Peoria Chapter
History
The Peoria Chapter NSDAR was founded on Flag Day, June 14, 1896, by organizing regent, Miss Caroline M. Rice, and sixteen charter members.
On June 14, 2016, Peoria Chapter celebrated its 120th birthday. The chapter presently has over 240 members and continues to grow. Our goals remain focused on education, patriotism, and promoting historical preservation.
From its very beginning, the Peoria Chapter has contributed to the community. The chapter helped to build the Soldiers Monument at the Peoria Court House, partnered with the Peoria Historical Society in the purchase of Flanagan House, and placed the dedication marker at Constitution Gardens on the riverfront. In September 2008, the Peoria Chapter presented a granite Liberty bench to the City of Peoria in honor of Mary Ann Frances Watkins Middleton, a former chapter regent, Illinois State Regent, and Vice President General. The bench is located on Liberty Park’s riverfront.
The inscription on the bench reads:
“Honoring Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives and Fortunes For Our Freedom”
Peoria Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution Mary Ann W. Middleton, Illinois State Regent 2005-2007
In 1932-1933, the Peoria Chapter DAR began its Good Citizen Project which is held each February at the historic 1890s Peoria Women’s Club. Students and parents are invited to a ceremony followed by a formal tea. Certificates, pins, and cards are presented to high school seniors from the Peoria area. The top student is awarded the Peoria Chapter’s Mary Ann Middleton Good Citizens Memorial Scholarship.
The Zeally Moss Chapter, Children of the American Revolution, organized in 1905, was the first Illinois C.A.R. chapter. It remains active today and participates annually in Memorial Day ceremonies.
Peoria Chapter continues to support all phases of NSDAR. We are proud of our heritage; and, work hard to preserve the past and prepare for the future.
Organizing Regent
Miss Caroline M. Rice
1896-1897
Picture taken at 50th Anniversary of Organization of Peoria Chapter — 1946
Charter Members
Mrs. Lillian Rice Brigham
Mrs. Mary Rouse
Miss Caroline Montgomery Rice
Mrs. Esther I Ellis
Miss Margaret A. Weirick
Mrs. Kate E. Rousseau
Miss Emma Tytus Lines
Miss Mary E. Culver
Mrs. Helen Stowell Lines
Miss Margaret Nevins Thompson
Miss Elizabeth F. Cornelison
Miss Jennie L. Bryan
Mrs. Lucie Brotherson Tyng
Miss Alice De Riemer
Mrs. Alice Riggs Tyng
Mrs. Lydia Jack Clark
Mary Ann Frances Watkins Middleton
Chapter Regent, 1987-1989
Illinois State Regent, 2005-2007
Vice President General, 2011-2014
Past State Regents
Mrs. George T. Page
1914-1916
Mrs. H. Eugene Chubbuck
1920-1923
Past Chapter Regents
| 1896-1897 | Miss Caroline M. Rice * |
| 1897-1899 | Mrs. Alexander G. Tyng * |
| 1899-1902 | Mrs. Joseph Elder * |
| 1902-1903 | Mrs. Benjamin F. Ellis * |
| 1903-1904 | Mrs. Henry Mansfield * |
| 1904-1905 | Mrs. John W. Rowcliff * |
| 1905-1907 | Mrs. John L. Black * |
| 1907-1908 | Mrs. Robert S. Waddell * |
| 1908-1909 | Mrs. Julius S. Starr * |
| 1909-1913 | Mrs. George T. Page * Δ |
| 1913-1915 | Mrs. James N. Butler * |
| 1915-1918 | Mrs. H. Eugene Chubbuck * Δ |
| 1918-1920 | Mrs. Ellen F. Clark * |
| 1920-1922 | Mrs. Howard M. Sedgwick * |
| 1922-1923 | Mrs. Charles W. LaPorte * |
| 1923-1924 | Mrs. H. Eugene Chubbuck * Δ |
| 1924-1926 | Mrs. Mark D. Batchelder * |
| 1926-1928 | Mrs. William N. Brown * |
| 1928-1929 | Mrs. George R. Whitmore * |
| 1929-1930 | Mrs. Fredrick F. Blossom * |
| 1930-1932 | Mrs. Frederick C. Barnett * |
| 1932-1933 | Mrs. John H. Roth * |
| 1933-1934 | Mrs. Godfrey G. Luthy * |
| 1934-1936 | Mrs. Thayer K. Morrow * |
| 1936-1938 | Mrs. Loyal G. Tillotson * |
| 1938-1940 | Mrs. Clark B. Montgomery * |
| 1940-1942 | Mrs. Carl F. Pfeffinger * |
| 1942-1944 | Mrs. Alfred H. Hiatt * |
| 1944-1946 | Mrs. Ernest E. East * |
| 1946-1948 | Mrs. John W. Hoffman * |
| 1948-1950 | Mrs. W. E. McCartney * |
| 1950-1952 | Mrs. Milo T. Easton * |
| 1952-1954 | Miss Viola Gallup * |
| 1954-1956 | Mrs. Julia Ball Kerr |
| 1956-1958 | Mrs. Frank Sherman * |
| 1958-1960 | Mrs. K. R. Clugsten * |
| 1960-1962 | Mrs. George J. Spangler * |
| 1962-1964 | Mrs. Arnold G. Fernstead * |
| 1964-1966 | Miss Elma Spickard * |
| 1966-1968 | Mrs. Homer M. Keller * |
| 1968-1970 | Mrs. Harold B. Ewoldt * |
| 1970-1972 | Mrs. Russell F. Peters * |
| 1972-1974 | Mrs. Francis E. Johnson * |
| 1974-1975 | Mrs. Howard D. Haynes |
| 1975-1976 | Mrs. John O. Nack * |
| 1976-1978 | Mrs. Homer M. Keller * |
| 1978-1981 | Mrs. John A. Holtzman * |
| 1981-1982 | Mrs. Robert G. Day * |
| 1983-1985 | Mrs. Howard D. Haynes |
| 1985-1987 | Mrs. John E. Nack * |
| 1987-1989 | Mrs. Robert K. Middleton * Δ |
| 1989-1991 | Mrs. Asa M. Robison * |
| 1991-1993 | Mrs. Dan L. Thurman |
| 1993-1995 | Mrs. William L. Sprick |
| 1995-1997 | Mrs. Erwin H. Powers * |
| 1997-1999 | Mrs. Frederick H. Larke |
| 1999-2001 | Mrs. William D. Kraft |
| 2001-2003 | Mrs. Donald G. Arends |
| 2003-2005 | Mrs. James E. Devore |
| 2005-2007 | Mrs. Ted P. Rathbone |
| 2007-2009 | Mrs. Frederick H. Larke |
| 2009-2011 | Mrs. Phillip J. Stewart |
| 2011-2013 | Mrs. David Pierce |
| 2013-2015 | Mrs. Frederic Bock |
| 2015-2016 | Mrs. Dennis Berg |
| 2016-2017 | Mrs. Pierce Frels |
| 2017-2019 | Mrs. Patrick Horrie |
| 2020-2023 | Ms. Denise Scislowicz |
* Deceased Δ Past State Regent
Flanagan House
The John C. Flanagan House Museum was built in 1837, on Peoria’s east bluff by John C. Flanagan and is the oldest standing house in Peoria. This American Federal style house offers a spectacular view of the Illinois River Valley. Collections of antique glass, china, furniture, toys, quilts, and vintage clothing are displayed. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by the Peoria Historical Society. It is also the headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Peoria Chapter.
