During the migration from the occupied wasteland of the South, many Confederate Veterans with their families moved to the Northwest. They became citizens of the Northwest society contributing to the growth of this area. The first Seattle Confederate organization formed was the John B. Gordon Camp #1456 dated June 2, 1902. The George Pickett Camp #1577 in Tacoma was chartered on April 5, 1904, and the Seattle United Daughters of the Confederacy Robert E. Lee Chapter #885 was chartered March 12, 1905.
Anywhere the Confederate Veterans were so were the Daughters, many being real daughters. The national United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) organized on September 10, 1894, by uniting many small groups of ladies’ organizations formed to provide care to the Confederate veterans and their families.
The Seattle chapter was organized at a meeting, called by Confederate Veteran Judge John A. Allen at the Lincoln Hotel on February 28, 1905. Sixty-eight Southern women signed the application for a charter. First elected officers of the Robert E. Lee Chapter #885 were Mrs. Arthur Priest, President; Mrs. Samuel Carlisle, first Vice-President; Mrs. G. Rochester, second Vice-President; Mrs. Walter Beals, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Arthur Jordan, Corresponding Secretary; and Mrs. James Howe, Registrar.
Chapters grew across the state: Mildred Lee Chapter #967 in Spokane was chartered March 5, 1906 and Dixie Chapter #1103 in Tacoma received its charter on October 3, 1907. Along with the Seattle Chapter, these chapters formed the first UDC Washington Division on October 1, 1908, at the home of Mrs. W. Kellogg of Seattle. Mrs. B. Washington Bell was elected President. Four more chapters joined the division: Ella K. Trader Chapter #1571 of Wenatchee in June 1, 1915; Dolly Madison Chapter #2038 in Spokane on January 19, 1933; Winnie Davis Chapter #2099 in Vancouver on June 3, 1939; and Theodora Smith Chapter #2151 in Tacoma on July 10, 1948.