History – John J. Peters Post 159
1919 - 2019
In February 1919 a temporary committee of American Officers serving in France during World War I was formed to take steps toward organizing an association of veterans of the Great War; an association to keep alive the principles of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy for which they fought. On March 1, 1919, a tentative constitution & plans were made to caucus in St. Louis later that year. The second caucus resulted in the new organization being officially chartered by the Congress of the United States. On January 20, 1920, Hoven`s returning servicemen met to organize their Legion Post, made applications for and received their official Charter. The Post was named John J. Peters Post 159 in honor of John J. Peters who had given his life for his country and was buried in Flanders Field. 52 World War I veterans served in the military during World War I. 65% of the veterans served and fought in France. John J. Peters was the only veteran the Good Lord called. It was only right to name the Hoven Post -- John J. Peters. The Charter Members are Frank Mullen, Oscar L. Beaudry, Louie F. Huber, John Pruys, Leo J. Krzyzopolski, John T. Schneider, H. E. Coleman, Carl Speck, Hubert Schaefer, Frank Geuikie, Mike Schaefer, John Weibel, Jacob P. Reding, Lloyd Murdy and Adolph Koehn. A month later, the following veterans who had previously joined the newly formed Post at Gettysburg transferred their membership to Hoven: JohnV. Abler, Nick P. Rausch, Nick J. Meyer, Dan Schlecht, Peter Lux, John F. Zweber, John J. Litzen, and Anthony J. Tobias. At their first meeting, A. J. Tobias was elected Commander and John F. Zweber was named Adjutant. John J. Peters Post 159`s first home was a donated Milwaukee and St. Louis baggage car in 1929. Before they were meeting in the basement of the Hoven State Bank. The baggage car was moved 4 blocks South to 350 Main Street Hoven South Dakota. This baggage car was our home from 1929-1938. The property for the baggage car was 2 lots for $500.00. Then this baggage car was the Auxiliary home until 1958. In 1938 John J. Peters Post 159 purchased larger property and a car dealer building at 102 Main Street Hoven South Dakota. This property was 6 lots ($2500.00). The wooden building was 50’ X 100’. On Christmas Day December 25, 1953, the wooden building burned to the ground. Coal furnace was the fault of the fire. Art & Elaine Seurer’s wedding which was scheduled for the Legion Hall but was rescheduled for the next day at Club 21 & dance at Hoven High School.
The community had many meetings to discuss a new Post Home. How big or small should the new hall? How to pay for it? These questions had to be answer first. Four months later the community got behind the project of a 74’ X 118’ brick Post Home. The community truly dug in and volunteered time & muscle to the building of this brick home. By April 12, 1955 the Grand Opening of John J. Peters Post 159 was dedicated. The building total cost with all the volunteer labor and time was $90,000.00. The community passed the hat for donations and raised $40,000.00. A few of the memorable dates for John J. Peters Post 159 were Legion Baseball from 1931-1993. Legion State Sportsman Trophy in 1955, State Runner-up Trophy 1955, 5th in the State Tournament 1986, 3rd in State Tournament 1987, and 7th in State Tournament 1988. John J. Peters Post 159 had Legion Track Meets from 1974-2001 at Legion (asphalt) Track Field. Legion Oratory Contests were held in Hoven from 1964-1991. Then Post 159 resumed Oratory Contests from 2011-now. John J. Peters Post 159 had a monthly Newsletter call Post Express from 1967-1978. Ernie Wingen, Tom Davis and Royce Hackl Editors. Post Express won 1st place for monthly State Legion Newletter in 1972 and 1975. 1973-1975 Seven Teenage Big Bands (per summer) raised enough money to have Air Conditioning installed in the Post Home. Members of John J. Peters Post 159 who were South Dakota State Commanders were 1970 – Ray J. Novak, 1971 – R. C. Gabrielson. State Vice Commanders were 1934 – A. J. Tobias, 1948 – Ray Rader, 1974 – James Kaiser. District Commanders were 1932-1934 - A. J. Tobias, 1946 – Frank J. Beringer, 1947 – Ray Rader, 1952- 56 - Ray J. Novak, 1964 – James Kaiser, 1968 – R. C. Gabrielson, 1978 – LeRoy Rausch, 1995 – David Rausch. John J. Peters Post 159 sponsored Legion Boy Stater every year from 1947 to now. 112 Boy Staters were sent to Northern State University for a week on U. S. Government.
