On June 7, 1919, an application for the American Legion charter was granted by the State of Illinois. Sixteen World War I
servicemen signed and submitted this charter. The original sixteen servicemen are: Kenneth George Lamphier, Logan S. Voight, Robert Coyne, Emil A. Lind, Oscar W. Bergquist, Leo D. Pesavento, Rudolph G. Fredrickson, Elmer Fredrickson, Clayton A. Pitts, Leonard F. Roblee M.D., Healy H. Alexander, Ralph B. Harpham DDS, Fred T. Swanson, George S. Robinson Sr., John Frigo, and LeForest Bentley.
Initially, the American Legion post was to be named the Blaksley Post at Lockport, IL. Temporary officers were elected until the final formation of the organization was to be decided by the first National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 10 – 12, 1919. The temporary officers were Leonard F. Roblee, Chairman, and Fred J. Swanson, Secretary.
During the month of June 1919, the members decided to change the post name. This change was received at the State Headquarters on June 9, 1919 and the temporary state charter was issued on June 30, 1919 changing the name to John Olson Post 18, Lockport, IL. John Olson was a local serviceman that was killed in action on September 26, 1918.
Temporary charters were given nationally to ensure the validity of the post. The requirement of a permanent charter was a minimum 6-month grace period of the temporary charter.
John Olson (born Johan Olofsson) was born on February 15, 1891 in Degerfors, Vasterbotten, Sweden. John’s parents, Olof Leonard Andersson and Maria Augusta Gabrielsdotter, lived as farmers in Degerfors, Sweden. John was the third child of seven siblings.
John immigrated to the United States in October 1910 through Ellis Island. His destination was Lockport, IL where his aunt and uncle lived. His Aunt Sophia Gabrielsdotter married Frank Johnson and they lived at 1519 Sisson St., Lockport. For seven years, John lived with his aunt and uncle and worked at the Texas Company in Lockport, IL.
On April 29, 1918, John was selected to serve in World War I and left for Camp Dodge, Iowa. He was assigned to the 179th Brigade, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, 2nd Company. John was killed in action on September 26th, 1918. He was laid to rest at the Lockport Cemetery located at Madison and E. 6th Streets, Lockport, IL.
New John Olson Headstone, Lockport Cemetery
Post 18, through the efforts of historian Shawn McElwee, arranged for a replacement headstone at Lockp[ort Cemetery provided by the Veterans Administration. The original stone had been seriously eroded over time and has since been relocated to the Post 18 Memorial site. The replacement and relocation of the headstones was commemorated at the Post’s Memorial Day Ceremony, 2001.
G.I. Bill of Rights
The G.I. Bill of Rights was born in the Luther B. Easley Post No. 128 of the American Legion in Salem, on November 4, 1943. It was drafted by Omar J. McMackin – Salem, Earl W. Merritt – Salem, former Governor John Stelle – McLeansboro, Dr. Leonard W. Esper – Springfield, George H. Bauer – Effingham, William R. McCauley – Olney, James P. Ringley – Lemont (photo center right), and A. L. Starshak – Chicago. The plan was taken to Washington D.C. by Governor Stelle, who was with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he signed it into law on June 22, 1944. The law was officially titled as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act and was created to assist veterans of active service in the Armed Forces during World War II. (City of Salem, IL website)