River Grove in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Memorial to the Union Soldiers' Widows
Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 30, 2024
1. Memorial to the Union Soldiers' Widows Marker
Woman's Relief Corps
Department of Illinois
This monument and burial lot were given to the W.R.C. by the mother of Sylvia Springer Doton
Erected 1904 by Woman's Relief Corps Department of Illinois.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the The Grand Army of the Republic series list.
Location. 41° 55.843′ N, 87° 49.997′ W. Memorial is in River Grove, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Thatcher Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The memorial is in Elmwood Cemetery, in its southeastern corner. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2905 North Thatcher Avenue, River Grove IL 60171, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chicago Typographical Union World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Grant G.A.R. Post No. 28 Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washington G.A.R. Post No. 573 Memorial (about 400 feet away); Hellenic American Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); 9/11 Memorial (about 700 feet away); Assyrian American Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); River Grove World War II Memorial (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in River Grove.
Also see . . .
1. Woman's Relief Corps. Records, 1883-1894. A repository of publications from the Womans Relief Corps Department of Illinois and National Headquarters, along with a few documents from the Grand Army of the Republic, preserved by the University of Illinois library. (Submitted on April 30, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Woman's Relief Corps official site.
Photographed by Sean Flynn
2. Memorial to the Union Soldiers' Widows rear view
A marker dedicated to past presidents can be seen on the west-facing side of the memorial.
Excerpt: "Our mission is to perpetuate the memory of those who sacrificed much and sometimes all in the American Civil War; provide assistance to veterans of all wars and extend needed aid to them and to their widow(er)s and orphans."(Submitted on April 30, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 30, 2024
3. Dedication tablet for WRC Department of Illinois past presidents
Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 30, 2024
4. Plaques surrounding the monument
The monument is encircled by several dozen small plaques dedicated to past presidents and other prominent leaders in veteran widows' circles. Some of them say they are dedicating a tree, so it's possible they were relocated from other locations.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 30, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
