Subject: Josiah M. Elder, GAR
    Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999
   From:   "James T. Lyons" <[email protected]>
     To: <[email protected]>
     CC: <[email protected]>

Dear Ms Petersen:

A check of the GAR Department records in our
 State Archives indicates the following re: Josiah M. Elder.

He was among those who formed Morgan Parker Post 281
at Petersburg, Monroe County, MI. His name appears third on a list of those
petitioning the Department, by letter form,  requesting the formation of a Post
 on 3 October 1884.

His name appears second on the initial Muster Report, filed on a quarterly basis,
 31 December 1884. He was a charter member and was appointed
Officer of the Day in the initial group of Post Officers.

The Muster Report  indicates that he was age 37 at the time,
was born in Wood, Ohio, resided in Dundee, MI  and was by occupation a farmer.
He entered the service on 2 August 1864 as a Private in Co. E, 179th Ohio Infantry.
He was discharged 17 June 1865 as a Private in Co. E, 179th
Ohio Infantry - Reason, Close of War.

The records show that he held the following offices in the Post:
Post Commander - Consecutive terms from 1898 to 1904; from 1906 to 1909:
1913, 1914, 1921, 1922, and 1923.
Senior Vice Commander - 1915.
Sergeant Major - 1896, 1905, 1910.
Quartermaster - consecutive terms from 1916 to 1920
Patriotic Instructor - 1911, 1912.

The last report for the Post was filed for 31 December 1923 showing six members.
The Post was removed from the active records in 1924.

Hope this information will be helpful for you.
If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.
James T. Lyons, PDC
GAR Records Officer,Department of MIchigan, SUVCW