Some time in July, 1937, a group of World War I veterans met to plan the organization of an American Legion Post in Roscoe. Dept. vice commander, Wm. Kane, was consulted and an application was made and filed with the department. July 24, 1937 a meeting of all the veterans in the Roscoe community was called and assembled in the Roscoe City Hall. Temporary officers were appointed and it was voted to hold the first regular meeting August 4, 1937 to elect regular officers. This first regular meeting was called to order by the temporary commander, Paul Elford, for the election of officers, which were as follows: Commander, Paul F. Elford; First Vice Commander, Chas. Fischer; Adjutant, E. E. Curtiss; Finance Officer, Barney Miller; Chaplain, W. C. Peterson; Sgt.-at-Arms, John Roesch; Historian, Bernard Mayer; Service Officer, Albin P. Nystrom; Executive Committee, Wm. Bertsch and W. C. Peterson.
The selection of a name for the Post was discussed, and it was voted to honor Andrew Schauer, Jr., a Roscoe serviceman, who died in Camp Funstan, Kansas, the latter part of October, 1918, during the Spanish influenza epidemic.
September 9, 1937, Wm. Kane, department vice commander, came for the installation of the newly organized Post officers. He brought with him, Marie Koch, state president of the American Legion Auxiliary, and the officers of the Aberdeen American Legion Sidney L. Smith Post. Commander Paul Elford called the meeting to order, then turned it over to the department
vice commander, who then appointed Chris Cacavas, commander of the Aberdeen Post, to conduct the installation. A temporary charter, numbered 259 was presented to the Post, and was immediately signed by the following members: Paul F. Elford, Albin P. Nystrom, George L. Price, L. E. Larson, John Roesch, Charles Ernst, Samuel Bishop, Wm. Schurr, Eugene
Curtiss, W. C. Peterson, Jacob Voegele, Wm. Bertsch, Thomas J. Hopper, Barney Miller, Reinhold Kilber, Wm. Stafford, Charles Fischer, Bernard Mayer, Dwight W. Reidt, Jacob Rohrbach, Pius Fuhrmann, Solomon Reede and Joseph Kraft.
In 1939, the Post needed a home, and after much negotiation, and with the cooperation of the N. Y. A., a stone building was started in March of that year. It is located on the west edge of Roscoe on lots purchased from J. W. Parmley for the sum of $5.00. This home was used until 1961, when the present Legion home was completed. An ice skating rink, adjacent to the old Post home served as a pleasure spot in the winter months for youngsters.
During WWII, the Roscoe Post participated in the selling of bonds and defense stamps. Parties were held for boys leaving for the service, and flags were presented to their parents. For several years during the 50s, the Post sponsored a Legion Indees Basketball team. Rifles were acquired for the Post Firing Squad and in 1953, 13 helmets, belts, and leggings were purchased for this detail. They were painted white by Auxiliary members.
In 1947, the Roscoe Cemetery Ass'n. officially granted the Post a permanent plot for the annual Memorial Day service programs.
In November 1950, the Post voted to include the name of Harold Schauer, another son of Andrew and Katherine Schauer, Sr. Harold served on the battleship "The Chicago", and was killed in combat in January 1943 in the Pacific War Theater. The new charter was received May 18, 1951, and the name of the Post is now "Andrew and Harold Schauer Post No. 259.
In 1959, the Post decided that they must either remodel or repair the old Post home, for the purpose of expanding their activities and programs. After several months of discussion, planning, looking for a new and larger building, through the efforts of the late Martin Scherf, they became aware of a large church in Aberdeen that was to be moved or razed. The church was purchased for $1,250 and members dismantled it and used the materials for the new Post home. Several acres of land, which had to be cleared and landscaped, were acquired through negotiations with the City of Roscoe. About 40 acres of land was purchased from Fred Sauer in January 1960, for $75 per acre. At the same time, Martin Scherf donated 14 acres of land, and gave the Legion a 99 year lease on an additional six acres. Phil Schneider donated another six acres of land.
This enlargement and acquisition of property necessitated changes in the Post's structure and were advised to incorporate. Our Articles of Incorporation were completed in May 1960.
A plan was finally agreed upon as to the size and shape of the building and construction was begun in 1960. Many area citizens, other than Legionnaires, donated labor and money for the cement blocks for the basement and building. During the building, many problems were encountered such as basement walls collapsing due to heavy rains and delay of work in general. The first Legion meeting was held in the new home January 5, 1961. Misfortune struck again in
February 1961, when fire caused extensive damage. It took several months to repair and rebuild.
The Legion building completed. plans were made to construct a golf course just south of the Post. June 2, 1960 a Golf Ass'n. was formed, and it was agreed to rent the land from the Legion Post. This became a beautiful nine hole golf course.
A ball park and athletic field, north of the Legion home, were completed in 1961. This is now a lighted field and is used for all high school home football games and other athletic functions. These grounds are also used for the Summer Junior Baseball program and the Men's and Women’s Softball teams.
The Rod and Gun Club was given a lease on grounds east of the building and permission given for them to erect their equipment for the purpose of holding trap shoots.
The Post had to make a substantial loan to cover their building expenses and to carry out their many programs. Many fund raisers were held such as Smokers, raffles and various other projects. The Auxiliary gave them as much financial assistance as they could. furnished much labor for interior decorating, and completely furnished the kitchen.
For many years the main floor of the Post consisted of the meeting rooms, restrooms, and the large area housed the bowling alley from 1962 to 1969. During that time the lower level consisted of a large club room used for banquets, bingo, dances, receptions, meetings, etc., the kitchen, restrooms and the furnace room. The large meeting room on the main floor was used for the Special Education Class in the 1962-63 school year. For several years, beginning in May 1964, it was used as an office for the Selective Service Board.
The old stone legion building with two lots was sold to Glen Township in July 1961 to be used as a meeting and election hall.
In 1972, the upper floor was completely remodeled to become what is known as the "legion lounge" complete with a large dance floor, with a small stage area for an orchestra and tables on three sides. It also features a long bar. In 1977, the kitchen was moved upstairs to the main floor for a more convenient arrangement for the functions held there. The "legion lounge" has been the site for many wedding receptions, dances, the annual New Years Eve party, all other legion and Auxiliary activities and the functions of many other organizations. The District 14 Spring Meeting was held in Roscoe in March 1962 and again in April 1977. The District Fall Meeting was held here in September 1968 and again in September 1972.
In connection with our country's Bi-Centennial in 1976, the Post obtained an M 115 Howitzer from an Army Depot in Pueblo, Colo., which Ervin Spitzer and Orval Schneider transported here with the Spitzer equipment. It was mounted on a permanent cement platform facing the city. This was also the year the final payment was made on their building loan and a "mortgage burning"
ceremony was held.
In 1981, the need for new flags in Roscoe was recognized and arrangements were made with the downtown merchants to purchase flags from the legion. Brackets were then mounted on the light posts by legionnaires and the flags are put up by the legion on all the flag days.
The legion has received many certificates of merit and awards for achievement over the years. A high school boy is sponsored annually to Boys State and Americanism awards are given to a senior boy and girl every year. The Post conducts the Memorial Day services, participates in community activities, which includes leading the Homecoming parade with our Legion
Color Guard, and conducts graveside military rites for deceased comrades.
With the recent loss of our comrade, John Roesch. September 14, 1982, Paul Elford remains the sole living charter member.

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