Title: Manitowoc County (Wis.). Soldiers Relief Commission: Records
Inclusive Dates: 1861-1987

Creator:

• Manitowoc County (Wis.). Soldiers Relief Commission

Call Number: Manitowoc Series 75

Quantity: 0.8 cubic feet (1 archives box and 3 volumes)

Repository:

Housed at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Archives and Area Research Center; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

UW-Green Bay Cofrin Library / Green Bay Area Research Ctr. (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Records including reports, minutes, financial statements, claims for aid, names of aid recipients (primarily Civil War veterans and their dependents), and lists of veterans buried in county cemeteries including name of cemetery, rank and command, and conflict. Includes a few records from its predecessor office, the Volunteer Relief Fund, 1861.

Note:

There is a restriction on access to this material; see the Administrative/Restriction Information portion of this finding aid for details.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mani0075

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Legislation of 1887 required the county judge in each county to appoint three persons to administer the county indigent soldiers' fund and to be known as the soldiers' relief commission. The assistance granted was similar to poor relief. The 1887 law provided that the soldiers' relief fund was to be used for the benefit of indigent Union soldiers, sailors, and marines who had served in the Civil War and their indigent wives, widows, and minor children. In 1891, indigent parents were granted aid under certain circumstances. A law of 1903 made Union army nurses eligible. Since 1911 aid was expanded to any veteran who rendered military service in time of war and their families.

The Commission's function of providing aid is documented in the cancellation books which list the date of the certificate for aid, under whose name the aid was granted, his/her town or city, name of person paid, and amount. The claims provide more information about what the certificate was used for and sometimes letters from those detailing their circumstances and requesting aid. Annual reports consist of a narrative summarizing the year's activity and summary financial information. Although created to comply with state statutes regarding each town's financial expenditure to maintain soldier's graves, the soldiers' graves reports serve as a survey of veterans buried in county cemeteries as of 1972. These soldiers fought in conflicts from the Mexican War to the Vietnam War.

Access Restrictions

COLLECTION STORED AT ARC: Collection can be requested for transfer through the Area Research Center (ARC) Network, consult Reading Room Staff.

Acquisition Information

Accession Number: C2015/024

Manitowoc Series 75 Box   1	Volunteer Relief Fund records, 1861
Box   1	Soldiers' Relief Commission annual reports to the Board of Supervisors, 1870-1910
Volume   3	Commission minutes, 1923-1932, 1949
Box   1	Commission appointments, 1893-1899
Box   1	Lists of those eligible for aid, 1893-1901
Box   1	Claims, 1873-1909
Volume   1	Cancellation book, 1889-1909
Volume   2	Cancellation book, 1909-1935
Box   1	General correspondence, 1932-1942
Box   1	County Veterans' Memorial, 1986
Box   1	Soldiers' graves reports, compiled 1972
Box   1	Letter regarding care of graves, 1987