The concept of a veteran's organization, for Union soldiers of the Civil War, was originated by Chaplain W. J. Rutledge and Major B. F. Stephenson of the 14th Illinois Infantry in 1864. They believed ". . . that the soldiers so closely allied in the fellowship of suffering, would, when mustered out, naturally desire some form of association that would preserve the friendships and the memories of their common trials and dangers." [Rutledge, A History of the Grand Army of the Republic]. The first post of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was organized by Major Stephenson in Decator, Illinois on April 6, 1866. It was active not only as a social organization but also represented veterans interests in the political field. One of its main activities was an annual encampment for the veterans to gather and talk about their common experiences.
On May 14, 1887, W. J. Patterson of Pittsburgh's Col. Hull Post #157 brought together the first meeting of the new Post #548 in Wilkinsburg. Patterson appeared as the mustering officer. The charter members choose between two names for the official name of the post. The choices were Major John Poland and Major William G. Lowry. The result was seventeen to eleven in favor of Major Lowry, in recognition of his bravery and was described as a ". . . gallant officer who lost his life in battle." [Minutes, May 14, 1887]
Major William G. Lowry had been mustered into service on July 4, 1861. He was promoted from 1st Lieutenant Company C of the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry to Major on September 10, 1862. Major Lowry was killed at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863 and is buried in the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, PA. Several of the charter members of Post #548 served with Lowry in the 62nd Pennsylvania.
Beginning with thirty-one charter members, the post grow to one hundred fifty-two members by the time it disbanded in 1928. The Lowry Post #548 officially disbanded on October 25, 1928. John Renton was the only surviving member of the post at that time.
The records of the Major Lowry Post #548 include an Attendance Book (1895-1909), a booklet containing the Bylaws and Rules of Order, a Descriptive Book (Membership Roll), and six Minute Books (1887-1923). The folders and volumes are arranged alphabetically by title.
The Attendance Book is recorded in no particular chronological order, but shows how attendance was recorded at the meetings and how the men were assigned to various committees each year. The different committees within the post included: outside relief, entertainment, recruiting, new members, and also a memorial day committee that was in charge of handling the music, transportation, marking of graves, programs, and flowers.
The booklet of Bylaws is the post's official book of rules and regulations that the men must follow.
The Descriptive Book is a membership roll of every man that had been a member of the Lowry Post #548. The information recorded in the Descriptive Book includes each members name, age, birthplace, residence at the time of membership, occupation at the time of membership, date, rank, company, and regiment upon entry and discharge from the service, length of service, cause of discharge, and also the date in which he had entered the GAR.
The six Minute Books are arranged in chronological order and display the recordings of each meeting that the post had held from 1887 to 1923. The Minute Books are recorded in a particular order of business that the post was to follow: the opening of the meeting, officer's roll call, report of the last meeting held, the quartermaster's report, the reading of orders from the Department of National Headquarters, reports and balloting upon applications for membership, proposals for new membership, financial business, report of standing committees, report of special committees, unfinished business, new business, collection of dues, receipts of the evening, and the closing of the meeting.
No Restrictions
The Lowry Post Records were a gift from Mr. John Renton, received by the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania in a single accession in 1931. Mr. John Renton was the last surviving member of Post #548.
Grand Army of the Republic, Major William G. Lowry Post #548 (Wilkinsburg, PA) Records, 1887-1928, MSS #420, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
This collection was arranged and described by Ron Florian, Library and Archives Intern in August 2005.
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Additional information on the Lowry Post may be found at the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center in the Ellen McKee Papers, MFF# 0015. McKee records include information concerning the formation of the post and biographical information on several members of the Post.