Early in 1919, some of the American Soldiers and Officers, before returning to the United States, met in Paris France, and discussed the forming of an organization of the Veterans of World War I. Thus, the ground work was started and the American Legion was on its way.
Back in the United States, the idea was carried on by the returning Veterans who formed local clubs and organizations throughout the cities and hamlets in the States.
A caucus was called at St. Louis, Missouri in May, 1919, where officers in charge of organizing the American Legion nationally met to discuss plans for making the American Legion a National, State and local affair, patterned after the Federal Government with a constitution and a preamble.
The Preamble for the American Legion sets out the purposes for which the Legion was formed, to-wit:
For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:
1. To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
2. To maintain Law and Order;
3. To foster and perpetuate a 100% Americanism;
4. To preserve the memories and incidents of our association in the great war;
5. To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation;
6. To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
7. To make right the Master of Might’
8. To promote peace and good will on earth;
9. To safe-guard and transmit to posterity, the principles of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy;
10. To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
Several Wisconsin Veterans were in attendance at the St. Louis Caucus and on their return, promotional work of organizing the American Legion was begun in Wisconsin, on the National, State, and Local levels. The first organizing State Officers were:
Edward M. Ackley – Milwaukee Chairman
John C. Davis – Milwaukee Vice Chairman
R.M. Gibson – Wisconsin Rapids Adjutant
Newman H. Bellis – Wausau Finance Officer
Rev. Gustave Stearns – Milwaukee Chaplain
James H. McGillen – Green Bay Historian
These first officers were replaced by the regular officers elected at the first Wisconsin Department Convention held in Milwaukee early in September, 1919.
The new state officers were:
Commander John C. Davis - Milwaukee
Vice Commander H. C. McCarthy - Richland Center
Adjutant R. M. Gibson - Wisconsin Rapids
Finance Officer Newman H. Bellis – Wausau
Chaplain Rev. Gustave Stearns – Milwaukee
Master at Arms Leo J. Kosak – Milwaukee
Historian James H. McGillen – Green Bay
National Exec. Comm. Man Harold Crosby - Rhinelander
The time of the first National Convention in Minneapolis on November 11, 1919, according to records, there were only 41 Posts organized in Wisconsin, but a year later there were 280 Posts and 23,000 members.
At Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, a small group of returned Veterans assembled early in September, 1919 at the Village Hall and discussed forming a Local Post and what would be necessary to get a Charter
It was first decided that a name would be necessary and it had been customary to name the Post after the first Veteran killed in action. Frank E. Malone of Mount Horeb was the first soldier to die on the field of battle. He was killed in the Battle of Cantegney in France in May, 1918 while serving as a member of Company F, 28th Infantry, 1st Division. An application was sent for and returned the first part of October, 1919. It was found that 15 qualified Veterans were required to sign the application. There were many more than 15 ready and willing to sign, but the first 15 available signed the application. The application was sent to Milwaukee and a Charter was issued on October 23rd, 1919. On November 20, 1919 the Frank E. Malone Post held its first meeting at the Village Hall and elected the following officers:
Post Commander Otto G. Gesme
Vice Commander O. E. Ishmael
Adjutant J. E. Roberts
Finance Officer C. P. Brechler
Historian Gil Ayen
Chaplain Ernest Stolen
A short time after the election of officers, 49 paid up members belonged to the Post. The members were at this time just returning from France and were trying to readjust to civilian life, and naturally they did not have much money. Therefore, the treasury was dependent upon the membership dues, which were $5.00 per year. Out of these dues, the greater part had to be sent to National and State Headquarters. To replenish the treasury the Legion held celebrations and the first celebration was the 4th of July, 1921. The Veterans worked hard for this celebration and after the expenses were paid, a good balance was left to carry on the work of caring for the disabled comrades and their families. Due to the lack of sufficient funds, the Legion called upon the business men for help for the cause of the American Legion for which the Local Post has always been grateful. Memorial Day has always been observed with a program at the local school and a parade of the Legion and the Auxiliary, the city band, later the high school band, and the grade school children was had from the school to the cemetery where the graves of all soldiers and sailors of all wars were decorated.
The following consists of a number of activities carried on by the Legion over the past 30 years:
The Legion undertook to raffle off a Chevrolet car. This was quite an undertaking at the time, but proved a successful way for making money. This raffle took place in 1924.
The most humorous incident was a play put on by the American Legion entitled, “When Men Marry”. This was a very elaborate affair where the men wore silk hats and dress suits and the women who were all men, wore evening gowns. The groom was Roy Sommers who was 5’ 4” and the bride was “Big Bill”, Wm. J. Olson, who was about 6’5”. Doctor C. A. Sholts, Village President at the time, a corpulent man weighing about 240 pounds, was ring-bearer. This wedding was worth going miles to see. Another humorous incident was Mr. A.A. Babcock, the then President of the Chamber of Commerce and the father of the local high school teacher, Miss Vera Babcock, who had up to that time worn a nice mustache, shaved his mustache off so he could take part in the play and he made such a hit without his mustache that he never grew one again. This play was run for two nights and the receipts for the two nights totaled $900.
Another play entitled, “Corporal Egan” was also given by the Legion and other town folks.
In 1927 and 1928 the Legion enjoyed its largest membership to date, with a total of 84 members.
The Legion Post took part in the $5,000 Endowment Drive in 1928 and our quota was set at $400. We went over our quota and made about $500.
In 1930 the local Post entertained the 3rd District Conference at Mount Horeb which was one of the largest and best attended conferences ever held.
Armistice Day has been observed with a program at the local theaters or at the local school followed by a banquet at noon by the Legionnaires and their wives, and the Auxiliary Sisters. The evening of Armistice Day is observed by an Auxiliary Party given to the Legionnaires.
A Memorial Monument with a flag pole was built by the Legion in the Mount Horeb Union Cemetery, upon lot donated by the Cemetery Association to the American Legion. A Memorial was erected in honor of all soldiers and sailors of all wars. This memorial spot has been in constant use ever since for the exercises in our cemetery. This Memorial was erected in 1930.
The Legion in the early days headed drives for the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.
The Frank E. Malone Post bought the Lake Park, now known as Stuart Park, which is north of the village. This had been heretofor known as Lake Park and had been built up by the business men of Mount Horeb. It became nationally known for its Ski-tournaments. However, after some severe floods the dam was washed away and the lake with it. It was the purpose of the Legion to rebuild the dam and recover some of the glamour of he past. It was about this time that the Federal Government was creating Civilian Conservation Corps and the Legion and Chamber of Commerce worked together to bring one of the CCC Camps to Mount Horeb. The Camp was located on the newly purchased park land where the Government erected camps and living quarters. Part of the old building remains and it is now used as a shelter house. The dam was, however, rebuilt as an erosion project. It continued so until the American Legion sold the Park to Dane County for Park Purposes.
The Frank E. Malone Post shared their quarters with the Grand Army of the Republic of which there were a good number in Mount Horeb and community. The GAR having their Camp here and known as the Ren-Dixon Post. The Civil War Veterans were getting along in years and were happy to have the Legion to carry on with them and for them. Comrade Anton Ruste conceived the idea of beautifying the triangles along the highway made so by new highway construction. After the highways were prepared for public use, the triangles were usually covered with rocks and brush which made eye-sore to an otherwise beautiful landscape. Comrade Ruste and the former Secretary of State, Honorable John S. Donald, had had many conferences regarding beautification of highways, and as a result Comrade Ruste presented the project to the American Legion for consideration. The Legion took over two of these triangles – one on the south side of Mount Horeb where 92 and 8th Street divide. The other one is on the north side of town where Highway 78 and the Pine Bluff road divide. These triangles were planted with flowers and shrubs and kept up. After the completion of the triangles they were dedicated and a ceremony was had with bands and flags. A short time later one of our Post Commanders, Herman Bogard, became a candidate for State Commander and as part of his program he advocated highway beautification with a result that the Legion Posts throughout the State of Wisconsin became very active in highway beautification.
In 1946 the Local Legioin was all out for the Drive for Camp American Legioin at Tomahawk, Wisconsin. It appeared at that time that our Veterans Camp at Tomahawk was going to fail for want of finances. The State Legion put on a drive through every Post and the Drive went over with great success, making much more money than expected and the camp has been continued ever since.
During World War II, the Village of Mount Horeb was naturally interested in the boys who were going to service and whereas it had been customary in the past for the Legion or the townspeople, or both, to set up an Honor Roll of the boys who had gone to Service. The Village Board, after making some survey of the communities in and around southern Wisconsin, decided that Mount Horeb should have an Honor Roll for our Service Boys and submitted the question to the American Legion with the result that Mount Horeb bought a different type of Honor Roll and placed same in the quarter of the Village Municipal Building. This is one of the most beautiful Honor Rolls erected and can be seen today at the Municipal Building. It contains all the names of our soldiers, sailors, marines and air corp men from this community, in gold letters. The Village purchased the Honor Roll which stands 7” high and the Roll itself is on a revolving stand made of the same wood material. This Honor Roll was bought and paid for and kept up by the Village. Mr. Chris J. Gesme, the clerk, took it upon himself to get the history of each Veteran whose name was on the Honor Roll and a Certificate was presented to the family and after the war, the history was turned over to the American Legion and Mr. Gesme was made an Associate Member of the Local Post.
Junior Baseball was sponsored by the American Legion for two or three years when the Local Post developed a very fine baseball team that won games locally and away from home.
The Legion has been an advocate and supporter of Boy Scout work and has encouraged band music for the youth of Mount Horeb. The Local Post has taken part in competitive sports, at State Conventions and it nearly always won a trophy. The Rifle Team is one of the active organizations that take part.
In later years, the Legion has sponsored Badger Boys State and has sent one or two Juniors from our high school to attend the weeks session at Ripon each year and paid their expense. They have over the years given prizes to the school for good essays and for many other educational matters.
The Frank E. Malone Post has assisted in 93 or more Military Funerals of deceased Comrades in the last 30 years. The following are the names of the elected officers of the Frank E. Malone Post from 1919 to date:
1919
Post Commander Otto G. Gesme
Vice Commander O.E. Ishmael
Adjutant J. E. Roberts
Finance Officer C. P. Brechler
Historian Gil Ayen
Chaplain Ernest Stolen
1920
Post Commander O.E. Ishmael
Vice Commander B. E. Dahlen
Adjutant Alvin Kollath
Finance Officer C. P. Brechler
Historian Gil Ayen
Chaplain Ernest Stolen
1921
Post Commander B. E. Dahlen
Vice Commander Otto G. Gesme
Adjutant Alvin Kollath
Finance Officer C. P. Brechler
Historian Stanley Jacobson
Chaplain L. Bergh
1922
Post Commander Stanley Jacobson
Vice Commander Mike Birrenkott
Adjutant R. D. Nelson
Finance Officer C. B. Thompson
Historian P. A. Zintz
Chaplain Irvin Hoff
Post Commander M. A. Birrenkott
Vice Commander Ernest Schaller
Adjutant A. F. Statz
Finance Officer C. P. Brechler
Historian Stanley Jacobson
Chaplain Theo. Landmark
Post Commander Oliver Lee
Vice Commander R. D. Nelson
Adjutant A. F. Statz
Finance Officer Fount S. Zintz
Historian Gil Ayen
Chaplain Theo. Landmark
SGT at Arms John Uebersetzig
Post Commander Gus Johnon
Vice Commander Wm J. Olson
2nd Vice Commander Ernest Schaller
Adjutant Otto Gesme
Finance Officer Gil Ayen
Historian Fount S. Zintz
SGT at Arms Ted Ayen
Service Officer R.D. Nelson
Athletic Officer A.F. Statz
1926
Post Commander Herman Bogard
Vice Commander Ed J. Smith
2nd Vice Commander Oscar Swiggum
Adjutant A.F. Statz
Finance Officer R. B. Dahle
Historian John Luder
Chaplain Harvey Field
SGT at Arms Ernest Schaller
Service Officer R.D. Nelson
Athletic Officer Gil Ayen
Exec Committee O.G. Gesme and Oliver Lee
1927
Post Commander A.F. Statz
Vice Commander Thomas Crowe
2nd Vice Commander Art Bloland
Adjutant Oscar Swiggum
Finance Officer R. B. Dahle
Historian Anton Ruste
Chaplain O.G. Gesme
SGT at Arms John Uebersetzig
Service Officer R.D. Nelson
Athletic Officer Gil Ayen
Exec Committee Herman Bogard and F.A. Zintz
1928
Post Commander M.A. Tollund
Vice Commander Oliver Lee
2nd Vice Commander John Uebersetzig
Adjutant A.F. Statz
Finance Officer R. B. Dahle
Historian Anton Ruste
Chaplain Roy Sommers
SGT at Arms Albert Mittmoen
Service Officer R.D. Nelson
Athletic Officer Ernest Schaller
Exec Committee Ed Redel and B.E. Dahlen
1929
Post Commander Ernest Schaller
Vice Commander Oscar Swiggum
2nd Vice Commander Elmer Krohn
Adjutant Elmer Tvedt
Finance Officer R. B. Dahle
Historian A.F. Statz
Chaplain M.A. Tollund
SGT at Arms A.J. Bloland
Service Officer R.D. Nelson
Athletic Officer Gil Ayen
Exec Committee Oliver Lee and B.E. Dahlen
1930
Post Commander Oscar Swiggum
Vice Commander Fred Schott
2nd Vice Commander Joe Brink
Adjutant A.F. Statz
Finance Officer R. B. Dahle
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain C.P. Breckler
SGT at Arms Elmer Krohn
Service Officer R.D. Nelson
Athletic Officer Ernest Schaller
Exec Committee Gus Johnson and B.E. Dahlen
Post Commander Joe Buechner
Vice Commander Albert Lee
2nd Vice Commander Henry Smith
Adjutant A.F. Statz
Finance Officer R. B. Dahle and R.D. Nelson
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Carl Breckler
SGT at Arms John Uebersetzig
Exec Committee Gus Johnson and B.E. Dahlen
1932
Post Commander Joe Buechner
Vice Commander Harvey Field
2nd Vice Commander Henry Smith
Adjutant A.F. Statz
Finance Officer Wm. J.Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Malcolm Seth
SGT at Arms Theo. Landmark
Service Officer R.D. Nelson
Athletic Officer Ernest Schaller
1933
Post Commander Arthur Bloland
Vice Commander Clarence G. McTaggert
1st Assistant Joe Buechner
2nd Vice Commander Anton Ruste
2nd Assistant Elmet Disrud
Adjutant O.G. Paulson
Finance Officer Ray Bakken
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Malcolm Seth
SGT at Arms Albert Lee
Service Officer R.D. Nelson
Athletic Officer Ed Redel
Exec Committee Gus Johnson and B.E. Dahlen
1934
Post Commander Joe Buechner
Vice Commander Clarence G. McTaggert
2nd Vice Commander Anton Ruste
2nd Assistant Elmet Disrud
Adjutant Herbert H. White
Finance Officer Ray Bakken
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Malcolm Seth
SGT at Arms Albert Lee
Service Officer A. F. Statz
Athletic Officer Ed Redel
Exec Committee Gus Johnson and B.E. Dahlen
1935
Post Commander Oliver Lee
Vice Commander Irving Erickson
2nd Vice Commander James Lunde
Adjutant Herbert H. White
Finance Officer Ray Bakken
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
SGT at Arms John Uebersetzig
Service Officer A. F. Statz
Athletic Officer Ed Redel
Exec Committee Gus Johnson and B.E. Dahlen
Post Commander Oliver Lee
Vice Commander John Uebersetzig
2nd Vice Commander George Lukken
Adjutant D.E. Dahlen
Finance Officer Ray Bakken
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
SGT at Arms Ted Jungenberg
Service Officer A. F. Statz
Athletic Officer Ernie Statz
Exec Committee Harvey Field and Henry Smith
1937
Post Commander John Uebersetzig
Vice Commander Clarence Henderson
2nd Vice Commander Ted Jungenberg
Adjutant D.E. Dahlen
Finance Officer M.A. Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
SGT at Arms Marvin Thorsrud
Service Officer A. F. Statz
Athletic Officer Wm. Birrenkott
Exec Committee Otto Brager and Henry Smith
1938
Post Commander George Lukken
Vice Commander Elmer Krohn
2nd Vice Commander Ted Jungenberg
Adjutant Joe Buechner
Finance Officer M.A. Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
SGT at Arms Elmer Disrud
Service Officer A. F. Statz
Athletic Officer Ted Ayen
Exec Committee Oscar Swiggum and Bennet Bruflat
Post Commander George Lukken
Vice Commander Elmer Krohn
2nd Vice Commander Vincent Walsh
Adjutant Frank Bie
Finance Officer M.A. Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
SGT at Arms Gust Anderson
Service Officer A. F. Statz
Athletic Officer L.E. Martin
Exec Committee Ray Bakken and C.G. McTaggart
1940
Post Commander Raymond Bakken
Vice Commander Raymond Jenkins
2nd Vice Commander Albert Lee
Adjutant C.G. McTaggart
Finance Officer M.A. Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
SGT at Arms Bennet Bruflat
Service Officer Oliver Lee
Athletic Officer Clarence Henderson
Exec Committee Owen Paulson and Dr. R.A. Oglivie
1941
Post Commander Rev. I.A. Lavik
Vice Commander Henry Smith
2nd Vice Commander Joe Oimoen
Adjutant C.G. McTaggart
Finance Officer M.A. Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Raymond Bakken
SGT at Arms Melvin Thorsrud
Service Officer Oliver Lee
Athletic Officer Joseph A. Murphy
Exec Committee A. F. Statz and Louis L. Martin
1942
Post Commander C. H. Strange
Vice Commander Louis E. Martin
2nd Vice Commander Raymond Jenkins
Adjutant C.G. McTaggart
Finance Officer M.A. Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
SGT at Arms Theo Landmark
Service Officer Wm. J. Olson
Athletic Officer Ed Redel
Exec Committee Otto Brager and Harvey Field
1943
Post Commander Louis E. Martin
Vice Commander Raymond Jenkins
2nd Vice Commander S. A. Sylvester
Adjutant John Uebersetzig
Finance Officer M.A. Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
SGT at Arms Melvin Thorsrud
Service Officer Wm. B. Olson
Athletic Officer Ed Redel
Exec Committee C. R. Strange and Ray Bakken
1944
Post Commander Henry Smith
Vice Commander Dr. H. A. Oglivie
2nd Vice Commander Vincent Walsh
Adjutant S. A. Sylvester
Finance Officer M.A. Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
SGT at Arms Melvin Thorsrud
Service Officer Wm. Olson
Post Commander Herbert C. Koch
Vice Commander Lon W. Corbin
2nd Vice Commander Joseph A. Murphy
Adjutant E. J. Smith
Finance Officer M.A. Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
Service Officer Oliver Lee
Post Commander Edward J. Smith
Vice Commander Leon F. Jenkins
2nd Vice Commander Lyle J. Johnson
Adjutant Forest A. Johnson
Finance Officer M.A. Birrenkott
Historian M.A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
Service Officer Everett C. Goli
SGT at Arms Wm. J. Wittwer
Athletic Officer Art Steensrud
Exec Committee Herbert Koch and Henry Smith
1947
Post Commander Forest A. Johnson
Vice Commander Ray Cunneen
2nd Vice Commander Wm. Wittwer
Adjutant Ansel E. Kittleson
Finance Officer Merlin Jacobson
Historian Victor Ruste
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
Service Officer Walter Post
SGT at Arms Wesley Bakken
Athletic Officer Rapheal Vasen
Public Relations Lyle Johnson
1948
Post Commander Ansel E. Kittleson
Vice Commander Kenneth Erickson
2nd Vice Commander Arthur Basthemer
Adjutant Gil Aavang
Finance Officer Merlin Jacobson
Historian Harland Emerson
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
Service Officer Walter Post
SGT at Arms Charles Junius
Athletic Officer Ray Cunneen
Public Relations Lyle Johnson
1949
Post Commander Lyle Johnson
Vice Commander Arthur Basthemer
2nd Vice Commander Curtis Witte
Adjutant Merlin Jacobson
Finance Officer Forrest Johnson
Historian Victor Ruste
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
Service Officer Walter Post
SGT at Arms Lavern Aavang
Athletic Officer Ray Cunneen
Public Relations Herbert Koch
1950
Post Commander Arthur Basthemer
Vice Commander Wesley Bakken
2nd Vice Commander Katherine Roth
Adjutant Ray Cunneen
Finance Officer Merlin Jacobson
Historian M. A. Tollund
Chaplain Rev. I.A. Lavik
Service Officer Walter Post
Asst Service Officer Robert Riegel
SGT at Arms Tenny Midthun
Athletic Officer Phillip Hoff
Public Relations Wallace Kalbacken
1951
Post Commander Kenneth Erickson
Vice Commander Ed Post
2nd Vice Commander Katherine Roth
Adjutant Victor Ruste
Finance Officer Ansel Kittleson
Historian M. A. Tollund
Chaplain Herbert Koch
Service Officer Walter Post
Asst Service Officer Ray Cunneen
SGT at Arms Adolph Schlub
Athletic Officer Dean Nelson
Public Relations Harry Cook
About 1945, most of the Veterans were returning from the theaters of war in Europe and in the far east, and as they returned they were invited to join the American Legion or they could form a Legion of their own. Most of the Veterans joined the American Legion and are now taking active part therin. A check of the officers from 1946 on, will indicate that most of the officers are Veterans of WWII.
The Frank E. Malone Post is still looking for suitable quarters for a Legion home for the Legion and Auxilary. Many places have been offered for sale, but thus far the Post has not found anything desirable. The Membership of the Frank E. Malone Post #113 is about 130 members at the present time.
