bloomington, illinois, chartered oct 21, 1975 feb 2017€¦ · feb 2017 the gjb sar chapter held...

Editor Don Hyland, Assistant Editors, Virgil D. Short MD, Kyle Hyland

For Members of

General Joseph Bartholomew Chapter

Son's of the American Revolution

Bloomington, Illinois, Chartered Oct 21, 1975

Don Hyland, Editor J. Gordon Bidner, GJB SAR Pres. Feb 2017

The GJB SAR Chapter held its first ‘official’ meeting of 2017 on Feb. 14th at the Lakeside Country Club at 6:00 pm. This was hosted by Jeff Kretlow and attend-ed by eight members and seven guests which included wives and the speaker and his wife. Twenty-one had made reservations but six had cancelled due to illness. Being Valentine’s Day, Gordon presented each lady a small heart shaped box of candy and Lance McCor-mick brought table declarations.

The meeting was opened by Pres. J. Gordon Bidner with welcome and introductions. The Pledge of Alle-giance was led by Lance McCormick and the SAR Pledge by Al Abbott. The Invocation by Dr. Virgil D. Short, GJB SAR Chapter Chaplain, was read by Gor-don in that Virgil was one of those who had to cancel due to illness.

The meal was ordered from the house menu and en-trees included Chicken Parmesan, Stuffed Pork Chop, Orange Roughy, and New York Strip.

The Secretary’s Report was presented by Gordon in the absence of Dave Ashbrook. The 2017 Program was printed and sent out electronically on Jan 25th. The Membership/Contact information that Jay Cum-mins put together, indicating the Chapter now has 45 members with the NSSAR’s approval of the Roger N. Hollis application, Two Associates, and One Honorary Member, is being circulated to the membership for corrections/additions. Jay also prepared an excellent annual chapter report for the ILSSAR Board of Man-agement held on Feb. 4, 2017.

The Treasurer’s Report was not presented in that Don Hyland, GJB SAR Chapter Treasurer, was also one of those who had to cancel due to illness. Kelly Gray pre-

sented his Investment Report. As of 12/31/2016 the GJB SAR Chapter investment portfolio had $40,792.70. On Jun. 30, 2010 the investment total val-ue was $18,164.81. The Investment Committee, chaired by Kelly has done a good job in that not only has the $30,000 total endowment that Mr. King donat-ed to institute the chapter’s Citizenship/Scholarship Program been replenished but during this time $13,800 in scholarship has been awarded to 18 stu-dents and 322 students have been recognized with Good Citizenship Certificates, SAR Pins, and Pocket US Constitutions.

Other business included the circulation of the “Information Piece” that Dr. Short prepared as a possi-ble insert in our Citizenship Program, a copy of the GJB SAR Recruitment Brochure also prepared by Dr. Short 100 copies of which have been printed, and the “Generic ILSSAR Recruitment” Brochure which Pres-ident Bidner has asked Jim DeGroff for 150 copies.

The program for the evening was a presentation by Dr. John Reda, Associate Professor, Department of Histo-ry at ISU on “From Furs to Farm—The Transfor-mation of the Mississippi Valley 1762-1825.” This was an interesting and informative presentation of this period of our country’s history based on his recent book of the same name.

The meeting was closed with the SAR Recessional led by Jay Cummins and reminder the next meeting will be on Mar. 14th at 6:00 pm at the Lakeside Country Club hosted by Dr. Virgil D. Short.

J. Gordon Bidner, Pres. GJB SAR Chapter

Feb 2017 The Generals News Pg 2

T he GJB SAR Chapter held its annual planning meeting Jan 11, 2017 at the home of Bill and Jean Hammitt at 7:00 pm. This is the meeting

at which the coming year’s schedule is laid out, as well as location, time, hosts, and program and pro-gram speakers, are determined as much as possible. Those items not possible to be firmly determined at the meeting were assigned to members to be firmed up and reported to Gordon so the schedule can be completed by him, printed, and distributed in a timely manner.

Those in attendance included J. Gordon Bidner, Dave Ashbrook, Bill Hammitt, Dr. Virgil Short , and Jeff Kretlow. William White was unable to attend due to weather but gave input in absentia. A fair amount of the detail work was done before the meeting when members had heard a presentation or become aware of appropriate speakers and/or topics that would fit our needs and the speakers’ availability determined. We have a number of locations that have been used in the past and found satisfactory for our meetings and some of these were used in this planning. It was decided to move the Veterans’ Day meeting to the Tony Roma’s restaurant in the Chateau, Lincoln Room and to begin the meeting at 12:15pm.

Aside from the Program/Events schedule for 2017 a Brochure for the purpose of membership recruitment was discussed along with its content, and placement sites. It was decided to purchase one more specific to the chapter rather than a more generic one available from ILSSAR. It was decided to initially obtain 100 until the need and response to this could more accu-rately be determined.

We are in debt to Jean and Bill Hammitt for their making their home available for this meeting and Jean especially for her culinary talents with the sweets. Thanks to you both!!

Do you have a relative who was in

the American Revolution? Would you

be interested in an organization of

others having relatives who served in

that War of Independence?

Artist conception of the structure

built under direction of Gen Bar-

tholomew near Clarksville, IL dur-

ing the Blackhawk War of 1832

Fort Bartholomew, 1832


The 2017 GJB SAR Chapter Officers, MAL, Comm CH

Officers:

President—J. Gordon Bidner

Vice President---Jeffery S. Kretlow

Secretary—David K. Ashbrook

Assistant Secretary---Jay L. Cummins

Secretary Emeritus---Harry E. Hoit

Registrar—David J. Dougall

Genealogist---William M. Hammitt

Treasurer—Donald E. Hyland

Chaplain—Dr. Virgil D. Short

Sergeant-at-Arms—Raymond P. Owens

Editor—The General’s News—Donald E. Hyland

Members At Large:

David L. Edwards, Alan C. Washburn and William A. White

Committees, Chairman

Citizenship—CH J. Gordon Bidner

Education—CH Don Lush

Public Relations—CH Dave Ashbrook

Flag, Law Enforcement, Fire Safety, EMS, Hero—CH Jeff Kretlow

Eagle Scout—CH Bill White

Veterans/ROTC Affairs—CH David Edwards

Finance—CH Kelly Gray

Nominating—BOM

Program/Membership—BOM

Color Guard/Parade—CH Don Hyland

The General’s News—Editor Don Hyland

ILSSAR Poster Contest: CH Don Hyland


Jan. 11th, 7:00 p.m. 2017 Program Planning at the home of Bill and Jean Hammitt.

Feb. 1st. Knight Essay’s Due.

Feb. 3-4th. ILSSAR BOM meeting. B/N Marriott Hotel, Normal, IL.

Feb 14th, 6:00 p.m. Lakeside CC, Program: “From Furs to Farm—The Transformation of the Mississippi Valley

1762-1825.” Dr. John Reda, ISU, Host: Jeff Kretlow.

Mar 2-4th. NSSAR Spring Leadership meeting. Louisville, Ky.

March 14th 6:00 p.m. Lakeside CC. Program: “The Life of an Ordinary Revolutionary Soldier,” Dan Leifel, Host:

Virgil Short.

March 18th. Schweizer History Teacher Award apps due---April 1st for ILSSAR.

March 22nd. GJB SAR Good Citizenship/Scholarship Applications Due.

April 2nd 7:00 p.m. GJB SAR Good Citizenship Committee meets at the Bidner Home.

April 13th 11:30 a.m. 18th Annual GJB SAR Outstanding Good Citizenship/Scholarship Luncheon. Bloomington

CC, Speaker: Dr. Eric Jensen, President lWU, ”IWU 20/20” Hosts: Al Abbott, Dave Ashbrook, Don Hyland, Don

Lush, Virgil Short, GJB SAR Color Guard

April 17th 7:00 a.m. Patriot’s Day. Bob Evans Restaurant IAA Drive—“Open Discussion,” Host: Jeff Kretlow.

May 12-13th. 127th ILSSAR Annual Meeting Abraham Lincoln Hotel, Springfield, IL.

May 29th 7:00 a.m. Bob Evans Restaurant IAA Drive, Bloomington, Hosts: Don Hyland—9:00 a.m. Memorial Day

Parade—Bloomington, IL.

June 14th 7:30 a.m. Flag Day and Honoring Police and Law Enforcement Departments and Agencies, 1st Pres-

byterian Church, Normal, IL. Catered by Times Past Inn, Hosts: Dave Ashbrook and Jeff Kretlow.

July 4th. Independence Day. “Down’s Parade.” Hosts: Don Hyland, Don Lush.

July 6-13th. 127th NSSAR Congress, Knoxville, TN.

July 18th 6:00 p.m. Lakeside CC. Program: “The Revolutionary War with the Hanks” David Dougall, Host: Bill

White.

August 10th. Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade

August 11-12th. ILSSAR BOM Meeting Wyndham Springfield City Centre Hotel, Springfield, IL (The old Springfield Hil-

ton)

Sept. 18th 1:00 p.m. SAR-DAR Constitution Week and Law Enforcement/Fire Safety/EMS Hero Awards Program.

College Park Christian Church, 116 N. Cottage Ave., Normal, IL. Keynote Speaker: Thomas E. McClure, Director

of Legal Studies and Associate Professor ISU Dept of Politics & Government, Hosts: Jeff Kretlow, Regent Pat

Radue, Don Hyland.

Sept. 28-30th. NSSAR Fall Leadership Meeting, Louisville, KY.

Oct. 10th 6:00 p.m. Lakeside CC. Program "Revolutionary War and the Baldwin’s” Jeff Kretlow, Nominate the

2018 Officer/BOM Leadership Team, Host: Dave Ashbrook.

Oct 27-28th, 2017 NSSAR Great Lakes District meeting, Madison, WI, Host:: VPG Roger Boeker

Nov.3-4th ILSSAR BOM Meeting Wyndham Springfield City Centre, Springfield, IL

Nov. 11th 12:00 p.m. Veteran’s Day—The Chateau Tony Roma’s—Lincoln Room. Program: Robert L. Flesher—

Vietnam Army Veteran and Bronze Star recipient. Elect and install the 2018 Officer/BOM Team, Host: David Ed-

wards


The GJB SAR Chapter, represented by Wil-liam White, GJB SAR Committee member and J. Gordon Bidner, GJB SAR Pres. and Chair-man of the Citizenship Committee and Joanne Claus, Citizenship Chairman of the Princess Wach-e-Kee Chapter of the DAR, participated in the annual joint Iroquois DAR/SAR Good Citizenship recognition program. The pro-gram was held on Dec. 9, 2017 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Watseka, IL during which seven senior students from the seven high schools in Iroquois County were presented with the SAR Good Citizenship Certificate, Pin, and Pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution. The students included:

Donovan High School - Elle Martell

Cissna Park High School- Michele Fehr

Christ Lutheran High School - Juliette Harstick

Central High School at Clifton - Connor Call

Iroquois West High School - Hannah Fink

Milford High School - Emily Trumann

Watseka High School - Nathan Schroeder

Also, during this program Conner Kaeb, Cissna Park High School, received the Eagle Scott Award from William White, GJB SAR Eagle Scott Committee Chairman and Robert Flesher, GJB SAR Chapter member, received the SAR War Service Certificate and Vietnam Medal.

The GJB SAR Chapter has participated in this recognition program over the past 9 years dur-ing which time 9 such programs have taken place. William White has provided the GJB SAR Chapter representation at these events.

L -R: Robert Flesher; Juliette Harstick, Christ Lutheran High School; Nathan Schroeder, Watseka High School; Michelle Fehr, Cissna Park High School; Hanna Fink, Iroquois West High School; Elle Martell, Donovan High School; Emily Tru-man, Milford High School; and Conner Call, Central High School and William White, GJB SAR Citizenship Committee Member.

L-R: William White, GJB SAR Citizenship Committee Mem-

ber, Joanne Clauss, Citizenship Chairwoman of the Princess

Wach-e-Kee Chapter of the DAR, J. Gordon Bidner, Pres.

GJB SAR Chapter and Chairman of the Citizenship Com-

mittee


The Feb. 4th BOM Meeting was held at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal, IL. The meeting start-ed at 8:30 a.m. and concluded at 11:45 a.m. followed by lunch. David Ashbrook, Don Hyland and Gordon Bidner represented the GJB SAR Chapter. This meeting had 29 compatriots in attendance that represented 14 of the 16 ILSSAR Chapters with 9 of the Chapter President’s in attendance along with two first time attendees. It was one of the better attended BOM’s meeting in a long time. The agenda was full, as is normally the case, but Presi-dent Toby did a good job of facilitating the meeting. Following is a few of the high lights: 1. Of course attendance and chapter representation---chapters can’t move forward unless they are aware of the programs and efforts of the ILSSAR Officers and BOM. 2. Bill Wheeler Vice President of the Fort Dearborn SAR Chapter is the new ILSSAR Webmaster---special thanks were extended to Lola and Jim DeGroff for their instigation and support of the ILSSAR and Chapter web-sites since the inception of the program. I have commu-nicated with Bill Wheeler and have asked David Dougall, Jeff Kretlow and Dr. Virgil Short to receive information from those visiting our website that have questions. He has also linked our Facebook that Jeff has created so our IT connections are connected! 3. A updated and current ILSSAR Fees and Dues Schedule---effective Jan. 1, 2017 was distributed 4. Disappointed to learn from Garry Grugan, ILSSAR Registrar the application delays at NSSAR. Garry told us that he has a personal 7 day turn around as Registrar, but that NSSAR takes 8-10 weeks before they even look at an application and for supplemental applications it is a 22 week delay. I indicated that this was unacceptable and moved that ILSSAR Leadership inform NSSAR Leadership of our concerns and disappointment with the processing of applications. I then followed up on my ‘own hook’ and sent an email to NSSAR PG Michael Tomme, SG Larry Guzy and Registrar Russell DeVen-ney expressing my concerns and displeasure with these time lines and indicated this was unacceptable. I also copied ILSSAR Leadership on this email and as of today have not had a response. 5. Learned of the ‘DAR Referral Awards’ for DAR members that bring in new members to the SAR. 6. Lou Myers, of the Springfield SAR Chapter circulat-ed an email regarding his concerns that Chapters are not focusing enough on Veteran’s and programs as the Stark Award. I think the GJB SAR Chapter may have been the only Chapter submitting the Stark Award to NSSAR. 7. Franz Herder indicated that the date for submitting nominations to the ILSSAR Awards Committee is March 31st. 8. Karl Reed indicated that the Patriot Award Commit-tee has met and selected two recipients for the May an-

nual meeting. 9. I was in error regarding the ILSSAR subsidy for Citi-zenship Awards it is $11.00 each NOT as I indicated earlier $12.00---this is then a two dollar increase over 2016 and the past. 10. Jim DeGroff and Scott Sanders shared the ILSSAR recruiting tri-fold they developed. The Cost-Less Copy Center in Collinsville, IL. will print up 1,000 at no-charge. I submitted a request for 100-150 to go along with the 100 GJB tri-folds that Dr. Short created specifically for our chapter. 11. I shared with the group the importance of focusing on the ILSSAR Outstanding Good Citizenship Program in 2017 with the goal of presenting 350 awards this year. In essence there are three avenues 1) A program like the GJB SAR Chapter has had now for 18 years---a luncheon 2) A tea or similar meeting where recipients are recognized—like the Iroquois County program 3) Mailing awards out to schools and/or presenting them at school award events. Many chapters cooperate with the DAR on a program—which is great! I think there are only three chapters that have a luncheon program—Piankeshaw, Springfield and GJB. 12. I received the ROTC Award for ISU from Chair Chuck Dobias and have informed our chapter chair Da-vid Edwards that I will give it to Bill Hammitt on Feb, 14th so he can get the name on it once David tells him who the recipient is. 13. Treasurer Dick Chamblin moved that the ILSSAR Investment Funds be moved from Fifth Third to TIAA and the motion was passed. 14. A one-time contribution of $1,000 was made by ILS-SAR to the NSSAR for Youth Awards. 15. President Toby and Sr. VP Jim would like ILSSAR to have a Vice Chair for the Treasurer to back up Dick Chamblin---I thought Drew Robinson filled that role, but Don Hyland offered to also fill that role. They also would like a Vice Chair for Secretary to back up Drew Robin-son---so if anyone is interested in either position please let me know and I’ll pass the individuals name along. I guess I am now the new ILSSAR Nominations Commit-tee Chair! 16. One other interesting side note is that the Fort Dear-born Chapter has created a ‘North Shore Branch’ to fa-cilitate involvement, attendance and participation in that the meetings in down town Chicago are generally poorly attended maybe 15 or fewer due to the cost and time constraints. 17. The next ILSSAR meeting will be held May 12-13, 2017 in Springfield at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel—Annual meeting. Respectfully submitted, Gordon


Toby Chamberlain

Pres. ILSSAR

Opening the BOM Meeting

Mrs. Lola DeGeoff

Program Speaker

R-L Tom Ashby, Past Pres

ILSSAR, Toby Chamberlain,

Current Pres. ILSSAR, Two

First Time Attendents to

the BOM

General Joseph Bartholomew Chapter

Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

William Armand White

Illinois No. 7843

National No. 167705

Date of Admission – September 14, 2006

By Descent From

Adam Miller

Service of Adam Miller

A dam Miller was born Jun 8, 1760 in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. While living in Mecklenburg,

North Carolina, he enlisted on April 1781 in Capt. Peter Burn’s North Carolina Regiment. Afterwards

he was transferred to Capt William Alexander’s Company, Col. Wade Hampton’s South Carolina Regi-

ment of Dragoons. He was in battles at Orangeburg, Friday’s Ford and Eutaw Springs. He was discharged in

Orangeburg, South Carolina in February 1782.

Adam married Elizabeth (Unknown) about 1786 in Washington County, Tennessee. Adam and Elizabeth had

eight children.

Adam applied for a pension in 1833 while living in Roane County, Tennessee. In his pension application, Adam

stated that after his service he had lived in Washington, Sullivan, Greene, and Jefferson Counties, Tennessee.

He was granted a pension of $41.66 on Apr 9, 1834 at age 73. Before 1807, he and his family removed from

Washington County, Tennessee to Roane County, Tennessee. Adam lived in the Paw Paw Plains area of Roane

County, near the Loudon County border.

Adam died Jul 5, 1848 in Roane County, Tennessee and is probably buried in the Babb Cemetery, although

the location of his grave is unknown. His wife Elizabeth died Sep 18, 1854 in Roane County, Tennessee and

the location of her grave is also unknown.


2015 GJB Officers

President:

J. Gordon Bidner

V. President:

Jeff Kretlow

Secretary:

David Ashbrook

Assist. Secretary:

Jay L. Cummins

Secretary Emeri-

tus: Harry Hoit

Registrar:

David J. Dougall

Genealogist:

William Hammitt

Treasurer:

Donald E Hyland

Chaplain:

Dr. Virgil Short

Sergeant of Arms:

Ray Owens

GJB Chapter

Newsletter Editor:

Donald E. Hyland

Members At Large

Alan C Washburn,

William A. White,

David L. Edwards

Committees

Citizenship: J. Gordon Bidner, CH.,

Bill Hammitt, William White, Dr.

Virgil Short, Lee Wilder, Phares O’

Daffer, Dan Leifel, Alternate David

Ashbrook

Education: Donald Lush, CH., Dave

Ashbrook, Don Hyland, Alan Wash-

burn, Lauren Brown, Robert Harsh-

barger

Public Relations: Dave Ashbrook,

CH., Jay Cummins, Gordon Bidner,

Dr. Virgil Short

Flag, Law Enforcement, Fire Safety,

EMS: Jeff Kretlow CH., Ed Proctor,

Dr. Virgil Short, David Dougall, Bill

Hammitt, Ray Owens

Eagle Scout: Bill White, CH., Dave

Ashbrook, Clark Killingsworth, Al

Abbott, Lance McCormick, Robert

Harshbarger

Veterans/ROTC Affairs: David

Edwards, CH., Bill Miller, Dr. Virgil

Short, Bud Lewis, Bill White, Jeff

Kretlow, Rodney Lush, Dan Leifel

Finance Committee: Kelly Gray,

CH., Don Hyland, Dave Ashbrook,

Phares O’Daffer, Lee Wilder

Nominating: BOM

Program/Membership: BOM

Color Guard/Parade: Don Hyland,

CH., Don Lush, Dave Ashbrook, Al

Abbott, Dr. Virgil Short

The General’s News: Don Hyland,

Editor, Editorial Board Dr. Virgil

Short, J. Gordon Bidner

ILSSAR Poster Contest: Don Hyland

CH, Dave Ashbrook, Robert Harsh-

barger


Contact Information

Submit articles for the newsletter to donsgen50gmail.com

For Information Regarding Membership contact:

David Dougall-GJB SAR Chapter Registrar [email protected]

William Hammitt– GJB SAR Genealogist [email protected]

Our website is http://gjbsar.org

"We have no government armed with power capable of

contending with human passions unbridled by morality

and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry,

would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a

whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only

for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to

the government of any other." John Adams in Address to

the Military, October 11, 1798

Mar 2-4th. NSSAR Spring Leadership meeting. Louisville, Ky.

March 14th 6:00 p.m. Lakeside CC. Program: “The Life of an Ordinary Revolutionary Soldier,” Dan Leifel, Host: Virgil Short.

March 18th. Schweizer History Teacher Award apps due---April 1st for ILSSAR.

April 2nd 7:00 p.m. GJB SAR Good Citizenship Committee meets at the Bidner Home.

April 13th 11:30 a.m. 18th Annual GJB SAR Outstanding Good Citizen-ship/Scholarship Luncheon. Bloomington CC, Speaker: Dr. Eric Jensen, President lWU, ”IWU 20/20” Hosts: Al Abbott, Dave Ash-brook, Don Hyland, Don Lush, Virgil Short, GJB SAR Color Guard

April 17th 7:00 a.m. Patriot’s Day. Bob Evans Restaurant IAA Drive—“Open Discussion,” Host: Jeff Kretlow.

May 12-13th. 127th ILSSAR Annual Meeting Abraham Lincoln Hotel, Springfield, IL.

bloomington, illinois, chartered oct 21, 1975 feb 2017€¦ · feb 2017 the gjb sar chapter held...

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