Oceana County MI Archives History - Books .....The Grangers 1882
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Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 December 17, 2008, 6:18 pm

Book Title: HISTORY OF OCEANA CO., CHICAGO, H.R. PAGE & COMPANY, 1882

This society, which has played so important a part in the organization of the 
agricultural element, and is somewhat of the nature of a co-operative society, 
has of late years been an important factor in developing this county.  
Agriculture being in its infancy, and not yet widely extended, it has been 
found more difficult to make the society "go," then in some of the older and 
richer counties.  However, although the society has had its ups and downs, it 
is now on a solid basis and has many leading and enthusiastic farmers in its 
ranks.  It has not tried to do all kinds of business, as in some other 
counties, but it is enabled by comparison of rates, and holding out the 
alternative of co-operative trading, to get reasonable rates to its patrons.

The first grange that was formed in the county was in 1874, at "Town Corners," 
a mile and a half west of New Era, and is called Sylvan Grange.  W. F. Lewis 
was the first Master, and has been prominently identified with the lodge ever 
since.  It has an average of forty-one members.

The next was "Oceana Grange," at Hart, E. T. Mugford first master.  Prominent 
as masters of the grange have been A. D. Van Vickle, James Reed, Mr. Rector 
and Mr. Yates.  It has an average of twenty-five members, and, like former 
grange, was formed in the Fall of 1874.

The same Fall there was formed Fraternal Grange, No. 406; A. Maples, first 
master.  With the exception of one term, when E. W. Moore was master, G. W. 
Woodward or W. H. Barry have held the office of master.  This grange has an 
average of twenty-eight members, and was first at Blooming Valley, but it now 
meets in Shelby Village.

The same year, 1874, a grange was established in Ferry, now dormant, and 
another at Crystal Valley, which still flourishes.

All these granges were founded by Charles King, of Kalamazoo, General State 
Deputy, and a good organizer.

In 1876 a grange was formed at Flower Creek, in Claybanks.  The leading 
masters have been Mr. Baker, H. Tower, and S. and A. Houston.  It has thirty 
members.

There is also a county grange, organized in 1880, with W. F. Lewis as first 
master; next year E. T. Mugford was master, and in 1882, O. K. White is county 
master, G. W. Woodward is lecturer, George C. Myers, secretary, and Thomas 
Twinning, treasurer.

Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF OCEANA CO., CHICAGO, H.R. PAGE & COMPANY, 1882


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