This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website

 

O. D. Pease Post

Grand Army of the Republic

1908

04 29          At the last regular meeting of O. D. Pease Post, Grand Army of the Republic, the members present, in an informal way talked over as to what should be done in the way of the observance of Memorial Day.  Heretofore, the Post has taken the responsibility and labors incident to a proper and patriotic recognition and observation of the day, but the members realize that now, advanced age and infirmities accompanying old age render it impossible for them to take an active part in the memorial services as they have in the past and must delegate the labor and responsibilities required to others, who inspired by patriotic impulses will see that the day is duly observed with the usual ceremonies.  After the question had been discussed at some length it was the almost universal opinion of the members . . . that should not the municipality or some civic society take hold of the matter, the best and only thing the Post could do, would be to meet at the post hall on Memorial Day and march in solemn silence to the cemetery in which the last veteran was laid to rest and around his grave go through memorial ritual and then return to their hall, disband and retire to their respective homes to question the patriotism and gratitude of the people.   WL

 

05 07          Every indication now points to a most fitting observance of Memorial Day in Watertown. Brief mention was made in The Leader of the action taken by the city council on Tuesday evening, but not as extensive as the matter warranted.  Mention was made of the appropriation of $100 by the council to help in defraying the expenses connected with the observance of the day . . . The committee lost no time in taking action and held a meeting immediately after the session of the city council.  The move on the part of the city council is a most commendable one indeed.  The diminishment in the “Boys in Blue” and the fact that age is telling upon them, makes it imperative that the duties attending the observance of the sacred day, fall to younger blood.  There is no body more representative of the city than the common council and the fact that the members of the same are to take the initiative is an act of patriotism that reflects the greatest of credit upon the mayor and councilmen and their acts are being shown many evidences of appreciation . . . by citizens in general.   WL

Text Box:  
Chapter on Watertown’s Civil War Years

05 24          The joint committee of the O. D. Pease Post, G. A. R. city council met last evening at the council room in the city building to arrange further details for the observance of Memorial Day . . . The program as yet is not fully complete.  As has previously been announced in The Leader, it is planned to hold the literary and musical exercises on Friday evening, the 29th, at the Turner opera house.  The exercises will open with music by the orchestra.  There will be addresses appropriate to the occasion by representatives of the Northwestern University, the Sacred Heart College and the public schools, also recitations and songs by the school children.  The exercises open with the singing of “Old Glory” by the audience. The hall will be beautifully decorated for the occasion and every child present from the public and parochial schools will be presented with a badge, a ribbon of red, white and blue as a background, over which is a small ribbon with the words:  “In Memoriam, May 30, 1908.”   WL

 

1908

10 30          25th anniversary of O. D. Pease Post No. 94, G.A.R. of this city; Commander Fred. Kusel gave a history of the organization    WG

 

1909

05 28          Memorial Day observance    WG

12 17          At the annual meeting of O. D. Pease Post No. 94, G.A.R., the following officers were elected:

Commander—John Habhegger.

Senior Vice Commander—John Robinson.

Junior Vice Commander—Henry Bassinger.

Quartermaster—A. C. Deimel.

Surgeon—Conrad Dippel.

Chaplain—D. Schwieger.

Officer of the Day—G. Keimig.

Patriotic Instructor—G. P. Traeumer.

Officer of Guard—Christ. Bergmann.

Delegates to department encampment—A. C. Deimel, John Muth.

Alternates—D. Schwieger, W. D. Sproesser.

Trustee Three years—W. D. Sproesser.   WG

 

1910

06 03          Memorial Day observance    WG

 

1915      John Habhegger Heads G.A.R. post 

12 15                      Retained for Another Year as Post Commander

Other Officers Named at Well Attended Meeting of O.D. Pease Post No. 94, GAR

 

Sixteen members of O. D. Pease Post No. 94, G.A.R., a very large percentage of the roster, attended the meeting of the Post last Friday evening when the officers for the ensuing year were elected, John Habhegger being retained as post commander and practically all other officers being re-elected.

 

There will be no meeting of the Post on December 24, the next regular meeting night.  The next meeting will be Friday, January 14, 1916. 

 

Officers elected at the meeting were:

 

      Commander - John Habhegger

      Junior Vice Commander - John Robinson

      Senior Vice Commander - Henry Bassinger

      Quartermaster - A. S. Deimel

      Surgeon - Albert Cebell

      Captain - John Muth

      Officer of Day - Gabriel Keimig

      Patriotic Instructor - Albert Cebell

      Officer of the Guard - Christ Bergmann

      Sergeant Major - Charles Borchart

      Quartermaster Sergeant - William Schumacher

      Adjutant - Charles J. Wenck

      Encampment Representative - A. C. Deimel, William Schumacher

      Trustee 3 Years - John Muth

      Post Inspector - Fred Kusel     WDT

 

1923

03 08       Benjamin Zoelle, 1840-1923.  One of Watertown's best known Civil War Veterans   WG

 

1934      August F. Kusel, 1843-1934.  One of few remaining members of GAR

 

 

Cross References: 

GAR Personal War Sketches

Jones, Edward Hughs