Blennerhassett Chapter NSDAR history



On January 13, 1949, a group of ladies met at the home of Mrs. William Herbert Snodgrass for a preliminary meeting to discuss plans for organizing a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at Fort Neal, Wood County. Mrs. Harry J. Smith, State Regent of the West Virginia Organization DAR, was present and gave a talk on the aims and objectives of the National Society DAR and how to organize a chapter.

Mrs. Idell Snodgrass was appointed organizing regent by the National Board to organize a chapter following the recommendations of State Regent Smith. Mrs. Hawood A. Beckwith was named recorder.

On October 4, 1949, a meeting was called at the home of Mrs. Curt O. Harper, at which time the name Blennerhassett was chosen. The chapter name was chosen for the Ohio River Island that played an important part in the early history of Wood County, and served as a hunting ground and trading post for the Indians and white settlers. This island was the location of the first area block house built by Captain John James.

The first regular meeting was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Nolf. The Nolf, home located at Fort Neal, has been known through the years as the

"Old Tavenner Home" and had been the home of Colonel Hugh Phelps, as well as serving as the first Court House of Wood County.

In this historical building, the following officers were installed by the State Regent: Mrs. Idell Snodgrass (W. H.), regent; Mrs. Beatrice Harper (C. O.), vice regent; Mrs. Emma Fry (C. H.), chaplain; Mrs. Nancy Beckwith (H. A.), recording secretary; Mrs. Lulu Nolf (E.G.), treasurer; and Mrs. Claracy Bargeloh Forshey (Tom) registrar.

Charter members were: Mrs. W. H. Snodgrass, Mrs. Claracy Bargeloh Forshey, Mrs. Edward Nolf, Mrs. William P. A. Nicely, Mrs. Harwood (sic) A. Beckwith, Mrs. K. A. Hendrickson, Mrs. Russell Brock, Mrs. Richard Grow, Mrs. C. H. Fry, Mrs. C. O. Harper, Mrs. Richard Kaedisch, Mrs. Chandos Hickman. The following were later added as charter members: Mrs. Gladys Margaret Schultz Archer, Mrs. Edith Rathbone Creel, Mrs. Rosalind Graham Edelen, Mrs. Ethel Leona Gilchrist, Mrs. Virginia Gilchrist Gorrell, Mrs. Ruby Whitlach Harper, Agnes Alberta Schultz Hite, Blanche Eaton Matheny, Thelma Anthony Poling, and Eleanor Elizabeth Westfall.


    Home     In Memoriam      Photo Gallery      Chapter Officers     Our Patriots     Chapter Projects       Programs     

Web hyperlinks to non-DAR sites
are not the responsibility of the NSDAR,
the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.