Governor’s Guard Association Records
Scope and Contents
The early records of the Governor’s Guard Association show the activities and organization of a largely German social and military organization that has been active since its inception in 1873. The records are divided into three main groups.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND contains a limited number of newspaper clippings (1978-1995) that relate to the Governor’s Guard.
The ADMINISTRATIVE FILES include applications for membership in the Governor’s Guard (1954-2003), articles of incorporation and by-laws (1919; 1935; 1988; n. d.), limited correspondence (1969-1970; 1981; 1994-1995), and invitations to special Governor’s Guard events (1982; 1988; 1990-1992; 1995). A file of member information (1963; 1991; 1994; 1996; 2003) contains obituaries and death certificates for a limited number of members and a full list of living members from July 2003. Membership and sick benefit records (1936-1993) are 5” x 7” cards that list members’ illnesses and the monetary benefits paid. Many of the cards are for members who are deceased; these cards list cause of death and the name of the individual(s) to whom the death benefit was paid.
The minutes (1878-1994) make up the bulk of the ADMINISTRATIVE FILES. The minutes highlight the Association’s activities, problems, and everyday functioning.
Other items included in the ADMINISTRATIVE FILES include non-stock corporation papers (1985; 1990; 1994). The officers file (1914) contains a letter of appreciation for William H. Berg, president of the Governor’s Guard from 1897-1913. The property file (1944; 1958; 1967-1969) includes resolution to sell their building at 707 South 6th Street in La Crosse in 1944, a property appraisal from 1958, and information relating to the sale of their building in 1968.
FINANCIAL RECORDS, including the treasurer’s book, a day book, dues and assessment books and account books are also in bound volumes. The dues and assessment books contain lists of members from 1892 to 1923. The Financial Records are arranged chronologically. Aside from the Financial Records, the quartermaster sergeant’s record book from 1884 documents the distribution of uniforms, etc. Treasurer’s reports (1975-1992 with gaps) include scattered monthly and semi-annual reports.
Dates
- 1877-2003
Creator
- Governor's Guard (La Crosse, Wis.) (Organization)
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for patron use.
Historical Note
The Governor’s Guard of La Crosse, the first of three militia companies of infantry formed in La Crosse after the Civil War, was organized August 1, 1873. Charles De Villiers served as its first captain. The following year the Guard became Company B, Third Regiment of the Wisconsin National Guard. In later years, the Guard became largely a social organization. Members were required to serve in Company B, but not every member of Company B was a member of the Governor’s Guard Association. The Association maintained a hall where it held meetings and dances and drilled. Members also met there to play cards and drink beer. The hall, at 707 South 6th Street in La Crosse, was sold to the Roy L. Vingers Post 52 of the American Legion in 1968.
The Governor’s Guard served its members by providing sick pay and death benefits. Most original members were of German ancestry or origin. The group continues to meet in the American Legion Hall and is largely a benevolent society for veterans.
Extent
2.2 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Formed August 1, 1873, the Governor’s Guard Association is a social and military organization. Early members were usually of German ancestry or origin. In 1874, the Guard became Company B, Third Regiment of the Wisconsin National Guard. Today the Guard is a benevolent society for veterans.
Records, 1877-2003, include historical background (1978-1995 with gaps), administrative files (1878-2003) and financial records (1877-1884; 1891-1942; 1975-1992 with gaps). The bulk of the administrative files include meeting minutes, while other items in the administrative files include applications for membership, membership and sick benefit records, and records relating to the sale of their building at 707 South 6th Street in La Crosse. The financial materials consist of a treasurer’s book, a day book, dues and assessment books, account books, a quartermaster sergeant’s record book and treasurer’s reports.
Arrangement
Arranged in three series:
Series 1: Historical Background
Series 2: Administrative Files
Series 3: Financial Records
Acquisitions Information
(Accession No. X.004) donated to Western Wisconsin Technical Institute by Jack Buchel of La Crosse, 1969 June; transferred to La Crosse Public Library by Donald J. Meinert, 1977 September.
(Accession No. 2002.002) donated by Terry Griffel on behalf of the Governor’s Guard Association 2002 January.
(Accession No. 2003.084) donated by Terry Griffel on behalf of the Governor’s Guard Association 2003 October
Physical Description
6 archives boxes
OCLC Number
28408533
Processing Information
Processed by Allan Kovan, 1982; Additions processed by Christine Stolz, February 2002; Additions processed by Anita Taylor Doering, Nov. 2009.
Creator
- Governor's Guard (La Crosse, Wis.) (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Governor’s Guard Association Records, 1877-2003
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Allan Kovan, 1982; Additions processed by Christine Stolz, February 2002; Additions processed by Anita Taylor Doering, Nov. 2009.
- Date
- 2009 November
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the La Crosse Public Library Archives Repository