website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
O. D. Pease Post
Grand Army of the Republic
After the Civil War, when the Grand Army of the
Republic was organized,
Watertown’s G.A.R. post, O. D. Pease Post No. 94, was
named in honor of CPT Pease.
The Post was organized on July 7, 1883 and was named
after the Watertown boy who died in the war.
There were 13 charter members, and eight of them are
still living. During its existence 133
Comrades were mustered into the post.
1883
07 07 CHARTER MEMBERSHIP OF
WATERTOWN G.A.R. UNIT
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
Very fragile document has been
properly framed so to protect and preserve
“Dated at the Head
Quarters of the Department of the Grand Army of the Republic at Baraboo, Wis,
on the 7th day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Eighty three, and of our
Independence the One hundred and seventh.”
OFFICERS OF THE CHARTER MEMBERSHIP OF
WATERTOWN G.A.R. UNIT
|
Commander—Fred
Kusel |
____________ --
Henry Bassinger |
|
Senior Vice
Commander—A. Solliday |
Officer of the
Day—Jacob Ditschler |
|
Adjutant—Charles
J. Wenck. |
Surgeon—W. C.
Spaulding |
|
Junior Vice
Commander—John Muth |
____________ --
John Walter |
|
Officer of
Guard—L. C. Green |
Chaplain -- D.
D. Scott |
|
____________ --
M. E. Monrean |
Sergeant Major—
Amand Gritzner |
|
Quartermaster—John
Habhegger |
|
Watertown
G.A.R. Post, portion of
copyrighted book
1887
04 11 CAMP-FIRE IN TURNER
HALL
G.A.R.
(No. 94) meeting, Supper, Philharmonic Band & Dancing
1889
01 09 ERYSIPELAS FATAL TO CIVIL WAR VET
Charles Haeffner
[Hoeffner], who came to Watertown when a mere child in 1847, died Thursday noon
last, Jan. 3, 1880, at the age of 50 years, of
erysipelas, after a week’s sickness. Deceased was born in Prussia. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. E, 20th Wis. Reg.,
serving three years in the war of the rebellion. Since returning from the war
he has been proprietor of a meat market.
Mr. Haeffner was a member of Washington lodge I. O.
O. F. and also of the O. D. Pease post G. A. R. His funeral Sunday afternoon was largely
attended, both of the above named bodies being
represented. A number
of the members of the fire department also attended. He leaves a wife, one daughter and three
sons. Watertown Republican, 09 Jan 1889
1892
05 30 O. D. PEASE POST NO. 94
Decoration Day <> G.A.R. <> O. D. Pease Post No. 94
Meets 2nd and 4th Fridays in Schmutzler’s Hall, N. Fourth
and E. Main
1894
12 05 THANKSGIVING NIGHT PROGRAM AT TURNER OPERA HOUSE
The entertainment arranged by the O. D. Pease post and the Woman’s Relief corps for Thanksgiving night at Turner Opera house was in every way a success. From 5 to 8 o’clock the corps served supper in the lower hall, and large numbers of hungry ones attested with universal accord to the goodness of the edibles provided by the ladies.
When the post-prandial exercises began, shortly after 8, there was a large-sized audience present, and this grew during the evening until the large hall was completely filled when the hour for dancing arrived.
Commander John Habhegger, of the local post, presided at the meeting and announced the numbers on the program, which opened and closed with piano selections, skillfully executed, by Miss Tena Kunert. A very enjoyable feature of the musical portion was the excellent male quartette singing of Messrs. Edw. L. Schempf, William Sproesser, Oscar E. Meyer and Charles Feisst, accompanied on the piano by Miss Nellie Malloy. Their first number was “Tenting on the Old Campground,” with the solo by Mr. Sproesser, and they gave several other songs during the evening.
The speech-making was done by Assistant Adjutant-General Tallmadge and Commander J. A. Watrous, of the Department of Wisconsin. The former spoke only briefly, but the latter talked entertainingly for an hour, dwelling upon the objects and work of the Grand Army and the Relief corps. Colonel Watrous said they were doing a world of good in educating the children and youth of the day in patriotism and duty to the nation.
The exercises over, the large
company engaged in dancing, which was kept up until an early morning hour. Sergei’s orchestra furnished the music. The
Watertown Republican, 05 Dec 1894
06 05 MEMORIAL
DAY 1900
The weather
conditions of last Wednesday were all that could be desired for a proper
observation of Memorial Day, and the exercises as arranged by the O. D. Pease
Post, No. 94, G. A. R., and the Woman’s Relief Corps were generally
participated in by our citizens. The
principal ceremonies were held in the afternoon and were of an order to invoke
reverence and honors for the noble soldier dead. At 1:30 o’clock the procession formed at Grand
Army hall and marched to Oak Hill cemetery . . . . At
the cemetery memorial services according to the Grand Army ritual were held
over the grave of Lafayette Damp, a member of the post who died last fall, the
customary salute being fired at the conclusion of the services. Thereupon the line of march was resumed to
Turner Opera house, where the exercises were opened with an address of welcome
by A. E. Needham, commander of the post . . . . The Opera house was filled to overflowing and
Mr. [Joseph] Davies’ oration was listened to
with the greatest interest. His effort
was a masterly one and delivered with the eloquence and feeling that stamped
him as a public speaker of rare genius and wonderful resources. Not in many a day has Watertown had the
pleasure of hearing a more able address or a more cultured orator. WR
08 31 G.A.R.
PASSES IN REVIEW
For five hours
Tuesday, in ranks twelve deep, the white-haired veterans of the Grand Army of
the Republic passed in their last grand parade [in Chicago]. Thirty-five years ago
the northern soldiers, after four years of war, swept through the streets of
Washington in their last grand review as an army before the
Father Abraham at whose call they had gone out to fight. Tuesday, after thirty-five years of not less honorable endeavor to bind up the nation’s wounds,
they were seen again in grand review.
Never again can they meet in such numbers. They are growing gray-haired
and aged, and gradually death will muster them out. Tuesday they marched 23,-000 strong through the down-town
streets of Chicago between crowds of people that packed the sidewalks from the
street curbing to the building walls. WG
1901
03 27 TWO CANNON PLACED IN PARK
Nearly a year ago the O. D. Pease Post, G.A R., applied for two cannon from the federal government, to be stationed beside the soldiers’ monument in the city park. Mayor Grube interested himself in the matter and was promised that the gift should be made to the city. Last week the cannon were received and are now lying in the city park. No mountings were sent, and it will be necessary for the city to provide these. The cannon are Parrott guns, thirty pounders, and are known as No. 26 and No. 28 condemned ordnance. The former weighs 3,513 pounds and the latter 3,510 pounds. They are from the Brooklyn navy yard. Ten 8-inch projectiles, weighing 500 pounds, accompanied the guns. The freight charges amounted to $80, which the city will have to pay. WR
05 17 POST CANNOT AFFORD MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
Memorial Day in Watertown promises to be a very tame affair
compared with previous years. For a number of years past the day has been celebrated in
Watertown in every manner, and it was always looked forward to with a great
deal of interest by our people. The
expense of those celebrations has always been considerable
and it has heretofore been borne by the O. D. Pease Post, G. and A.R. of this city.
This year, however, the Post feels too poor to bear the expense, and has
asked for an appropriation of $50 from the council for that purpose, the law
allowing money to be appropriated for such a cause. The council at its last meeting appropriated
only $25, the Post has unanimously decided that would not be sufficient to bear
the expense of the celebration, hence the Post will only carry out a program
according to the ritual of the order.
There will be no public speaker.
In afternoon services will be held at Oak Hill
cemetery. It is hoped the city council
at its meeting next Tuesday will appropriate an additional $25 to the Post. WG
05 31 SERVICES HELD AT HIGH SCHOOL
Memorial Day services were held Thursday morning at the
Watertown High School. WG
1902
06 15 MEMORIAL DAY 1902
Conformable to usage the members of the G. A. R. resident here and others
attended special Memorial services Sunday evening. This year the services were held in the M. E.
Church, Rev. A. M. Bullock, assisted by Rev. Wm. Fritzmeier, occupying the
pulpit. The church was well filled, a
section of the pews being reserved for the “old boys,” some thirty of whom were
present, and a sturdy group of old Union savers they were too. The regular church choir was on duty and the
rendition of the old army songs and patriotic odes by the choir and the
congregation brought back to memory the times when as wearer of the Union blue
these same Grand Army boys would sing like songs way down in Dixie. Every music
number was an Army song or national anthem. A song by the choir and
congregation; prayer by Rev. Wm. Fritzmeier; music. Then the address by Rev. A. M. Bullock, a
masterpiece of eloquent thought; patriotic and inspiring, a gem in a becoming
setting were the evening’s program of exercises, and though lacking perhaps something
of usual formality, was most thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by everyone in
attendance, and by none more than by the veterans themselves.
1905
09 27 CRAYON PORTRAITS,
M/M LEWIS
Resolutions
Adopted. At the regular meeting of the
O. D. Pease Post No. 94 G A.R. held Friday evening, September 8, a committee of
three was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the appreciation of the
Post to Mrs. Fannie P. Lewis for her generous gift of
crayon portraits of her deceased husband and herself to the Post. At the last regular meeting held last Friday
evening, the committee reported the following preamble and resolutions, which were
unanimously adopted:
Whereas, Mrs. Fannie P. Lewis, in loving compliance
with a request of this Post for a portrait of her deceased husband and herself,
has presented the Post with such portraits.
Therefore be it resolved, that
this Post in accepting the gift wish to express to Mrs. Lewis its most earnest
appreciation of her generosity, her kind words accompanying the gift and its
high esteem of her as a friend and its great regard for the memory of her deceased
husband, who like herself, was a “Friend to the Soldiers.”
Resolved, that these resolutions be recorded in full
in the minute book of the Post. Further resolved, that the adjutant of the Post is hereby directed
to convey to Mrs. Lewis an engrossed copy of these resolutions.
1908
05 01 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
05 24 MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE PLANNED
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
10 30 25th ANNIVERSARY of O. D. Pease Post No. 94, G.A.R.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of O. D. Pease Post No. 94, G. A. R. of
this city, the members celebrated the occasion at the post hall in Main Street
last Friday evening. Commander Fred.
Kusel gave a history of the organization, and Comrades W. D. Sproesser and
David Schweiger related a number of interesting
reminiscences of their personal experiences during the war of the rebellion,
which was of great interest to all present.
A fine luncheon was served by the Woman's Relief Corps, and cards, music
and speeches helped to make the evening a memorable one in the history of the
Post. The committee in charge, Jacob
Ditschler, D. Schweiger and H. L. Volkmann arranged a most creditable program. The Post was organized on July 7, 1883, and
was named after a Watertown boy who died in the war. There were 13 charter members, and eight of
them are still living. During its
existence 133 Comrades were mustered into the post.
The officers of the charter membership were as
follows:
Commander—Fred Kusel.
Senior Vice Commander—A.
Solliday.
Junior Vice Commander—John
Muth.
Chaplain—D. D. Scott.
Officer of the Day—Jacob
Ditschler.
Officer of Guard—L. C. Green.
Surgeon—W. C. Spaulding
[William]
Quartermaster—John Habhegger.
Adjutant—Charles J. Wenck.
Sergeant Major—A. Gritzner.
The charter members were Fred Kusel, Charles J. Wenck, John Muth, John
Walter, L. Green, M. E. Monrean, A. Solliday, Henry Bassinger, Jacob Ditschler,
W. C. Spaulding, D. D. Scott, Amand Gritzner and John Habhegger. 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
1913
01 16 G. A. R. OFFICERS INSTALLED
Last Friday evening Fred Kusel installed
the newly-elected officers of the O. D. Pease Post No.
91, G.A.R., at their hall in the Bank of Watertown building. Mr. Kusel complimented those comrades present
in a neat little address delivered by him and spoke of the good standing of the
Post in the department. Out of a former
membership of 103, he said there were now only 37 left and urged them to stand
together till the last roll call is sounded. Following were the officers
elected:
Commander — John Habhegger.
Senior Vice Commander — John
Robinson.
Junior Vice Commander — Henry
Bassinger.
Adjutant — Charles J. Wenck.
Quartermaster — A. C. Deimel.
Surgeon — John Muth.
Chaplain — George P. Traeumer.
Officer of the Day — Gabriel
Keimig.
Patriotic Instructor — Fred
Kusel.
Officers of the Guard — Christian
Bergmann.
Sergeant Major — Albert Cebell.
Quartermaster Sergeant — Henry L.
Volkmann.
01 14 G. A. R. AND WOMAN’S RELIEF CORPS
Last Friday evening in their hall
in the Wegemann block the following officers of O. D. Pease Post, No. 94, G. A.
R. were installed:
Commander — John Habhegger.
Senior Vice Commander — John
Robinson.
Junior Vice Commander — Henry
Bassinger.
Adjutant — C. J. Wenck.
Quartermaster — A. C. Deimel.
Surgeon — Albert Cebel.
Chaplain — John Muth.
Officer of Day — Gabriel Keimig.
Patriotic Instructor — A.
Holcomb.
Officer of Guard — Christian
Bergmann.
Sergeant Major — Charles
Borchardt.
Quartermaster Sergeant — William
Schumacher.
Delegate Department Encampment —
A. C. Deimel.
Alternate — William Schumacher.
Trustee 3 years — John Muth.
At the conclusion of the
installation, the members of the Post repaired to the Eagles hall, where they,
with a number of invited guests, witnessed the
installation of the following newly elected officers of the Woman’s Relief
Corps by Post Commander John Habhegger.
President — Mrs. John Glaser.
Senior Vice — Mrs. George
Nellins.
Junior Vice — Mrs. John Bailey.
Chaplain — Mrs. Ernst Hoeffner.
Secretary — Mrs. William
Wurtzler.
Treasurer — Mrs. Harry Holcomb.
Conductor — Mrs. J. C. Peterson.
Assistant Conductor — Mrs. Helen
Hoeffner.
Guard — Mrs. Margaret Martch.
Assistant Guard — Mrs. C. J.
Wenck.
Musicians — Mrs. Lena Martinke.
Delegate — Mrs. J. C. Peterson.
Alternate – Mrs. Ernst Hoeffner,
At the conclusion of the
installation ceremonies refreshments were served by the ladies of the corps and
a short entertainment followed, including an address of welcome by Mrs. John
Glaser, and an address by Mrs. Harry Holcomb, readings by Mrs. William Wurtzler
and Mrs. John Bailey. WG
12 15 JOHN HABHEGGER HEADS G. A. R. POST / 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
1917
06 29 PARTICIPATE
IN FLAG RAISING AT LIBRARY
Simple
exercises marked the raising of the new flag at the public
library this afternoon.
The
flagstaff had been set in place several weeks ago on the grounds nearest the
street intersection.
After
a short address by Hon. W. F. Voss, vice president of the library board, the
flag was presented to Miss Maud Macpherson, the first librarian, who hoisted
Old Glory to the top of the staff.
A
concourse of citizens, including Mayor Mulberger, members of the library board,
city officials and members of the G. A. R. were present.
1920
04 23 DEATH
OF AUGUST DEIMEL (G.A.R.)
First Sergeant August C. Deimel was tenderly laid
to rest in Oak Hill cemetery.
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 G.A.R.
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin