History

The Extended History of the Rochester Chapter NSDAR

In November of 1902, a group of women held a meeting with the State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution to organize a chapter in Rochester, Minnesota. A minimum of twelve women with approved DAR applications were needed. This goal was reached by June of 1903 and on November 11, 1903, the chapter was officially organized with fourteen Charter Members and a full slate of officers. The meeting was held at the home of Mrs. A. F. Faitoute, who was largely responsible for organizing the Rochester Chapter. National approval was given on December 1, 1903.

The first officers were:

Regent Mrs. A.F. Faitoute

Vice Regent Mrs. Adelaide Brown

Recording Secretary Mrs. Alma Gaskill

Corresponding Secretary Miss Mabel Gilman

Registrar Mrs. Jennie Fraser

Treasurer Mrs. A.C. Gooding

Historian Miss Winnie Bliss

Chaplain Mrs. Sophronia Gustine

Other Charter Members were Mary Elizabeth Coon, Fanny Fancher, Sarah Pollock, LuLu Smith, Cora Wing and Ida Wing.

To celebrate the first anniversary of the organizational meeting, Mrs. Faitoute held a reception for members and friends at her house. After the reception, four members went to the Rochester Public Library and presented them with a copy of the Declaration of Independence.

About the same time the Rochester Chapter organized, the DAR announced plans to construct Memorial Continental Hall in Washington DC as its national headquarters. It would be completed in 1910.

The DAR was founded with the mission to promote Education, Historic Preservation and Patriotism in 1890 and these principles are just as relevant now as they were then.

The founder and first Rochester Chapter regent was Mrs. Abbie Frances Faitoute.

Mrs. Faitoute was born in Essex County, New Jersey on October 3, 1836. She married Samuel Faitoute in New Jersey, a graduate of Burlington College. He worked in the building, contracting, and real estate business. Due to his poor health, they moved to Rochester in 1861, where he purchased a large tract of land to the west of town. Mr. Faitoute was one of the founders of the Rochester Public Library but unfortunately passed away in 1874 at the young age of 39. The couple had two daughters, Caroline Woodruff (Faitoute) Haines and Frances Day (Faitoute) Gooding. They are all buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.

Josiah Woodruff, Mrs. Faitoute’s great grandfather, served in the colonial army during the Revolution. He was a member of different military units at different times, including a company of artillery, one of infantry, the Essex County militia, and a troop of the Light Dragoons Mounted Cavalry.

In August 1912, Mrs. Faitoute, the organizing regent of the Rochester Chapter died. She had been both a civic leader and contributor in Rochester for over half a century.

On May 14, 1914, the Rochester Chapter erected a sundial in Mayo Park in memoery of its first regent, Mrs. Abbie Frances Faitoute.

The inscription reads: Amidst Ye Flowers; I Tell Ye Hours

During World War I, the Rochester Chapter:

Donated to the American Red Cross, Olmsted County Red Cross & French Red Cross Donated to the War Relief Fund and the Boy Scouts

Worked as a DAR Red Cross Auxiliary

Rolled bandages & donated surgical supplies

Made grape juice, preserves and other foods for Fort Snelling Hospital

Sewed and knit garments & made afghans for veterans

Donated clothing to the Belgium Relief

Presented a flag to the Boy Scouts in honor of their service

Sent Christmas boxes & clothing over seas

Donated money and books to the YMCA

Raised money for the Free Milk Fund in France

In 1932, in honor of George Washington’s 200th birthday, the Rochester DAR planted a Washington Elm Tree at Soldier Fields Park. This tree was grafted from a tree located in Westchester County, New York, where Washington was headquartered at one time. A bronze plaque was placed at the base of the tree.