The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1890-04-10

cuIc anu euucuIloH VI orpnall5 VI
dead comrades, for increased pen
sions for widows ands orphans and
dependent parents, and for homes
for homeless veterans, upon whom
the hand of adversely has heav-
lily fallen. or fraternal visits to
homes of afflicted comrades-a work
shared in later years by the Woman's
Relief Corps.
The lame for the organization had
not been decided upon in March,, and
it is probable that the "work" of an
Order started in 1865 in Missouri.
The advance Guard Of America
u ''The Grand Army of Progress"
suggested the present title.
On the 9Th day Of April, 1866,
Maj. Stephenson, assisted by Capt.
Phelps, organized &C Decatur, ILL.,,
the first Post of the Grand Army of
the Republic. Benjamin Franklin
Stephenson, the founder OF the G.
A. r., was born in Wayne county,
Illinois, October 80, 1922.
In October, 1866, departments had
been formed in Illinois, Wisconsin,
Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota, and
Posts in Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky,
Arkansas, District of Columbia,
Massachusetts,, New York and Penn
sylvania.
The first national convention was
held at Indianapolis, Ind, November
20, 1866, for the purpose of perfect
ing q national organization.
The second national session was
held at Philadelphia, January 10,
1868.
The third national convention con-
vened at Cincinnati on May II, 1863.
Meeting Of the national council Of
administrator in Philadelphia, Octo-
Der |, 1868, and special session. New
York, October 81, 1869. 1t was sug-
gested and approved, May 6, 1868,
that May 80 be fixed as memorial
day,
The fourth national encampmcnt
assembled in Washington, d. c.,
May H., 1870.
The fifth annual session was held
in Boston, May 10, 1871.
The sixth annual session was held
in Cleveland on May 8, 1872.
The seventh annual session met in
New Haven, Conn, May II, 1878, at
which meeting the membership shows
q gain in membership of S,41S, and a
total loss of S,38S.
The eighth annual meeting was
held at Harrisburg, Penn, May 13,
1874. The report shows q total gain
in membership, 1904, and a total
loss Of ,4G5.
The ninth session held at Chicago,
May -, 1875, report in membership
of gain, 1904; loss, $500.
The tenth encampment was held at
Philadelphia, June 80, 1876.
The eleventh session was held at
Providence, r. l., June %, 1877.
Membership added during the year,
1898 loss, S,2GS.
The twelfth annual session met in
Springfield, Mass, June 4, 1878.
Report of membership, gam, 9,ljG
loss, 500.
The thirteenth session met in AL
bany, N. Y, June II, 1879. A mel
gain in membership for the year
I,O4S.
The fourteenth session was held il
Dayton, O., June 8, 1880. An in
crease in membership in the year O.
1887.
The fifteenth annual session met il
Indianapolis, Ind, June 10, 1881
Gain in membership during the year
26,S59 loss, 10,9S3. Expended TO
relief during year, S65, 597.3s. Tn
Woman's Relief Corps was, by res
o%lution, approved. The sons of vet
Grams were recognized.
The sixteenth session, held at Balti
more, June 2l, 1882.
The seventeenth session met i
Denver, Colo, July %, 1888. Tota
gain in membership from Decembe
81, 1881, G0,076.
. The eighteenth session met in Mir
neapolis, July 23, 1884. Member
. ship gain, l24,323; loss, a6,sl1
Membership, June 80, 1884, 253,s9s
Amount expended for relief, sl59
3G4.3 80.
The nineteenth session was held
Portland, Me-, June "a, 1885. Cal
in membership during the year, lO3