History of the Lone Star Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
In October 1909 a group of ladies in Texarkana, Texas, began organizing a Daughters of the American Revolution chapter. Samuel Meredith Ragland (Mrs. Wisdom at the time of the chartering) was confirmed as the first Regent of the Lone Star Chapter on December 8, 1909. The official organizing date was March 2, 1910 as the l
adies were waiting for two new members to be accepted by the National Board of Management so that they could be included as organizing members of this new Chapter. The charter was issued by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution on June 2, 1910 and the new chapter began a century of service. With Texarkana being in Arkansas and Texas the Chapter received members from both states and grew rapidly. Soon our Arkansas sisters withdrew and organized a chapter for the state of Arkansas naming it the Texarkana Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The two chapters continue to enjoy a close working relationship on issues of common interest to the shared community. Andrew Rose (Bessie Williams), a charter member of the Lone Star Chapter, served as Texas State Historian from 1912-1914 and served as the Texas State Regent from 1914-1916. She was then elected Honorary State Regent of Texas in 1916. Rose also served as State Parliamentarian from 1916-1918. Collum (Eugenia Read) served as the State Corresponding Secretary from 1914-1916. Miss Allie Belle Wadley served the Texas Society as State Corresponding Secretary from 1916-1918. Tilson (Lizzie Ferguson) served the Texas Society as State Registrar from 1921-1922. During the years of 1931-1934 Mrs. Sanderson (Susan Ferguson) served as the Texas State 1st Vice Regent. The 16th Annual State Conference of the Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution was held in Texarkana at the Central Christian Church and the Huckins House. This 1915 meeting was hosted by the Lone Star Chapter and chaired by charter member Mrs. Sanderson (Susan Ferguson). In 2015, DAR celebrated 125 years of service and is enjoying a renewed interest and growth in membership nationwide. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations with nearly 180,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide. This page is managed by the local members of Lone Star DAR and is not officially affiliated with NSDAR. Please visit the national website at www.DAR.org
