Our Grange History

Finding a reference to the Grange in any American history book is easy. Finding a copy of any of the numerous book on Grange history is more difficult. There have been many books written on the history of the Granger movement, and most are now out of print.

This history of the Grange is an adaptation of the book by W.L. Robinson, "First Century of Service and Evolution - The Grange 1867 - 1967". It was written for the centennial of the National Grange. While it is a dated, it still provides a good introduction to what the Grange is, what its about and where we came from.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FOREWORD - HERSCHEL D. NEWSOM

• Grange Achievements a Commanding Challenge Needed?The Best Grange We Can Build

INTRODUCTION:
DREAM OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY

Section I. THE GRANGE TODAY

Chapter 1. Importance, Excitement, Satisfaction of Grange Membership

• Family Unity a Major Grange Objective
• Grange Accomplishments Helped Preserve America

Chapter 2. A Family Institution

• Mrs. Kelley to the Rescue
• No. 1 in Recognizing Women
• Children in the Grange

Chapter 3. Objectives

• Grange Guideposts
• Not for Farmers Alone
• Today's Grange Objectives and Policies

Chapter 4. 1966-67 Centennial Activities

• The Grange Family Meditation Center and Chapel at Gettysburg, Pa. Plan Conceived by Alvin E. Hanson
• The Centennial Committee Law Essay Contest
• Grange Caravan
• Centennial Playwriting Contest Centennial
• Songwriting Contest
• U.S. 5c Centennial Postage Stamp
• The Grange 1867-1967 - First Century of Service and Evolution
• Listing of Grange Monuments and Markers
• Comprehensive Century History
• Rebirth of National Grange Monthly Magazine

Section II. ORIGIN OF THE PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY - 1867

Chapter 5. Conditions Leading to Organization of the Grange

• Farmer Unrest Follows War
• Grievances Against Railroads Grow

Chapter 6. The Granger Laws - Their Significance

• How the Granger Movement Started
• The Granger Laws and the Supreme Court
• Vital Principle Established by Grange Fight
• Federal Legislation Follows Same Principle

Chapter 7. Evolution of Legislative Program and Positions

• For the Welfare of All
• How Grange Policy Is Determined
• The Granger Laws and Farm Credit
• Outstanding Accomplishments in Many Other Areas
• Groundwork for the Future

Chapter 8. Pioneer Granges

• Potomac No. 1
• Fredonia No. 1
• Green Mountain No. 1

Chapter 9. Grange Ritualism - Development, Meaning

• Effective and Constructive Tie that Binds
• How the Grange Was Designed
• Ritual Stations Based on Old English Estate
• Women Early Had Important Roles in Grange
• Lessons from the Bible
• Structure of Grange
• Ritualism
• Assembly of Demeter
• Non-Farm Rural Families as Grange Members

Chapter 10. Recognition Given Grange Policies, Objectives, National Position

• Lyndon B. Johnson Calvin Coolidge
• John F. Kennedy
• Hubert H. Humphrey
• Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Orville L. Freeman
• Harry S. Truman
• John Edgar Hoover
• Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Eleanor Roosevelt
• Herbert Hoover
• Grange Week

 

Chapter 11. The 16 National Masters

• 16. Herschel D. Newsom 1950-
• 15. Henry D. Sherwood 1950
• 14. Albert S. Goss 1941-1950
• 13. Louis J. Taber 1923-1941
• 12. Sherman J. Lowell 1919-1923
• 11. Oliver Wilson 1911-1919
• 10. Nahum J. Bachelder 1905-1911
• 9. Aaron Jones 1897-1905
• 8. Joseph H. Brigham 1888-1897
• 7. James Draper 1888
• 6. Israel Putnam Darden 1885-1888
• 5. Jonathan J. Woodman 1879-1885
• 4. Samuel E. Adams 1877-1879
• 3. John T. Jones 1875-1877
• 2. Dudley W. Adams 1873-1875
• 1. William Saunders 1867-1873
  

Section III. WHAT THE GRANGE STANDS FOR IN:

Chapter 12. Personal Growth

• How the Grange Helps the Individual
• The Junior Grange
• What Youths Themselves Say About Grange Activities
• Vital Role and Service of Lecturers
• Dedicated and Inspired Devotion
• Duties of the Lecturer
• To Develop a Higher Manhood and Womanhood Among Ourselves

Chapter 13. Unique Activities of Women

• Home Economics Emphasis - A Better Grange
• Mobilizing Women's Talents Today
• Contests

Chapter 14. Community Service

• Unselfish Service to Others
• The Community Progress Program
• Examples of Tremendous Accomplishments
  - Union (Ohio) Grange No. 1648
  - Flowing Well (Nebr.) Grange No. 396
  - Vashon_Maury (Wash.) Grange No. 1105
  - Antelope Gap (Wyo.) Grange No. 60
  - Handen (Conn.) Grange No. 99
  - Spencer (NY.) Grange No. 1110

Chapter 15. Farm Legislation - Policies and Programs

• What the Grange Stands for in Basic Farm Policies
• The Family Farm - Its Preservation
• Other Current Farm Policies

Chapter 16. Encouraging Private Enterprise

• Grange Championed Private Enterprise System
• Grange Creates, Promotes Cooperatives
• Savings Insurance Dollars for Members
  - Farmers and Traders Life Insurance Company
  - National Grange Mutual Insurance Company
  - Grange Insurance Association
  - Grange Mutual Life Company Patrons Mutual Insurance Company
  - National Federation of Grange Mutual Insurance Companies

Chapter 17. International Affairs

• How the Grange Became a World Agricultural Leader
• IFAP Founded
• Importance of Farmer Organization Stressed

Chapter 18. National Welfare

• Not Selfishly for Rural Progress Only
• No Infringement on Individual Freedom, Opportunity
• Basic Grange Positions on General Situations

Section IV. THE GRANGE TOMORROW

• Pattern for the Second Century
• Five Features of the Grange of Tomorrow
• Increased Devotion Needed
• To Raise the Level of Human Existence
• Developing Leadership and Understanding
• Perpetuation of Mutual Concern,
• Fraternal Friendship
• Be Ready for Youth
• Continue Work Upon the Immortal Mind
• Venture into New Fields
• A Forum for Leadership Training

Section V. APPENDIX

• Annual Sessions of the National Grange