Phil Kearney Post #7

Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan

Organized July 31, 1879

It is not clear which Philip Kearney was honored by this Post. There are two men who might have been accorded this distinction.

Philip Kearney, born in New York City in 1815, graduated from Columbia in 1833. In 1837 he accepted a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Dragoons commanded by his uncle Gen. Stephen Watts Kearney. He did military studies in France and participated in action in Africa as an honorary aide-de-camp to the Duke of Orleans. He served in the Mexican war losing his left arm. In 1859 he was again in France and participated in the war in Italy, displaying gallantry on the field of Solferino and earning the cross of the Legion of Honor. With the start of the Civil War he was commissioned as Brigadier General, commanding the 1st New Jersey Brigade. In May of 1862 he was given a commission as Major General. He was killed in action at Chantilly Va. Sept. 1, 1862.

The other prospect was Philip J. Kearney who enlisted May 27, 1862 as Captain of Company A, 11th New Jersey Infantry. He was promoted to Major in May 1863. He was wounded at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. On that date he was promoted Brevet Lieutenant Colonel and later as Brevet Colonel. He died of wounds on August 9, 1863 in New York, NY

The Post was mustered with 14 Members.

The first Post Commander was William L. Ryan who served as Captain of Company H, 3rd Michigan Infantry.

Meetings were at a building on Western Avenue listed under several names including Guston’s Hall, Germania Hall, IOF Hall and an Armory at 191&193 Western Avenue. In March of 1884 the meeting place is noted as G.A.R. Hall on Western Avenue. They also met at the Court House on Terrace Street in 1917 and by 1924 met at an Armory on Morris Street. It is possible that meetings were held at the same building, but ownership and identification varied over the years.

The last report filed by this Post was December 31, 1935. A note is made with regard to the Post property:
“…turned over to WRC with whom I meet occasionally”, and with regard to the value of this property, it is noted, “All turned to WRC”. The Report is signed by H. C. Bond, Commanding Post.
This final report indicates that there are still three members.

The last Commander was Howard C. Bond who served as a Corporal in Company I, 13th Michigan Infantry.

No Report was filed for 1936 and the Post was dropped from the rolls as disbanded.