VETERANS' ASSOCIATION ANTEDATING G. A. R. The association of veterans mentioned above was organized in 1865 antedating the Grand Army of the Republic by a year and was created for much the same purposes, and was administered in the same spirit.  Unlike the Grand Army there was neither ritual nor secret work.  At a meeting of Scott county soldiers held June 29, 1865, at the court house, Dr. J. M. Witherwax and Lieut. H. M. McNeil, secretary, a committee appointed at a previous meeting reported:  "Having in view the good of the soldier, and believing there are no ties beyond the ties of blood so strong as those that are formed amid the hardshops and dangers of a soldier's life, and for the purpose of strengthening those ties and keeping our memories refreshed we would recommend that the soldiers of Scott county enter into an organization with that view, the first principles of which should be to extend the right hand of fellowship to all soldiers who have battled for thier country, universal rights and the freedom of all mankind. "That our wounded and disabled brothers shall be the objects of our special care and consideration, and show them their sacrifices have not been made in vain, nor that we are ungrateful for their valuable services. "And while we remember the living we should not forget the dead, and in no way can we better cherish their memories than by endeavoring to heal the heart wounds of their families and friends left behind, some of whom are destitute and needing the aid and sympathy of all patriots as well as soldiers. "Such being our views, we believe that this society can be made the instrument of much good by endeavoring to restrain the wayward, holding up the hands of the weak, and satisfied only when we know the wounded and disabled are cared for and the widow and orphan of the fallen have received at our hands what is justly their due. "We would also recommend that the matter of politics be kept entirely aloof from this organization and that all members shall have full privilege to exercise the elective franchise in accordance with their best convictions." The report was signed by the committee, Messrs. Henry Egbert, C. Barney, J. G. G. Cavendish, N. N. Tyner, and George E. McCosh. Adjournment was taken to July 1st when a constitution was adopted and the name of the organization decided upon-"The Old Soldiers' Association of Scott County, Iowa."  The officers elected were:  General Add. H. Sanders, president; Dr. J. M. Witherwax, vice president; Lieut. N. N. Tyner, secretary; Lieut. J. G. G. Cavendish, treasurer; E. R. Ames, sergeant at arms.  The executive committee comprised Lieut. Col. Henry Egbert, Lieut. H. S. McNeil, and Lieut. H. W. Bennett. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L