They were the most powerful voting influence of their time. The Grand Army of the Republic was directly responsible for the election of six United States Presidents.

Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley were all members of the organization.

During the month of July, the Madison County Historical Society will feature an exhibit called “Faces of the Civil War.”

The exhibit is on loan from the Indiana Historical Society and will be available for viewing at the Madison County History Center, 7 W. 11th St., Anderson, each Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Wednesday from 1 to 8 p.m. during the month.

An added feature of the exhibit is information about Madison County’s contribution to the Civil War. Included will be the role played by the Grand Army of the Republic during the post war years as well as the regimental reunions held throughout the county.

A social force

In 1866, Union Veterans of the Civil War organized into the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and became a social and political force that would control the destiny of the nation for more than six decades.

Membership in the veterans' organization was restricted to individuals who had served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Revenue Cutter Service during the Civil War, thereby limiting the life span of the GAR. The GAR existed until 1956 when the last Union survivor passed away. The organization founded soldiers' homes and was active in relief work and in pension legislation.

The community level organization was called a "Post". In Madison County there were eight posts. They are listed in the order of their founding.

— Elwood #61, Elwood

— Major Samuel Henry #230, Pendleton

— Lew Taylor #243, Alexandria (also called Alexandria #243 at one time)

— Major May #244, Anderson

— Howard #311, Summitville

— Frankton #349, Frankton