History of Osage Chapter
In the year of 1898, Mrs. Mary T. McCluney came to the realization that lives of many
of her friends must be closely connected with the War of Independence through the brave deeds of their
ancestors and that there was the possibility in Sedalia for an organization to cooperate with the National
Organization of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Osage Chapter NSDAR was organized February
26, 1898, with 12 members, Mrs. McCluney being the first Regent. The chapter has the distinction of being
the fourth DAR chapter organized in the State of Missouri. We are proud to be named for the prominent
Osage Indian tribe who dwelled in our area at the time of the Louisiana Purchase.
Throughout our history, the Osage Chapter has been devoted to community service,
supporting the DAR ideals of patriotism, education, and historical preservation and living the DAR motto:
God, Home, and Country.
In 1898, systemic work for the care and comfort of the sick and wounded of the Army and Navy
in the Spanish-American war set the pattern for the Osage Chapters involvement in the patriotic
duty of American citizens.
As early as 1899, the Osage Chapter awarded a medal to a high school student who presented the
best oration on a Revolutionary War topic.
During the early years of the chapter, members of Osage Chapter asked the County Court for a room
in the Court House to establish a waiting room for women to wait while men conducted the family
business. Permission was granted with the understanding that the chapter members would furnish
the room and serve as matrons. On cold wintry days, it was possible to see a DAR member walking
to the courthouse to build the fire and serve as matron from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eventually, the
county court took over the responsibility of the waiting room.
In February 1923, two members presented the chapter with a gavel made from a tree in the Richmond,
Virginia, churchyard where Patrick Henry made his famous speech.
In 1925, flags were placed on graves of former members, a tree was planted on the Court House lawn,
clothes were sent to Ellis Island and School of the Ozarks. The chapter sponsored an essay contest
with a $5.00 prize for the winner and also sponsored a Girl Scout Troop.
During World War I, the chapter made 80 pairs of felt slippers that would fit inside army boots at a cost
of 37 cents per pair. These were sent to Army units along with numerous knitted items such as sweaters,
socks, scarves, and mittens.
On June 10, 1934, a ceremony was conducted to mark the grave of Charlotte Eubank Hieronymus, daughter
of Achilles Eubank, a Revolutionary War soldier. Two other graves have been marked for Real Daughters
who were ancestors of Osage Chapter members.
During World War II, the chapter was involved with the American Red Cross and the U.S.O. A scrapbook was
made of our involvement with the Sedalia Army Air Field, now known as Whiteman Air Force Base, home of
the stealth bomber.
In 1970-72, some Osage Chapter members served as instructors teaching foreign brides of American service
men the necessary requirements for American citizenship.
Information about the Osage Chapter history was adapted from an article written by Sara Kelchner,
Past Regent of Osage Chapter NSDAR, in Missouri DAR Through Time: The Histories of Missouri DAR Chapters,
published 2005 by Missouri State Society DAR, compiled and edited by Lemira Parks.
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 NSDAR, the state
organizations, or individual DAR chapters.
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