Whereas, the first meeting to organize took
place on June 5, 1896, it was on November 12,
1896, that the Elizabeth Ross Chapter was
officially established as the sixth Daughters
of the American Revolution chapter in the
state of Iowa. Although the chapter was
originally formed with twelve members, by the
end of 1897, the chapter had 33 members. At
the end of 1898, the membership had grown to
45.
The Elizabeth Ross Chapter DAR has always been
active in contributing to the community.
Since 1898, shortly after war was declared on
Spain, the Daughters began making plans to
support the Sons of Iowa who were involved in
this war. Throughout the years, the chapter
worked tirelessly to support those involved in
World War I and World War II.
Contributions of both money and gifts have
been made to local schools and to the DAR
schools at Tamassee, North Carolina, and to
the Kate Duncan School in Grant, Alabama,
throughout the history of the chapter. Early
in the chapter’s history, beads and jewelry
were provided to Tama Indians for producing
their products. Sewing supplies were sent to
Ellis Island for the use by immigrant women.
The Elizabeth Ross Daughters have also
financially supported Wapello County as well
as the town of Ottumwa itself. In 1981 and
1982, the Daughters donated money each year to
the Wapello County Historical Society for the
maintenance of the DAR room in the Wapello
County Museum. In 2000, a donation was
presented to the Ottumwa Fire Department to
help purchase an imaging camera. These cameras
aid in locating victims trapped inside burning
buildings.
Historical
Markers
The Elizabeth Ross chapter has placed a
variety of historical markers throughout
Wapello County. The following lists the
markers and a short description.
Chief
Wapello's Grave
Chief Wapello was a good friend of the early
settlers, especially General Joseph M. Street,
the first Indian Agent at Agency, Iowa, just
east of Ottumwa in Wapello County. One of the
leaders of the Sac and Fox tribes, Chief
Wapello was not a tall, sinewy brave. In fact,
he was short and stout and always promoting
peace. His good friend, General Street, died
in 1840 and the Chief died two years later.
After the death of his friend, he let it be
known that he wanted to be buried beside him.
Chief Wapello was born in Prairie Du Chien,
Wisconsin, in 1787. He died at the forks of
the Skunk River on March 15, 1842, and
following his wishes, he was brought to the
Indian Agency and buried by the side of
General Street in the garden of the Agency.
An enclosure back of the Chief Wapello sign
houses the graves of the Chief and the
General, side by side. The Elizabeth Ross
Chapter added a memorial marker to Chief
Wapello's grave and a directional marker
pointing to the grave's location.
Washington
Bicentennial Recognition
In 1932, a sycamore tree was planted in
Wildwood Park in Ottumwa, Iowa by the
Elizabeth Ross Chapter. This tree was to
commemorate the bicentennial birthday of
George Washington. The tree is located about
fifteen feet west of the marker.
Chief Hard
Fish
An historic marker was placed in 1937 as a
dedication to Chief Hard Fish, also known as
Wishecomaque. Chief Hard Fish followed Black
Hawk as the leader of the Sac and Fox Indians
and was in charge when the Iowa Governor's
Council purchased the Sac and Fox land in Iowa
in 1842. Hard Fish and his 2000 followers
moved upstream to the Red Rocks in Marion
County and left their camp to the whites. The
camp was located near the mouth of the
Muchakinock Creek on the banks of the Des
Moines River.
 
Agency
House
On September 16, 1946, the Elizabeth Ross
Chapter placed a boulder marker at the site of
the Old Agency House, East of Agency, Iowa,
and ¼ mile south from U. S. 34 East. Agency
House was built by General Joseph M. Street in
1839 for use of the Indian agents. The large
boulder was marked with a fitting inscription
and placed on the spot where General Street’s
house formerly stood. The dedication was held
on the second day of the centennial
celebration of the founding of the city of
Ottumwa. The marking of this historical spot
also emphasized the 50th birthday
of Elizabeth Ross Chapter.
Dragoon
Trail
In 1938, the Elizabeth Ross Chapter placed a
large boulder and marker commemorating the
passage of the Dragoons through this section
of Iowa, at the intersection of Rutledge Road
and U.S. Highway 63 North. A bronze plaque on
the boulder reads: “Here passed the Dragoon
Trail. Blazed in 1835 by the first Dragoons
under Colonel Stephan W. Kearney and marked by
DAR 1938.” Also on the plaque is an outline of
our state with the trail etched across it from
Montrose, Iowa, through Des Moines and up
through Albert Lea, Minnesota. This still
serves as a landmark in our community.
Revolutionary War Soldier Buried in
Wapello County
Jonathan Woody was born June 15, 1756, in the
Quaker settlement of Surry County, North
Carolina. He died April 18, 1850, in Wapello
County, Iowa. Burial was in Dahlo-Negal
Cemetery northeast of Ottumwa. On October 4,
1968, the Elizabeth Ross Chapter and the
American Legion dedicated the first permanent
marker on Mr. Woody's grave. |
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