The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., December 2, 1927, page 1

J.R. PUTMAN, LAST OF G.A.R. POST MEMBERS

     Judge Putman of Goldendale, civil war veteran, is the last surviving member here of the soldiers that composed Baker Post, of the Grand Army of the Republic, started some 25 years ago.
     Some years ago the Post got down to 3 members and the charter had to be relinquished. O.J. Glover, the second surviving member, moved to Portland, recently to retire, leaving Judge Putman as the only G.A.R. man at Goldendale.
     Despite his years Judge Putman is active and enjoying good health, being seen on the streets of this city daily.
     Judge Putman was born in Steuben county, N.Y., May 3, 1842. In 1861 he enlisted in the 23rd N.Y. infantry, Co. 1, and served two years. He was in the second battle of Bull Run, survived at Antietam, and took part in the battle at Fredericksburg, under Burnside.
    In 1866 he left New York and went to Missouri, where he taught school, and later engaged in farming.
    In 1883 he came west and settled in the High Prairie section of Klickitat county; where he resided until 1896, when he came to Goldendale.
     After coming to Goldendale he took the office of the city clerk and police judge, and later was justice of the peace for many years.
     As clerk he looked after the affairs of this city, and during his service some $300,000 was dispersed for street paving, sewer system and water works.
     In 1916 he decided to retire from active life. Judge Putman was a republican and cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln, during Lincoln's candidacy for a second term.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer