Post Civil War: Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)

The GAR was organized at the state level and individual posts gradually formed in places around the state. Larger cities generally had multiple posts. Many posts were named in honor of important battles, to commemorate fellow comrades or officers.

The GAR originated in Decatur, Illinois in 1866. The last GAR member died on 2 August 1956 in Duluth, Minnesota. He was Albert Woolson who was born in New York but later moved to Minnesota as a child and served in the war from Minnesota. Thus, the GAR came to its last day.

In a future blog post, I will cover more about Woolson, the records created by the posts and where to find those that still exist. Hint: there are many. Two Minnesota links for more information and a link to extensive information and records are below.

• https://www.mnopedia.org/group/grand-army-republic-minnesota

•https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Minnesota,Grand_Army_of_the_Republic_Membership_Records-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records

• Check Cyndi’s List for multiple pages of links to general GAR and specific states. https://www.cyndislist.com/societies/fraternal/gar/?page=1

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