For Pauline Schneider, patriotism and a passion of history run deep in her family. She is the widow of a Third Division Marine Corps veteran who fought at Iwo Jima during World War II. Her father was a World War I veteran, great-grandfathers served on both sides of the War Between the States, while still earlier ancestors served in the War of 1812 and the American Revolution.
As a busy farm wife and mother of four children in Great Bend, Schneider’s neighbor, Edna May “Dolly” Denbo, urged her to join the Jeremiah Howard Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution in the 1950s. Mrs. Schneider felt she did not have the time to devote to a chapter or to be able to complete the research to connect herself to a patriot ancestor. Finally at the age of 93, she decided the time was right to pursue DAR membership.
With the aid of a family friend, Justin Engleman, who is a Sons of the American Revolution chapter genealogist, they determined Stephen Ferryman was the easiest line to pursue for membership in the DAR. Schneider’s mother’s maiden name was Adams, and both she and Engleman were certain there would be an Adams patriot, but no clear reference could be discerned without possibly weeks or months of research to properly document an Adams ancestor.
Ferryman was born about 1750 and died Dec. 14, 1838, at Hampshire County, W.Va. According to West Virginians in the American Revolution, Ferryman enlisted in the Virginia militia at Winchester, Frederick County, Va., and served four years in the company of Captain Mayo, Continental Establishment, under Major General John Smith and General Nathanael Greene. He saw service in the Battles of Buford’s Defeat and Ninety-Six.
Even now, at age 94, residing in an assisted living residence, Schneider is a very patriotic person and when able enjoys attending Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs, where her late husband Lawrence could often be seen proudly wearing his Marine Corps uniform. A painting of the couple’s wedding portrait depicting Lawrence in his Marine Corps uniform, done by their daughter, Sally, hangs in her small apartment in the care facility.
She is also instilling her love of country in her four children, as well as her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She has afforded each the opportunity to join their respective organization, whether it be Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution or Children of the American Revolution. Ten are registered members of the Prairie Minutemen Chapter SAR, 12 are approved members of the Smoky Hill Chapter DAR, and two are members of the Joseph Plumb Martin Society CAR.
Mrs. Schneider created history in the Kansas Society SAR, being the first DAR member to refer ten SAR members at the same time in the DAR Finder Program sponsored by the National Society Sons of the American Revolution. For her efforts, she received the SAR’s Medal of Appreciation, Martha Washington Medal and Daughters of Liberty Medal.
While the family is spread out, with some still living within a few miles of home, many now reside in various parts of Texas. Most of the family members returned to Great Bend to be installed in their respective organizations in a joint ceremony alongside the matriarch.
Those being installed in the DAR are Pauline Schneider, her daughters, Pamela Maresch and Sally Davis; granddaughters, Brandi Schneider, Heather Schneider, Tamara Dominguez, Sarah Ethridge and Lindyn Gowdy; and great-granddaughters, Claire Mai, Aubrey Mai, Inez Mai and Kathryn Dominguez. SAR members include Mrs. Schneider’s sons, Larry “Butch” Schneider and Todd Schneider; grandsons, Curtis Mai, Jason Mai, Nathan Mai, and Stanley Maresch; and great-grandsons, Garret Mai, Blake Mai, Rhyse Dominguez and Brett Lyman. The two CAR members are great-granddaughters, Mallory Mai and Wren Ethridge.
