|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cornelia Greene Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized June 17, 1909 on the 134th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill (fought in 1775) with Mrs. Frances Otey Heald Ottofy as Organizing Regent. There were twenty-eight Charter Members. Cornelia Greene was the twenty-eighth chapter formed in the state of Missouri. A gavel was presented to the Chapter made from hickory that grew on a farm owned by General Nathanael Greene. We still use that gavel at our monthly meetings. We hold regular meetings on the first Wednesday of the month from September through June, except for January, just as the Chapter did in 1909. Today we have over 75 members. We continue to stress God, home, and country through patriotic, historical and educational endeavors. |
| Cornelia was the next to the youngest daughter of General Nathanael Greene. She was born at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, while her father was absent on military duty. She had always been a great favorite of General and Mrs. Washington and spent much time with them. When she emerged into womanhood, she was launched on the tide of social life in Philadelphia, at the Presidential mansion, as the protégé of General and Mrs. Washington. There she met and became personally acquainted with the men who made our early history. In those days silks, satins, and brocades were worn only by matrons; young girls wore delicate muslin, mostly white. Cornelia wearied of the monotony of this attire. General Washington was to give a grand ball for his cabinet and diplomatic corps. She determined to vary her dress for this occasion. On the southern plantation of her mother were countless flocks of blackbirds. These birds had brilliant tufts of red and gold near the wings. Cornelia utilized these for the decorations of her simple frock. After days of secret toil, she came to Mrs. Washington, her frock gleaming from shoulder to hem in this brilliant plumage. Mrs. Washington was spellbound by the beautiful picture. "It needs but one thing to complete it," she exclaimed and fastened a lovely piece of Brussels lace in the sleeves. In this unique costume and her own bright personality, Cornelia became the most observed of all observers and admirers. The remainder of Cornelia's girlhood was passed at "Dungenness," the beautiful home given by the government to General Greene. It was on Cumberland Island, just off the coast of Georgia. During Cornelia's stay at "Dungenness" there occurred an incident of historical and scientific interest. Mrs. Greene met Eli Whitney and became interested in his invention of the cotton gin. She invited him to spend the winter where he could have quiet and an abundance of cotton for his experiments. One morning he entered the drawing room and exclaimed; "Come! The victory is mine!" Mrs. Greene and guests followed him to his workshop where Mr. Whitney set his model in motion. For a few moments the miniature saws accomplished their work successfully, but soon the saws clogged with lint and the wheels stopped. Mrs. Greene seized a clothes brush lying on the mantle and held it firmly to the teeth of the saw. Again the model revolved and the saws were cleared. Mr. Whitney was filled with gratitude that his invention had been perfected. Cornelia was always interested in her country's welfare and felt all parts of the nation were equally dear. She embraced the saying "My country; my whole country." (Excerpts taken from pamphlet prepared by Mrs. James L. Carlisle, Charter Member of Cornelia Greene Chapter.) |
| Mrs. J. E. Cartwright Mrs. H. R. Carpenter Mrs. J. L. Carlisle Mrs. T. L. Cannon Mrs. G. H. Denny Mrs. E. P. Howard Mrs. L. M. Johnson Mrs. W. F. Jackson |
Mrs. Thos. McClure Mrs. E. J. McMullen Mrs. H. P. O'Bannon Mrs. L. M. Ottofy Mrs. John Trigg Moss Miss E. W. Powell Mrs. J. Richmond Mrs. J. B. Sudduth Mrs. L. C. Reilly |
Mrs. Seth Singleton Mrs. Haddon Smith Mrs. P. H. Skipwith Mrs. W. V. Teasdale Mrs. L. Cornell Miss Cheney Miss H. E. Hard Miss Sally S. Edwards |
| 1832-1919 |
|
|
|
Dr. Mary Walker was the only woman ever authorized by Federal Act to appear in men's clothing. She was a surgeon in the Civil War, received a Lieutenant's commission, and is the only female to be awarded a Congressional medal of Honor. A 20¢ stamp honoring her was issued in her hometown of Oswego, NY, on June 10, 1982. The stamp commemorates the first woman to have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the second woman to graduate from a medical school in the United States. Even in uniform Dr Mary Walker was controversial - she added trousers under her skirt, wore a man's uniform jacket and carried two pistols at all times. Her military career was not actually military in that she was never commissioned. She was refused a commission as an army surgeon, but served on a volunteer basis at a Washington D.C. hospital. She worked as a field surgeon near the Union front lines for almost two years (including Fredericksburg and in Chattanooga after the Battle of Chickamauga), then was appointed assistant surgeon of the 52nd Ohio Infantry. After spending four months in a Richmond prison, she was released back to the 52nd Ohio as a contract surgeon, but spent the rest of the war practicing at a Louisville female prison and an orphan's asylum in Tennessee. During her stay with the 52nd Ohio it is implied that she also served as a spy while wandering out in to the civilian community to treat the sick and starving. Dr. Mary tried to vote on a few occasions without success. She did live long enough, however, to see the right of women to vote in her native state of New York. She was voted $15,000 by Congress for her services in the Civil War, but through some mix-up was never paid the money. She had a pension of $8.50 per month for many years. This constituted the sum total of recognition for her distinction of being the only woman doctor in active service in the Civil War. Dr Mary Walker was a bright and determined female patriot who was way ahead of her time. She fought to save lives, fought to gain approval, and met with resistance not unlike that being heaped upon women in the military today. The war left her scarred both physically and emotionally - but she continued to strive for women's rights for many years. And sadly she died alone, and almost penniless, at the age of eighty seven - and was not remembered for her service to her country as much as she was remembered for being "that shocking female surgeon in trousers!" Although Dr. Mary lived in New York, she joined Cornelia Greene Chapter in St. Louis, Missouri. Apparently she did not meet "approval" in the local chapter, and she had friends in St. Louis who welcomed her. She was a definite asset to the young chapter. |
| (Mrs. L. M. Ottofy) 1876-1936 |
|
|
Frances Otey Heald Ottofy was the Organizing Regent of the Cornelia Greene Chapter from 1909-1910. She held many offices on the state level of DAR including MSSDAR Parliamentarian, MSSDAR State Chairman of Real Daughters (1917), MSSDAR State Chairman of Service Honor Roll (1918), State Chairman of Gold Star DAR Boys Memorial (1926), and MSSDAR State Finance Committee for Arrow Rock Tavern. |
| (Mrs. John Trigg Moss) 1876-1945 |
|
|
Arlene B. Nichols Moss served as Regent of the Cornelia Greene Chapter 1915-1917, MSSDAR State Regent 1918-1920, NSDAR Vice President General 1922-1924, and NSDAR Parliamentarian in 1937. Mrs. Moss was a teacher in a special school for the deaf in St. Louis. In collaboration with her son, John Trigg Moss, Jr., Mrs. Moss designed the "Madonna of the Trail" sculpture. The statues were erected on the National Old Trails Road in each of the twelve states through which the NOTR passes. The model was accepted September 17, 1927. |
| (Mrs. William H. Minderman) 1908-2000 |
|
|
Virginia Minderman served as Regent of the Cornelia Greene Chapter 1962-1965 and MSSDAR Historian 1970-1972. She began the Chapter tradition of honoring George Washington on Presidents' Day in 1963. Houdon's statue of George Washington (one of six in existence) is located in Lafayette Park, St. Louis. This has continued to be a special memorial ceremony for our Chapter each February. A historical marker commemorating the Lewis and Clark expedition marks the Tavern Cave and Cliffs just east of St. Albans, MO. This marker was dedicated in October, 1971, under the direction of Mrs. Minderman. |
| * Lucie Huger * |
|
|
Lucie Huger served as Regent of the Cornelia Greene Chapter 1974-1975 and 1978-1979. She organized all St. Louis DAR Chapters to dedicate a 4000 candlepower strobe light beacon atop the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. This beacon is a symbol of the brave pioneer women who ventured West. The dedication was held in April, 1974, and she was interviewed by KSD-TV atop the arch. In 1975 Mrs. Huger was instrumental in organizing a river party and cruise to raise restoration money for Bacon Log Cabin. She also donated a doll collection to the MSSDAR State Headquarters at Roslyn Heights in Boonville, MO. Mrs. Huger promoted and dedicated Lewis and Clark markers and statues in tribute to America's western movement. She was an active a member of the Lewis and Clark Heritage Foundation and in 2001 she authored a book on the history of St. Albans. In May, 2004, Mrs. Huger chaired a special event in St. Albans commemorating the life of Meriwether Lewis and his miraculous escape from death at the Tavern Cave. She chaired a project to erect a statue called The Captain’s Return, to be dedicated in September, 2006. |
| (Mrs. George T. Lanz) |
|
|
June Lanz has served as Regent of the Cornelia Greene Chapter 1992-1994, MSSDAR Recording Secretary 1997-1998, MSSDAR Chaplain 1999-2000, MSSDAR Vice-Regent 2001-2002, and MSSDAR State Regent for the 2002-2004 term. She was elected NSDAR Vice President General, Class of 2005-2008. In 2007 she was elected Honorary Chapter Regent. Mrs. Lanz has won several awards on the state and national levels. In the NSDAR American Heritage contests she placed first nationally in Printmaking with an etching titled "Descending Dove, Symbol of Unity" (left, above). A screen print, "Ye Old Red School House," also won first place in the NSDAR American Heritage contest (left, below). Mrs. Lanz has researched and compiled a guidebook for Cold Water Cemetery which is owned and maintained by the MSSDAR in Florissant, MO. During her term as State Regent, the cemetery was accepted for placement on the National Historic Register of Historic Places. A marker was placed and dedicated during the Memorial Day service on May 31, 2004. She continues to provide ideas and leadership for our Chapter, our State Society, and our National organization. |
The DAR Insignia is the property of, and is copyrighted by, the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Web hyperlinks to non-DAR sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.
