H4404.15

A large round bottom type photo of Mr. Dumser, metal. Col. John S. Dumser's Grand Army of the Republic memento John S. Dumser, born in Wheeling, Illinois, Nov. 25, 1847. At age 16, enlisted for 3 years, at Elgin Ill. in Co. K, 52nd Vol Infantry. Served in the Army of Tennessee, under Generals Dodgd, McPherson and Sherman, engaging in many battles of the Atlandta campaign. Seriously injured in the battles of Kennesaw and Atlanta. Honorably discharged, June 1865, after the close of the war. Joined the Grand Army in Illinois, in 1881, serving as Post Commander for 2 years and Chaplain for 10 years. Came to California in 1900. Transferred membership to Porter Post No. 169, Oakland. Served as Post Commander in 1910. Re-elected in 1916, srving continusously to the present date. For past 13 years has acted as Vice-Chairman on Veterans Building Commission. Elected and served, 1932-33, as Department Commander: Department Chaplin, 3 years,; Department Assistant Adjutant and Quarter-Master General, 2 years. National Patriotic Instructor, Assistant Adjutant General; Member Council of Administration, and at present serving as Junior Vice-Commander-in-chief. Unanimously endoresed, for any National office, by the Department Encampment, Department of California and Nevada, Grand Army of the Republic, held in Hollywood, May 13-18, 1942. (From the New Columbia Encyclopedia) The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was established by Civil War veterans of the Union army and navy. The first post was formed in 1866 in Illinois, and at the first encampment later that year ten states and the District of Columbia were represented. By 1890, there were 400,000 members. The members sought to strengthen the bonds of comradeship. They secured the adoption of Memorial Day to honor the memory of their fallen comrades. They gave aid to soldiers' widows and orphans and handicapped veterans. And they fought for increases in veterans' pensions and other benefits. Auxiliary societies associated with the GAR were the Sons of Veterans (1881), the Women's' Relief Corps (1883), and the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (1886). A separate veterans organization formed, the United Confederate Veterans, but its membership (less than 50,000 at its peak) never approached that of the GAR, With the coming of the 20th century, the GAR declined rapidly in numbers and influence. The 83rd, and last, encampment was held in Indianapolis in 1949 with 6 of the 16 surviving members in attendance. The last member of the GAR died in 1956.

Used: John S. Dumser ~ colonel | Grand Army of the Republic