“For a people who are free, and mean to remain so, a well organized & armed militia is their best security.” – Thomas Jefferson, Eighth Annual Message to Congress, November 8, 1808

Harris Ferry Chapter of SAR was established in 1940, re-born upon the ashes of the Society's earlier "Harrisburg Chapter" which had been instituted in 1927, only to lapse into inactive status shortly thereafter.

In January, 1940, an informal meeting was held in the Pittsburgh office of Former Governor John S. Fisher, then president of the Pennsylvania Society of SAR, to consider reactivation of a chapter at Harrisburg. Shortly thereafter, at a Harrisburg meeting held at the Dauphin County Historical Society, and chaired by Judge John E. Fox, there were 54 prospective members present, and LTC John Mel Smith was named to chair a chapter organizing committee.

With a total of 199 charter members, Harris Ferry Chapter was officially chartered by SAR on May 9, 1940, at an institution dinner held in Harrisburg at the Zembo Mosque. The then Governor of Pennsylvania, Arthur H. James, was guest speaker at the dinner, and Colonel Smith was installed as the chapter's first full term president.

The National Society of SAR. was organized 51 years earlier on April 30, 1889, and incorporated by an Act of Congress on June 9, 1906, as a non-profit, non-secret, non-political organization of male descendants of Patriots who, during the American Revolution, rendered unwavering loyal service to the cause of American Independence.

During its first 100 years the Society attained an over-all membership of over 132,000 Sons in 50 states and worldwide, and more than 350 local and regional chapters. From its inception, the SAR has been dedicated to patriotic, historical and educational objectives to help perpetuate understanding of, reverence for, and preservation of the institutions of American freedom as delineated in the Preamble of the United States Constitution.

The Pennsylvania State Society of SAR was organized at a meeting in Pittsburgh in 1893, and the state society's first annual meeting was held there February 22, 1894, at the Duquesne Club. During its first 100 years the Pennsylvania State Society's membership reached an all time total of over 10,000 Sons and as many as 28 chapters.

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Harris Ferry Chapter SAR Officer History (Known List)

1940 - John McIlhenny Smith, President; Galen Hain, 1st Vice President; Josiah F. Reed, 2nd Vice President; Robert M. Rutherford, 3rd Vice President; John W. Todd, Secretary; Millard B. Simmons, Treasurer; Napoleon H. Greenawalt, Registrar; Sterling G. McNees, Chancellor; Evan J. Miller, Genealogist; a. Boyd Hamilton, Historian

1941 - John McIlhenny Smith, President; George H. Toadvine, Chaplain

1942 - Josiah F. Reed, President

1943 - John A. Fritchey II, President

1944 - John A. Fritchey II, President

1945 - John W. Todd, President; George E. Foss, 1st Vice President; W. Alexander McCune, 2nd Vice President; J. Paul Rupp, 3rd Vice President; Napoleon H. Greenawalt, Secretary; Millard B. Simmons, Treasurer; Claude R. Engle, Registrar; Forest Mercer, Chancellor; George H. Toadvine Jr., Chaplain; Evan J. Miller, Genealogist; Alfred D. Keator, Historian

1946 - John W. Todd, President

1947 - George E. Foss, President; J. Paul Rupp, 1st Vice President; N. H. Greenawalt, 2nd Vice President; Hewitt C. Myers, 3rd Vice President; Charles W. Simmons, Secretary; Millard B. Simmons, Treasurer; Claude Engle, Registrar; Homer Strickler, Chancellor; George H. Toadvine Jr., Chaplain; Evan J. Miller, Genealogist; Albert D. Keator, Historian

1948 - J. Paul Rupp, President; Hewitt C. Myers, 1st Vice President; Evan  J. Miller, Treasurer; Claude R. Engle, Registrar; Homer H. Strickler, Chancellor; Franklin G. Roth, Historian; Nevin W. Moyer, Genealogist; George H. Toadvine Jr., Chaplain

1949 - Charles Simmons, President; Chester E. Shirk, 1st Vice President; Forrest Mercer, 2nd Vice President; Fred N. Roe, 3rd Vice President; John R. Gongloff, Secretary; Evan  J. Miller, Treasurer; Claude R. Engle, Registrar; Homer H. Strickler, Chancellor; Nevin W. Moyer, Genealogist; Franklin G. Roth, Historian; George H. Toadvine Jr., Chaplain

1950 - Charles Simmons, President

1951 - Forrest Mercer, President

1952 - Fred N. Roe, President; Chester R. Shirk, 1st Vice President; E. Roy Shirk, 2nd Vice President; Clyde U. Shank, 3rd Vice President; John A. Roe, Secretary and Treasurer; Claude R. Engle, Registrar; Thomas C. McCarrell Jr., Chancellor; William H. Eby, Genealogist;  Hubertis M. Cummings, Historian; Elmer L. Ritzman, Chaplain

1953 - Fred N. Roe, President

1954 - Chester R. Shirk, President; Millard B. Simmons, 1st Vice President; L. Whitley Simmons, Treasurer.  Homer H. Strickler and John A. Roe were officers in some capacity.

1955 - Chester R. Shirk, President; Millard B. Simmons, 1st Vice President; Homer H. Strickler, 2nd Vice President; John A. Roe, 3rd Vice President; Andrew Wilson Green, Secretary; L. Whitley Simmons, Treasurer; W. Russel Hoerner, Genealogist; James B. Redus, Historian; Albert M. Rung, Registrar; George H. Toadvine Jr., Chaplain; Charles H. Gordonier, Assistant Chaplain

President Shirk passed June 1955, so officers were reorganized:

1955 - Millard B. Simmons, President; Homer H. Strickler, 1st Vice President; John A. Roe, 2nd Vice President; Andrew Wilson Green, Secretary; L. Whitley Simmons, Treasurer; W Russel Hoerner, Chancellor; Stanley C. Fuller, Genealogist; James B. Redus, Historian; Albert M. Rung, Registrar; George H. Toadvine Jr., Chaplain; Charles H. Gordonier, Assistant Chaplain

1960 - J. Landis Randall, President

1961 - J. Landis Randall, President; W. Carl Sprout, 1st Vice President; Andrew Wilson Green, 2nd Vice President; L. Whitley Simmons, 3rd Vice President; Stanley E. Fuller, Secretary; Richard A. Anzolut, Treasurer; Robert L. Myers III, Chancellor; Edwin J. Stroman, Genealogist; John E. Fox Jr., Registrar; George H. Toadvine Jr., Chaplain; Charles H. Gordinier, Associate Chaplain

1962  - L. Whitley Simmons, President; W. Carl Sprout, 1st Vice President; Andrew Wilson Green, 2nd Vice President; Arthur G. Blyler, 3rd Vice President; Stanley C. Fuller, Secretary; Richard A. Anzolut, Treasurer; Robert L. Myers III, Chancellor; Edwin J. Stroman, Genealogist; John E. Fox Jr., Registrar; Charles  H. Gordinier, Chaplain

1963 - Robert D. Savage, President

1964 - Robert D. Savage, President, John S. Mace, Speaker (?); Millard B. Simmons, Chaplain

1965 - Robert D. Savage, President; F. Emmett Weaver, 1st Vice President; Robert L. Myers III, 2nd Vice President; Stanley C. Fuller, Secretary and Treasurer; W. Russell Hoerner Jr., Chancellor; James B. Redus, Jr., Genealogist; Evan J. Miller, Registrar; Millard B. Simmons, Chaplain

1966 - William Seldon, President

1967 - William Seldon, President

1968 - R. Lauck Crawford, President; Stanley C. Fuller, Secretary and Treasurer; Forrest Mercer, Chancellor; Evan J. Miller, Registrar; Donald Backenstose, Chaplain

1969 - Howard T. Davenport, President; Vernett Gates, 1st Vice President; Allen Solada, 2nd Vice President; Stanley C. Fuller, Secretary and Treasurer; Forrest Mercer, Chancellor; Evan J. Miller, Registrar; Frank S. Brown, Genealogist; Donald Backenstose, Chaplain

According to Allen Solada’s 1969 obituary, he was Chapter President.  What year of office unknown at this time, or this was a typo and meant to read Vice President.

1972 - Kenneth H. Caskey, President; John M. Musselman, Chancellor

1973 - Kenneth H. Caskey, President

1974 - Kenneth W. Nebinger, President; John H. Musselman, 1st Vice President

1975 - Kenneth W. Nebinger, President

1976 - Kenneth W. Nebinger, President

1977 - John M. Musselman, President

1978 - John M. Musselman, President; John B. B. Trusses, 1st Vice President; Oscar H. Stroh, Secretary and Treasurer

1980 - John B. B. Trussell, President

1981 - Charles S. Hall, President; Oscar H. Stroh, Treasurer

1982 - Charles S. Hall, President

1983 - George E. Reed, President, Roger D. Carlson, 1st Vice President; Herman F. Kinter, 2nd Vice President; Oscar H. Stroh, Secretary and Treasurer

1984 - George E. Reed, President; John A. Fritchey II, Genealogist; Samuel C. Miller, Registrar; Charles H. Stone, Chancellor; Carl F. Peterson, Chaplain

1985 - Herman F. Kinter, President; Oscar H. Stroh, 1st Vice President; John P. Long, 2nd Vice President; George E. Reed, Secretary and Treasurer; John A. Fritchey II, Genealogist; Samuel C. Miller, Registrar; Charles H. Stone, Chancellor; Carl F. Peterson, Chaplain

1986 - Herman F. Kinter, President

1987 - Oscar H. Stroh, President; George E. Reed, Secretary and Treasurer; Charles E. Shields III, Chancellor; John C. Fralich, Genealogist; Samuel C. Miller Jr., Registrar; Carl F. Peterson, Chaplain

1988 - Oscar H. Stroh, President

1989 - David E. Thompson, President; John C. Fralish Jr., 1st Vice President; Robert T. Coleman, 2nd Vice President; George E. Reed, Secretary and Treasurer

1990 - David E. Thomspon, President

1991 - Lloyd E. Lehman, President; Frank R. Sourbeer, 1st Vice President; Robert T. Coleman, 2nd Vice President; George E. Reed, Secretary and Treasurer; Charles H. Stone, Chancellor; John C. Fralish, Genealogist; Oscar H. Stroh, Registrar; Herman F. Kinter, Chaplain

1992 - Lloyd E. Lehman, President

1993 - Robert T. Coleman, President; Frank R. Sourbeer, 1st Vice President; David E. Hartman, 2nd Vice President; George E. Reed, Secretary and Treasurer; Charles H. Stone, Chancellor; Oscar H. Stroh, Registrar; Herman F. Kinter, Genealogist and Chaplain

1994 - Robert T. Coleman, President; Frank R. Sourbeer, 1st Vice President; David E. Hartman, 2nd Vice President; George E. Reed, Secretary and Treasurer; Charles H. Stone, Chancellor; Oscar H. Stroh, Registrar; Herman F. Kinter, Genealogist and Chaplain

1995 - Robert T. Coleman, President

1996 - Walker V. Hoak, President; David E. Hartman, 1st Vice President; John A. Pringle, 2nd Vice President; Fred M. Cardene Jr., Secretary; George E. Reed, Treasurer; Charles H. Stone, Chancellor; Robert T. Coleman, Chaplain; Oscar H. Stroh, Genealogist and Registrar.

1998 - David E. Hartman, President; John A. Pringle, Vice President; Fred M. Cardene, Secretary; George E. Reed, Treasurer; Charles H. Stone, Chancellor; Robert T. Coleman, Chaplain; Oscar H. Stroh, Genealogist and Registrar

According to John A. Pringle's 2021 obituary, he was Chapter President.  What year of office unknown at this time, or this was a typo and meant to read Vice President.

2003 - William Thomas Lunsford Jr., 1st Vice President

2004 - William Thomas Lunsford Jr., President; John Peifer, Registrar

2005 - John Peifer, Registrar

2006 - John Peifer, Registrar

2007 - John Peifer, Registrar

2008 - Richard Kunkle, President; John Peifer, Registrar

2009 - James Long, Secretary; Richard Kunkle, Treasurer; John Peifer, Registrar

2010 - James Long, Secretary; Richard Kunkle, Treasurer; John Peifer, Registrar

2011 - James Long, Secretary; Richard Kunkle, Treasurer; John Peifer, Registrar

2012 - James Long, Secretary; Richard Kunkle, Treasurer; John Peifer, Registrar

2013 - James Long, Secretary; Richard Kunkle, Treasurer; John Peifer, Registrar

2014 - James Long, Secretary; Richard Kunkle, Treasurer; John Peifer, Registrar

2015 - Clay Dawson, President and acting Secretary 2nd Half Year; James Long, Secretary 1st Half Year; Richard Kunkle, Treasurer 1st Half Year; Matthew Bobb, Treasurer 2nd Half Year; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain

2016 - Dennis E. Bobb Jr., President; Robert Bakelaar, 1st Vice President, Registrar, and Genealogist; Forrest Myers, 3rd Vice President; Clay Dawson, Secretary; Matthew Bobb, Treasurer; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain

2017 - Richard Wenner, President; Forrest Myers, 1st Vice President; Matthew Bobb, 2nd Vice President; Wesley Clay Dawson, Secretary; Dennis E. Bobb Jr., Treasurer; Robert Bakelaar, Registrar; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain

2018 - Andrew Lick, President; Forrest Myers, 1st Vice President; Richard Wenner, 2nd Vice President; Curtis Aumiller, Secretary; Dennis E. Bobb Jr., Treasurer; Robert Bakelaar, Registrar and Genealogist; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain

2019 - Andrew Lick, President; Forrest Myers, 1st Vice President; Gary L. Coburn, 2nd Vice President; Curtis Aumiller, Secretary; Dennis E. Bobb Jr., Treasurer; Robert Bakelaar, Registrar and Genealogist; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain

2020 - Forrest Myers, President; Gary L. Coburn, 1st Vice President; Daniel G. Lute, 2nd Vice President; Lewis "Kip" Shaw, Secretary; Dennis E. Bobb Jr., Treasurer; Robert Bakelaar, Registrar and Genealogist; Charles H. Stone Esq., Chancellor; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain

2021 - Forrest Myers, President; Gary L. Coburn, 1st Vice President; Daniel G. Lute, 2nd Vice President; Lewis "Kip" Shaw, Secretary; Dennis E. Bobb Jr., Treasurer; Curtis Aumiller, Registrar and Genealogist; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain

2022 - Forrest Myers, President; Gary L. Coburn, 1st Vice President; Daniel G. Lute, 2nd Vice President; Lewis "Kip" Shaw, Secretary; Dennis E. Bobb Jr., Treasurer; Curtis Aumiller, Registrar and Genealogist; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain

2023 - Daniel G. Lute, President; Gary L. Coburn, 1st Vice President; Forrest Myers, 2nd Vice President; Dennis E. Bobb Jr., Treasurer; Curtis Aumiller, Secretary, Registrar and Genealogist; Charles H. Stone Esq., Chancellor; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain

2024 - Daniel G. Lute, President; Gary L. Coburn, 1st Vice President and acting Secretary; John R. Boyarski, 2nd Vice President; Dennis E. Bobb Jr., Treasurer; Curtis Aumiller, Registrar and Genealogist; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain

2025 - Jacob R. Lemon, President; Daniel G. Lute, 1st Vice President; John R. Boyarski, 2nd Vice President; Gary L. Coburn, Secretary; Curtis Aumiller, Registrar and Genealogist; Dennis E. Bobb Jr., Treasurer; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain (Installation 18 Jan 2025)

2026 - Jacob R. Lemon, President; Daniel G. Lute, 1st Vice President; John R. Boyarski, 2nd Vice President; Gary L. Coburn, Secretary; Curtis Aumiller, Registrar and Genealogist; Curtis Aumiller, Treasurer; Ronald C. Coleman, Chaplain (Installation 10 Jan 2025)