DAR celebrates God, Home, Country

The Daughters of the American Revolution, known locally as the Lone Pine Tree Chapter, has been around for many years.

The Lone Pine Tree Chapter of DAR was not the first chapter in the valley, for in 1926 the Grande Ronde Chapter of DAR was organized with Nellie Bohnenkamp as organizing regent. That chapter disbanded in 1981. The new chapter came into being in more recent years. However, until recently, it has remained a rather obscure organization, holding its meetings alternately between Baker City and La Grande.

Its inception began in Baker City by a group of dedicated ladies wishing to recognize their lineage to the freedom seekers in the early years of the formation of the United States.

Ethelyn Williams of Baker City was the organizing regent, for she was a DAR member-at-large, at the request of other ladies attempting to organize.

Unable to find the required number of ladies required for formation, the Baker City group combined with the La Grande group under Organizing Regent Wilma Easley.

Members began recruiting their daughters and sisters to join. They continued to meet once a month, usually in the Baker City library, but occasionally in the park at Haines.

First they needed to choose a chapter name of historical significance. Because so many diaries of the early pioneers who traveled the Oregon Trail mentioned the “lone tree,” this was the group’s first choice, which was accepted by national.

Lillian Densley and Floy Clark, both of Baker City, helped several ladies with their research, affirming that they could prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. In order to be eligible for membership they also had to be 18 years of age or older, regardless of their race, religion or ethnic background.

On April 22, 1995, the group was notified by a phone call from the National Board of Management that they had been confirmed as the Lone Pine Tree Chapter.

They immediately conducted their installation of officers, which included Regent Ethelyn Williams, Baker City; Vice Regent Wilma Easley, La Grande; Registrar Lillian Densley, Baker City; Secretary Floy Clark, Baker City; Treasurer Clarice Johnson, Baker City; Historian Alice Morehead, La Grande; Librarian Emma Jean Greener, Halfway; Chaplain A. Leigh Sanders, Baker City.

The installing officer was District Director Beverly Harris Jenkins from Hermiston.

Other charter members included Joyce Anderson, Louise Choate, Olive Melton and Frances McCall, all of

La Grande; Julia Green, Lebanon, Ohio; Mary Royes, Imbler; Fran Ryder, Nampa, Idaho; Susan Schneider, Clackamas; and Margaret Davis, Tigard. Of this number, Lillian Densley, Clarice Johnson, Ethelyn Williams and Frances McCall remain active members of the chapter.

The National Society DAR was founded Oct. 11, 1890, with membership based on descent from a man or woman who served between 1776 and 1783 as a sailor, soldier, civil officer or as a patriot who rendered material aid to the American Revolutionary cause.

Today, the group that found it difficult to find the necessary 16 members has 42 members and is growing with recognition because of their participation in many community activities in both Baker City and La Grande as well as statewide.

Under the leadership of Regent Dorothy Robertson, La Grande; Vice Regent Joan Smith, Island City; Registrar Jolene Quintal, Summerville; Secretary Meschelle Cookson, Baker City; Treasurer Clarice Johnson, Baker City; Chaplain Dorothy Evans, La Grande; Historian Jean Whitmore, Summerville; Literacy Chairperson Ruth Leitch,

La Grande; and Public Relations Eleanor Dopp, Baker City, the group continues to meet at noon once a month, alternately between La Grande and Baker City on the second Friday for lunch, with meeting and program to follow. Program Chairman Alyce Leigh Sanders, Baker City, deceased on May 26, 2009, has not yet been replaced.

Most recent activity of the chapter before disbanding for the summer months was the flag retirement ceremony held with the American Legion Post 43 and Auxiliary June 12.

They will resume their meetings Sept. 11 in Baker City.