Ohio Society News Archive

Fall Bulletin 2007

The highlight of the first half of 2007 for The Ohio Society was a gala luncheon in March at the Cleveland Skating Club featuring Governor General J. Michael Phelps, Esq. After a reception and our meal, Mike brought greetings from the National Order and then spoke to the assembled two dozen Associates and guests on the legal systems of our Founders. We thanked him with a gift first edition copy of our new 62-page “History of The Ohio Society,” compiled by our Historian Keith M. Sheldon.

Ohio Governor John and Judy Bourne pose with Governor General Michael Phelps.

Earlier in the year in January, we held our regular Associates’ luncheon to plan our activities for the year and to install our officers and councilors. In February, we joined with SAR’s Western Reserve Society (Cleveland) for the area’s annual George Washington’s Birthday Celebration. Nearly two dozen other genealogical/historical organizations also participated, with approximately 275 persons attending to hear Hillsdale College (MI) President Dr. Larry Arm speak on “Educating for Liberty.” At our May meeting, Associate and Ohio Secretary Gilbert M. True, PhD., gave an interesting presentation on “The War of 1812 and the Battle of Lake Erie.” Later in May our Governor Bourne represented The Ohio Society at the 111th General Court, held in Basking Ridge, NJ, for an interesting, busy and enjoyable four days. During that weekend, Deputy Governor Stocking presented our Ohio wreath at the Memorial Day ceremony held at Cleveland’s Lake View Cemetery.

Fall Bulletin 2006

(Left to Right) OH Society Governor (and Secretary General) John M. Bourne, Cadet, and Associate Frank Trautman.

The Ohio Society continues to be an active branch of the Order. Starting with our January business meeting, we established a new program of remembering our past Associates with Ohio Society memorial contributions to the John Quincy Adams Foundation. This program has been well received by the Order’s General officers who have subsequently recommended it to other state Societies, both to honor our deceased members but also to help build the JQA.

In February, we shared Washington’s Birthday festivities and speeches with nearly two dozen genealogical/historical organizations at the Cleveland Skating Club. Our March program was presented by a descendant of the Massachusetts Mather family telling tales of the five Colonial Mather brothers. A month later our featured guest spoke on the early birth and development of our nation.

In May, we held our always enjoyable annual gathering with wives and guests on the shores of Lake Erie, which this year was highlighted by the welcome presence and remarks of then - Governor General Bob Vivian. Later in the month Governor John Bourne and Registrar Dick Fetzer represented our Society at the General Court in Savannah, GA, for a most interesting and enjoyable four days. Capping a busy Founders and Patriots’ month, Gov. Bourne and Associate Frank Trautman journeyed to Athens, OH, to present the Order’s ROTC Award metal and certificate to Ohio University’s leading Air Force cadet, Christopher Clark.

The first half of our meeting year was wrapped up with a well-done illustrated presentation on Ohio native Archibald Willard, painter of “Yankee Doodle” or as it later became known, “The Spirit of ‘76.” On Memorial Day our Associates presented the Society’s wreath at two different cemetery ceremonies.

Ohio Associates and guests.

Governor John Bourne and past Governor Richard L. Fetzer

The Ohio Society has enjoyed a full and active first half of 2005. Following the January officer installation and organizational luncheon meeting at the Cleveland Skating Club. In February, we shared Washington’s Birthday with approximately 160 persons representing 22 different genealogical/historical organizations. After a gourmet luncheon, George himself, impersonated by Dr. John C. Swartz, author and lecturer, told us about his youth and growing up in Colonial Virginia prior to the Revolution. At our April meeting the executive director of the Shaker Historical Society [Shaker Heights, Ohio], gave us an interesting presentation on the beginnings of the Shaker movement in England.

Donald Clark receiving his membership certificate from Governor John Bourne

Our Annual Dinner was enjoyed by 23 Associates and guests at the Dunham Tavern Museum, the oldest [1824] building still standing on its original site in the city of Cleveland. Once a stagecoach stop on the old Buffalo-Cleveland post road, today Dunham is a living museum furnished with 19th century antiques, available for educational and social activities. Highlights of the evening were the presentation of his membership certificate and rosette to Donald Clark, our newest Ohio Associate, and The awarding of the Meredith B. Colket, Jr. Award, the Ohio Society’s highest recognition for outstanding service to our Order. Associate Dr. Colket was the original editor of Founders of Early American Families and for many years was Director of The Western Reserve Historical Society. This was only the fourth time the Colket Award has been presented. It was memorable for our society that two prior recipients, past Governors Keith Sheldon and Dick Haviland, were in attendance when Governor John Bourne introduced Richard Fetzer as our newest winner. Dick has given many years of dedicated service to our Order, as a past Governor, as a contributor to the revised edition of our Founders’ book, and he is currently serving as Ohio Registrar.

Spring Bulletin 2005

Then Ohio Chaplain, now Ohio Society Governor, John M. Bourne, helping to plant the Ohio Buckeye tree. Late Governor Francis Sherman in uniform is looking on.

The Ohio Society began an active 2004 by participating in the planting of a Buckeye tree (the Ohio State tree) next to the Memorial for US President James A. Garfield, in Cleveland, commemorating Ohio’s bicentennial. Later in thesummer we presented an OFPA wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot on the occasion of the 225th Anniversary of Fort Laurens, Bolivar, Ohio. The fort had been built in 1778 in an fated campaign to attack the British at Detroit. But supplying this wilderness outpost was its downfall. After a month-long siege, the fort was abandoned by its starving garrison in 1779.

Our newly elected offi cers were installed at our January 2005 meeting and a preliminary schedule for the year was developed. In an effort to encourage greater participation by younger “still gainfully employed” Associates, we will test the idea of holding some of our meetings on Saturdays. We hope this will generate greater participation and will also lead to recruiting new Associates who may not be available for our regular weekday gatherings.

Spring Bulletin 2004

Gov. Francis Sherman thanking the Director of the local historical society	Gov. Francis Sherman placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers

The Ohio Society has maintained a pretty heavy schedule of Activities.

First to mention, we have held seven (7) regular luncheon programs, three (3) in association with Western Reserve Society Sons of the American Revolution, and two special Ladies Day programs.

1. Feb. 22, 2003  - Honor George Washington with WRSSAR
2. Organize, attend and celebrate anniversary of the only American Revolution Battle in Ohio at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers buried at Fort Laurens with a Color Guard, Local, State and National SAR officers.
3. Attend and participate with SAR Color Guard Veterans Day Ceremonies at Cleveland City Hall and WRSSAR meetings.

We are preparing to launch a membership drive with the participation of all current officers.

Fall Bulletin 2002

The January Meeting of the Ohio Society was held at Noon on January 16, 2002 at the Cleveland Skating Club in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Following the luncheon, Governor General Alden Atwood addressed the Ohio Society in the President's Room. Associates were encouraged to consider The Order in their wills. Also encour-aged was the use of the Short Form Application to bring sons and grandsons into The Order. Several suggestions were discussed relating to more emphasis on youth education along with other topics connected with the future of The Order. Governor Alden Atwood received an acclamation from the Ohio Society for his visit. A chauffeur driven Lincoln Town Car Limousine provided by Governor McIntyre took Alden to the airport.

The February Meeting was held at Noon on February 22, 2002 at the Cleveland Skating Club as part of the Annual Combined Washington Birthday Celebration hosted by the Western Reserve Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Richard L. McElroy, Historian at the McKinley Museum and National Memorial, Canton, Ohio gave a very interesting talk concerning the &Presidents' and First Ladies' Ancestors Who Fought in the Revolutionary War". After the meeting, Mr. McElroy autographed copies of his latest book.

The March Meeting featured former Ohio Society Governor and current Registrar Robert G. Parvin giving a talk on "White Sheep, Black Sheep", or the good and bad guys of history. The list was extensive with quite a few surprises.

The Annual Meeting of the Ohio Society was held on Friday evening, April 19, 2002, at the Cleveland Skating Club. The Posting and Retiring of the Colors was performed by the Archibald Willard Color Guard of the Western Reserve Society SAR accompanied by the playing of "Yankee Doodle" on an Irish Flute by Governor Ruluff D. McIntyre, Jr. Following an excellent dinner, Donald Rosenberg, President of the Music Critics Association of North America and author of the award winning book, The Cleveland Orchestra Story "Second to None", presented a highly interesting talk outlining the historical path of The Cleveland Orchestra from obscurity to world-wide acclaim. To show progress, Donald played several musical examples, such as The 1812 Overture, illustrating the march toward ever richer and more accomplished blending of skilled musical output and conducting brilliance. In the case of The 1812 Overture, a major accomplishment was getting the drums to play at the right moment! There were many comments about orchestra personalities and the impact on orchestral history that were highly entertaining.

The May Meeting, held May 15, 2002 at the Cleveland Skating Club, found Dr. Mike Dory, Professor of History, presenting a talk entitled, "George Washington - Zero to Hero". In the beginning, the British considered Washington to be little more than a "paltry little Colonel of Militia" and not to be taken seriously. In seven years of war, Washington won only three battles, Trenton, Princeton, and Yorktown, but, in the end, these were the only Battles he had to win to defeat the British. Early on, Washington addressed the chaos in maintaining a fighting force by: (1) Recruiting a regular Army; (2) Protecting against attrition by prolonged enlistments; (3) Never risking a large, general action against the British; (4) Having a strategy of controlled withdrawals allowing the American army to survive until the British made a critical mistake. Then a general battle could be fought with the advantage to the Americans. George Washington invented the concept of controlled and limited engagement which ultimately won the war. Washington established a spy network so cleverly that he was able to manipulate British strategy by providing misinformation as to American tactics. He eliminated rifles as primary military weapons in favor of muskets with bayonets so highly successful "cold steel" attacks from ambush, firing at marching columns from behind trees, and imitating the coordinated and fierce attack methods of wolf packs. Dr. Mike Dory emphasized that seldom can one say any one individual is indispensible in history; however, George Washington may be considered truly indispensible to the success of the American Revolution. Hence, zero to hero!

The June 19 Meeting was a presentation and discussion of the events of the 106th General Court by Governor McIntyre. In addition, an update was provided by Book Chairman Richard J. Haviland relative to progress on the Second Revision of Dr. Meredith B. Colket, Jr.'s Founders of Early American Families now being published by the Ohio Society.