Meet the Founding Members of Presque Isle DAR

On October 22, 2022, the Presque Isle Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Erie, PA, celebrated 125 years of service with a luncheon and celebration at the historic Kahkwa Club.

I am the vice-regent (former treasurer) of the Presque Isle Chapter and volunteered to research the 13 founding members and write short biographies for the program. At the celebration, I gave a short talk about the founding women.

The DAR is a non-political organization that was founded to honor and preserve the legacy of the men and women who formed our country. The thread that tied these women together was a desire to serve the community. This especially appeals to me because servant leadership is a concept I live by, as did William E. Dimorier (1871-1951), whom I wrote about in William E. Dimorier: Servant Leader.

Here are some short biographies on our 13 founding members that appeared in the program. The burial place of each woman appears at the end of her bio.

Missouri Bliss Morrison 

Missouri Bliss Morrison served nine years as regent of the Presque Isle DAR Chapter, from its founding in 1897 to 1906. Her patriot was Henry Bliss (1722-1805) of Rhode Island, who served on critical town committees during the Revolution. 

Missouri was born on August 15, 1834, in Westfield, NY, to Lorenzo and Annie Mallory Bliss. She married Leverett Adolphus Morrison (1832-1871) on September 11, 1855, in Westfield, NY, and in 1859, the couple moved to Erie. They lived at 338 West Sixth Street, which is now part of the Hagen History Center campus. The Morrison’s son, William, joined the United States Navy, serving as the captain of the USS Michigan, renamed the Wolverine.

A widow from the age of 37, Missouri was one of the founders of Hamot Hospital, was a guiding influence in the Episcopal church in Erie and served as treasurer of the Parochial Society of St. Paul’s Cathedral. When Missouri died on November 23, 1924, the third regent of Presque Isle Chapter, Sarah Reed, gave the following tribute: “Mrs. Morrison will perhaps be best remembered in Erie as the founder of Presque Isle Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. She early realized the need and importance of such a society and influenced others to join with her in its organization in 1897. She served as regent for a number of years and the present prosperity of the society can be traced to her faithful work in those early days. When she became unable to go on in active work, she was made honorary regent for life.”

(Burial: Erie/Sect 1, Lot 20)

Sarah A. Reed

Sarah A. Reed served as third regent of the Presque Isle Chapter for 16 years (1907-1923). She was born on March 16, 1838, to William and Elizabeth Reed. William was secretary-treasurer of the Erie Canal. Sarah’s patriot was Seth Reed (1746-1779), one of the original settlers in Erie with a long Revolutionary War record, including as Major in Col. Learned’s Massachusetts Regiment in 1775. 

Born into a wealthy family, Sarah had a caring heart for those less fortunate. She helped found the “Home for the Friendless,” which operated out of her uncle’s home on Seventh and State Streets, eventually relocating to 22nd and Sassafras Streets. During the Civil War, Sarah ministered to the battle-injured men returning home. She was one of three women who raised funds to erect a monument to the Civil War in Perry Square. 

Sarah was an avid reader and world traveler and conducted literary and travel study classes in her home at 17 East 10th Street for fifty years. She also started an evening class for secretaries in the 1800s, which became one of the first women’s business clubs in the area. Sarah belonged to at least 25 different societies in Erie, including the League of Women Voters, the Erie County Council of Republican Women, and the Erie Art Club. She dedicated her life to serving others, even writing children’s books, which she dedicated to her Sunday School class.

On January 27, 1934, Sarah Reed passed away at the age of 96. After her death, the Home for the Friendless was renamed in her honor. Today, the Sarah Reed Senior Living Center and Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center carry on her legacy.  

(Burial: Erie/Sect A, Lot 8)

Helen Ball 

Helen Ball was born on September 22, 1835, to Gideon J. and Emeline Hallenbeck Ball. The family resided in a brick Italianate mansion at 135 East Sixth Street, now owned by Erie Insurance. Helen’s father was a respected leader who served seven terms in the state house of representatives and as state treasurer (1849-1850). Helen’s patriot was named Gideon Ball (1762-1826) like her father. He enlisted in 1777, served three years, and reached the rank of corporal.

Helen and her two sisters, Oceana (Osie) Ball and Ione Burton, were all founding members of the Presque Isle Chapter. A good friend of Presque Isle Chapter founder, Sarah Reed, Helen lived a life of service. At St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, she took on leadership roles, including that of a “circle” leader, organizing a trip to Niagara Falls for its members.

According to Erie History: The Women’s Story, Helen, Mrs. Isaac Moorhead, and Sarah Reed completed a monument campaign in 1872. Located on the west side of Perry Square, the monument depicts the figures of a sailor and a soldier holding the Union flag. The inscription reads, “In memory of Soldiers and Sailors from Erie County who gave their lives to save the Union.”

Helen and her sisters often opened their home for chapter meetings, including one in 1905 when Helen read a “pretty story in verse,” which was an account of the Revolutionary War. A large American flag was draped in the doorway between the parlors, and light refreshments were served. The following year, Helen died on February 26, 1906, at age 71. Her obituary states she “lived a quiet life of goodly deeds, unacclaimed,” and that her “kindly face would be missed among the charitable workers of the city.”

(Burial: Erie/Sect 3, Lot 16)

Oceana “Osie” Ball 

Oceana “Osie” Ball was born in July 1839 to Gideon J. Ball and Emeline Hallenbeck Ball. She and her sisters, Helen and Ione, were founding members of the Presque Isle Chapter. See Helen Ball’s biography for patriot information.

Like the other Presque Isle Chapter founding members, Osie was involved in her community and valued education, attending Sarah Reed’s study classes in history and travel. She was also very active in her church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral. She never married.

When Osie died on February 18, 1933, with no immediate relatives, the community learned that she had bequeathed $400,000 to Erie charities to create a home for the aged in the family home at 135 West Sixth Street. The facility would be known as the “Ball Home for Aged Protestants.” It operated until 1975, when 20 rooms of period furnishings were auctioned off from the house. The Ball Pavilion at Brevillier Village on East Lake Road is sponsored by Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul and named for Oceana.

(Burial: Erie/Sect 3, Lot 16)

Harriet Spraker Bonney 

Harriet Spraker Bonney was born on March 7, 1853, in Montgomery County, NY, to David and Harriet Rowan Spraker. David was a judge in the New York State court of appeals. Harriot’s patriot was Sgt. George Spraker (1724-1800) who served in the Tryon County, NY, militia.

Harriet married Walter Preston Bonney in 1878, who was an agent for the Pittsburgh and Erie Coal Company. They lived at 361 West Seventh Street, and Harriet was active in the city’s social and civic life. She was a member of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Harriet died in Erie on April 9, 1934. (Burial: Canajoharie, Montgomery Co, NY)

Ione Ball Burton 

Ione Jane Ball Burton was born on April 10, 1840, to Gideon J. Ball and Emeline Hallenbeck Ball. She, and her sisters, Helen and Oceana (Osie), were founding members of the Presque Isle Chapter. See Helen Ball’s biography for patriot information.

In 1880, when she was 40 years old, she married 51-year-old George W. Burton, a widower and father of three. They lived at 25 East Eighth Street. George was involved with real estate, insurance, and was secretary of Mutual Telephone Company when he died April 1, 1907. Ione lived at the Ball family home on East Sixth Street until her death on October 8, 1916.

(Burial: Erie/Sect D, Lot 14)

Sophy McCreary Clark 

Sophy McCreary Clark was born on June 5, 1852, to David B. and Annette Gunnison McCreary in Kentucky. By the time Sophy was eight years old, the family had moved to Erie where her father worked as an attorney. Sophy’s patriot was Richard Swan (1755-1808), captain of a militia in Lancaster County, PA.

When Sophy was 26, she married Henry Alden Clark, an attorney and later a judge. They lived at 131 East Sixth, which was probably next door to the Ball family with three founding sisters in the Presque Isle Chapter. Sophy and Henry had two children. 

Sophy was a member of the Art Club in Erie. When Sophy died, on November 9, 1929, all courts were adjourned at noon the following Monday.

(Burial: Erie/Sect 3, Lot 19)

Alice Churchill Clarke 

Alice Churchill Clarke was born on November 12, 1858, to George T. and Sarah Lawrence Churchill in Bradford, PA. Her patriot was Charles Churchill (1723-1802), a captain in the Connecticut militia. Alice served as Presque Isle Chapter’s secretary at the time of its founding and was the last surviving charter member at the chapter’s fortieth anniversary celebrations. 

Alice married Charles Seymour Clarke, a merchant, in 1880 and they lived in the Churchill family home at 227 West Seventh Street. Charles, who served as mayor of Erie from 1889-1893, died in 1918, and Alice lived as a widow until her death on September 25, 1939.

Alice was serving as chaplain in 1932, when at a Carrie T. Watson Garden Club meeting in 1929, she gave a talk on flower legends. She discussed the influence of flowers through Greek mythology, Bible times, and into the Middle Ages with its tulip mania in Holland and England’s “War of the Roses.” She was involved with the Erie branch of the Needlework guild, serving as section president, and she attended the national meeting in Boston in 1926. She liked to play bridge and was a member of the Woman’s Club of Erie and the Art Club of Erie. She was also a member of the Church of the Covenant. 

(Burial: Erie/Sect 5, Lot 81)

Henrietta Bagg Downing 

Henrietta Bagg Downing was born on December 29, 1832, in Worthington, MA, to Hiram and Eunice Smith Downing. Her patriot was Lewis Smith, who served seven tours as a minuteman in the New York militia. Henrietta served as vice regent when the Presque Isle Chapter was formed in 1897.

Henrietta married Jerome F. Downing, an attorney, in 1850 and they moved to Erie around 1857 residing at 225 West Ninth Street. Jerome F. Downing is known for donating the statue of Minerva to the Erie library in 1897. Henrietta and Jerome built a home for their daughter Winifred, upon her marriage to Davenport Galbraith. The house at 259 West Sixth is now the home of the Woman’s Club of Erie.

When Henrietta died on November 6, 1900, she was remembered as one of the strongest influences for good the city had ever seen. She inspired others through her church, benevolent, and charitable work including for the Northwestern Pennsylvania Humane Society.

(Burial: Erie/Mausoleum)

Winifred Downing Galbraith 

Winifred Downing Galbraith was born on November 5, 1864, to Jerome F. and Henrietta Bagg Downing. Her patriot was Lewis Smith who served seven tours as a minuteman in the New York militia.

Winifred married Davenport Galbraith, who was the president at Erie Trust Co. Winifred’s parents gifted the couple with a house at 259 West Sixth, now the home of the Woman’s Club of Erie. Davenport died in 1914. As a widow, Winifred liked to entertain and travel. She died on May 8, 1939.

(Burial: Erie/Sect 1, Lot 8)

Grace Everett Johnson 

Grace Everett Johnson was born in Dixon, Lee County, IL, on April 27, 1847, to Dr. Oliver and Bessie Law Everett. Her patriot was Andrew Everett (1741-1813) who aided the Revolution in various capacities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Grace married William Nelson Johnson in 1870. He was connected to the Downing and Flickinger Insurance business, located at Ninth and Peach Streets. Grace, her husband, and their three children lived at 230 West 10th Street. While on a sightseeing trip to Rome, Italy, with her daughter, Grace passed away unexpectedly. She is buried in Lee County, IL.

(Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Dixon, Lee Co., IL)

Susan Brewster Little

Susan Brewster Little was born on October 28, 1839. Her father was Alexander William Brewster and served as sheriff of Erie County. Her mother was Susan Jones Brewster, originally of Connecticut. 

Susan’s patriot was Capt. Bradford Steele (1734-1804) who served as a lieutenant at the siege of Boston and commanded minutemen when British General William Tryon invaded the Colony. 

Susan served as secretary to Erie businessman William L. Scott. This might be where she met her future husband, Lowell Mason Little, who served as a director at the W. L. Scott Coal Company. In 1872, Susan married Mr. Little, who in addition to being a well-known Erie businessman, also served as president of the YMCA. Lowell and Susan had three children. 

Susan and her husband were very active in the community and in their church, Park Presbyterian (now First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant through merger), where she served as its first organist. Susan was very active in society and welfare work. 

The Little’s home at 254 West Ninth Street, once a grand structure, still stands, but has been repurposed for apartments. Lowell Little died in 1905 and as a widow, Susan spent a great deal of time at her home on Lake Erie, where she often welcomed guests. Susan Brewster Little died at the age of 89 on January 5, 1929.

(Burial: Erie/Sect 2, Lot 32)

Ella Morrison Reed 

Ella Morrison Reed was born on December 17, 1843, to Ransom S. and Hannah Hale Morrison who lived at 156 West Seventh Street. Her patriot was Aaron Hale (1727-1829), who served as ensign at the siege of Boston.

Ella married into one of Erie’s best known and pioneer families. She married Charles Manning Reed, Jr. (1844-1917), and they lived at 408 West Sixth Street. Charles was a businessman and served as mayor of Erie from 1872-1873. Charles and Ella donated a Parish house to St. Paul’s Church in 1893 in honor of two of their four children who died within days of each other in 1875. Ella’s in-laws, Charles Manning and Harriet Gilson Reed were the owners of the mansion, which is now the Erie Club.

Sarah Reed’s aunt by marriage, Ella volunteered at Sarah Reed’s Home for the Friendless, donating games and tree ornaments for the residents. She hosted annual New Year’s dinners for 250 former newsboys grown to be businessmen. She belonged to the Kahkwa Club and gave parties for the women of the club. Ella Morrison Reed passed away on September 11, 1928.

(Burial: Erie/Sect 2, Lot 1)

Special thanks to the Hagen History Center for sharing photos with the Presque Isle DAR.