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404 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
HISTORY OP THE ORDER OF PATRONS OP HUSBANDRY IN ERIE COUNTY
By Mrs. Mary D. Anderson
Agriculture in ancient times Avas thought to be the most honorable
of vocations. Cato, a celebrated Avriter on the subject of agriculture, inherited
a farm from his father on which he lived for years in the pursuit
of agriculture, which was a source of pleasure to him. He Avas afterward
chosen consul of Rome, which is the first instance of a farmer being
chosen ruler of his country. History tells us that he was equal to the
occasion, and by his strict integrity and nobility of character withstood
many evils of the day.
Fairs, agricultural societies and agricultural schools were organized
for the benefit of the farmer, but there was little co-operation and unity
until the organization of the Grange. It is of interest to know the history
of its inception. This was the happy thought of 0. II. Kelly, who when
clerk in the Department of Agriculture in Washington Avas deputized
in the year 1866 by Hon. Isaac Newton, commissioner of agriculture, to
visit the southern states to examine their condition and report to the
department.
While traveling through the State of North Carolina he became
acquainted with a society of Scotch farmers who had banded themselves
together for the purpose of stronger social relations and to deal more
directly with the manufacturer, thus eliminating the middleman. While
visiting this society Mr. Kelly conceived the plan of organizing a secret
society among the farmers for mutual benefit. On his return from the
South he communicated his plans to six of his friends, who were as
enthusiastic as himself, and on December 4, 1867, 0. II. Kelly, William
Saunders Read, Mr. Grosh, both of the Department of Agriculture;
William M. Ireland, of the Postoffice Department; Rev. John Trimble
and J. R. Thompson, of the Treasury Department, and F. McDowell, a
pomologist from Wayne County, New York, met in a little brown building
embowered in trees on the corner of Forty-first Street and Missouri
Avenue, and laid the foundation for the first National Grange, with Mr.
Saunders as master. Mr. Trimble was secretary for many years, and
Avith our own W. W. Miller as assistant for many years. Mr. McDowell
and wife have held the treasurer's office up to the present time.
What has the Grange done, not only for the farmer but for all people?
Quoting from an address made by Hon. John Trimble:
1. The Grange has organized the farmers of America, who never
• Avere organized.
2. It has broadened the field of usefulness for woman and has prepared
her for her place in the true republic, the full equal of man as a
citizen.
3. It has brought light, recreation and cheer to hundreds of thousands
of rural homes.
4. It has prevented the renewal of patents on sewing machines, thus
reducing the cost 50 per cent/
5. Had passed and enforced the oleomargerine law.