Joseph Wilson Post No. 87, G.A.R. was organized in 1882 by Lyman Sayles and Capt. Judd, at that time commander of the Michigan Soldiers Home.

Earl Avery was elected to serve as the first commander and from the charter membership of thirty-one years it grew into an organization of 135 members and for fifty years following the Civil War it played an important role in the civic and business affairs of Lowell.

Joseph Wilson, for whom the post was named, served in the Grand Army along with his two sons, Merritt and Carlos Wilson.

The record of the men who served as commanders is not complete but among them were Ben Morse, Len Hunt, William Eddy, S. P. Hicks, David Shear, William Andrews, Al Knee and the last was Merritt Sayles.

The Joseph Wilson Relief Corps No. 49 of Lowell, Department of Michigan, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, was organized according to the rules and regulations adopted by the National convention in Denver, Col., in July, 1883.

The organization meeting was held in Lowell on the 19^th day of August, 1885, at which time Emma B. Hine was elected its first President. Since that first meeting this Relief Corps has been active in all its patriotic and civic affairs, working with the G.A.R. in all its activities. The corps is still carrying on fifty-six strong with two of its charter members, Mrs. Elmira Shear and Mrs. Helen Avery, actively interested in its affairs. This year the W.R.C. of the 6^th district were entertained in Lowell with Mrs. Bessa Hatch, president of the Joseph Wilson Relief Corps, in charge of local arrangements.