SUVCW Dept. of Wisconsin Commanders: Dr. James E. Waldron 1911-1912

"The Doctor Is In" By PCinC Steve Michaels A 40-year old dentist from Eau Claire was elected Department Commander at the 1911 Wisconsin Department Encampment. Dr. James Edwin Waldron was born September 6, 1871 in Lapeer, Michigan, a middle child of seven born to Clement and Eliza (Needham) Waldron. His father, Clement, immigrated from Great Britain in 1856 and served as a private in Co. F, 1st Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War. The elder Waldron attended the 50th Battle of Gettysburg reunion in 1913. Dr. Waldron was one of several professional men (doctors and attorneys) who led the department just prior to World War I. The city of Eau Claire was hosting the Grand Army’s Wisconsin Department in 1909 and had been without a Sons Camp for nearly ten years. The city’s Eagle GAR Post led the movement to organize Michael Griffin Camp #35 in April 1909. Dr. Waldron lent his assistance and was elected the Camp’s first commander in May with 23 charter members. The doctor was quickly recognized for his efforts. In June, he was elected Department Junior Vice Commander at the Sons Dept. Encampment, held in conjunction with the GAR Encampment. The following year, his Camp took over Eau Claire’s Memorial Day program and he was elevated to Dept. Senior Vice Commander. At the 1911 Dept. Encampment in Green Bay, Camp 35 had more delegates than any other Camp, so his election may have been a forgone conclusion. Nationally, the Sons of Veterans continued to seek its own identity. After sons of Spanish American War veterans had tried to join the Order, the Sons had restricted its membership. In 1910, a name change to ”Sons of the GAR” was defeated. A great recruiting initiative was undertaken and membership was opened to any direct descendant of a Union veteran. The 1911 National Encampment rewarded recruiting successes by approving a yellow aide ribbon. In Wisconsin, during Dr. Waldron’s term (1911-12), membership grew from 600 to over 1100 in 27 camps. Additionally, the demise of Memorial University removed a sizeable financial burden from the membership. Camps were mustered at Soldiers Grove (Soldiers Grove Camp #8), Belleville (Edward Scofield Camp #14), Beloit (H.P. Strong Camp #16), Ladysmith (Flambeau Camp #17) and La Crosse (Robert Hughes Camp #19). At the 1912 Wisconsin Dept. Encampment, held in Antigo, PDC Felix Kremer, Rev. Ernest M. Benson and Dr. Waldron greeted the GAR Dept. Encampment also meeting there. A week later, the Grand Army dedicated the new memorial arch at Camp Randall in Madison. The Sons filled several support roles during the event. After his term as Dept Commander, Dr. Waldron, his involvement in the Sons and community grew. He served as Camp #35’s Secretary for a couple of years. He was the featured speaker and general chairman of his city’s Memorial Day committee in 1914. He married Mary Bird Heller (1876-1953) in early 1915 and returned to head the Eau Claire Memorial Day committee again in 1916 and 1919. In 1917, he took charge of the committee on Flags and decorations for Memorial Day. In 1925, he served as Camp Counselor and chaired a committee to send local Grand Army men to their state encampment in Sheboygan and organized the Veterans Night program. Dr. Waldron served as the Department’s and Camp’s Patriotic Instructor in 1927-28. He organized both the local Lincoln Day (Union Defenders Day) and Lee Surrender Day (Appomattox Day) programs. He returned to the post of Camp Commander in 1929 and 1930. Despite the Stock Market Crash, Camp #35 numbered 105 members and was the second largest in Wisconsin. He served as Camp Treasurer in 1937. Dr. Waldron was also active in the Masons and the local gun club. However, his first stroke in 1930 caused him to give up his dentistry practice and a once active role in his community. On May 28, 1938, Dr. Waldron suffered a second cerebral hemorrhage and died at age 66. He was buried in Eau Claire’s Evergreen Cemetery. Sources: The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram Find-a-Grave Press Forward the Good Work, the History of the Wisconsin Dept. SUVCW, June 1998 Maintained by: Dept. Signals Officer Last Update: 14 July 2020 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Department of Wisconsin