| History of the Julien Dubuque Chapter DAR The Julien Dubuque Chapter DAR was founded August 22, 1894, by Mrs. Clara A. Cooley. Other charter members of the Dubuque Chapter included: Fannie Bissell Treadway, May Rodgers, Martha Bertha Hancock, Harriott August Hill, Josephine G. Cooley, Cornelia Dean Morrill, Samantha W. Scoup, Margaret Rockwell Torbert, Sara Curtis Glover, Ella Merchant, and Harriet Richard Lewis.
One of the DAR goals is to preserve history; therefore, it makes sense that our chapter was named after Julien Dubuque, an important figure in the history of our city and county.
We currently have 48 members and are looking for more Daughters to join us in our many activities. We have placed multiple historical markers commemorating area events, supported American History projects in our local schools, and provided multiple awards and scholarships. We continue to encourage patriotic support of our men and women of the military who have served both past and present.
Membership in the DAR provides many opportunities to cherish our American heritage, to preserve family and local histories, to promote the celebration of our national holidays, and to support our national defense, including our veterans and the men and women who continue to fight for freedom. We continue to form new friendships while nurturing old ones with those who share our love of God, Home and Country.
Dubuque Area History There is evidence of prehistoric Indian occupation in the Dubuque area for at least 8,000 years, as indicated by archaeological research. The Mesquakie Indian tribe probably settled in the Dubuque area in the 1700s and began mining lead around 1764. In 1788, a French Canadian, Julien Dubuque, came from what is now Wisconsin, and the Mesquakie Indian tribe granted him permission to mine for lead, resulting in the first Euro-American settlement in the area. In 1796, he petitioned the Spanish governor for the right to continue mining for lead. Permission was granted, and the mining area was called the "Mines of Spain."
Julien Dubuque always remained close friends with the Mesquakie tribe, consisting of families of the Fox and Sioux Nations. He was a close friend with the Chief named Peosta and, although no actual legal proof exists, it appears that Julien married Chief Peosta's daughter, Peostsa. Julien died in 1810, and was buried on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River and his beloved then-named "DuBuque Mines."
By 1897, a new monument was built over the ruins of Julien Dubuque's original resting place. This gothic styled stone monument was quarried from the bluff below by the Early Settlers Association to honor the charter settler of Dubuque, Iowa's oldest city. |
