Saturday, August 9, 2014

Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post 588 Wilna, NY

GAR Post 588 Natural Bridge, New York.   
Post meeting circa 1891


The bust of General Sherman
is on exhibit at the Augustus Saint Gauden
National Historical Park in
Cornish, New Hampshire
GAR Post 588 was chartered on April 13, 1891, remaining active until 1937 when the charter was surrendered.  It was named after General William Tecumseh (Uncle Billy) Sherman who died two months prior to the post's formation.   The photograph above was probably taken in 1891 when the post met for the first time.  It couldn't have been taken any later than 1905 as  Mr. Luther Wright, a member who is pictured, died that year. 

While researching the post and its history I was able to identify most everyone in the picture to include their Civil War Unit and dates of birth and death see the chart below for more details.      


On the back of the original photograph are handwritten notes identifying all the members present. 

Two family members are pictured in this photograph. 

The first Franklin Sanders born 1841 the son of Philander and Nancy Sanders.  

Frank Sanders 
Franklin is the 1st cousin of Jennie M. Sanders, Harvey Jesse Lake's wife.   Frank Sanders served in the 10th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment from 1862 to 1865 when he was discharged at the end of the Civil War.

Frank Ashcraft
The second is Frank Ashcraft he was born in 1836 and died in 1913 he was related to Lorenzo Ashcraft, the husband on Anna Clement, Daniel L. Clement's youngest daughter.  Not much is known currently about Frank Ashcraft and his connection, but there are other photographs of him with the old family pictures that indicate a close connection.   He also served in the 10th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment from 1862 to 1865. 

Members of GAR Post 558 pictured above
Name
Born
Died
Civil War Unit
Dates of Service
Bill Williamson
1843
1911
10th NY Heavy Artillery
1862-1865
Mr McCory
**



N. Williamson
**



Ed Weatherhead
**



Daniel Puffer
1837

10th NY Heavy Artillery
1862-1865
Henry Weatherhed
1844

10th New York Heavy Artillery
1862-1865
Luther Wright
1846
1905
186th NY  Vol Infantry Regiment
1864-1865
Charles Schultz
1839
1916
10th New York Heavy Artillery
1862-1863
John Davis
1842

94 NY Vol Infantry Regiment
1862-1865
John Shoemaker
**



William Nichols 
1820

186th NY  Vol Infantry Regiment
1864-1865
Frank Datuch
1835

94th NY Vol Infantry Reg
1862- ?
Henry Crimmins
*



Frank Ashcraft
1836
1913
10th NY Heavy Artillery
1862-1865
Cal Graves
**



Frank Sanders
1841
1917
10th NY Heavy Artillery
1862-1865
Mr. Holland
**



Warren Harlow
1829

10th NY Heavy Artillery
1862-1865
Len Ward
*



Mr. Priest
*




* There are people of the proper names and approximate age and the Wilna, NY area that could be these three men however more research must be done to prove this conclusively

** No information available