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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 405
6. Had passed laws somewhat restricting alien landlords and corporations
from getting Government land.
7. Had interstate commerce law passed.
8. Had a cabinet position created for agriculture.
9. Has had agricultural colleges, experiment stations and farms and
farmers' institutes established in many states.
10. Has caused the reform ballot law to be passed in many states.
11. Has given rural free delivery to the Avhole United States.
12. Has established postal savings banks and parcels post.
We are,.as our "declaration of purposes" declares, united by the
strong tie of agriculture. Our motto, "In essentials unity, in non-essentials
liberty, in all things charity."
The first Grange in Ohio Avas organized by 0. II. Kelly in East Cleveland,
March 2, 1870, with sixteen charter members. It was four years
later that the Grange came to Erie County. The first organization was
Milan Grange, No. 342, on January 6, 1874; G. B. Jarrad, master; R. N.
Wilcox, secretary; with twenty-five charter members. It Avas organized
by J. Barrack, of Seneca County.
The next day, June 7th, J. II. Brigham, of Welta County, Avho afterward
was master of Maryland Grange and assistant secretary of agriculture
of the United States, organized Berlin Heights Grange, No. 345,
with twenty-four charter members. Henry Hoak, master, and J. P.
Leslie, secretary. Margaretta Grange, No. 488, was organized January
30, 1874, with twenty-seven charter members. W. W. Miller, master,
and Richard Fowler, secretary. Perkins Grange, No. 637, Avas organized
.March 2, 1874, by W. W. Miller, with thirty charter members. W. H.
McFall, master, and T. B. Taylor, secretary. Erie County claims to have
the first Grange organized by a woman, viz., Huron Grange, No. 1385,
by Mrs. 0. G. Norton, county deputy and member of Perkins Grange,
Avith seventeen charter members, on November 28, 1891. J. S. McDowell,
master, and Mrs T. J. Harris, secretary.
Florence Grange, No. 1844, was organized in February, 1912, by
James Jarrett, with sixty-five charter members. D. J. Stephens, president,
and Mahlon Curtis, secretary.
Eric County Pomona Grange, composed of members of the six subordinate
granges, Avas organized at Perkins February 6, 1891, with a
membership of 103. J. D. Parker, master, and Mrs. James Anderson,
secretary. This Grange meets quarterly to transact business for the
county. The grangers have made an individual exhibit at the fair for
two years, each Grange receiving $20, regardless of the merit. The result
has been that the Randall fair, near Cleveland, has offered large premiums
if Erie County Grange Avill make an exhibit at its fair this year.
We have our annual "field days" for the county, for social pleasures
and mutual progress. Huron Grange has an orchestra of seven members,
each one from the farm. They give concerts, stage dramas, and
labor for general progress.
The unity and harmony existing among the members of the order