Green Installed into Sons of the American Revolution

SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake resident Robert Green received his membership to the Sons of the American Revolution March 8. Green has always had a certain amount of pride that his ancestors played such a significant role in the founding of the country and its form of government. He is now officially a Revolutionary War Patriot.

The Montana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was formed in 1894. The purpose of SAR is to perpetuate the memory of those who, by their services or sacrifices during the American Revolution achieved the Independence of the American people.

Green said one of the key activities of SAR is education. This includes civics and the history of certain events and historical figures. The Liberty Tree Chapter dresses in costume, sets up a camp and displays various artifacts from the Revolution at Fort Missoula on July 4.

He added that SAR also honors all veterans especially the World War II and Korean War Veterans. They also hold a national essay contest with a $5,000 prize for the national winner.

​Any man, 18 years or older, who is a lineal descendant of an ancestor who supported the war for American Independence is eligible for membership. These ancestors are referred to as Revolutionary War Patriots and include those persons who fought in the military and/or militia, who provided supplies to the American cause, who served on political bodies supporting the Revolution, and who signed oaths of support and similar acts.

Green shared the story of six brothers with the last name of Oberlin. They were Alsatian, the part that was then German that was taken over by France.

"I think that was the catalyst for bringing them to the new world because they were German speaking Protestants when France took over," said Green. "It reached a point where you were either required to join the Catholic church and speak French or leave. They left."

They worked as farmers in Pennsylvania. Following the Revolution, they all obtained land grants for their service in the "wilderness" that is now Ohio and Indiana.

"That was the Northwest Territory then," said Green chuckling.

They brought with them large families and set out to make a life for themselves. The first thing they did was build a church which was their meeting place, shelter and their protection.

"For the most part they were some of the folks that were instrumental in the development of the state," said Green.

A few of the brothers headed north and founded the town of Oberlin. The Oberlin College & Conservatory is also named after the family.

Green's ancestor Adam Oberlin settled in Stark County. Green estimates that he is related to at least 5,000 people in the area because of the family's 200-year history in the area.

"Even to this day, I'm one of the few that left the region," said Green. "But even here [in Montana] there is Mount Oberlin in Glacier [National Park]. That is the same family name."

Green said he has always known about his direct line of descent to those that fought in the Revolution. When he retired from teaching he found SAR and inquired about the possibility of membership. He was told about the meetings of the Liberty Tree chapter in Missoula to which Green attended.

"It requires a significant amount of research because they are very precise in verifying your lineage," said Green. "I had some relatives in the past that were involved in DAR [Daughters of the American Revolution]. The records existed up to two generations ago which were easily verifiable."

Tracking his lineage from his mother Zella Grace Oberlin, proved to me more of a challenge that originally expected.

Zella's mother had the same name and died within a couple weeks after Zella was born. Her grandmother raised Zella.

"Because my infant mother and her deceased daughter had the same name, [Zella's grandmother] couldn't call her the same name. She went by Grace," said Green.

When Zella was enrolled in school, Oberlin was used instead of her father's last name.

"There was confusion about her actual name. Plus the weirdness of going by her second name," said Green. "She had four kids and there is a different name on every birth certificate for our mother."

Green completed his verification and paperwork. The SAR Liberty Tree Chapter installed him as an official member at the annual Montana Society meeting March 8. SAR National President General Larry Guzy awarded Green his certificate. He also received a circular lapel pin that is buff and blue, the colors of George Washington's uniform.

At the meeting Green met president of the Dillon/Butte Area Chapter Bob Gunderson. Gunderson shared with Green the last name of his patriot ancestor, Wampler. Green said Wampler was his great grandmother's last name. After more research Green learned that he is related to Gunderson and he is directly related to two different lines of patriots.

"It's not a political group but it is a patriotic group," said Green. "We don't do politics but we do honor our nation. We do try to live up to the ideals established by our ancestors who fought and in some cases died to create our country and our system of government."