Grand Army of the Republic Records (DeKalb), 1881-1941 | Northern Illinois University

Collection Overview

Title: Grand Army of the Republic Records (DeKalb), 1881-1941

ID: RHC/RC/126

Extent: 0.75 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 00/00/1965

Subjects: Grand Army of the Republic (Malta, Ill.), Grand Army of the Republic., Grand Arrmy of the Republic. Merritt Simonds Post (DeKalb, Ill.), Societies-- DeKalb, Soldiers Memorial Association, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865, Veterans, Women's Relief Corps, DeKalb

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

A descriptive book of members (1887-1918), journal of financial accounts (1892-1923), and a cash statement book (1900-1914) partially document the history of the Merritt Simonds Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Records from the Malta G.A.R. the Soldiers Memorial Association, and the Women’s Relief Corps complete the collection. The historical information in Box 1 details the organization of the national G.A.R. and affiliated groups such as the Daughters and Sons of Veterans.

Collection Historical Note

The first post of the Grand Army of the Republic organized in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866. Soldiers and sailors of the United States Army, Navy, or Marine Corps, and men of the United States Revenue Cutter Service who served during the Civil War were eligible for membership. The organization sought to preserve the fraternal feelings of men who fought together, to provide for the support, care, and education of soldiers’ orphans and widows, and to protect and assist disabled veterans.

The Merritt Simonds Post No. 283, DeKalb, Illinois, organized in 1883 with 22 charter members. Merritt Simonds, a DeKalb citizen, fought and died from wounds inflicted during the Chickamauga battle in Georgia in 1863. Henry B. Gurler served as the first commander with Charles F. Beaufire as adjutant and George H. Gurler as quartermaster.

The post disbanded in 1965.

Subject/Index Terms

Grand Army of the Republic (Malta, Ill.)
Grand Army of the Republic.
Grand Arrmy of the Republic. Merritt Simonds Post (DeKalb, Ill.)
Societies-- DeKalb
Soldiers Memorial Association
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Veterans
Women's Relief Corps, DeKalb

Administrative Information

Repository: Northern Illinois University

Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Acquisition Source: Several individuals, Waite W. Embree,

Acquisition Method: Several individuals, including Waite W. Embree, donated the Grand Army of the Republic Records to the Northern Illinois University Archives between 1965 and 1978. J. Joseph Bauxar, University Archivist, transferred the collection to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center in June 1978.

Related Materials: Researchers interested in veteran’s organizations should consult the DeKalb Daughters of Veterans Records (RC 127). Further information on the Civil War is available in the Griffith correspondence (RC 89) and in records contained in the Vertical File Manuscripts Collection, particularly the Merritt Simonds material (4.14).

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Oversize 1: Illustrated Roster of the Department of Illinois Grand Army of the Republic; Women's Relief Corps, Echo; Certificate, 1914; 1899; 1901],
[All]

Box 1

Folder 1: Historical Information
Folder 2: Correspondence, 1903-1941
Folder 3: Descriptive Book of Members, 1887-1918
Folder 4: Journal of Financial Accounts, 1892-1923
Folder 5: Cash Statement Books, 1900-1914
Folder 6: Photograph of Members, no date
Folder 7: Minute Book, Malta Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), 1882-1910