McCallsburg Centennial 1869-1969

Shortly after the Armistice on Nov. 11, 1918, considerable discussion was carried on among veterans to perpetuate their associations together for social, economic and patriotic reasons.

The boys were being mustered out. In the first half of 1919 a majority of them were back home endeavoring to rehabilitate themselves to the civilian duties where the call to arms had interrupted their activities. It is estimated that out of the community about six joined the navy and twenty four the army. Out of this number, not one suffered fatalities while in action.

During the summer of 1919, the Legion idea was taking more definite form. The question of how to organize was a potent one. Four of the local boys, W. A. Stevenson, P. J. Hanson, M. Musland and Oscar Johnson had joined the Marshalltown post. These four formed the nucleus for the local post. When the problem of what to name this group arose, they decided to honor a Civil War veteran who had been prominent in his community before his death, Samuel H. Reid.

An application for a temporary charter was filled out and sent in. A temporary charter was received, dated Dec. 18, 1919, Charter members were P. L. Hanson, I. O. Larson, Otha Hicks, Paul H. Irvin, James I. Krink, Oscar E. Johnson, Bruce Snyder, Ingebret Knudson, Jeffrey C. Hougen, Martin Musland, Fred Menzel, Adolph Torgerson, Clarence Severson, Howard Birch and Theo Pearson. The permanent charter was received on Sept. 29, 1920.

For a time, the local post rented quarters over Hougen's Grocery Store. Later they held their meeting in the schoolhouse. After World War II, the Legion constructed a 40 x 100 ft. building to be used as a community center as well as a meeting place for themselves and the auxiliary. When it was leased to Roscoe McKinney for a bowling alley in 1960, the Legion renovated a building on the north side of Main Street next to the Holland garage which is their present meeting place.

The first officers were - P. L. Hanson, P.C.; William Stevenson, V.P.C.; Otha Hicks. Adj; Theo. Pearson, F.O.; Howard Birch, sgt. at arms; Fred Menzel, hist; James Krink, chap.

Dues were fixed and the meeting date established as the first Tuesday night of each month.

Among the others who have served as head of this organization are W. A. Stevenson, Earl J. Stout, R. Thompson, J. Caltvedt, Jake Mein, W. D. Lorentzen, M. Catron, Otis Tvedt, Charles W. Springer, Claude T. Ruckman, John Hauptly, Oscar Anderson, Robert Lounsberry, Hans P. Nelson, Harry Rasmussen, Willis Mills, Wallace Loney, Marley Anderson, John D. Caltvedt, James I. Gjerde, John I. Jacobson, Alvin Twedt, Marvin E. Erickson, Clifford J. Christianson, Harlan Twedt, Gerald Myers and Floyd Holle.

The first member of the post to die was Bruce Snyder and he was buried with full military honors in April 1924.