Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026
                           All Rights Reserved
                        USGenNet Data Repository

        Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
===========================================================================
USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization.
Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain
the consent of the transcriber prior to use.  Individuals desiring to use
this material in their own research may do so.
=============================================================================
Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
=============================================================================
History of Oceana County, Michigan
H. R. Page & Co., Chicago - 1882


         [p 109]
         
         THE GRANGERS
         
         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" than 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.
       
===============================================================================