The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-04
CLARKSON FOR COMMANDER
The G.. A. R. Elects Thaddeus s.
Clarkson of Omaha, Commander
in-Chief

1u@On4Z6
st. Paul. Mimi, Sept. 4.-:When norni-
nations were declared in order in the
Grand Army encampment this morn
ing, D. R. Ballou of Providence, r. l.,
was nominated by Comrade Spooner of
| the same state; Judge NJ. L. Haywood
of Nebraska presented the name of
Major Thaddeus S. CIarkson of Oma-
| ha; the name of E. H. dobson of Ken
lucky was offered by General Case of
Tennessee; John c. Linehan of New
Hampshire was brought forward by
Daniel CogswelI of that state and
Rear Admiral Meade was presented by
| a Dakota delegate.
Seconds for the nomination of
| Clarkson came quickly from all over
the hall, but one of the first men up
was Admiral Meade, who withdrew his
own name.It at once became evident
that Major Clarkson would win and all
the other names were withdrawn and
he was nominated by acclamation.
Major Clarkson was at once called
to the stage and acknowledged the hon
or conferred on him in an eloquent
speech. General J. H. Mullen of Min
nesota was elected senior vice COM
mander-in-chief, having been desig-
mated for that honor by the depart
ment- of Minnesota, the custom being
to give that position to the state hold
ing the encampment.
Thaddeus Stevens Clarkson was
born at Gettysburg, Pa, in 1910. He
was educated three miles from the
great battlefield of Antietam. He en-
listed April 16, 1861, within two hours
after the appearance of President Lin
coins call for $4,000 men for three
months, in Company A, First Illinois
artillery. He went to Cairo, served
under General Grant there; re-enlisted
for the war July 16, 1861; was promoted
December 1, 1861, to adjutant of
the Thirteenth Illinois cavalry; served
with that regiment and on the staff of
General John w. Davidson partfcfr3-
ting in the battles with that command
on the march to Helena and Little
Rock, Arkansas. He was assigned to
commend it during the Arkansas cam
Balgn- IN august, 1858, he assisted in
raising the Third Arkansas cavalry of
Union white men of that state; was
promoted to major and commanded the
regiment until nearly the close of the
war, participating in nearly all of the
battles in Arkansas under Gen. Steele.
On November II, 1862, he was married
to Mary Beecher Natterson, and has
five children.
He came to Nebraska, settling in
Omaha, with his brother, the late Bish-
Op ClarksOn, in March of 1866, and has
lived in the state for 80 years He was
HarrisOn's administration.
Mr.. Clarkson was on the executive
committee of the national council of
administration, G. A. r., for three con-
secutive years, was elected department
commander of Nebraska by acclama-
tion at the encampment in February.
1880. He has also been commander of
the Loyal Legion of Nebraska.
For junior vice-cOmmander-inc
the name of Albert E. Sholes of Geor-
gia, and Charles w. Buckley of Ala
bama were presented and the ballot re-
suited: Buckley, 1886; ShOles, PAL.
For surgeon, Gen. A. E. Johnson of
the department of the Potomac, was
elected over Charles L. Boynton Of IN
diana
Illinois had a candidate for chaplain
in-chief in Rev. c. F. Dunner of Chi
cago, but Rev. Mark D. Taylor of Mas
sachusetts got more votes and was de-
clared elected.
The Kansas members of the council
of administration was: w. H. Smith,
Marysville.
The encampment adopted resolutions
approving the w. r. C.'s attempt to
preserve the AndersOnville prison pen,
but refused to commend the efforts to
beautify it.
Ex-vOlunteers and present members
of the regular army were placed on
an equality in the matter of dues, but
the proposition to excuse 20 posts pay
conditions was rejected.
After adopting a memorial on the
death of Past Commander Chief Lu-
cius Fairchild and resolutions thanking
st. Paul for its great hospitality, the
encampment adjourned.