VETERANS SERVICE COMMISSION
aka Soldiers Relief Commission
In 1886 the Ohio General Assembly created this commission in each county to provide for the relief of indigent Union servicemen and the indigent wives and children of deceased veterans. The three-member commission was appointed by the common pleas judge; two members had to be Union veterans. The act authorized a tax to be levied, not exceeding 0.1 mills upon the taxable property of the county, to create a fund for the stated purposes.
Originally, township trustees and city councils reviewed relief applications and certified them to the commission for relief payment. After 1890, however, three-member soldiers relief committees performed the initial review. These committees were appointed by the soldier’s relief commission, and all members had to be honorably discharged veterans or their widows.
In 1945, the legislature enlarged the soldier’s relief commission to five members: one World War I veteran, one American Legion member, one VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) member, one DAV (Disabled American Veterans) member, and one member of the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS). The commission is authorized to employ a veteran’s service officer to assist veterans and their families in presenting claims or obtaining benefits.
A 1988 enactment changed the name to Veterans Service Commission (VSCs).
(Source: Ohio County Records Manual, Revised Edition. Ohio History Society aka Ohio History Connection)
Record of Soldier’s Relief Commission
No number on book: Oct 1888 – Nov 1914
Book 1: 1915 – 1956
Book 2: 1957 – 1969
Book 3: 1969 – 1989
United States Military Land Records
Two Books No dates (Auditor, fragmented material list)