Frank,
There is a notation in the History of Cairo, IL (or Alexander Co., IL--forget which) that the Germans in southernmost Illinos had a "social" club/organization for Germans only. Members received orders early on from the Club's headquarters (in Ohio) that if they did not enlist to serve the Union, they were banned from the club.
Have you ever heard of this in other areas of Illinois, or do you know anything about the social club?
Thanks,
Ann