Phil McKernan Post #53Mason, Ingham County, Michigan Organized April 8, 1882 This Post was named to honor Philip McKernan of Mason. He enlisted as Captain of Company B, 7th Michigan Infantry on June 19, 1861 at age 36. He died of typhoid fever at Poolsville, Maryland on September 26, 1861. The Post was Mustered with 33 Charter Members. The first Post Commander was John C. Squires who served in Company C, 6th Michigan Infantry from October 23, 1863 until his discharge on June 30, 1864 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Post met initially at the Odd Fellows Hall on Ash Street. In 1885 they met at the Armory on the corner of Main and Maple. In 1886 they moved to the new Armory on Maple Street. From 1887 on they met at the G. A. R. Hall on east Ash street. In 1924 the meeting location is noted as Maple Street, but no building is named. On the report of December 31, 1888 it is noted that the applications of Wm. H. Crandall, Bugler, 23rd New York Battery and Wm. Amsdill, Private, 23rd New York Independent Battery were rejected. The last Post Commander was Theodore Bortle who served in Company I, 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics from October 1, 1861 to October 1, 1864. He was also the last Member of the Post and died on January 5, 1936. The Post was disbanded on January 5, 1936.
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