Tomah Post 201 History

This is a working document!!! If you have any knowledge of the Post History or if you see any incorrect information please notify the Post Executive Board.

A call went out early in January 1919 for anyone interested to attend a meeting aimed at organizing a post. Monitor-Herald: January 2, 1920 (Monroe County Historical Society newsletter dated June 1996)

All ex-servicemen interested in the American Legion are requested to meet at the Community Rooms January 3 for the purpose of organizing a post in this city. (Post Historical Document undated)  

A meeting of the ex-service men was held in the (Tomah) library building Saturday evening January 3rd (1920) to form a post of the American Legion.

Capt. John G. Graham was unanimously elected chairman and James D. Moran secretary. Both officers to hold office until the election of officers which will take place after the charter has been received

Under the rules of the American Legion the name of a post must be taken from a deceased soldier. Upon balloting for the name Elmer W. Grassman was chosen.

Corp. Elmer W. Grassman in whose honor the post was named was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Grassman of Clifton . He was born December 6, 1892, was wounded Sept. 1, 1918 and died Sept. 8, 1918. While working in the fields with his father on the farm near Clifton in July 1917, he told his father that he thought it his “duty to enlist”, so left the fields and immediately went to Camp Douglas and enlisted in Co. K, which was later changed to Co. B.

The application for a charter was forwarded to the state adjutant, R.M. Gibson at Grand Rapids and he has advised that the application has been received and forwarded to National Headquarters; that the number of the post will be 201; the title will be the Elmer W. Grassman Post No. 201 American Legion.

A committee on organization was appointed as follows: H.W. McCauley, Harry Dams, Chas W. Wright, Harrison Seymour and Alvin Kupper.

The financial committee is: Ed Rhode, Louis Storkel and Frank Houn.

The welfare committee: Ed Moran, Ed Snyder and Wm. Hale.

 Meetings will be held the first Wednesday evening of each month until the charter has been received.

Upon receipt of the charter permanent officers will be elected and other business arranged.

The dues of the order will be$1.25 per year. $1 of which goes for the national dues, .25c for the state dues. Out of the $1 each member will receive a year’s subscription to the American Legion Weekly.

            All ex-service men desiring to join the post should communicate with the temporary secretary, James D. Moran. (Copied in part, Tomah Monitor-Herald dated January 16, 1920) (Post Historical Document undated)  

            The application for a charter was written up and signed by the 15 original charter members and dated January 3, 1920 (original document APPLICATION FOR POST OF THE AMERICAN LEGION dated January 3, 1920)  

            Original charter from the American Legion National Headquarters for Elmer W. Grassman Post 201 Department of Wisconsin, January 12, 1920. Charter members were:

John C. Graham                       Louis A. Storkel                       Charles A. Wright

James D. Moran                       Raymond Snyder                      Edward E. Rhode

Harold W. McCauley               Edward V. Moran                    Frank J. Houn

Harry H. Dams                        Stanley V. Butts                        Clayton T. Hale

Harrison T. Seymore                Alva A. Kupper                        Arthur E. Winter

(Copied in part original document APPLICATION FOR POST OF THE AMERICAN LEGION dated January 3, 1920) (Copied in part, Post Historical Document undated)  

            The Tomah American Legion post has 115 members, with more coming in, making the post one of the strongest in the state. (Tomah Monitor-Herold dated March 11, 1921)  

            By April of 1921, the post had 135 members, after posts at Kendall, Wilton and Warrens had broken off. (Copied in part, Monroe County Historical Society Newsletter dated June 1996)  

            As of July 4, 1921 the post membership was at 128 members. The Post officers at that time were:

Commander: James D. Moran              Vice Commander: John Kress

Historian: Harold McCauley                 Finance Officer: Frank Crowley

Adjutant: Bernard H. Drow                  Master at Arms: Robert Williams

Chaplain: T.J. Sheefy