USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county, who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present time > Part 29
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Home of G.N. Whitaker Where the FirstGrange was Organized in Sonoma County May 27 1878
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that I know of, and the organization has gone the way of the Farmers' Club, but the people of the county owe to this pioneer society a debt of gratitude for the work it did.
In the year 1889 another farmers' organization sprung up called the Farmers' Alliance, and some twelve lodges were formed with one central lodge, but it being somewhat of a political nature, it never added anything to the re- sources of the county and after the first general political campaign in the county, after its organization, it died from the effects of too much "hot air." Thus it will be seen that the farmers have never adopted any co-operative organization that has had the staying qualities of the Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST GRANGE.
May 27, 1873, the first Grange in Sonoma county was organized, by W. H. Baxter, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. N. Whitaker, who furnished the harvest feast in Bennett Valley with twenty-six charter members and with the late N. Carr master, G. N. Whitaker overseer, and the late Heber Plank secretary. It was christened Bennett Valley Grange No. 16, Patrons of Husbandry. Santa Rosa Grange was organized May 28, 1873, with the late G. W. Davis master and J. A. O'Brien secretary. Healdsburg Grange was organized May 29, 1873, with the late F. H. Merry master, and N. L. Holt secretary. Petaluma Grange or- ganized June 14, 1873; L. W. Walker master and G. Heald secretary. Windsor Grange organized July 8, 1873, with A. B. Nally master and J. H. McClelland secretary. Bodega Grange organized July 9, 1873, John H. Hegler master, W. Smith secretary. Sebastopol Grange organized August 15. 1873, with J. M. Hudspeth master, Joseph Purrington secretary. Sonoma Grange organized August 26, 1873, with Leonard Goss master, Alfred V. Lamont secretary. Cloverdale Grange organized September 2, 1873, Charles H. Cooley master. D. M. Wambold secretary. Geyserville Grange organized September II, 1873. C. M. Bosworth master, R. R. Leigh secretary. Bloomfield Grange organized September 25, 1873, William H. White master, D. Bruner secretary. Two Rock Grange organized December 16, 1873, John R. Doss master, John H. Freeman secretary. The Grange being strictly a farmers' organization non-partisan, non- sectarian and having state and national calling, also all the elements in it to com- plete a perfect organization, it absorbed all the farmers' societies previously organized in the county. At the time of its organization the other farmers' societies were weak and the farmers being anxious to co-operate for mutual pro- tection was the reason for such rapid organization of the various Granges. From August 10, 1870, to May 25, 1875, there were two hundred and forty-eight sub- ordinate Granges and four county councils organized in California.
Bennett Valley Grange built their hall in the fall of 1873 and it was dedi- cated to the use of the Patrons of Husbandry, December 4th. with appropriate services by the late Professor E. S. Carr. The hall is built in a beautiful grove of trees and has become one of the fixed places for the people of the valley to meet for business and social enjoyment. Not only this Grange, but all the Granges of the county have contributed their share along these lines.
Sonoma county had twelve subordinate Granges. At that time there was need of a central organization in the county but the State Grange had not pro- vided, in their organic laws, for a central body, hence the subordinate Granges of Sonoma county sought to organize a County Council. There was a call is-
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sued by the several Granges, and I regret that I have been unable to get an ac- count of that meeting. It was convened at Santa Rosa, J. N. Bailhache was elected chairman and S. T. Coulter secretary. When the convention adjourned it was to meet on the Monday or Tuesday after the close of the State Grange, or at the call of the chairman. This call was never issued. On May 14, 1874, the Granges of the county issued a call for a convention to form a County Council of the Patrons of Husbandry. At that convention a constitution was submitted to the several Granges for ratification and August 3, 1874, delegates from the subordinate Granges of the county met in Santa Rosa and organized a County Council, it being found that two thirds of the Granges had ratified the constitu- tion submitted May 14, 1874. These resolutions were passed at that convention by the subordinate Granges of the county :
"Resolved that the action of the meeting heretofore held for the purpose of organizing a Sonoma County Council be annulled, and that we now proceed to organize a County Council under the constitution that has been ratified by the subordinate Granges in this county."
After much discussion the resolution was returned to a selected committee and a recess declared for thirty minutes, during which time a lunch was served by the ladies in attendance. After the recess the committee presented their report, viz .: "Whereas, in times past a convention was held to form a County Council in Sonoma county and a resolution was adopted organizing a County Council, Brother J. N. Bailhache was elected president, and Brother S. T. Coulter secre- tary of said Council. Said convention, or Council, was adjourned to meet in Santa Rosa on the Monday or Tuesday after the close of the State Grange, or at the call of its president ; and whereas, said convention, or Council, has not met since its first adjournment ; and whereas, a meeting was held in Santa Rosa on May 14th, last, pursuant to a call issued by members of the several Granges in Sonoma county, at which a constitution was submitted for their ratification and whereas, said constitution has been ratified by three fourths of the subor- dinate Granges in Sonoma county. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the action of the first named convention be, and the same is hereby, annulled."
S. T. Coulter, W. W. Chapman, A. B. Nally,
Committee."
On motion, the report of the committee was adopted. The minutes of the meeting of May 14th were then read, after which S. T. Coulter offered the fol- lowing resolution and moved its adoption,
FEAST OF POMONA.
"Whereas, the election of officers by the convention of May 14th was pre- mature, unauthorized and void. Now, therefore, resolved that we proceed to the election of officers for this Council, under the constitution which has been adopted." Motion carried. The chair appointed A. B. Nally and G. N. Whit- aker tellers. A vote being taken, the following were elected: William M. P. Hill, of Sonoma Grange, master: G. W. Davis, of Santa Rosa Grange, overseer : W. W. Chapman, of Petaluma Grange, lecturer; A. S. Edwards, of Sonoma Grange, steward; C. H. Cooley, of Cloverdale Grange, assistant steward; N. Carr, of Bennett Valley Grange, chaplain ; S. T. Coulter, of Santa Rosa Grange,
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secretary ; B. B. Berry, of Sebastopol Grange, treasurer; W. W. White of Bloom- field Grange, gate keeper; Mrs. E. R. Davis, of Santa Rosa Grange, Ceres; Mrs. H. S. Carr, of Bennett Valley Grange, Pomona; Mrs. R. N. Coulter, of Santa Rosa Grange, Flora; Mrs. C. H. Cooley, of Cloverdale Grange, assistant lady steward. During the recess the ladies present served an excellent harvest feast. This completed the formation of the County Council with the exception of an announcement made in reference to some changes in the by-laws and fixing the time for holding meetings. There was a rising vote of thanks given the ladies for the fine repast served. This was the first Pomona feast held by the County Council.
The offices of the County Council were for the disseminating of informa- tion on crops and of statistical matter for the benefit of the members. The Council held five meetings from August 3, 1874, to May 9, 1875. In April, 1875, delegates from the various subordinate Granges in the county attended a state convention for the purpose of establishing a grangers' bank. These dele- gates were Hill, Goss, Coulter, Whitaker, Carr, and Chapman, Davis, Cooley, and others. On their way home by boat, they held an informal meeting in ref- erence to disbanding the County Council and forming a county, or district, Grange; their object, as stated by Coulter, Whitaker and Cooley, was that the County Council had no calling further than the County Granges. By forming a County Grange it would have county, state and national standing. At a meet -. ing on May 9th, of the County Council at Sonoma, Master W. Mc. P. Hill stated that a change in the constitution of the state and national Granges made it apparent that the County Council might reorganize into a District Grange. We submit the minutes of the meeting for a more detailed account.
"Sonoma, May 9, 1875. Sonoma County Council met pursuant to adjourn- ment and was called to order by the chairman, William Mc. P. Hill. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved, the roll was called and a quorum was present. Worthy Master Hill stated, that by the amendment of the constitution and arrangements of the state executive committee, made it appar- ent that we might disband and take the necessary steps for the organization of a County, or District Grange. A motion to adjourn was offered and after some discussion, it was withdrawn by permission and the consideration of the pro- posed organization of a County Grange was debated upon at some length. A motion was offered by S. T. Coulter and seconded by G. N. Whitaker ; moved : that it is the sense of this Council that it is in favor of the organization of a District Grange, in accordance with the provisions of the state constitution and that the five masters present be requested to prepare a petition and present it to the several subordinate Granges; motion carried. It was moved and carried that boundaries be confined to Sonoma county for a County Grange.
"Resolved, that the secretary of this Council be instructed to call the atten- tion of the several Granges of the county to the provisions of the amended con- stitution of the National Grange, and ask them to pass upon the advisability of a County Grange, and present their decision to the district deputy, George W. Davis, with authority to call a meeting for the purpose of instituting such a County Grange; resolution adopted. Members were called upon and spoke on the good of the order. It was moved and carried that this County Council now disband and turn over all books and papers to the County Grange, when organ- 15
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ized. The County Council then closed with singing and toasts for all, espec- ially for Sonoma Grange for their general entertainment. Congratulations were exchanged on all sides and a happy goodby, and Sonoma County Council ceased to do business. S. T. Coulter, secretary."
This was one of the most enjoyable meetings that the Council ever held and many thanks are due the Sonoma Grange for their hospitality on that occasion. Such a harvest feast has never been excelled by the subordinate Granges in the county. It is well that such a change should take place in the historic town of old Sonoma. It was only following the critical times of earlier days.
William Mc. P. Hill spoke that day and made one of the most masterful addresses of his life in advocacy of the Patrons of Husbandry. During his address he said, "I would rather be master of the State Grange than to be gov- ernor of the state of California." Such was the close of the County Council and the initiatory steps to organize the Sonoma County Pomona Grange, and history will point to Sonoma as being the place of one more historic event in the county.
I submit the names of those who pioneered the organization of the County Council, viz .: N. Carr, G. N. Whitaker, of Bennett Valley Grange; P. Warner. W. H. Rector, G. W. Davis and S. T. Coulter, of Santa Rosa Grange; C. H. Cooley and D. M. Wambold, of Cloverdale Grange; James Gregson, B. B. Berry, John Gallagher, James Gannon, of Sebastopol Grange; C. H. Cheney and J. ·Wilkinson, of Bodega Grange; W. H. White, D. M. Parks and W. P. Hall, of Bloomfield Grange; A. Wilsey, John Doss and J. V. Wilson, of Two Rock Grange; I. W. Walker, W. W. Chapman, A. Caldwell, J. L. Mock and George D. Green, of Petaluma Grange ; William Mc. P. Hill, L. Goss and A. S. Edwards, of Sonoma Grange ; A. B. Nally, E. H. Barnes and J. H. McClelland, of Windsor Grange. Healdsburg and Geyserville Granges were not represented. There were a number of the ladies present but I do not have the names of any except those who were elected to office. I regret not having all of the names of those present and who took part in the deliberations of that eventful day. The call was issued by the masters of the five Granges, represented as per resolution passed and after the district deputy received a reply from the several subordinate Granges he issued a call for a meeting of delegates in Santa Rosa September 21, 1875. for the purpose of completing the organization of a District, or County Grange. The minutes of that meeting are as follows: "Santa Rosa, September 21, 1875." "Pursuant to call, a meeting of masters, their wives, and delegates from the sub- ordinate Granges of the county met at Grange Hall, Santa Rosa, for the organ- izing of a County Pomona Grange. W. H. Baxter, state deputy and secretary of the State Grange called the meeting to order, and appointed the following committee on credentials : N. Carr, C. H. Cooley, W. W. Chapman. C. H. Cooley was requested to act as temporary secretary. The committee reported the following entitled to seats: Sonoma Grange, Hill, Goss, Harding, and the Mesdames Harding and Goss; Cloverdale Grange, C. H. Cooley; Healdsburg Grange, B. Capell, and Charles Alexander ; Bennett Valley Grange, Mr. and Mrs. N. Carr and G. N. Whitaker ; Petaluma Grange, W. W. Chapman; Bloomfield Grange, La Coste, and W. H. White; Bodega Grange, Mr. and Mrs. Purrine. After reading instructions and regulations the convention elected the following officers for a Pomona Grange: master, L. Goss, of Sonoma; overseer, W. H. White, of Bloomfield; lecturer, W. W. Chapman, of Petaluma ; steward, C. H.
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Cooley, of Cloverdale ; assistant steward. B. B. Capell, of Healdsburg; chaplain, N. Carr, of Bennett Valley; treasurer, G. N. Whitaker ; secretary, William Mc. P. Hill; ceres, Mrs. L. Goss ; pomona, Mrs. N. Carr ; flora. Mrs. Harding; lady assistant steward, Mrs. C. H. Cooley, was elected but not present; gatekeeper. Purrine of Bodega Grange. Fifteen paid membership fees amounting to $63. By motion the secretary was instructed to draw a warrant on the treasurer for $25 in favor of W. H. Baxter, $10 for expenses as deputy and $15 to procure a charter for the Pomona Grangc. The lecturer was instructed to submit a code of by-laws at the next meeting, also to prepare a circular to the several Granges of the county and invite their co-operation. A vote of thanks was given Santa Rosa and Bennett Valley Granges for the dinner served. The Grange was closed to meet at the call of the master.
This completed the organization of Ponoma Grange that was begun with so much hope for the future prosperity of the Patrons of Husbandry. This organization has never missed holding a quarterly meeting except in excep- tionally stormy weather or for some other good cause, and has made history for all time. William Mc. P. Hill never qualified as secretary; he had been nom- inated and was elected to the joint senatorship of his district and his time was occupied making his campaign. The treasurer, G. N. Whitaker, acted as secre- tary and treasurer during the year and at the next annual election he was re- elected secretary and served in that capacity nine successive years. At the last mentioned meeting the masters and their wives were required to pay only $3 each and the delegates $5 each as a charter fee. At a subsequent meeting the law was changed to make the fee $3 for each member.
Pomona Grange is a fifth degree Grange, with authority to confer that de- gree upon its members. Its officers are to look after the educational features of the subordinate Granges, and also everything pertaining to the good of the order. It is made up of masters of subordinate granges, their wives, and such fourth degree members as delegates. Its quarterly meetings are held in Santa Rosa, and it holds special meetings with the subordinate granges when invited to do so by them. Many important subjects are brought out for the welfare of the farmers of the county. Such subjects are discussed in their sessions and, if found advisable, are brought before the public through the newspapers or by a committee. The grange committee often come before the board of super- visors on subjects of importance and generally with good results. Thus their influence results in co-operation which could not be secured in any other way. "How long will it take a farmer to become a granger?" This can be answered by first identifying himself with one of these organizations, and by so doing meeting the co-operation of others and in exchanging ideas reap a mutual bene- fit as well as surrounding himself and family with uplifting influences.
Although the Grange is non-sectarian and non-political, yet the work of the ritual and teaching's are of the highest moral character, such as cannot be found in any other farmers' organization. The wisdom of the members of the subor- dinate. Pomona. State and National Granges being combined it will readily he seen with what force any measure that is just can be presented to the county. state and national congress, wherein one individual or one grange could accom- plish but little even in a local manner.
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SONOMA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PARK ASSOCIATION.
In 1878 a number of farmers and stockmen of Sonoma county organized an association for the purpose of improving their stock. On December 30th of that year the following persons signed articles of incorporation for the So- noma County Agricultural Park Association : Dr. W. Finlaw, J. P. Clark, James Adams, H. W. Byington, Baker & Ross, Joseph Wright, W. G. Atkinson, Mur- phy Bros., E. Latapie, V. Quackenbush, G. W. Savage, John Taylor, Ragdale Bros., and E. T. Niles. This association held several successful fairs and stock shows. In 1884 it increased its capital stock to $50,000, and changed its name to the Sonoma County Stockbreeders Association with its object the breeding of draft and driving horses, fine shecp, cattle and hogs. This association paid its own expenses without any outside assistance, except in premiums and stock entries. The fairs from 1882 to '85, inclusive, were very successful and would have done credit to any district fairs of the state. They built a race track in Santa Rosa which is still maintained for harness racing and training purposes and is said to be one of the finest in northern California.
On April 18, 1882, Pomona Grange took up the subject of making a col- lective county exhibit. It was canvassed by individual members and at the quarterly meeting of April 18th, of that year, the subject was discussed at some length. G. N. Whitaker offered this resolution, which was seconded by I. De Turk, "Resolved: that a. committee of three be appointed by the master to collect samples of the products of Sonoma county and make a collective exhibit and display them at the Sonoma County Fair, Sonoma and Marin District Fair and at the State Fair." The resolution carried and a committee composed of John Adams, E. A. Rogers and G. N. Whitaker was appointed. This manner of exhibiting farm products originated from an account given by I. De Turk of a mineral state display he had seen in Denver, Colo. This committee was given full power to act and to appoint a sub-committee if necessary. Among their aids appointed were: I. De Turk, J. Hockins, W. Church and wife, N. Carr and wife, S. T. Coulter and wife, Mrs. G. N. Whitaker, and others. The committee at once took up their task and the first difficulty confronting them was the lack of means to prepare the samples for exhibition. Many of the farmers contributed liberally of their products and the first exhibit was made at the Santa Rosa Fair. This being a new method of displaying a county's re- sources there were no awards in the premium list and the committee had diffi- culty in getting any awards for their first exhibit; however, one gold medal, valued at five dollars, for best general display of farm products, was awarded them. At the Petaluma District Fair they received a ten dollar cash premium which did not begin to pay expenses, but notwithstanding these discourage- ments they kept adding to their display all the grains, grasses and other prod- ucts until it had assumed large proportions. In transferring this display to the State Fair the railroads and boats carried it free of charge. G. N. Whitaker was in charge of the display and for the first few days it was looked upon as something curious and a joke. On the afternoon of the second day a reporter of the Record Union looked over the exhibit and was asked by Mr. Whitaker "if he would give his exhibit a notice in the next issue"? He was told that there did not seem to be much to write about, and when it was explained that this was a new way of exhibiting the resources of a county and that it con-
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tained more than had been displayed heretofore, and was an enterprise well worth the notice of the papers, and in a joking way told the reporter he would give him a "half dozen big, red apples if he would give his display a notice in his next issue." There appeared a short article in reference to the exhibit as follows: "In the southeast corner of the east room is a large exhibit of the re- sources of Sonoma county, made by Pomona Grange. It embraces a large number of all kinds of cereals, grass and grass seeds, hops, wine, wool, and dried fruits-the latter both sun and factory dried-a few samples of green fruit, also tan bark and charcoal. This is the only display of the kind in the building and is very creditable to the county and Grange. It is in charge of G. N. Whitaker, secretary of the Grange. This is a class of exhibits that ought to appear from every county in the state at each annual fair. We expect that the placards Mr. Whitaker had printed, 'Raised in Old Sonoma, Without Irri- gation,' attracts no little comment."
Early the next day the reporter returned, smiling, and was asked if he had come for his apples. He said he wanted to take a more careful look over the display. Mr. Whitaker then spent an hour going over the exhibit and explain- ing fully its merits and when the reporter left he was offered the apples, but refused all but one to show, as he said, to the boys at the printing office. The next issue of the Record Union had the following: "A successful exhibit-the Pomona Grange exhibit of the resources of Sonoma county-is 'attracting much attention. The display of cereals, vegetables and seeds is made in regular sized bottles arranged in terraces, each sample is labeled showing the grower's name. the particular part of the county in which it is grown and the number of bushels of yield per acre. There are sixty-two samples of No. I. wheat, twenty-five samples of barley, twenty-four of corn in bottles, fifteen in the ear, twenty-six samples of oats, eight of wool, nine of grass seeds, four of charcoal, four of tanbark, one of English walnuts, one of oranges, one of chestnuts, two. of hops, nine of grasses, fourteen of grain in sheaf, two of woolen goods from the Peta- luma and Santa Rosa Woolen Mills, twelve samples of wine from Hood's Gey- ser Vineyard, twelve of wine from I. De Turk's vineyard of Santa Rosa, twelve samples of sun-dried fruits from Sunny Knoll, six varieties of factory dried fruit from G. N. Whitaker. The latter is in charge of this exhibit and is very attentive to visitors and apparently takes much pride in showing the resources of his county."
Pomona Grange is indebted to Messrs. John Markely, E. W. Maslin and the late T. L. Thompson for favors shown Mr. Whitaker during this critical trial of the display of the agricultural resources of the county. It was through their influence, to a great extent, that the Grange was awarded the gold medal, valued at $100, and it was also through the notice that the Record Union gave the display that brought Sonoma's exhibit so prominently before the public. The Breeder and Sportsman had this mention of the exhibit while it was on dis- play at Santa Rosa, in 1883: "While at Santa Rosa we noticed and commented on the splendid collection of cereal samples of Sonoma county, gathered to- gether by Pomona Grange. The local press took a pardonable pride in the display and suggested that it be moved bodily to Petaluma and from there to the State Fair. This was done and at Sacramento Pomona Grange was voted a spe- cial gold medal worth $100 for the collection. We thought from the first that this display was destined to be a missionary messenger sent to tell the
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