Post 5; Frank Kyte, Post 132 ; J. E. Johnson, Post 2. Though only three Posts—1, 2 and 5—had reported for the quarter ending December 31, 1874, the Provisional Department was called to meet at Keokuk, January 311875. The oflicers made formal reports, and the few but earnest members present determined to maintain the organization. While they thus kept up all the forms of organization, not much progress had been made when the next Encampment was held at Keokuk, January 12, 1876. Commander Parrott tendered his resignation, stating that a younger man and one with more leisure than himself should be appointed, and that he had recommended to Commander-in-Chief Hartranft, as his successor, Comrade J. C. Stone, of Post 5, Burlington, who was then appointed, with A. A. Perkins, Post 5, Assistant Adjutant-General, and Ed.. L. Hobart, Assistant Quartermaster-General. In September, 1876, Commander Stone resigned, and was succeeded by Comrade A. A. Perkins, with Comrade L. S. Tyler, Keokuk, as Senior Vice Commander; \V. T. Virgin, Burlington, as Junior Vice-Commander; Robt. Spencer, Assistant Adjutant-General, and Thos. R. Acres, Assistant Quartermaster-General, the latter being later relieved by W. H. Perkins, Post 5. In October of this ‘year, Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief J. S. Reynolds visited several places in the central part of the State and reported an encouraging outlook for the formation of Posts. Provisional Commander Perkins entered earnestly into the work of organization. He convened the Department at Burlington, January 12, 1877, when the officers .above named were re-elected or re-appointed, with the addition of Comrades “M.. Horner, Thos. J.- Hedges and H. G. Rising as a Council of Administration. Comrade W. H. Perkins afterwards resigned as Assistant Quartermaster-General, and was succeeded by J. L. Kelly, Post 5 Burlington. Another meeting of the Provisional Department was held in Burlington, January 19, 1878. H. E. Griswold, of Post 6, Atlantic, was elected Senior Vice-Commander, and Comrades Wm. Horner, Thos. J. Hedges, Wm. Hummell, Ed. L. Hobart, of Post 5, and J. M. Haver, Post 6, Council of Administration, Comrade Perkins still serving as Commander. Comrade Griswold soon after organized Posts at Marne, Bedford and Clarinda, and when a sufficient number of Posts had been thus organized, the Encampment was convened at Des Moines, January 23, 1879, to form a permanent Department. A semi-annual Encampment was held at Des Moines, September 2, 1879, when an address was delivered by General John A. Logan. Comrade J. K. Powers, Assistant Adjutant-General, was delegated to meet General Grant at San Francisco on his return from his trip around the world, and tender him a Grand Army escort through Iowa on his way east. General Grant reached Council Bluffs November 3d, was met by Department Commander Griswold and staff, with other members of the Grand Army of the Republic, and by Governor Gear and citizens of the State, and by them was escorted to Burlington. Eleven Posts were organized during this year, and thereafter the Department gained rapidly in Posts and members, each year showing a decided increase over the year previous.

"History of the Grand Army of the Republic"

Robert B. Beath

1889

Iowa Grand Army of the Republic Posts Iowa Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records

Iowa Grand Army of the Republic

Encampments and Commanders

* Find-a-Grave ** died in office

Davenport Fall 1865 “Old Soldiers’ Association of Scott County” Addison H. Sanders *

Charter Issued to Department of Iowa July 12, 1866

Provisional Department of Iowa Organized July 24, 1866

Davenport July 24, 1866 “Old Soldiers’ Association of Scott County” became

Post No. 1, Department of Iowa, G.A.R.

Addison H. Sanders - Provisional Commander

Department of Iowa Established September 26, 1866

Davenport - September 26, 1866

Joseph B. Leake *- Commander

Sep 1866 – Apr 1867

Davenport - April 10, 1867

William T. Shaw * - Commander

Apr 1867 – Jan 1868

Davenport - January 8, 1868

James A. Williamson * - Commander

Jan 1868 – Aug 1869

Davenport - August 4, 1869

Elliott W. Rice * - Commander

Aug 1869 - Feb 5, 1871

Department of Iowa February 5, 1871

Iowa City - February 1872

John N. Coldren * - Provisional Commander

Feb 1872 – Feb 1874

February 1874

James C. Parrott * - Provisional Commander

Feb 1874 – Jan 1875

Posts: 3 Membership: 62

Provisional Department of Iowa Restored December 31, 1874

1st Encampment - Keokuk - January 31, 1875

James C. Parrott - Provisional Commander

Jan 1875 – Jan 1876

Posts: 2 Membership: 92

2nd Encampment - Keokuk - January 12, 1876

Joseph C. Stone * - Provisional Commander

Jan 1876-resigned Sep 1876

Albert A. Perkins - Provisional Commander

Sep 1876 – Jan 1877

Posts: 1 Membership: 75

3rd Encampment - Burlington - January 12, 1877

Albert A. Perkins * - Provisional Commander

Jan 1877 – Jan 1878

Posts: 2 Membership: 61

4th Encampment - Burlington - January 19, 1878

Albert A. Perkins - Provisional Commander

Jan 1878 – Jan 1879

Posts: 6 Membership: 119

Department of Iowa Re-Organized January 23, 1879

5th Encampment - Des Moines - January 23, 1879

Hurlbut E. Griswold * - Commander

Jan 1879 – Feb 1880

Posts: 13 Membership: 435

6th Encampment - Des Moines - February 4, 1880

William F. Conrad * - Commander

Feb 1880 – Jan 1881

Posts: 12 Membership: 540

7th Encampment - Des Moines - January 27, 1881

Peter V. Carey * - Commander

Jan 1881 – Feb 1882

Posts: 34 Membership: 1,549

8th Encampment - Des Moines - February 23, 1882

George B. Hogan * - Commander

Feb 1882 – Apr 1883

Posts: 91 Membership: 3,818

9th Encampment - Des Moines - April 4, 1883

John B. Cooke * - Commander

Apr 1883 – Apr 1884

Posts: 237 Membership: 11,001

10th Encampment - Marshalltown - April 23, 1884

Edward G. Miller * - Commander

Apr 1884 – Apr 1885

Posts: 300 Membership: 16,506

11th Encampment - Davenport - April 22, 1885

William G. Manning * - Commander

Apr 1885 – Apr 1886

Posts: 414 Membership: 17,371

12th Encampment - Sioux City - April 7, 1886

William A. McHenry * - Commander

Apr 1886 – Apr 1887

Posts: 391 Membership: 16,861

13th Encampment - Dubuque - April 20-21, 1887

James M. Tuttle * - Commander

Apr 1887 – Apr 1888

Posts: 395 Membership: 17,646

14th Encampment - Cedar Rapids - April 11-12, 1888

Eugene A. Consigny * - Commander

Apr 1888 – Apr 1889

Posts: 401 Membership: 18,384

15th Encampment - Burlington - April 10-11, 1889

Charles H. Smith * - Commander

Apr 1889 – Apr 1890

Posts: 424 Membership: 20,236

16th Encampment - Des Moines - April 8-9, 1890

Mason P. Mills * - Commander

Apr 1890 – Apr 1891

Posts: 435 Membership: 20, 324

17th Encampment - Dubuque - April 15-16, 1891

Charles L. Davidson * - Commander

Apr 1891 – May 1892

Posts: 439 Membership: 19,904

18th Encampment - Ottumwa - May 11-12, 1892

John J. Steadman * - Commander

May 1892 – Apr 1893

Posts: 447 Membership: 19,078

19th Encampment - Keokuk - April 26-27, 1893

Philip Schaller * - Commander

Apr 1893 – Jun 1894

Posts: 427 Membership: 17,658

20th Encampment - Council Bluffs - June 1894

George A. Newman * - Commander

Jun 1894 – May 1895

Posts: 439 Membership: 18,061

21st Encampment - Clinton - May 7-9, 1895

James K. P. Thompson * - Commander

May 1895 – Apr 1896

Posts: 437 Membership: 16,386

22nd Encampment - Cedar Rapids - April 28-30, 1896

Josiah Given * - Commander

Apr 1896 – Jun 1897

Posts: 434 Membership: 15,561

23rd Encampment - Marshalltown - June 1897

Amos H. Evans * - Commander

Jun 1897 – Jun 1898

Posts: 434 Membership: 15,059

24th Encampment - Sioux City - June 15-16, 1898

Rodney W. Tirrill * - Commander

Jun 1898 – Jun 1899

Posts: 437 Membership: 15,171

25th Encampment - Waterloo - June 14-15, 1899

Charles F. Bailey * - Commander

Jun 1899 - Jun 1900

Posts: 434 Membership: 14,718

26th Encampment - Davenport - June 12-14, 1900

Madison B. Davis * - Commander

Jun 1900 - Jun 1901

Posts: 393 Membership: 12,952

27th Encampment - Dubuque - June 1901

George Metzger * - Commander

Jun 1901 - May 1902

Posts: 384 Membership: 12,653

28th Encampment - Des Moines - May 21-23, 1902

John Lindt * - Commander

May 1902 - May 1903

Posts: 383 Membership: 12,579

29th Encampment - Cedar Rapids - May 19-21, 1903

Levi B. Raymond * - Commander

May 1903 - Jun 1904

Posts: 372 Membership: 12,208

30th Encampment - Mason City - June 7-9, 1904

Robert T. St. John * - Commander

Jun 1904 - May 1905

Posts: 368 Membership: 11,728

31st Encampment - Oskaloosa - May 16-18, 1905

Samuel H. Harper * - Commander

May 1905 - Jun 1906

Posts: 356 Membership: 11,412

32nd Encampment - Boone - June 5-7, 1906

Charles A. Clark* M.O.H . - Commander

Jun 1906 - Jun 1907

Posts: 356 Membership: 11,221

33rd Encampment - Dubuque - June 11-14, 1907

David J. Palmer * CinC - Commander

Jun 1907 - Jun 1908

Posts: 346 Membership: 10,984

34th Encampment - Cedar Rapids - June 9-12, 1908

James C. Milliman * - Commander

Jun 1908 - Jun 1909

Posts: 342 Membership: 10,729

35th Encampment - Ft. Dodge - June 8-10, 1909

Michael McDonald * - Commander

Jun 1909 - Jun 1910

Posts: 344 Membership: 10,775

36th Encampment - Des Moines - June 8-10, 1910

Henry A. Dyer * - Commander

Jun 1910 - Jun 1911

Posts: 328 Membership: 8,514

37th Encampment - Muscatine - June 13-15, 1911

Lot Abraham * - Commander

Jun 1911 - Jun 1912

Posts: 337 Membership: 9,286

38th Encampment - Mason City - June 11-13, 1912

John D. Brown * Commander

Jun 1912 - Jun 1913

Posts: 330 Membership: 9,067

39th Encampment - Des Moines - June 1913

James W. Willett * CinC - Commander

Jun 1913 - Jun 1914

Posts: 328 Membership: 8514

40th Encampment - Burlington - June 16-19, 1914

Byron C. Ward * - Commander

Jun 1914 - Jun 1915

Posts: 322 Membership: 8,207

41st Encampment - Sioux City - June 8-10, 1915

John F. Merry * - Commander

Jun 1915 - Jun 1916

Posts: 311 Membership: 7,903

42nd Encampment - Marshalltown - June 20-22, 1916

John H. Mills * - Commander

Jun 1916 - Jun 1917

Posts: 303 Membership: 7,120

43rd Encampment - Davenport - June 19-21, 1917

James L. Farrington * - Commander

Jun 1917 - Jun 1918

Posts: 288 Membership: 6,513

44th Encampment - Des Moines - June 10-12, 1918

Elmer J. C. Bealer * - Commander

Jun 1918 -1919

Posts: 281 Membership: 6,201

45th Encampment - Cedar Rapids - June 1919

Alexander G. Beatty * - Commander

Jun 1919 - Jun 1920

Posts: 265 Membership: 5,977

46th Encampment - Ottumwa - June 1920

Rufus L. Chase * - Commander

Jun 1920 - Jun 1921

Posts: 254 Membership: 4,930

47th Encampment - Waterloo - June 7-9, 1921

James B. Harsh * - Commander

Jun 1921 - Jun 1922

Posts: 236 Membership: 4,433

48th Encampment - Iowa City - June 1922

Leonard J. Kron * - Commander

Jun 1922 - Jun 1923

Posts: 220 Membership: 3,994

49th Encampment - Ft. Dodge - June 5-7, 1923

William W. Gist * ** - Commander

Jun 6, 1923 - Jun 8, 1923

Wilbert S. Freeman* - Commander

Jun 8, 1923 - Jun 1924

Posts: 220 Membership: 3,539

50th Encampment - Marshalltown - June 10-12, 1924

William H. Needham * ** - Commander

Jun 1924 - Oct 15, 1924

Posts: 220 Membership: 3,450

Daniel B. Cowles * ** - Commander

Oct 15, 1924 - May 14, 1925

Orlando S. Hartman * - Commander

May 14, 1925 - Jun 1925

51st Encampment - Mason City - June 1925

Frank Dagle * - Commander

Jun 1925 - Jun 1926

Posts: 200 Membership: 2,954

52nd Encampment - Keokuk - June 8–10, 1926

Eliphalet J. Stonebraker * - Commander

Jun 1926 - Jun 1927

Posts: 202 Membership: 2,631

53rd Encampment - Newton - June 21-23, 1927

Oley Nelson * CinC - Commander

Jun 1927 – Jun 1928

Posts: 188 Membership 2,168

54th Encampment - Cedar Rapids - June 5-7, 1928

John W. Stratton * - Commander

Jun 1928 - Jun 1929

Posts: 167 Membership: 1,770

55th Encampment - Ft. Dodge - June 11-13, 1929

John K. Ewing * ** - Commander

Jun 1929 - Apr 30, 1930

Posts: 142 Membership: 1,389

Joseph Pratt * - Commander

Apr 30, 1930 - Jun 1930

56th Encampment - Ottumwa - June 10-12, 1930

Watson S. Risden * - Commander

Jun 1930 - Jun 1931

Posts: 114 Membership: 1,102

57th Encampment - Marshalltown - June 8-11, 1931

John T. Lucas * - Commander

Jun 1931 - Jun 1932

Posts: 107 Membership: 884

58th Encampment - Council Bluffs - June 6-9, 1932

Thomas J. Noll * - Commander

Jun 1932 - Jun 1933

Posts: 69 Membership: 652

59th Encampment - Ft. Madison June 12-15, 1933

Frank L. Quade * - Commander

Jun 1933 - Jun 1934

Posts: 71 Membership: 492

60th Encampment - Des Moines - June 11-13, 1934

Louis J. Leech * - Commander

Jun 1934 - Jun 1935

Posts: 70 Membership: 402

61st Encampment - Waterloo - June 9-12, 1935

Horace B. Kelly * ** - Commander

Jun 1935 - Aug 2, 1935

Posts: 49 Membership: 271

Jonathan C. Hanes * - Commander

Aug 2, 1935 - Jun 1936

62nd Encampment - Des Moines - June 7-11, 1936

John P. Risley * - Commander

Jun 1936 - Jun 1937

Posts: 28 Membership: 179

63rd Encampment - Davenport - June 20-24, 1937

John P. Risley ** - Commander

Jun 1937 - Mar 27, 1938

Posts: 18 Membership: 129

Michael J. Hawk - Commander

Mar 27, 1938 - Jun 1938

64th Encampment - Sioux City - June 5-8, 1938

Michael J. Hawk * - Commander

Jun 1938 - Jun 1939

Posts: 16 Membership: 73

65th Encampment - Iowa City - Jun 18-21, 1939

James W. Willett * ** - Commander

1939 - May 13, 1940

Posts: 10 Membership: 67

Jacob J. Neuman - Commander

May 13, 1940 - Jun 1940

66th Encampment - Des Moines - June 9-12, 1940

Jacob J. Neuman * Commander

Jun 1940 - Jun 1941

Posts: 10 Membership: 110

67th Encampment - Des Moines - June 8-11, 1941

Elliott P. Taylor * - Commander

Jun 1941 - Jun 1942

Posts: 4 Membership: 71

68th Encampment - Des Moines - June 7-10, 1942

John M. Gudgel * Commander

Jun 1942 - Jun 1943

Posts: 2 Membership: 47

69th Encampment - Davenport - June 6–9, 1943

Thomas J. Noll * ** - Commander

Jun 1943 - Aug 31, 1943

Posts: 2 Membership: 28

David B. Sisk * - Commander

Sep 1, 1943- Jun 1944

70th Encampment - Ft. Dodge - June 4-7, 1944

John M. Gudgel - Commander

Jun 1944 - Jun 1945

Posts: 1 Membership: 17

71st Encampment - Des Moines - June 7-8, 1945

John M. Gudgel - Commander

Jun 1945 - Jun 1946

Posts: 0 Membership: 13

72nd Encampment - Cedar Rapids - June 7-10, 1946

John M. Gudgel ** - Commander

Jun 1946 - Mar 22, 1947

Posts: 0 Membership: 5

James P. Martin - Commander

Apr 3, 1947 – Jun 1947

73rd Encampment - Des Moines - June 15-17, 1947

James P. Martin * - Commander

Jun 1947 - Jun 1948

Posts: 0 Membership: 3

74th Encampment - Mason City - June 7-10, 1948

James P. Martin - Commander

Jun 1948 - Jun 1949

Posts: 0 Membership: 2

75th Encampment - Cedar Rapids - June 5-8, 1949

James P. Martin ** - Commander

Jun 1949 - Sep 20, 1949

Posts: 0 Membership: 1

Commander Martin was ill and unable to attend, Department Secretary Amy Noll * presided.

James P. Martin Last Commander

Last Member of the Department of Iowa

Last Civil War Veteran in the State of Iowa

History of

The Iowa Department

of the Grand Army of the Republic

published at Iowa City, Iowa in 1936

by the State Historical Society of Iowa

History of the Department of Iowa Grand Army of the Republic

In 1935, the Forty-sixth General Assembly of Iowa made an appropriation to the

Iowa Department of the Grand Army of the Republic to defray the expense of publishing a book of history which should include portraits and biographical sketches of the men who have

served as Commanders of the Iowa Department of the Grand Army of the Republic along with

a brief history of the Iowa Department.

This book was published by the State Historical Society of Iowa at Iowa City in 1936.

LAWS OF THE FORTY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

CHAPTER 134

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC

S. F. 373

AN ACT to make an appropriation to the department of the Grand Army of the Republic

to defray expenses of publishing final history of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Be It Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:

1 SECTION 1. There is hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the

2 state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the sum of twenty-five hun-

3 dred (2,500) dollars as an appropriation to the Department of the

4 Grand Army of the Republic to be paid to said Department to defray

5 additional expenses of publishing the history of the Grand Army of

6 the Republic.

1 SEC. 2. The state comptroller is hereby directed to issue a warrant

2 payable to the Department of the Grand Army of the Republic out of

3 any funds in the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, and the

4 treasurer of state is hereby directed to pay said warrant.

Senate File 373. Approved May 4, 1935.

Badge of the Grand Army of the Republic

The reverse side represents a

Branch of Laurel — the crown and reward of the brave — in each point of the star.

The National Shield in the center, surrounded by the twenty four recognized Corps Badges, numerically arranged, each on a keystone, and all linked together, showing they are united, and will guard and protect the Shield of the Nation.

Around the center is a circle of stars, representing the States of the Union and the Departments composing the Grand Army of the Republic.

The badge adopted by the Grand Army of the Republic,upon its organization, and commonly worn by Grand Army men, is a five pointed star so designed as to have a significance of its own. In the center of the star is the figure of the Goddess of Liberty, representing Loyalty; on either side a soldier and a sailor clasping hands, representing Fraternity, and two children receiving benediction and assurance of protection from the comrades, representing Charity. On one side of the group is the National Flag and the Eagle, representing Freedom, and on the other the Flag and the Fasces, representing Union. In each point of the star is the insignia of the various arms of the service — the Bugle for Infantry, Cross Cannon for Artillery, Cross Muskets for the Marine, Cross Swords for Cavalry, and the Anchor for Sailors. Over the central group are the words, “Grand Army of the Republic”, and under, the word and figures, “1861—Veteran—1866” commemorating the commencement and close of the rebellion, and also the date of the organization of the Order.

The clasp is composed of the figure of an Eagle, with cross cannon and ammunition, representing defense. The bronze emblem, which constitutes the chief part of the badge, is suspended from the clasp by a small ribbon of the National colors.

The process of preparing the metal for the badge is very complicated and tedious. The old cannon (the tradition of using [Confederate] cannon bronze in the casting these medals) is first cut up into sections then the pieces are melted and cast into small wedge shaped pieces. When the time comes to use them they are molded and refined so that the iron and lead can be removed. Two percent of copper and zinc are then added to reduce the danger of breaking while going through the remaining operation. The rough form is cast in sand. It is again annealed and the fire coating removed by acid bath. The pieces are then placed between steel dies and subjected to a pressure of 200 tons on a press specially designed for the work. The process is repeated 4 or 5 times then cleaned and annealed after each application. The edges [are] mechanically trimmed by machinery and again placed on the press to bring into relief. The edges [are] filed by hand – the ribbon added and it is complete.

Code of Iowa

Edition on 1888

CHAPTER 104

An Act to prevent persons from unlawfully using or wearing the emblems and

badges of the grand army of the republic, or of the military order of the loyal

legion of the United States.

SECTION 1. [Unlawful wearing of badge of Gr. A. R. punished.]—-Be it

enacted by the general asembly of the state of Iowa: That any person who shall

willfully wear the badge or button of the grand army of the republic, or the

insignia or rosette of the military order of the loyal legion of the United States, or

use the same to obtain aid or assistance within this state, unless he shall be entitled

to wear the same under the rules and regulations or constitution of such organizations,

shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by

imprisonment for a term not to exceed thirty days, or a fine not to exceed twenty

dollars.

Approved, April 9, 1888.

Office of the Department Commander

Since 1894, the Iowa Department of the Grand Army of the Republic was Headquartered on the lower level of the Iowa State Capitol. This gave the G.A.R. direct access to the Governor and the Legislature. The office was funded annually by the Legislature and on three occassions it was the Headquarters of the National Organization, when Iowans were elected to the position of Commander-in-Chief: 1914/15, 1922/23 and 1935/36. After the death of James P. Martin, Last Department Commander and Last Living Civil War Veteran in Iowa, in September 1949, Department Secretary, Amy Knoll, retained the office in the Capitol an additional four years. The office was then moved to the former State Historical Building across the street in February 1954.

You could almost hear the muffled drums of Shiloh in the Iowa statehouse Thursday. The "Boys in Blue" of the Civil War lined up in ghostly ranks for battle under the command of Amy Noll. The battleground is a room in the statehouse. Since 1897, and probably before, that room has been the headquarters of the Iowa Department of the Grand Army of the Republic. (The G. A. R. was the American Legion of the Civil War.) The plain fact of the matter is this: Those who run the statehouse want the G. A. R. space for other uses. (The Adjutant General's office could use the room.) But Amy Noll says firmly: "We want to stay here." Amy is an alert little grayhaired woman, height 5 feet 2 inches, weight 112 pounds. She is secretary of the Iowa G. A. R. In fact, she is the G. A. R. in this state. The last Civil War veteran, James Martin of Sutherland, died in 1949. With usual feminine coyness, Amy won't say how old she is. (She has to be past 70, however.) But she isn't old enough to give up without a fight. "The G. A. R. had six Iowa Governors," she said with emphasis. "The Grand Army was a real power in this state, I tell you." She pointed out the legislature in 1924 voted that "Room 4 in the basement story ot the statehouse shall be the permanent headquarters ot the Iowa G.A.R.," declared Miss Noll. "There is no room for us in the historical building, any room to show anything, that is. What we want at least is for the legislature to establish a G. A. R. memorial room for us."

Time was when the Iowa G. A. R. needed no little women to fight its battles. Governors, legislatures and mayors trembled and kowtowed. Elections were influenced and laws were passed on the say-so of the G. A. R. More than 75,000 Iowans served in the Union Army in the Civil War. That was a huge proportion of the state's population, which then was under 600,000. Some 13,000 Iowans died in the service in that war. That's more than all the Iowa deaths in both world wars combined. Those fallen Iowans are buried in military cemeteries all over the southern states. The Iowa casualtieswere particularly heavy in such battles as Shiloh and Fort Donelson.

As it does to things human, time has wiped out the G. A. R. It isn't necessary now for the Iowa legislature to meet in joint convention to hear the national G. A. R. commander. The legislature, however, did listen intently the other day to an address by the national commander of the American Legion. But time will take care of that, too. Meanwhile, however, the G.A.R. may be dead, but Amy Noll isn't. She grew up in an atmosphere of reverence for the G.A.R. at Grinnell. For the last 15 years she has been Iowa G.A.R. secretary. Statehouse observers agree that the G.A.R. records, swords and canes sooner or laler will be boxed up and sent to the archives. But it is a fairly good bet that won't happen in Amy's time.

Department of Iowa

Grand Army of the Republic Flag

Little is known of the history of this flag. It was made by Annin and measures 5'7" by 4'2". It was gifted to Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa and the Polk County Board of Supervisors upon the dedication of the auditorium in 1954. Mrs. Harriette G. McCollough, Past National President of the Woman's Relief Corps, presented the flag, to be displayed in the Memorial Room of Vet's Auditorium.

During the 2000 State Encampment of the Department of Iowa Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, it was voted that the flag should be retired and a replacement appropriated. The Polk County Supervisors approved this decision on October 3, 2000. The original is now in the Iowa State Historical Museum, Des Moines, Iowa.

The replacement flag, which was lost for a period of time was presented to Vet's Auditorium on June 21, 2013 and dedicated on Veterans Day 2013.

This new flag is now suspended in the atrium of Memorial Hall along with the flags of: The United Spanish War Veterans; World War 1 Veterans, Department of Iowa; Iowa State Association Rainbow Division Veterans; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Iowa; Disabled American Veterans, Department of Iowa; Marine Corps League, Des Moines Detachment; and the American Veterans (AMVETS), Post No. 2, Des Moines, Iowa.

Five National Encampments of the Grand Army of the Republic

were held in Des Moines, Iowa

September 1922, the Fifty-sixth National Encampment was held at Des Moines. Twenty thousand veterans along with their allied organizations came to celebrate what it was thought would be the "Last Great Encampment". Veterans were there from every state, and Iowa was proud to be their host -- with streets brilliant with masses of flags and bunting.

Des Moines was ready to greet its welcome visitors. Every resource and every convenience which the city could provide were turned over to them — "the homes,

the automobiles, the parks, the streets of the city" were all theirs. It was a gala event for the "Boys of '61", and a week that the citizens of Des Moines would long remember.

Fifty seven years had then passed since the surrender at Appomattox and the average age of the surviving veterans was almost eighty years. The visiting delegates at Des Moines, it was said, "were of all ages, from 90 years and almost blind, to the young men of 72, who went to the front as drummer boys and cheered their soldiers during the trying days of the rebellion.

On the occasion of the Fifty-sixth National Encampment, a lofty banner, stretched high under the vault of the dome of the State Capitol, the Grand Army of the Republic emblem, painted by Joseph Czizek. The banner is retained as a permanent decoration by order of Governor Nathan E. Kendall in 1922.

In June of 1998, restoration began on the interior dome. The G.A.R. emblem was damaged in the process. Many felt the it should not be replaced, bringing the dome back to its original view, but with the strong persuasion of the Department of Iowa Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, a replacement was procured. This new banner was done by Tim Vander Well.

The banner is three separate pieces. The dates rest on wires separately from the G.A.R. emblem. The emblem is thirty-five feet by fifteen feet. The dates are six foot by two foot.

The Des Moines Register

September 20, 1922

page 6

The original banner was made of horse hair and plaster and was quite different from what we see today.

Originally dated 1922, it was later changed to read the 1861 - 1865, as is the one we see today.

This 65-foot pole was dedicated to the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic of Iowa and was donated to the state by the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic at their 1931 National Encampment. On one side of the base is a bronze engraving of Abraham Lincoln; on the other side is the G.A.R. Emblem. The nearby granite benches were donated by the Ladies of the G.A.R. at the 1938 National Encampment in Des Moines. They are located behind the Iowa Supreme Court Building.

This bronze sundial was dedicated to Union veterans of the Civil War during their 1938 Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment in Des Moines. Of the nearly three million Union soldiers who fought during the Civil War, only an estimated five thousand were still living in 1938, and more than one hundred of these veterans attended this 72nd Encampment.

Most were over 90 years old.

Dr. D. W. Morehouse, then president of Drake University and astronomy professor, installed and adjusted the timepiece.

It is located on the west side of the Capitol.

June 30,1944

H. R. 4825

Public Law 389

[CHAPTER 331]

AN ACT

To authorize the attendance of the Marine Band at the national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic to be held at

Des Moines, Iowa, September 10 to 14, inclusive, 1944.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized to permit the band of the United States Marine Corps to attend and give concerts at the national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic to be held at Des Moines, Iowa, from September 10 to 14, inclusive, 1944.

Sec. 2. For the purpose of defraying the expenses of such band in attending and giving concerts at such encampment, there is authorized to be appropriated the sum of $9,734.30, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to carry out the provisions of this Act : Provided, That in addition to transportation and Pullman accommodations the leaders and members of the Marine Band be allowed not to exceed $6 per day each for additional living expenses while on duty, and that the payment of such expenses shall be in addition to the pay and allowances to which they would be entitled while serving at their permanent station.

Approved June 30, 1944

Five Presidents were Members of the Grand Army of the Republic

Ulysses S. Grant 18th President *

March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877

Colonel, 21st Illinois Infantry

Commanding General of the United States Army

Rutherford B. Hayes 19th President *

March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881

Major, 23rd Ohio Infantry

brevet Major General

James A. Garfield 20th President *

March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881

Colonel, 42nd Ohio Infantry

promoted to Major General

Benjamin Harrison 23rd President *

March 4, 1889 – March 4, 1893

Colonel, 70th Indiana Infantry

brevet Brigadier General of Volunteers

William McKinley 25th President *

March 4, 1897 – September 14, 1901

Private, 23rd Ohio Infantry

brevet Major

Six Iowa Governors were Members of the Grand Army of the Republic

William Milo Stone 6th Governor *

Knoxville

1864-1868

After the attack on Fort Sumter in 1861, Stone enlisted as a private in the Union Army. He was quickly promoted to captain, and then major, of Company B, Third Iowa Infantry. He fought and was wounded at the Battle of Liberty, but returned to fight at the Battle of Shiloh, where he was taken prisoner. Stone was paroled by Jefferson Davis and sent to Washington, D.C. to negotiate an exchange of prisoners; after initially failing to reach an agreement, he returned to Confederate captivity, was again paroled, and was released after an exchange agreement was reached. In 1862, Stone was promoted to colonel of the 22nd Iowa Infantry. He led that unit in the Vicksburg Campaign, and was again wounded at the Battle of Vicksburg.

member of the John C. Ferguson Post, Knoxville, Iowa

Samuel Merrill 7th Governor *

McGregor

1868-1872

Merrill was commissioned Colonel of the 21st Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment, serving in that regiment until seriously wounded in the hip at the Battle of Big Black River Bridge on the Big Black River in May 1863. He rejoined his regiment in January 1864, but the lingering effects of his hip wound forced him to terminate his military service the following June.

member of the Joe Hooker Post, Des Moines, Iowa

and the Crocker Post, Des Moines, Iowa

Cyrus Clay Carpenter 8th Governor *

Ft. Dodge

1872-1876

During the Civil War Carpenter volunteered as a private then was elected captain of volunteers on March 24, 1862, appointed lieutenant colonel on September 26, 1864, and brevet colonel on July 12, 1865 "for efficient and meritorious services" when he was in charge of commissary of subsistence in Sherman's Army on the march to the sea. He was mustered out July 14, 1865. During the war he served on the staff of Generals William Rosecrans, Grenville M. Dodge and John A. Logan.

member of the Ft. Donelson Post, Ft. Dodge, Iowa

Joshua Gaskill Newbold 10th Governor *

Mt. Pleasant

1877-1878

He joined the Union Army in 1862 as captain of Company C, 25th Regiment of the Iowa Infantry, and fought at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, the Battle of Fort Hindman, the Third Battle of Chattanooga, the Battle of Ringgold Gap, the Atlanta Campaign, and Sherman's March to the Sea.

member of the McFarland Post, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

Buren Robinson Sherman 12th Governor *

Vinton

1882-1886

In 1861, he signed up with the 13th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment for the Union Army. He retired as a captain in mid-1863 due to injuries suffered at Shiloh.

member of the P. M. Coder Post, Vinton, Iowa

the Robert Anderson Post, Waterloo, Iowa

and the Kinsman Post, Des Moines, Iowa

Francis Marion Drake 16th Governor *

Centerville

1896-1898

During the Civil War he was commissioned as lieutenant colonel of the 36th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment in August 1862. In 1864, he was severely wounded during the Battle of Mark's Mills. He was mustered out in 1865 as brigadier general of volunteers.

member of the John L. Bashore Post, Centerville, Iowa

Three from the Department of Iowa Served as Commander-in-Chief

of the Grand Army of the Republic

David James Palmer *

Commander-in-Chief 1914 / 1915

David James Palmer was born in Pennsylvania, on November 15, 1839, but spent most of his years in Iowa. As a youth of 21 and a resident of Washington, Iowa, he enlisted in Company C, 8th Iowa Infantry, on July 10, 1861. He was seriously wounded at Shiloh and was sent home to recuperate. Later he organized Company A, 25th Iowa Infantry, and became its Captain. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and commanded his regiment at Vicksburg and on Sherman's March to the Sea. At the close of the war, General Sherman led the troops in the Grand Review up Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.. When Sherman took his place on the reviewing stand with the President, he left Lieutenant Colonel Palmer to lead the Union troops in the great parade.

Returning home after the war, Colonel Palmer engaged in agriculture. Later he served as County Auditor, State Senator, and Railroad Commissioner. At the Annual Encampment at Dubuque in 1907, he was elected Department Commander. In 1914, Colonel Palmer was named Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. In this high office, it was his privilege to review the veteran troops as they again marched up Pennsylvania Avenue at the National Grand Army Encampment held in Washington, D.C., in 1915, fifty years after the close of the war.

Colonel Palmer lived until November 20, 1928, having attained the age of 89 years.

James William Willett *

Commander-in-Chief 1922 / 1923

James William Willett was born in Mercer County, Illinois on March 8, 1846. As a youth he lived in Keithsburg, Illinois, on the banks of the Mississippi River.

When the Civil War began, young Willett attempted to enlist in the Union Army, but failed because of his youth and size. In the spring of 1863, however, he obtained employment on a transport vessel as an ordinary seaman. In the fall of that year by passing the examination, he was enabled to enlist in the United States Navy as an able seaman, and was assigned to the United States Gunboat Springfield of the Mississippi Squadron, where he served as botswain's mate.

At the close of the war, Comrade Willlett continued his work on rivers and lakes until 1871, when he gave up the seafaring life, came to Iowa, and began the study of law. Having been admitted to the bar, he opened offices at Toledo and Tama. He has practiced law in Tama County for many years, and for more than 12 years he was Judge of the District Court.

Comrade Willett was a charter member of Thomas F. Bradford Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, organized at Tama in 1883, and after more than 50 years he is still a member of that Post. At the Annual Encampment at Burlington in 1913, he was elected Department Commander. He has also held the office of Judge Advocate General, and in 1922, he had a high distinction of being unanimously elected Commander-in-Chief.

Badge of the 57th National Encampment

Grand Army of the Republic

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1923

featuring C-in-C

James William Willett

Oley Nelson *

Commander-in-Chief 1935 / 1936

Oley Nelson, a veteran and son of a veteran, was born in Rock County, Wisconsin, on the August 10, 1844. On the June 17, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, 40th Wisconsin Infantry (known as the University Regiment), which was assigned to General Sturgis's Brigade, Fifteenth Army Corps, with headquarters at Memphis, Tennessee. He was discharged on September 16, 1864, because of sickness and returned to his widowed mother in Primrose County, Wisconsin, his father having died in service prior to Oley's enlistment. In 1867, Comrade Nelson moved in a covered wagon to Story County, Iowa.

He was an active member of Ellsworth Post #30, at Ames, Iowa, for 40 years, and has been a member of Grenville M. Dodge Camp #75, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War for 25 years. He was a member of the 21st and 22nd General Assemblies of Iowa, and for 12 years has served as Sergeant at Arms of the Iowa House of Representatives. He was one of the foremost and most persistent advocates of a State Soldiers' Home and during his legislative career voted for the Home. He served as Department Patriotic Instructor, and in 1927 was elected Department Commander. He served as National Chief of Staff in 1931, was elected Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief in September, 1931, and on September 12, 1935, was elected Commander-in-Chief, the third comrade from Iowa to be chosen to this high office.

Badge of the 70th National Encampment

Grand Army of the Republic

Washington D. C.

1936

featuring C-in-C

Oley Nelson

James E. Jewell *

Co. C, 27th Iowa

Department of Colorado and Wyoming

Commander-in-Chief, Grand Army of the Republic

1930/1931

James E. Jewel was born in Germantown, Ohio, October 19, 1847, and died at his home in Fort Morgan, Colorado, November 8, 1939, aged 92 years.

He migrated with his parents to Iowa in 1854, receiving his early education in the rural schools. Mr. Jewel enlisted with the Union Army in Company C, 27th Iowa Infantry, October 27, 1864, just past 17 years old. He served as color guard all the time he was in the Army and was honorably discharged November 17, 1865.

Mr. Jewel entered the University of Iowa to obtain his law degree, graduating in 1877, and practiced law at Independence, Iowa, until 1901, when he came to Colorado, and was interested in farming and stock raising in addition to his law practice.

He joined the Grand Army of the Republic in 1878, serving in many offices with credit to himself and to the organization. In 1921 Mr. Jewel was elected Department Commander of Colorado and Wyoming. He served as Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief in 1928 and Commander-in-Chief In 1930. A loyal soldier of the Union cause, a Christian gentleman, a loving husband and father, he was broad in his thinking and built his own creed which contained the things that were essential and vital. A natural leader, his counsel was always listened to with respect by his associations.

On March 6, 1871, Mr. Jewel was united in marriage to Mahala E. Rozell. Four children were born, all of whom, with their mother, had preceded him in death. On November 30, 1919, Mr. Jewel was united in marriage to Mary S. Jewel, who with 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren remain to mourn and cherish his memory. Burial took place in Arlington Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

Badge of the 65th National Encampment

Grand Army of the Republic

Des Moines, Iowa

1931

featuring C-in-C

James E. Jewell

G.A.R. VETS CALL ON THE PRESIDENT

Scene in the Executive Office of the White House, January 29, 1936, as Past Commanders of the Grand Army of the Republic called on President Roosevelt to pay their annual respects. The Vets are in the Capital to lay plans for their National Encampment next September. The President is shown greeting (left to right) - General Oley Nelson, of Slater, Iowa, Present Commander-in-Chief; Judge James W. Willett, Tama, Iowa; Samuel P. Town, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Martin V. Stone, Jamestown, New York; General Russel C. Martin, Los Angeles, California; and Fred R. Bishop, Boston, Massachusetts.

(CHAPTER 121. 1884.)

DONATING ARMS TO THE G. A. R.

AN ACT to Donate Certain Arms to the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Iowa.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:

SECTION 1. That the arms of the state be not loaned, but that the Enfield rifles and accouterments belonging to the state, be and are hereby donated to the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Iowa.

SEC. 2. The adjutant-general is hereby directed to tum over to the quartermaster-general of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Iowa, the above described property, such transfer to be made without expense to the state.

SEC. 3. This act being deemed of immediate importance.

(CHAPTER 162, LAWS OF 1884.)

MONUMENTS TO DECEASED SOLDIERS.

An Act to provide for the erection of monuments to deceased soldiers of the late war.

SECTION 1. [Board of supervisors may appropriate $3,000 for a soldiers'monument.

f—Be it enacted by the general assembly of the state of Iowa:

That the board of supervisors of any county in this state are hereby authorized to appropriate from the county funds any sum of money not to exceed three thousand dollars, for the purpose of erecting on the court house square, public park at the county seat, or elsewhere in the county, as the grand army post of said county may direct, a soldiers' monument, on which shall be inscribed the names of all deceased soldiers and all who may hereafter die, who enlisted or entered the service from the county where such appropriation may be made, and also the names of other deceased soldiers, as the grand army posts of said county shall direct.

Approved April 5,1884.

Military Affairs. Senate File No. 29 March 8, 1927

A BILL FOR

An Act authorizing and directing the Curator of the Historical Memorial

and Art Department of Iowa to collect and preserve the materials

of suspending and disbanding posts of the Grand Army of the Republic

in Iowa, and similar records and materials; and making an appropria-

tion therefor.

Whereas, there are many posts of the Grand Army of the Republic in

Iowa recently disbanded or soon to disband, whose records and property

they may desire the State to preserve and

Whereas, there may be similar records and materials of great historical

value in the hands of individuals throughout the State, and

Whereas, neither the Iowa Headquarters G. A. R. in the Capitol Build-

ing nor the Historical Department in the Iowa Historical Memorial and

Art Building nor any other department of State government has display

space in which to house, nor funds with which to meet expense of collecting

and transporting the same, but only space at present for storing and

preserving them.

Be It Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:

1 Section 1. That there is hereby appropriated out

2 of the funds of the State not otherwise appropriated,

3 the sum of Seven Hundred Fifty ($750.00) Dollars to be

4 expended by the Historical Department under the direction

5 of the Board of Trustees for the purpose of discovering,

6 collecting, transporting and preserving the records and

7 property of any Grand Army Post that has no provision

8 for permanently preserving them, as also for the dis-

9 covery, collection and preservation of any similar

10 property of any one who served in the Union Army or

11 Navy in the Civil War, and especially the diaries,

12 letters, commissions, orders, citations, medals, uten

13 sils, apparel, weapons and other materials illustrative

14 of the participation of Iowa citizens in the Union Army

15 or Navy of the Civil War.

1 Sec. 2. This Act being deemed of immediate im-

2 portance shall take effect from and after its publication

3 in the Tipton Advertiser, a newspaper published in Tipton,

4 Iowa, and the Anamosa Eureka, a newspaper published in

5 Anamosa, Iowa.