USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harrison > Centennial history of Harrison, Maine > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
The Lodge received constant accessions to membership, and this was especially true during the years 1905-6. The fund in the treasury increased to such an extent that at the beginning of 1907, there was enough to more than can- cel the indebtedness on the building, so that the Lodge was virtually out of debt, and the members congratulated them- selves on the prosperous condition of their organization. On the evening of May 14, 1907, fire broke out in the village, and before it could be checked the Odd Fellows building and all of the adjoining property on that side of the street were destroyed. All of the furniture, the greater part of the paraphernalia, and a portion of the records, were also consumed.
It was a terrible blow to the Lodge, and for some time the members were in much doubt as to what course was the best to pursue. Their home and its furnishings was gone, and they had only a comparatively small insurance with which to begin to build a new hall. Of course there was no question as to the continuation of the Lodge, for that was bound to live and the real question to meet was as to what kind of a home its new one was to be. After mature deliberation it was decided to build a structure that should be, not only good quarters for the Lodge, but a building that the whole town would be proud of, and that should be a source of some income from the rental of the stores on the first floor.
The old lot was not large enough for the projected build- ing, and the first step was to dispose of that and buy one that would furnish the required room. Charles W. Jackson, the druggist, bought the old lot, and the Lodge
232
A HISTORY OF THE
purchased the Jordan lot, the owners having decided not to rebuild if they could be assured that a suitable building could be erected in the place of their burned block. Other parties in need of rent at once agreed to occupy rooms in the proposed new building to such an extent as to fur- nish warrant for beginning the work, and it was begun early in the summer under the supervision of a Building Com- mittee, consisting of William H. Briggs, Oliver N. Abbott, and Frank P. Bennett, and was hastened with all possible dispatch.
The building now standing completed on the site of the burned Jordan block is the fruit of their labors, and a noble structure that the whole town, and especially the citizens of the Village, are justly proud of. It is one hundred and twenty feet in length, fronting on the main street, the easterly half being sixty feet wide, and the westerly half thirty-four feet wide. The lower floor contains rooms for five stores and the post-office, the latter having by far the best and most commodious quarters that the Harrison post-office has ever had. Three of the stores were at once occupied when completed by W. A. Southworth, J. T. Kneeland, and John F. Allen, and each one has better quarters than before the fire.
The upper floor of the block is occupied entirely by the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges, and consists of a Main Hall 45 x 38 in size; a Banquet Hall, 34 x 37, with large kitchen adjoining; four large ante-rooms, and a spacious smoking room; all finished and furnished in fine style, and all helping to make up one of the best Odd Fellows Halls in the State. This building was duly dedicated on February 26, 1908, and the occasion called out the largest gathering of Odd Fellows ever seen in Harrison. Grand Master J. R. Townsend, together with eight other dignita- ries of the Grand Lodge, was present, and the impressive ceremonies of dedication were carried out in full in the pres- ence of an audience that filled all available space in the
:
ODD FELLOWS HALL Erected 1907
233
TOWN OF HARRISON.
large hall, with many standing in the doorways. Following the ceremonies were able and effective speeches by the Grand Officers, with a Grand Banquet in early evening concluding with the regulation toasts and responses, about two hundred and fifty being seated at the tables. Later a Grand Dedication Ball ended the celebration of the com- pletion of the beautiful home of the Harrison Odd Fel- lows.
Though this work has burdened the Lodge with a large debt, the members are full of hope and enthusiasm, and have full warrant for being pleased with the situation, as the Lodge has now more members than ever before, and new ones are fast joining. The total membership at the present writing is about one hundred and forty, with a good prospect of a still further increase in the immediate future.
Eleven members have died since the formation of the Lodge, viz .: Marshall Thomes, Edward Bray, Edward K. Whitney, Charles N. Harmon, Newell A. Trafton, Marshall Jordan, Horatio H. Cole, Emery D. Harmon, Frank A. Chute, A. Mellen Thomes, and Benjamin S. Skillings.
The following members have been Noble Grands of the Lodge in the order given below :
James P. Lown,
Nathaniel H. Seavey,
J. Wallace Caswell, Ralph E. Burnham,
Albert F. Davis,
Samuel O. Stuart,
William H. Foster,
Adelbert C. Buck,
George S. Pitts,
Silas C. Pitts,
George W. Roes, James T. Kneeland,
Alphonso Moulton,
Hermon V. Kneeland,
George E. Tarbox, Frank P. Bennett,
Charles B. Sylvester,
Walter A. Southworth,
Hollis H. Caswell, Charles C. Doughty,
Henry L. Purington,
Oscar L. Tracy,
Frank L. Fogg.
234
A HISTORY OF THE
The officers of the Lodge for the present year are as follows :
Noble Grand - Frank L. Fogg.
Vice Grand - Edwin P. Stearns.
Permanent Secretary - J. Will Davis. Financial Secretary - Fred C. Greene.
Treasurer - Albert S. Pitts. Warden - William P. Smith.
Conductor - Samuel O. Stuart.
Chaplain - Walter C. Jordan.
Outside Guardian - Marshall H. Pitts. Inside Guardian - George A. Flint.
R. S. N. G. - Walter A. Southworth. L. S. N. G. - Oliver N. Abbott.
R. S. V. G. - Hermon V. Kneeland.
L. S. V. G. - Ernest G. Marcque.
R. S. S. - Benj. W. Harmon. L. S. S. - Ernest L. Davis.
The Rebekah degree for women was not established until some thirty years after Odd Fellowship was founded in the United States, and when Harrison Lodge of Odd Fellows was instituted it was not regarded as of so much importance as it is thought to be today. It is intended to bring the benefits of the Order within the reach of the females of the families of the members, but it is much more than that, for it is an important auxiliary of the main Order, as has been amply proved by what has been done by the lodge at Harrison, which was not established for more than three years after the Lodge of Odd Fellows was founded.
Woodland Rebekah Lodge, No. 42, was instituted on Monday evening, June 27, 1892, by the Grand Officers, with seventy-three charter members, as follows:
CHARTER MEMBERS.
George S. Pitts, David Kneeland, James G. Fogg, Edward G. Tarr,
235
TOWN OF HARRISON.
Chas. C. Doughty,
Alvin P. Ricker,
N. H. Seavey,
Frank P. Bennett,
Caroline Kneeland,
Albert F. Davis,
Lizzie A. Doughty,
Eliza A. Pitts,
Alice M. Bennett,
Juliette Lang,
Marcia O. Seavey,
Fannie M. Ricker,
Vertie T. Sampson,
Meda A. Davis,
Lillian L. Seavey,
Clara M. Caswell,
Gertrude E. Foster,
Grace M. Seavey,
George W. Roes,
Lizzie G. Winslow,
George E. Tarbox,
Albert S. Pitts,
George E. Ellingwood,
C. H. Ellingwood,
Alanson Dawes,
Albert S. Kneeland,
Ira A. Kneeland,
Frank C. Stone,
Quincy M. Chute,
H. W. Welts,
H. O. Kneeland,
David E. Caswell,
H. Lizzie Caswell,
James Thomes, Zula A. Kneeland,
Ella E. Thomes,
Annie M. Ellingwood,
Ella A. Kneeland,
Melissa D. Chute,
Nancy J. Stone,
Lucy A. Welts,
Henry L. Purington,
Clara A. Roes,
Jennie E. Kneeland,
Abbie Kneeland,
Annah Whitney,
Abbie F. Purington,
Alphonso Moulton,
Charles S. Whitney,
Adelbert C. Buck,
Bessie C. Ellingwood,
Alice Pitts,
Etta A. Moulton,
Edith L. Caswell,
Alice M. Buck,
George P. Carsley,
Hollis H. Caswell,
Fred D. Learned,
Hattie E. Harmon,
Almore Haskell,
Charles J. Thornton,
Frank H. Sampson,
Nellie G. Learned,
Wm. H. Foster,
Lena M. Haskell,
Abbie M. Dawes.
Annie E. Tarbox,
A. B. Kneeland,
Frank W. Cummings,
236
A HISTORY OF THE
The following members were elected as the officers of this Lodge :
Noble Grand - Albert F. Davis.
Vice Grand - Lizzie A. Doughty.
Recording Secretary - Grace M. Seavey.
Financial Secretary - Eliza A. Pitts.
Treasurer - Juliette Lang. Warden - Annie M. Ellingwood.
Conductor - H. Lizzie Caswell.
Outside Guardian - Callie Kneeland.
Inside Guardian - Meda A. Davis.
Chaplain - Ella A. Kneeland. R. S. N. G. - Nathaniel H. Seavey.
L. S. N. G. - Clara A. Roes.
R. S. V. G. - Marcia O. Seavey.
L. S. V. G. - Edith L. Caswell.
The Lodge started under most auspicious circumstances as far as the membership was concerned, as it was un- usually large, and included many ladies of much ability. The membership was so large. at the start that some said that it had come into existence full grown, and would hardly gain enough in the future to make good the natural loss, but such predictions showed little knowledge of the material at hand, or of the determined workers that were among the charter members. It has not only held its own from the start, but has added fifty per cent to the original membership, having now upwards of one hundred and twenty-five members, with several more in immediate pros- pect.
Not only has this Lodge held its own and made a large increase in membership, but it has done effective work in assisting the Odd Fellows, particularly in the way of aiding to fit up and furnish the first banquet hall and kitch- en which were built in 1903, and in the work which has been done since the great fire. In that fire the Re-
237
TOWN OF HARRISON.
bekahs were large losers, but so earnestly and effectually have they labored that their own loss has been made good, the kitchen and banquet hall in the new building have been furnished in fine style, and in addition they have purchased all of the carpets in the new building.
The material assistance as noted above is not the only aid that has been rendered the Odd Fellows by this impor- tant branch of the Order, for its influence has been felt in the membership of the main Lodge, which is much larger today than it would have been without the aid of the Rebekah Lodge. As in the case of the Odd Fellows, the fire and the great loss which it brought seems to have given this Lodge new life. Not only has it inspired the old members with increased interest, but the heroic man- ner in which the members have met and overcome their great misfortune has attracted renewed attention from out- side, thus bringing several valuable members within the gates. The Lodge seems to have never been more pros- perous than at the present time, and it is an organization of which our town is justly proud.
The following members have been Noble Grands in the order named:
Albert F. Davis,
Abbie F. Purington,
Lizzie A. Doughty,
Jennie Burnham,
Etta A. Moulton,
Rebecca Shedd,
Marcia O. Seavey,
Marcia O. Seavey,
Edith L. Caswell,
Gertrude Nevers,
Caroline Kneeland,
Evelyn M. Kneeland,
Genevra Lown,
Clara A. Roes,
Jennie Burnham,
Annie D. Whitney,
Alice M. Bennett,
Gertrude L. Smith.
The following members have died since the institution of the Lodge: Clara M. Caswell, Lizzie A. Doughty, Lil- lian L. Hill, Genevra Lown, Alice J. Pitts, Eliza A. Pitts,
238
A HISTORY OF THE
Grace M. Seavey, Nancy J. Stone, Ella E. Thomes, Callie H. Thomes, Lizzie G. Winslow.
The officers of the Lodge for the present year are as follows :
Noble Grand - Gertrude L. Smith.
Vice Grand - Nellie E. Fogg. ,
Recording Secretary - Caroline Kneeland. Financial Secretary - Gertrude Blake.
Treasurer - Clara A. Roes.
Warden - Georgia A. Garland. Conductor - Carlotta T. Harmon. Chaplain - Lelia F. Wheeler. Outside Guardian - Ernest G. Marcque. Inside Guardian - Vida A. Greene. R. S. N. G. - Frank P. Bennett.
L. S. N. G. - Grace D. Lamb.
R. S. V. G. - Alice M. Bennett.
L. S. V. G. - Effie R. Pitts.
A curious thing in relation to the Odd Fellow and Re- bekah Lodges is the fact that the membership of the two was for quite a long time very nearly the same, and was exactly the same for a time. The wave of prosperity which followed the fire seems to have struck the Odd Fel- lows first, increasing its membership over the Rebekahs to some extent, as is seen by the numbers as given above. One of the prominent members of the latter organization, while giving the writer some statistics to assist him in writing this sketch, remarked on the fact, and added that the Re- bekahs "would have to do some hustling in order to re- cover their lost ground," and they can be trusted to do it. Of course it is understood that the only rivalry between the two lodges is an entirely friendly one, as both are working for the same end, and assisting each other to every possible extent.
239
TOWN OF HARRISON.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Patrons of Husbandry - or "Grangers" - is an order of comparatively recent origin, the first Grange in the United States having been organized on December 4, 1867. The Order made very slow growth at first, and did not reach Maine till 1873. The organization of Granges in this vi- cinity did not begin until the following year, Crooked River Grange at Bolster's Mills, the first one to be formed in this vicinity, having been organized in August of that year. The Order has become so powerful throughout our whole land, and has so many members in this immediate vicinity, it is thought best to give it a prominent place in this History.
The early organizers erred in giving undue prominence to financial matters, and keeping the social features too much in the background. Great promises were made as to the saving in money that could be effected by buying direct, and doing away with the middlemen. This greatly alarmed the merchants, who regarded the Order as a men- ace to their business, and an enemy that must be put down at any cost. This resulted in the Order being antagonized by this class almost to a man. Many farmers, misunder- standing the real purposes of the Patrons, and allowing the old prejudice against secret organizations to influence them, joined in the warfare against the Order, which was very bitter for a time, and many a Grange went down before it.
Time has changed all of these things however. The er- roneous teachings of the past have been eradicated, and the Order placed upon its true basis as an organization designed primarily to benefit the agricultural classes by promoting social and educational reforms, and not by an- tagonizing other classes, or by making war upon any legiti- mate business. While the members may at times exercise the undoubted right of any class to mass their orders, and
240
A HISTORY OF THE
thus secure wholesale rates, the merchants now recognize the fact that the Order is in no way hostile to them, and that many of their best customers are among its members. Enough of the doings of this organization are made pub- lic so that all can see that the social and educational fea- tures are given special prominence, and that the reforms that are being advocated are such as will benefit, not the agricultural classes alone, but the whole people. There is a changed feeling in every way, and all now regard the Order as one that is beneficial to any community, and where there was at one time nothing but warfare and the most malignant opposition, there is now hardly a sound of anything but friendliness and good feeling.
CROOKED RIVER GRANGE, NO. 32.
This was the first Grange to be organized in this vi- cinity, and was made up of members from Harrison and Otisfield, with its headquarters at Bolster's Mills. Its meeting place has always been on the Harrison side.
It was organized on the afternoon of August 20, 1874, at Stuart's Hall, by State Deputy Charles H. Cobb of Poland, with twenty-two charter members, as follows :
Fernald J. Sawyer, W. Wallace Andrews,
Amos Small,
. Leonard B. Green,
John Lombard,
J. W. Weston,
Isaac H. Stuart,
Elizabeth H. Stuart,
David Frost,
Alma S. Skillings,
Oscar V. Edwards,
H. Lizzie Weston,
Obadiah G. Cook,
Mary E. Sawyer,
Nelson Lowell,
Lucia E. Edwards,
Elias I. Fogg,
Ann Lombard,
S. Loton Weston,
Nancy B. Frost,
Asa Andrews,
Addie A. Andrews.
The following officers were elected, and duly installed to serve for the remainder of the year :
24I
TOWN OF HARRISON.
Master - David Frost.
Overseer - W. Wallace Andrews.
Lecturer - Fernald J. Sawyer. Steward - Amos Small.
Assistant Steward - Oscar V. Edwards. Chaplain - Obadiah G. Cook.
Treasurer - John Lombard.
Secretary - S. Loton Weston.
Gate Keeper - Nelson Lowell.
Ceres - Addie A. Andrews.
Pomona - Alma S. Skillings.
Flora - Lucia E. Edwards.
Lady Assistant Steward - H. Lizzie Weston.
The Grange rented Stuart's Hall, and the meetings were held there until the new hall was built. This was first occupied on December 3, 1887, having been built by the Grange during the previous season. This hall was dedi- cated in due form, in accordance with the usages of the Order, on March 8, 1888, Hon. Frederick Robie, who was then Master of the State Grange, being the Dedicating Officer. A large audience was present, several granges be- ing represented. At the Dedication Ball on the following evening State Master Robie led the grand march at the open- ing with Mrs. Elizabeth H. Stuart for a partner. It is re- lated that, during the progress of the march the ex-Gov- ernor facetiously remarked to his partner that he took pleas- ure in dancing in the country, for he was "in no danger of treading all over his partner's dress."
Very soon after its organization the Grange began to trade in a small way by buying goods and distributing them to the members at the meetings. Later a stock of goods was put into the small building which stood where the Grange Hall now stands, and some one was employed to keep it open on stated days. After the new hall was occu- pied a good stock of goods was placed in the lower story,
242
A HISTORY OF THE
and the Grange run this store until, some years after, it was sold to Freeman H. Pike, who continued it in the same place-it being run largely in the interests of the Grange-until failing health obliged him to close it some years later. After the store was discontinued the Grange proceeded to fit up the rooms which had been occupied by it and a spacious dining room is now in its place. Since that time the Grange has occupied the whole of the building.
This Grange did not have so many troubles, nor en- counter so much opposition, as did many of these organi- zations in the early days of the Order, but there have been some obstacles to overcome. To a limited extent the op- position that was found in all quarters was found here. There were dissensions and differences in regard to what should be the leading objects of the Grange, some advo- cating social, educational, and literary features, while others thought that financial matters should overshadow every- thing else. On February 1, 1890, quite a serious inroad was made in the membership by the withdrawal by dimit of twelve members in order that they might join Frederick Robie Grange, No. 307, on Otisfield Gore, others fol- lowing later. But Crooked River Grange had many mem- bers who were loyal and true, and whose devotion to the Grange and its principles never faltered. Opposition from outside only made them the more faithful to the Order, dissensions and differences did not affect them, and when members withdrew to seek a home elsewhere they only worked the harder to fill their places with new members. It can be truly said that this Grange never had any very dark days in its existence, and now, although its territory is somewhat limited, it has about one hundred and twenty members, owns a good hall, and has money in its treasury.
At the organization of this Grange, David Frost was chosen as Master, and served during the remainder of the year. W. Wallace Andrews was elected as Master
243
TOWN OF HARRISON.
at the beginning of 1875, and served in that position for fourteen years. He was elected and installed for the fif- tenth term, but was obliged to resign in order to become a member of the new Grange, the headquarters of which were near his home. The Masters since that date are as follows :
1890-1891, George H. Greene. 1892, Albert F. Chute. 1893, George H. Greene. 1894-1895, Harry I. Lowell. 1896-1898, George H. Greene.
1899-1900, Samuel C. Barrows. 1901-1902, Harry I. Lowell.
1903-1904, Henry E. Jillson.
1905-1906, Nathan C. Pinkham.
1907, Lyman Shedd.
LAKESIDE GRANGE, No. 63.
Lakeside Grange, No. 63, was organized at the Town Hall, Harrison Village, on Wednesday evening, December 2, 1874, by State Deputy David Crockett of Durham, with twenty-one charter members, as follows:
Alphonso Moulton, Albert Gray,
George H. Cummings,
Mrs. Etta A. Moulton,
William H. Robbins,
Mrs. Sarah E. Cummings,
George S. Pitts,
Mrs. Fannie O. Packard,
Charles H. Lakin,
Miss J. Augusta Greene,
Henry C. Packard,
Mrs. Dorcas Thomes,
Marshall Thomes,
Mrs. Virene Lakin,
Henry L. Buck, Mrs. Mary E. Foster,
Llewellyn A. Trafton,
Mrs. Abby L. Milliken,
Nathaniel H. Seavey, Mrs. Mary H. Davis,
Mrs. Fidelia Gray.
244
A HISTORY OF THE
After Deputy Crockett gave the members the necessary instructions in regard to the work, the following officers were elected :
Master - George H. Cummings.
Overseer - Charles H. Lakin.
Lecturer - Nathaniel H. Seavey.
Steward - Henry C. Packard.
Assistant Steward - William H. Robbins.
Chaplain - Henry L. Buck.
Treasurer - Marshall Thomes.
Secretary - Alphonso Moulton.
Gate Keeper - Llewellyn A. Trafton.
Ceres - Mrs. Dorcas Thomes.
Pomona - Mrs. Virene Lakin.
Flora - Mrs. Etta A. Moulton.
Lady Assistant Steward - Miss J. Augusta Greene.
At a meeting held at the same place on the following evening, Deputy Crockett, assisted by Alphonso Moulton, installed the officers elect, after which the following com- mittees were appointed :
Executive Committee - Albert Gray, Henry L. Buck, Marshall Thomes. Relief Committee - Charles H. Lakin, Nathaniel H. Seavey, Mrs. Dorcas Thomes, Mrs. Sarah E. Cummings.
After one or two meetings the Grange leased the "Odd Fellows Hall" in the "Old Temple," of S. H. Dawes, and continued to hold meetings there during the whole of its existence. Members were added in goodly numbers for a time, until its total membership was upwards of eighty. One of the ante-rooms adjoining the hall was fitted up for a store, and a small lot of groceries put in, which were
245
TOWN OF HARRISON.
dealt out to the members at the meetings, as called for. At a later date arrangements were made with Mr. Edward Bray, who was one of the leading members, so that a regular store, with a fair sized stock of goods, was kept by him in the rooms adjoining his paint shop as long as the organization was in existence.
But the opposition spoken of above was more than usual- ly active here, and this, combined with other causes, proved too strong for this Grange. After flourishing for a time it began to lose members, and gradually dwindled away. Some of the members made a heroic fight for life, but were obliged to "succumb to the inevitable," their numbers becoming so few that the meetings could not be maintained. Some eight or ten of the members joined other granges, but the others gave up entirely, though some of them never lost their love for the Order. The meetings were dis- continued, and the Grange went completely out of exis- tence for several years, the old Grange Hall became un- inhabitable, and the Order was almost forgotten by a large part of the people in the community.
But this organization was flourishing elsewhere, and some of our enterprising farmers never lost sight of that fact. Mr. W. O. Breed of Hillside Farm, Mr. Quincy M. Chute, and others, succeeded in enlisting the attention of the State Officers in the latter part of 1901. Deputies W. S. Larrabee of Auburn, and L. D. Corser of Bridgton, were sent here to work up an interest if possible, and so well did they succeed that Lakeside Grange was reorganized on Friday evening, December 13, 1901, with twenty-five charter members, as follows :
Samuel H. Dawes, William O. Breed,
Ira A. Kneeland,
Quincy M. Chute,
Herbert A. Libby,
Benj. W. Harmon,
Joseph W. Foster, Frank Kneeland,
Henry C. Packard, Albert S. Kneeland,
246
A HISTORY OF THE
William H. Bailey,
Mrs. Melissa D. Chute,
George P. Carsley,
Miss Carlotta A. Trafton,
Mrs. Samuel H. Dawes,
Miss Edith H. Russell,
Mrs. William O. Breed,
Joseph Pitts,
Mrs. Rose F. Libby,
Frank B. Ward,
Mrs. Louisa H. Foster,
Mrs. Mabel Carsley,
Mrs. Ella M. Packard,
Mrs. Ella A. Kneeland,
James Fleck.
The following were the first officers of the new Grange: Master - William O. Breed.
Overseer - Quincy M. Chute.
Lecturer - Mrs. Louisa H. Foster.
Steward - Benj. W. Harmon.
Assistant Steward - Joseph W. Foster.
Chaplain - William H. Bailey.
Treasurer - Albert S. Kneeland.
Secretary - Mrs. Ella A. Kneeland.
Gate Keeper - Ira A. Kneeland. Ceres - Mrs. William O. Breed.
Pomona - Mrs. Melissa D. Chute.
Flora - Miss Edith H. Russell.
L. A. Steward - Miss Carlotta A. Trafton.
The first difficulty encountered was in securing a suita- ble place for the meetings. Temporary quarters were pro- cured in the upper story of the Peirce Block, owned by William H. Bailey, who fitted up a vacant rent for the purpose. These rooms sufficed for some time, though the construction of more suitable quarters was agitated to quite an extent. The Grange made no perceptible growth for about two years - gaining a few new numbers, but losing as many of the original ones. But the leaders in this en- terprise "knew no such word as fail," and worked steadily on. At length some, who had long hesitated in regard to casting their lot with an organization of whose ulti- mate success there was so much doubt, were induced to
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.