Grand Army of the Republic
After the Civil War, veterans formed the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). At its peak in the 1890s, the GAR had posts and members throughout Iowa. Post records give the name, birth date, birthplace (town and state), war record (regiment, enlistment date, date mustered out), wife's name and sometimes, the names and residences of children and parents.
The Clinton County Historical Society Research Library also has military info. The most wonderful thing I've seen is a beautiful book done by the Grand Army of the Republic. It has most of the members listed with military biographies. It is all handwritten and truly something to be treasured. If you would like to know if your ancestor is listed, please contact the Hist. Soc.
If your ancestor was in the Civil War, one of the best informational sources you find may be from the GAR. The Gen. N. B. Baker Post of Clinton seems to have been quite active.
I don't have a date for this photo. It is of members of the Gen. NB Baker Post 88. Photo courtesy of the CCHS.
Top Row: S. Brooks, E. D. Wells, G. W. Barker, William H. McCune, Thomas W. Wheeler, Spencer M. Lecky, J. A. Platt, Thomas J. Brown, T. M. Rinebarger
Middle Row: J. H. Dunmore, J. H. Davidson, B. F. Mattison, R. S. Rathbun, William F. Nixon, G. W. Davis, Geo. D. Dalrymple, H. C. O'Dell, Isaac Strohm
Bottom Row: Theo. Kleppien, W. H. Easterly, R. C. Young, J. M. Wheeler, Thomas C. Bartow (last surviving member of Clinton's G. A. R. veterans, died February 4, 1940 and buried in Rose Lawn Section of the Clinton Lawn Cemetery), C. F. Kellogg, B. B. Baldwin, A. R. Hart, Warren Turner, Joseph A. Reece
The LDS has microfilmed much of the GAR records. They are available online at FamilySearch.org. The index cards generally provide the name of the person, his company and regiment, the state from which he served in the Civil War, and the number and city of the GAR post where he was listed. Often the cards also give the exact birth date, county of birth, exact death date and place, name and location of cemetery, and parents' names. The forms are on microfilm, are listed by county, and often contain the names of parents, spouse and children as well as pension info. The Clinton County Historical Society has these cards and you can get copies from them.
We have an index to the GAR members with the birth and death dates, when available.
Iowa Civil War Soldiers who were members of the GAR in California
General O. M. Mitchell Post # 69 (Reno, Nevada)
Charles Johnston – born 7 Aug 1843 in IA; residence Camanche, IA; age 21; Private, Company C, 26th IA Infantry; veteran's pension application # 870,647 from NV on 11 Aug 1890; died 13 Jun 1920 at Reno, NV; buried Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Reno, NV; widow's (Mary A. Connell) pension application # 1,160,723 from NV on 31 Jul 1920
Corinth Post # 80 (Marysville, California)
Ray Wakefield – born 1838 in VT; residence Lyons, IA; age 22; Private, Company A, 16th IA Infantry; Private, Company G, 8th CA Infantry; veteran's pension application # 21,449 on 6 May 1863; died 13 Sep 1915 at Seattle, WA; buried Washington Soldiers' Home Cemetery, Orting, WA
Dunham Post # 86 (Kingsburg, California)
John A. Brown – born NY; residence Clinton County, IA; age 22; Sergeant, Company K, 26th IA Infantry10; widow's (Mary E. Brown) pension application # 367,745 from CA on 18 Feb 1888
McDermit Post # 87 (Winnemucca, Nevada)
Benjamin F. Wood – born IL; residence Clinton, IA; age 18; Private, Company G, 31st IA Infantry; Private, Company G, 17th IA Infantry; veteran's pension application # 509,580 from NV on 28 Mar 1884; died 3 May 1930 at Grand Lodge, MI
Belmont Post # 101 (Auburn, California)
George G. Whittier – born NY; residence Lyons, IA; age 24; Private, Company I, 2nd IA Infantry; veteran's pension application # 339,596 on 21 Jan 1880; died 15 Aug 1928 at Honolulu, HI
Chattanooga Post # 115 (Nevada City, California)
Julius M. Walling – born IA; residence Camanche, IA; age 20; Sergeant, Company A, 8th IA Infantry; POW 6 Apr 1862 at Shiloh, TN; 1st Lieutenant, Company K, 61st US Colored Infantry; veteran's pension application # 1,353,099 from CA on 10 Oct 1906; member CA Commandery, MOLLUS (insignia # 04866); died 11 Jun 1931 at Nevada City, CA