DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS CELEBRATE

TENT INSTITUTION

RUTH F. BARNHART - TENT #56

PLEASANT UNITY, PA

May 2, 1965

For the first time in 40 years in this part of the state a Civil War Honorary Society has been established. The 172 year old town of Pleasant Unity was honored recently by the organization of the Ruth F. Barnhart of the Daughters of Union Veterans.

Ruth Ferguson Barnhart was born January 23, 1826 and died May 25, 1895. Her husband was Jacob H. Barnhart. He was born August 31, 1823 and died January 23, 1903. She lived on the outskirts of Pleasant Unity.

Jacob Hartzel Barnhart enlisted on October 6, 1862 as a Private in Company I, Regiment 168 in the State Volunteers Pennsylvania. He was

honorably discharged on July 25, 1863. His membership was in Post 276 Grand Army of the Republic, Greensburg, PA.

Possibly the tent would never have come into existence if it had not been for the recruiting and research done by its sponsor, Sister Beatrice Burkholder of Greensburg, R. D. 5. Sister Burkholder is a past president of the Daughters of Union Veterans.

She was born spent her early childhood in Pleasant Unity; later moving to the country home near Pleasant Unity with her parents. She died June 30, 1984.

The 38 direct descendants of Civil War veterans whom she found eligible and who became members at the institution of the Tent May 2, 1965 asked that the tent be named for Miss Burkholder’s maternal grandmother, Ruth Ferguson Barnhart.

Many high ranking dignitaries of the Allied Orders attended the celebration The institution was performed by the department president, Mrs. Ester Julius of Sharon, PA.

The oldest of the new tent’s new members is Mrs. Margaret Donaldson Baum, 82 and the youngest , Miss Debbie Bollinger, 8. Mrs. Baum was the only daughter who became part of the new tent. Her father was William Donaldson of Co. K., 73rd Indiana Infantry. Debbie Bollinger’s great-great grandfather was comrade Henry Bystone of Co. I, 168th Regiment of Pa. Volunteers.

Some of the other dignitaries present included senior department vice president, Mary Jane Bannan, department chaplain, Ethel Richardson, past department president Sarah Commers, past department president, Erma Stark, and junior vice president, Jemima Klingensmith who is also a member of Tent 56.

Also attending were Geraldine Clawges, department color bearer, Frances Martin Kuhns, past motions president of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, brother Frank Heacock, past commander of the Sons of Union Veterans and brother John Stark who also is a past commandeer of the S.U.V.

The mission of the D. U. V. is versatile. It’s greatest objective is the care: physical, mental, moral and spiritual of all descendants of Civil War Veterans.

Featured at the institution was a reading by Frances Kuhns entitled, "The War of 1861 to 1865." The installation was followed by a dinner prepared and served by members of the New Ruth F. Barnhart Tent 56, D.U.V.

Officers of the new tent are as follows: President, Beatrice Burkholder, senior vice president, Joanna Barnhart, junior vice president, Mildred Casteel, chaplain, Janet Miller, treasurer department and also state junior vice president Jemima Klingensmith: patriotic instructor, Joanne Welch.

Three members of the council are: Donna Struble, Donna Armburst, and Jennie Palmer. Appointed officers are: Beryle Taylor, secretary, Marie Johnson, guide; Florine Wright, musician: Ruth Miller, guard; Elda Weigle, assistant guard, Blanche McMahen, historian, Darlene Carns, press correspondent.

Barbara Barnhart, Eleanor Jean Freeman, Deborah Bollinger and Diane Marks are color bearers.