The GAR Enjoys Companionship and Celebrates Memorial Day
GAR Festival
On February 3, 1879, 24 members of the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War veterans of Townville Post and seven members of the Waterford post took a sleigh ride to Union City and enjoyed the hospitality of McLane Post in their Armory in the Stranahan Block in Union City and held a grand old camp fire.
At seven o’clock, Commander Charles Steadman called the lodge to order and the members held a short, secret session to initiate Union City veteran “Cap” Donnelly into the order.
At nine o’clock the doors were thrown open to the invited guests of the Post members and everyone gathered in the room where the “Pipe of Peace”, and plenty of tobacco were featured.
After a few moments of handshaking and a general good time, Reverend J.C. Schofield, pastor of the Methodist Church, was called on for a speech. He stepped forward and in his usual good style made a few remarks which were well chosen and highly enjoyed by all who listened to him. Mr. Rose of Townville, was then called out and made a few very appropriate remarks.
Next, the audience called Dr. Rockwell who tried to beg off , but the enthusiasm of the audience convinced him to say a few words.
At this point the Union City Orchestra favored them with one of their finest selections, after which Reverend R.B. Dilworth, P.T. Mowry, and M.H. Fenno made some very appropriate remarks.
Supper was then called and all sat down to a table well loaded with corn bread, beans, sauerkraut, bologna, etc.etc. and ample justice was done to this part of the programme. The boys did all in their power to make the evening one of enjoyment to their guests and succeeded in every particular.
GAR Sugar Festival
The Sugar Festival held at the GAR hall on March 27, 1879 was largely attended, and a pleasant time enjoyed by all present. The proceeds amounted to about 25.00.
The boys wish to return thanks to Mr. James Roark of the Union City Hotel, for the many favors showed them on this occasion, he giving them the use of his kettles and store to warm their sugar without charge. WE understand that the Post contemplating holding another social in a short time.
Celebrating Memorial Day with the GAR- 1882
The GAR turned out in force to celebrate Memorial Day in Union City for all of the years that there were GAR members alive in town or those alive who remembered them.
A typical Memorial Day celebration in Union City began about 10 o’clock in the morning.
On May 30, 1882, the president of the GAR McLean Post and Chief Marshal, C.S. Steadman and his assistants L.D. Rockwell, Gary G. Smith and A.G. Sweet and the orator of the day, Reverend N.H. Holmes met at the GAR Hall. They and the ranks and file members met at 10:00 sharp. Part of them marched to the Catholic Cemetery, accompanied by Colman’s Band, St. Teresa School, the Hunter Hook & Ladder Company and private citizens. There, they decorated the graves. Another detachment marched to decorate the graves of the soldiers of the Revolution and the War of 1812 in the Thompson Cemetery.
At 1:00 o’clock sharp the Post again assembled at its hall and marched to First Avenue to form a procession. At two o’clock they departed for Evergreen Cemetery. The procession was made up of fraternal and civil organizations from town. Coleman’s Band, the public schools and Floral Committee with Flowers in charge of Reverend T.A. Edwards, principal, were in the procession. Reverend N.H. Holmes, the orator of the day, came next along with different orders and organizations of Union City and vicinity, Ex soldiers not belonging to the Post were next and in front came the Commander of John W. McLane Post and the post members. The line of march went down High Street to Main, up Main to Concord, and out Concord to Evergreen Cemetery.
After the procession entered the cemetery, the School and Floral Committee halted and opened ranks and the Post marched through and took the flowers. As they did this, the Floral Committee sang a hymn. When the Post passed the Floral Committee, it closed ranks and marched toward the speakers stand. Then it deployed as skirmishers and decorated the graves. While the Post decorated the graves, the Floral Committee and other organizations commanded by the Marshal took their places at the speakers stand, leaving room for the Post.
After the Post finished decorating the graves, it assembled and marched to the speakers stand. The officers of the GAR gave the public service and orator of the day, Reverend N.H. Holmes, delivered a speech.
The chaplain gave the benediction, and the Post and other organizations formed ranks and marched behind Coleman’s Band back to their respective halls and were dismissed. The Floral Committee and public schools remained on the grounds and were dismissed there. The Trustees of the Cemetery decided not to allow any teams in the cemetery on Memorial Day so families could remain and picnic in the cemetery if they desired.
Grand GAR Encampment, 1883
J.F. Kamerer returned on February 2, 1883 from Wilkesbarre, where he went as a delegate to the Grand Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. There were present about 1,000 delegates and visitors and others present had a royal good time. The place picked for the semi-annual encampment was Gettysburg, and for the annual encampment, Lancaster was chosen.
Reverend Nicholas Holmes delivered his lecture on “Campture and Escape,” in Saegertown, Tuesday night last.
Reverend N.H. Holmes Speaks at the GAR Hall
On Wednesday May 23, 1883, Reverend N.H. Holmes presented his lecture “Prison Life” to a large audience at the GAR Hall.
After the lecture, an old fashioned army supper consisting of pork and beans was served to those who remained and was highly enjoyed. The proceeds amounted to about $22 which will assist the Post materially in paying their Decoration Day expenses.
Soldiers Monument in Evergreen Cemetery
The Union City Times of Thursday, July 19, 1883, reported that the initial steps had been taken by John W. McLane Post of Union City to procure and have erected on the soldiers lot in Evergreen Cemetery a suitable monument in honor of the brave boys from this vicinity who laid down their lives on their country’s altar. It is a move that should receive the hearty approval and endorsement of all of citizens. There is scarcely a cemetery in the land but what has in it a soldiers moment, and we want one in our cemetery here.
The GAR Post has headed the subscription list with $100.00 and aside from this, members individually will subscribe liberally. It is desired to raise about $600.00, which can easily be done if the proper spirit is manifested and each and all assist a little as they should. This will secure a very fine monument, one that we all can feel proud of, and one that will do honor to the cause for which it will be erected. A committee has been appointed by the Post to solicit subscriptions to the fund, and when they call upon our people we trust they may meet with a hearty response.
The Union City Times of April 17, 1884, reported that the Soldier’s Monument in Evergreen Cemetery would be unveiled on May 30, 1884.
The GAR Makes Plans for Memorial Day
The GAR elected the following men to act as marshals on Decoration Day at their regular meeting during the first week of May 1884.
Chief Marshal – Charles Steadman
Assistants: A.C. Taylor, Jay Smith, Dr. L.D. Rockwell, Gary B. Smith, A.G. Sweet and Dr. A.C. Sherwood.
The following committees were also appointed on the same evening:
On Program: E.B. Lamphier, J.J. Lyons, George F. Bennett
Speakers: Charles Steadman, George F. Bennett. This committee hopes to secure General D.B. McCrary as orator if possible. The unveiling of the Soldier’s Monument will be the chief feature of the occasion and as the exercises are to be of an unusually interesting nature, we trust there may be a large turn out to witness it.
Detachments of the GAR Post 102 will decorate the graves at the Thompson and Barnes Cemeteries.
On February 3, 1879, 24 members of the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War veterans of Townville Post and seven members of the Waterford post took a sleigh ride to Union City and enjoyed the hospitality of McLane Post in their Armory in the Stranahan Block in Union City and held a grand old camp fire.
At seven o’clock, Commander Charles Steadman called the lodge to order and the members held a short, secret session to initiate Union City veteran “Cap” Donnelly into the order.
At nine o’clock the doors were thrown open to the invited guests of the Post members and everyone gathered in the room where the “Pipe of Peace”, and plenty of tobacco were featured.
After a few moments of handshaking and a general good time, Reverend J.C. Schofield, pastor of the Methodist Church, was called on for a speech. He stepped forward and in his usual good style made a few remarks which were well chosen and highly enjoyed by all who listened to him. Mr. Rose of Townville, was then called out and made a few very appropriate remarks.
Next, the audience called Dr. Rockwell who tried to beg off , but the enthusiasm of the audience convinced him to say a few words.
At this point the Union City Orchestra favored them with one of their finest selections, after which Reverend R.B. Dilworth, P.T. Mowry, and M.H. Fenno made some very appropriate remarks.
Supper was then called and all sat down to a table well loaded with corn bread, beans, sauerkraut, bologna, etc.etc. and ample justice was done to this part of the programme. The boys did all in their power to make the evening one of enjoyment to their guests and succeeded in every particular.
GAR Sugar Festival
The Sugar Festival held at the GAR hall on March 27, 1879 was largely attended, and a pleasant time enjoyed by all present. The proceeds amounted to about 25.00.
The boys wish to return thanks to Mr. James Roark of the Union City Hotel, for the many favors showed them on this occasion, he giving them the use of his kettles and store to warm their sugar without charge. WE understand that the Post contemplating holding another social in a short time.
Celebrating Memorial Day with the GAR- 1882
The GAR turned out in force to celebrate Memorial Day in Union City for all of the years that there were GAR members alive in town or those alive who remembered them.
A typical Memorial Day celebration in Union City began about 10 o’clock in the morning.
On May 30, 1882, the president of the GAR McLean Post and Chief Marshal, C.S. Steadman and his assistants L.D. Rockwell, Gary G. Smith and A.G. Sweet and the orator of the day, Reverend N.H. Holmes met at the GAR Hall. They and the ranks and file members met at 10:00 sharp. Part of them marched to the Catholic Cemetery, accompanied by Colman’s Band, St. Teresa School, the Hunter Hook & Ladder Company and private citizens. There, they decorated the graves. Another detachment marched to decorate the graves of the soldiers of the Revolution and the War of 1812 in the Thompson Cemetery.
At 1:00 o’clock sharp the Post again assembled at its hall and marched to First Avenue to form a procession. At two o’clock they departed for Evergreen Cemetery. The procession was made up of fraternal and civil organizations from town. Coleman’s Band, the public schools and Floral Committee with Flowers in charge of Reverend T.A. Edwards, principal, were in the procession. Reverend N.H. Holmes, the orator of the day, came next along with different orders and organizations of Union City and vicinity, Ex soldiers not belonging to the Post were next and in front came the Commander of John W. McLane Post and the post members. The line of march went down High Street to Main, up Main to Concord, and out Concord to Evergreen Cemetery.
After the procession entered the cemetery, the School and Floral Committee halted and opened ranks and the Post marched through and took the flowers. As they did this, the Floral Committee sang a hymn. When the Post passed the Floral Committee, it closed ranks and marched toward the speakers stand. Then it deployed as skirmishers and decorated the graves. While the Post decorated the graves, the Floral Committee and other organizations commanded by the Marshal took their places at the speakers stand, leaving room for the Post.
After the Post finished decorating the graves, it assembled and marched to the speakers stand. The officers of the GAR gave the public service and orator of the day, Reverend N.H. Holmes, delivered a speech.
The chaplain gave the benediction, and the Post and other organizations formed ranks and marched behind Coleman’s Band back to their respective halls and were dismissed. The Floral Committee and public schools remained on the grounds and were dismissed there. The Trustees of the Cemetery decided not to allow any teams in the cemetery on Memorial Day so families could remain and picnic in the cemetery if they desired.
Grand GAR Encampment, 1883
J.F. Kamerer returned on February 2, 1883 from Wilkesbarre, where he went as a delegate to the Grand Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. There were present about 1,000 delegates and visitors and others present had a royal good time. The place picked for the semi-annual encampment was Gettysburg, and for the annual encampment, Lancaster was chosen.
Reverend Nicholas Holmes delivered his lecture on “Campture and Escape,” in Saegertown, Tuesday night last.
Reverend N.H. Holmes Speaks at the GAR Hall
On Wednesday May 23, 1883, Reverend N.H. Holmes presented his lecture “Prison Life” to a large audience at the GAR Hall.
After the lecture, an old fashioned army supper consisting of pork and beans was served to those who remained and was highly enjoyed. The proceeds amounted to about $22 which will assist the Post materially in paying their Decoration Day expenses.
Soldiers Monument in Evergreen Cemetery
The Union City Times of Thursday, July 19, 1883, reported that the initial steps had been taken by John W. McLane Post of Union City to procure and have erected on the soldiers lot in Evergreen Cemetery a suitable monument in honor of the brave boys from this vicinity who laid down their lives on their country’s altar. It is a move that should receive the hearty approval and endorsement of all of citizens. There is scarcely a cemetery in the land but what has in it a soldiers moment, and we want one in our cemetery here.
The GAR Post has headed the subscription list with $100.00 and aside from this, members individually will subscribe liberally. It is desired to raise about $600.00, which can easily be done if the proper spirit is manifested and each and all assist a little as they should. This will secure a very fine monument, one that we all can feel proud of, and one that will do honor to the cause for which it will be erected. A committee has been appointed by the Post to solicit subscriptions to the fund, and when they call upon our people we trust they may meet with a hearty response.
The Union City Times of April 17, 1884, reported that the Soldier’s Monument in Evergreen Cemetery would be unveiled on May 30, 1884.
The GAR Makes Plans for Memorial Day
The GAR elected the following men to act as marshals on Decoration Day at their regular meeting during the first week of May 1884.
Chief Marshal – Charles Steadman
Assistants: A.C. Taylor, Jay Smith, Dr. L.D. Rockwell, Gary B. Smith, A.G. Sweet and Dr. A.C. Sherwood.
The following committees were also appointed on the same evening:
On Program: E.B. Lamphier, J.J. Lyons, George F. Bennett
Speakers: Charles Steadman, George F. Bennett. This committee hopes to secure General D.B. McCrary as orator if possible. The unveiling of the Soldier’s Monument will be the chief feature of the occasion and as the exercises are to be of an unusually interesting nature, we trust there may be a large turn out to witness it.
Detachments of the GAR Post 102 will decorate the graves at the Thompson and Barnes Cemeteries.