Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 269, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1918 — G. A. R. Organized in 1866. [ARTICLE]

G. A. R. Organized in 1866.

The Grand Army of the Republic war organized in Illinois In 1866 by Dr. B. F. Stephenson of Springfield. He was surgeon of a Union regiment during the Civil war and afterward librarian of congress for several year*. The object of the Society was to promote the interests of veteran soldiers and maintain the principles, memories and associations of the Union army. The first national convention of the order was held at Indianapolis November 20, 1866, the second at Philadelphia in 1868, and later ones annually fa many other cities. >