Pin is from a small group of items recently acquired that are identified to Major John W. Toppass of Missouri.

Pin is made in the shape of a Lieutenant-Colonel of Staff shoulder strap and is meant for wear on the membership badge of a GAR Post officer.

Bar meas. approx. 1.50 x 0.50 an inch with a black enamel center and applied silver or pot metal oak leaves.

Reverse has the original pin and a bar for suspending a ribbon.

Item is in very nice condition with some light surface dirt.

John W. Toppass was born in Indiana on November 30, 1834.

On July 31, 1861 he was commissioned 1st Lieutenant of Company L, 7th Missouri Cavalry and was shortly afterward made Captain of Company C. Toppass would serve in that position until April 18, 1864 when he was made Major of the 1st Missouri Veteran Cavalry. He would be mustered-out on September 1, 1865.

During his service Toppass saw action in several small skirmishes and a few bigger ones including Marks Mill and Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

After the war he went into the men’s clothing and accessories business. He was active in the GAR serving as Commander of the Tindall Post #49 in Chillicothe, Missouri. He also served as postmaster and was also a Mason. He died in Chillicothe on September 14, 1916 and is buried there in Edgewood Cemetery.   [ad]

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