Stephen Decatur Chapter NSDAR
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STEPHEN DECATUR CHAPTER
NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Decatur, Macon County, IL
HISTORY OF CHAPTER
This page updated May 17, 2017
ORGANIZATION
On February 4, 1896, in Decatur, Illinois, 15 women met to organize a local chapter of the
DAR. This chapter was named Decatur Chapter. Several years later "Stephen" was
added after the gallant naval hero, Commodore Stephen Decatur, who fought in the War
of 1812.
Stephen Decatur daughters have promoted historical, educational, and patriotic objectives
in programs during the past one hundred and five years. These have been an asset to the Decatur
community.
MARKERS
In 1904 a marker was placed at the site of Abraham Lincoln's first home in Illinois, near the
Sangamon River southwest of Decatur. The plaque was placed on a huge boulder. This
monument was almost lost due to the fact it was on private property. In 1957 the State of
Illinois established a new park named Lincoln Homestead State Park. Our chapter moved
the boulder to the new park located on the Sangamon River. The old plaque was cleaned,
remounted and a new plaque was added. The rededication ceremony was in November
1990.
The chapter has placed many bronze markers throughout the city. In 1915
the chapter placed a bronze plaque at the site of the Wigwam erected
for the May 1860 Republican Party Convention. This plaque was moved and rededicated in 1970.
Here Lincoln's name was first mentioned for President of the United States by Governor Oglesby.
In 1921 the route Lincoln traveled riding the Eighth Judicial circuit was marked at the Millikin Homestead.
From 1947 to 1951 Stephen Decatur Chapter added 16 names to the Roll of Honor on the
Memorial Bell Tower at Valley Forge. In 1970 a bronze plaque was placed on the site
where Lincoln mounted a stump and made his first political speech. In 1973 a marker was
placed in Lincoln Square at the site of Macon County's first courthouse. A plaque was dedicated in
1976 at the Oglesby Mansion. Richard J. Oglesby was a three term governor of
Illinois.
We have marked the graves of two Revolutionary War soldiers (William Dickey and John Flora),
one Real Daughter -Jane Russell Mc Coy (a DAR member who was a daughter of a Revolutionary Patriot),
and two daughters of a Revolutionary War soldier(Marilla Martin Baker and Mary McDowell Martin Davis).
In 2003 the grave of the Organizing Regent Myra Belle Ewing in Greenwood Cemetery was marked.
In 2006 Macon County's first courthouse aka "Lincoln Log Courthouse" was marked. It is currently located on the grounds of the Prairie Village
at the Macon County Historical Society and Museum.
DONATION TO NATIONAL DAR MUSEUM
In 1983 Stephen Decatur Chapter donated to the National DAR Museum a very rare and
priceless work of art - a picture entitled "Emblem of America." This is a needlework of
paint, silk, and chenille thread on satin. The image of the symbolic figure of "America" is
based on the English engraving by P. Concenit, published in 1801. Eliza Camp, a 15 year
old from Durham, Connecticut, made the picture in 1810.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Our educational objectives include providing text books, manuals, and flags to schools.
Two Braille flags were made and given to the blind. Flags have been given to the Oglesby
Mansion, Millikin Homestead, and the Linn House. We have donated flags to several churches,
the YMCA, and scout troops.
WWI and WWII ACTIVITIES
During World War I, 95% of our members belonged to the Red Cross, making surgical
dressings and hospital garments. We sent barrels of jelly, records, books, and tea towels to
locations where local boys were stationed. We also assisted in the care of French War
Orphans.
The chapter contributed funds to the State DAR organization to help in the purchase of an ambulance
for the War Department.
During World War II our members gave many hours of service
to the Red Cross - helping with occupational therapy, serving as nurses' aides, and giving
blood plasma.
SCHOOL AND VETERAN SPONSORED ACTIVITES
The Chapter annually recognizes Good Citizens in the 13 high schools in Macon County,
sponsors the American History Essay Contest, supports veteran patients' needs in
hospitals and convalescent homes, and participates in "Christmas Mail Call."
NATIONAL AND STATE AWARDS
We have awarded three American History National DAR medals: one to Mr. Robert Williams,
teacher at Decatur High School in 1989; one to Mrs. E.A. White for her work in the
Macon County Historical Society in 1994; and one to Mr. Malcolm Moore, history teacher
at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in 1995. Mr. Moore was also the State History Teacher of
the Year. In 1995 the chapter had three American History Award winners in Div III.
GENEALOGICAL LIBRARY
The chapter maintains an excellent DAR genealogy library. The material is available to all
interested in genealogy. (It is located at the Decatur Genealogical Society Library - 1255 West South Side Drive - Decatur, IL)
500th ANNIVERSARY CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS' DISCOVERY of AMERICA
In 1992 a slide program was given in 17 elementary schools on Christopher Columbus,
commemorating the 500th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America.
LOCAL HEALTH CARE SCHOLARSHIP
Since 1992, Stephen Decatur Chapter has annually awarded a health-care scholarship of $500.00 to an outstanding Millikin
University student.
TREE PRESENTATIONS
The chapter has given many flowering crab trees to the community. One hundred were given
in 1931 to the city parks in honor of George Washington's Bicentennial. Four were given
to Fairview Park in 1987. Two were presented to the new National Guard Armory at its
dedication in 1994 in honor of World War II veterans.
BICENTENNIAL of the CONSTITUTION
We presented, for the community of Decatur, two outstanding celebrations of the
Bicentennial of the Constitution - one in the summer in Central Park, and the other a
symphony concert at the Civic Center, with William Warfield as guest artist, in the fall of 1989.
CONSERVATION MEDALS
The chapter presented three NSDAR Conservation Medals: one to a member and her
husband, Dr. and Mrs. Arthur L. Ennis, who converted land into a walnut preserve; one to
Preston Shellbach, Director of Rock Springs Environmental Center for many years; and
one in 1995 to Mrs. Frank Evans for outstanding work in all environmental areas.
MISC DONATIONS
In 1988 we donated a stereo dissecting microscope to
the Macon County Rock Springs Conservation Center.
AMERICANISM MEDAL
In 1991 the NSDAR Americanism Medal was presented to Mr.
Fritz Pronk, who was born in the Dutch East Indies. He became an American citizen and
rose to the position of President of Soy Capital Bank.
WWII 50th ANNIVERSARY
The years of 1994 and 1995 were devoted to various activities in celebration of the 50th
anniversary of World War II. Stephen Decatur Chapter arranged for a patriotic
performance of Decatur's Municipal Band in Central Park on June 6, 1994. A gala
celebration at the Civic Center, September 1, 1995, celebrating the conclusion of the war
was planned and inaugurated by Stephen Decatur Chapter members. This included a
parade of veterans, a concert by the official USO Band (Bud Forrest "String of Pearls
Orchestra"), ice cream social, and a fireworks display. This free event was attended by
nearly 3,000 area citizens. The cooperation of Decatur's mayor and other officials made
this commemoration possible.
STEPHEN DECATUR CHAPTER NSDAR 100th ANNIVERSARY
Stephen Decatur Chapter celebrated their 100th anniversary with a Centennial Luncheon in
March 1996, at the Decatur Holiday Inn. Mrs. Harold E. Orr, State Regent, was the speaker.
Mrs. Ronald Mordhorst, Chaplain General, was present to lead the invocation. Copies of the
Chapter History were distributed with the program and there were displays of memorabilia.
HONORARY REGENTS
In May 1997 we honored all our past regents, for all their
hard work and commitment as regents, by making them honorary regents for life.
KOREAN WAR 50th COMMEMORATION
We will include a Korean War Minute in our meetings to commemorate
the end of the war and to honor those who served.
MEMBERS WHO HAVE SERVED AS STATE OFFICERS
Stephen Decatur Chapter has been honored to have seven members elected to a state office.
Mrs. E. L. Pegram - Illinois State Historian - 1910-1913
Mrs. Lucian N. Lindsay - Illinois State Chaplain - 1932-1934
Mrs. Charles E. Lee - Illinois State Chaplain - 1975-1977
Mrs. Carl P. Birk, Sr. - Illinois State Chaplain - 1981-1983
Miss. Edna L. Meadows - Illinois State Registrar - 1985-1987
Mrs. Jerald E. Jackson - Illinois State Registrar - 1989-1991
Mrs. Robert Hoaglin - Illinois State Historian - 1999-2001
Mrs. Robert Hoaglin - Illinois State Chaplain - 2003-2005
Mrs. Lionel K. Hunter - Illinois State Registrar - 2005-2007
Mrs. Thomas Irwin - Illinois State Registrar - 2008-2011
Mrs. Lionel K. Hunter - Illinois State Chaplain - 2011-2014
Mrs. Dean Crump - Illinois State Registrar - 2014-2016
Stephen Decatur Chapter daughters anticipate many more achievements in the future, as
we continue to promote NSDAR and its historical, educational, and patriotic
objectives.
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