Minute book and photograph from the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Philo C. Buckman Post No. 153 (Stoughton, Wis). The minute book contains brief descriptions of post meetings from 1912 through 1924 written by the post adjutants, who during this period were George K. Johnson, Robert B. McComb, and William B. Atkinson. During this time the G.A.R. was an aging organization with many members in their seventies and thus the minutes provide a look at this period of twilight at a small city post. One of the more interesting topics revolves around World War I and its effect on the members. Several meetings in 1918 included discussion of the war, and in 1919 the Stoughton Veterans of Foreign War (V.F.W.) post requested permission to use the G.A.R. rooms for their meetings, which was somewhat reluctantly granted. Other topics covered at meetings include updating rules and regulations; drilling members on grip, countersign, and salute; annual election and installation of officers; obtaining grave markers for deceased members; and arranging Memorial Day speakers for local celebrations. The photograph, taken in 1914, shows twenty-one members of the post, all identified, in suits with many wearing their G.A.R. badges.
