The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-06-17
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SONS OF VETERANS.
A Pithy Resume of the National and
State Organizations of Both
Patriotic Orders.
When and Where the National and
State EnCampments Have Been
Held in the Past.
The Pioneer Minnesota Camp Was
Organized at Saltwater During
the Winter of 1883.
First Ladies' Aid Society Was Or
First Ladies' Aid Society Was Orr
ganized in the City of Phila=
delphia Early in 1861. -
The Sons of Veterans and l.. A. S
Are in Flourishing Condi=
ton in This State.

Princeton this week entertains
within her gates as invited guests the
Minnesota Division, Sons of Veterans,
and our people delight in honoring the
direct descendants of the mon, who
gave up all in the Sixties for the saliva
ton of our common country and the
honor of the flag. For the purpose of
informing our readers more fully about
the organization which this year has
accepted our hospitalities, to hold an
annual State encampment here, the
UNION presents condensed and au-
thentic history of both the National
and State organizations of the Sons of
Veterans. VIZ"
FFszasaeA e1sz THE ORDER AT LARGE. -s-sssss*3s
The organization, Sons of Veterans,
U. S. A., as a national body, to become
eventually the successor of the Grand
Army of the Republic, originated in
the early eighties. Major A. P. Davis
of Pittsburg, Pa, is generally con-
coded to be the founder and mentor of
the order. The cradle of the organic
alton in fact was at Pittsburg, where
the first camp was organized in 1881
During that year the work was all of
preliminary character, but on Octo-
Der Is of the following year the first
session of the Commandery-in-Chiel
was held at Pittsburg. Only three
states were then represented, each
having two representatives, the states
being New York, Ohio and Pennsylva-
MIA. Gen. H. T. Rowley, of Pittsburg
was elected as the first COMMANDMENT.
Chief, and he chose H. W. Walker as
his adjutant. But a year later at the
second session of the Commandery the
| representation comprised q states and
three grand divisions, showing a most
rapid growth. The official records
show that during 1883 the Grand Army
of the Republic invited the Sons Of
Veterans to appear before their ma.
tional encampment at Denver and pre-
sent the plan of organization and plat
form OF principles. This was done,
and by resolution of the encampment
official recognition was given to the
Sons of Veterans.
| From that date began remarkable
growth and progress of the order in
every section OF the United States, un-
til to-day camps are in existence even
in 'Dixie Land'.
The latest division to be organized is
that of the Gulf, comprising the south.
ern states, where the membership is
also on the increase. "sh
In the early years of the orders ex.
istence there was some rivalry extant
on account of the system of posts, con
trolled by the ''Earp'' faction. But
gradually all these we're absorbed into
the general organization, and divisions
were organized in every state having 8
sufficient number of camps. Each di
vision is a jurisdiction within itself fol
local legislation, which is adopted il
the annual encampments, where also
are elected the delegates to the ses
sions Of the Commandery-in-C Chief
. which controls the legislation for tht
order at large.
Once in the history Of the order
i Minnesota entertained the Nationa
body, when Minneapolis was the hos
in 1891, the event still being vivid,
remembered by the older members
This year the national meeting vii
take place at indianapolis during th,
month Of September. Last year til,
I session took place at Louisville but n