Cheney Free Press

Dec. 9, 1932

Lucas Walsh

The G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) was a men’s organization composed of veterans of the Union Army who fought in the American Civil War. Like many cities across the United States during the first part of the twentieth century, Cheney was home to several veterans of that conflict.

One such resident, Thomas E. Ross, was the last living veteran of the Civil War, and last member of the GAR fraternity.

Members of the America Legion acted as pall-bearers for Ross’s casket as it was laid to rest at St, John’s. Ross dies at 88 years of age, a...