The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was a fraternal organization which existed from 1866 to 1956. It was composed of veterans of the Union Army, United States Navy, Marines, and Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. The organization allowed veterans to communicate with one another and plan reunions. At its peak in 1890 it was a powerful organization, supporting the rights of veterans and primarily Republican politicians.
The G.A.R. was organized much like the United States Government. It had a national governing body, departments (states), and posts (towns). When the G.A.R.'s Department of Minnesota was first created it failed to become firmly established in the state. From 1866 to 1880, the G.A.R.'s activities in Minnesota were mostly at the post level. This period was one of poor leadership. Many posts were established and then dissolved. Several that existed were not recognized nationally. During this time the two most important posts were Morgan Post in Minneapolis and Acker Post in St. Paul.
By the spring of 1880, the presence of the G.A.R. in Minnesota was weak. Many members did not pay dues, and posts did not communicate with department officers. In addition, organization officials failed to attend encampments or call meetings. Many leaders didn't make payments to the national organization.
However, Muller Post located in Stillwater remained active. Its commander, Adam Marty, took steps to reorganize the G.A.R. at the state level. In August of 1881 a provisional encampment was held. Under the leadership of the National Commander in Chief, George S. Merrill, new department officers were elected.
Adam Marty was elected the Minnesota Department's new commander, and his cousin Samuel Bloomer was elected Assistant Adjutant General. The cousins reorganized the department and started recruiting new members. Marty's and Bloomer's work coincided with a sudden increase in G.A.R. membership in Minnesota and the nation in general.
By 1884 there were 115 posts in Minnesota. In 1880 there had only been fifteen. In June of 1884 the Eighteenth National Encampment was held in Minneapolis. Hosting the event increased membership in the Minnesota G.A.R. In 1884 there were 5,611 members in the department. By 1890 there were 9,504.
The 1890s were the mature years of the G.A.R. It was organized and efficient, reaching its peak membership of 490,000 nationally. On September 3-4, 1896, St. Paul hosted the Thirtieth National Encampment of the G.A.R. This event was the peak for the organization in Minnesota. Nearly 150,000 visitors attended the event. Veterans stayed in hotels, boarding houses, public schools, and "Camp Mason." This camp was set up on a prairie just west of Dale Street.
St. Paul spent an estimated $50,000 to decorate the city with arches and G.A.R.-themed banners and signs. People decorated their front yards to honor the veterans. Members of the organization took trips to Lake Minnetonka, White Bear Lake, and the State Fair. The event culminated in a parade through St. Paul. 24,000 veterans marched through the streets while an estimated 200,000 civilians watched.
Minnesota hosted two more national encampments in 1906 and 1933. However, with the turn of the twentieth century the G.A.R. began to decline as an organization. As time progressed more members died. With the onset of World War I America's attention shifted to a new wave of veterans. Technically, however, the G.A.R. existed until the death of its last member in August 1956. That veteran's name was Albert Woolson, a resident of Duluth.