History of the Canton Chapter

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Daughters of the American Revolution
History of the Canton Chapter


THE CANTON CHAPTER DAR 1908

by RUTH SPRINGER, Chapter Historian The earliest information available in official minutes states: "The Daughters of the American Revolution met at the Woman's Exchange for organizing a Chapter in Canton, Wed. November 11th, 1908." and..."Friday, November 20, 1908 to complete the organization of a Chapter with Miss Elizabeth Clifford Neff, Regent, in chair." The National Constitution was read at the November 11 meeting as they discussed various aspects of the working of their newly founded DAR Chapter; and since each chapter has its own bylaws, a committee was formed at the November 20 meeting to address this need. Also at this meeting the name "Canton Chapter" was chosen unanimously. Mrs. Edwrd Orton, Jr., State Regent, of Columbus, Ohio, addressd the chapter on Thursday, December 10th, 1908, encouraging them to "...not have social meeting exclusively, but business meetings, literary meetings, and social meetings, not forgetting the object of the Society to perpetuate the memory of the spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence to try to foster Patriotism and love of country." Ms. Orton had come to the Canton Chapter, "...hoping to deliver the Charter to the new Chapter; but owing to delay in engraving it had not been received, but had been granted and would reach us eventually." The New York Times November 1, 1896 THE FLAG AND M’KINLEY CANTON AND MANY CITIES OBSERVED THE DAY. “There Is Just One Class under Our Flag,” Said the Candidate to 9,000 Persons at His House, “and We All Belong to It”…Immense parades and Demonstrations in Pittsburg, Boston, Hartford, Worcester, and Other Places. CANTON, Ohio, Oct. 31:-With many a ringing cheer and many a stirring air from two-score bands, the last great day of the campaign at the home of the Republican candidate came to an end. Senator-elect Foraker contributed to the brilliant ending. Major McKinley met Senator Foraker at the station at 5 P.M. and when some one proposed three cheers for the distinguished guest, Major McKinley took off his hat and led the cheering. It was dark when Senator Foraker reached the McKinley house, but a great crowd awaited him. He made his ninety-seventh speech of the campaign from the platform in Major McKinley’s yard. Senator Foraker has been campaigning in the West and he gave glowing reports. He left to take the train for Cleveland, where he speaks tonight. A storm of cheers followed him. He was in Canton just forty minutes. Major McKinley began speaking at an early hour this morning, and was kept busy talking and receiving callers till sunset. One of his first utterances this morning was appropriate to the day. Addressing a delegation of his old friends from Waynesburg, in this county, he said: The Flag and What It Means “I thank you that you have come on this glorious day, when the glorious banner of the free waves from every home and hilltop of the land, and from every farm and fireside of our common country. Glorious old banner it is. So long as we carry it in our hands and have what it typifies in our hearts, the Republic and our splendid free institutions will be forever secure.” “I believe in the policy that protects the men first that carry this glorious old banner that I see in your hands today. (Loud cheers). It is a holy banner. No flag represents as much as it does; It represents possibilities, for American manhood attainable in no other land beneath the sun. (Cheers). “I am glad to know that the American workingmen have arrayed themselves on the side of country, patriotism, peace, progress, protection, and prosperity.” The largest delegation that has visited Canton came this afternoon. It was from Youngstown and other places in the Mahoning Valley and numbered 9,000 persons, 2,000 of whom were women. It took this splendid Mahoning Valley delegation more than an hour to pass in review before Major McKinley. When the parade came to a halt and the people massed themselves in the street and yard about Major McKinley’s house, the Republican candidate looked down upon the greatest and most inspiring audience that has greeted him. In addition to the visiting delegation there were thousands of other people pressing toward the stand. Every man, woman and child carried a flag and when Major McKinley rose to speak each flag waved and a great chorus of cheers rolled like a surge of the sea, up and down the densely packed streets. Threw Away His Manuscript Major McKinley had a prepared speech in his hand, which he had expected to deliver, but he could not do it. He was caught up in the wave of enthusiasm which swirled and eddied about him. He tossed the manuscript aside and spoke as he afterward said, “Just what was in his heart.” What he said was echoed in the 10,000 hearts. When he declared, “There is just one class under our flag, and we all belong to it.” Such a cheer went up as Canton never heard before. The Women’s McKinley Club of Youngstown called in a body upon Major McKinley. He came out on the porch, and after being introduced by the President thanked the ladies for their visit and said he was exceedingly glad to know that they were interested in the issues under discussion this year. “It is a good omen, “declared Major McKinley “when the women advocate the principles of our party. No party which has their support can make great mistakes. The women have as much at stake this year as the men, and I am sure they feel and realize their responsibility.” The schoolgirls of Canton marched up to Major McKinley’s and after them came the Woman’s McKinley Club of Canton, with 1200 women in line. Mrs. Josiah Hartzell made an eloquent address to the candidate, to which he responded. Among other callers today were 300 employees of the American Tin Plate Company of Elwood, IN.

CHARTER MEMBERS*

(31)

Mrs. Clara Belle Alexander

Miss Annie O. Anderson

Mrs. (M.C.) Mary B. Saxton Barber

Mrs. Eva L.O. Beebout

Mrs. (A.C.) Mary B. Brant

Mrs. Ella M. Cocke

Mrs. (Richard) Emma E.H. Croasdaile

Mrs. Lena G. Davis

Mrs. Hattie M. Erdman (Erdmair?)

Mrs. (W.R.) Anne Elizabeth Harrison

Miss Anna Pauline Harrison

Mrs. (Henry W.) Anna H. Taylor Harter

Mrs. (Josiah) Mary K. Johnson Hartzell

Miss Anne Whiting Huntington (Mrs. Scott)

Miss Grace Whiting Huntington

Mrs. (J.F.) Laura Stanley Marchand

Miss Mary P. Martin

Mrs. Mary Francis Weiric Melbourne

Miss Elizabeth Clifford Neff

Mrs. Helen Buttles Neff

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Norton

Mrs. Betsy Maples Young Odbert

Mrs. (H.D.) Florence W. Rankin

Mrs. (W.M.) Elizabeth S. MacFarland Reed

Mrs. (J.B.) Alice Reed Rose

Mrs. Nina C. Swineford

Mrs. Louise Bailey Vicary

Mrs. Florence E. Ward (Mrs. Mae Emery White?)

Miss Florence W. Ward

Miss Nellie G. Weiric

Mrs. (J.S.) Nora D. Wilhelm

*There are a few questions regarding names - we have in various places various spellings! Also one list has Mrs. Florence E. Ward and another has Mrs. Mae Emery White instead.

Wouldn't it be fascinating to enter a time machine and return to Canton, Ohio, in 1908, to learn just how those 31 ladies came together to start a DAR Chapter here. There had to have been a lot more initial activity than we find recorded in the official records. And, we would know just how to spell everyone's name!!

Canton Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution