USA > New York > The History of New York State Grange, 1934-1960 > Part 6
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At the Saratoga Springs 1958 State session, State Secretary Harold M. Stanley told the assembled delegates: "I wish to pay special tribute to the memory of John W. Kleis, who died at the age of seventy-eight, on March 21, 1958. He had been Treasurer of New York State Grange for thirty-four years, a record equaled by no one in our State Grange. During all of my years as Secre- tary I worked very closely with our State Treasurer and found him a most faithful and understanding co-worker.
"John Kleis had been a school board member since 1903, and President of the Frontier School Board since 1951. He was a past President of the Erie County School Board Association. In 1955 he received a Distinguished Service Award of the New York School Boards Association, a significant recognition of his ser- vice to education over a long span of years. He was very active in community and civic affairs all his life. As past President of the Erie County Agricultural Society for twenty-six years, he
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contributed much to the welfare of the boys and girls of the Town of Hamburg and Erie County. As Treasurer of the State Grange he issued all of the checks for loans from the Revolving Scholar- ship Fund and has therefore taken an active part in making this useful service of the Grange of value to hundreds of our young people.
"John Kleis held many offices in the various degrees of the Grange and he and his wife Ida had for many years been most faithful workers in Subordinate, Pomona and State Granges. His daughter Pearl Kleis Gates, as Assistant Treasurer of the State Grange has been a never failing help in this important work. The Grange owes much to this fine family for their devoted dedica- tion to the work and the service of the Grange."
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: "For no man can write any- thing who does not think that what he writes is for the history of the world; or do anything well, who does not think it to be of im- portance." John Kleis did his work so it could stand the acid tests of time. We can look at it, and the Grange of the future can look at it, and say: "It is good."
ROBERT M. PAYNE of Coeyman's Hollow, spent the first twelve years of his life on a farm. The Robert Payne family now live one-half mile from his birthplace. Adjacent to this farm is the home of Ravena Grange No. 1457, which Mr. Payne joined in 1944, just before he saw service in the United States 7th Fleet, assigned to Pacific duty. In Ravena Grange he was Steward two years, Master three years; this is his fifth year on its Executive Com- mittee.
Mr. Payne was Assistant Steward of Albany Pomona two years, and Master 1952-57. In 1953, at Burlington, Vermont, he took the Seventh Degree. 1956-57 saw him Secretary-Treasurer of the Delegates-at-Large Association, and at Corning, 1957, he was elected Treasurer of New York State Grange. He is now on the Executive Committee of Albany County Pomona.
When he married Miss Ismay Rupert he tried to get her to join Ravena Grange, but was unsuccessful. She preferred Bethle- hem No. 137. They have three small children, Nancy, Robert and Steven.
Since 1947 Mr. Payne has been employed by the State,-first by the Senate, then with Unemployment Insurance, and now Correction Officer at the New York State Vocational Institution at West Coxsackie.
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4. JUVENILE SUPERINTENDENTS
NATIONAL: SUSAN BATSFORD WILSON FREESTONE, of Interlaken Grange No. 160.
If we examine the issues of The National Grange Monthly when Charles M. Gardner was its distinguished editor, we see this caption: "What Juvenile Granges are Doing: One of the Liveliest Grange Departments, Conducted by Mrs. Susan W. Freestone, National Superintendent."
From the time she stood before the altar of Lodi Grange No. 213, in March, 1898, Susan Freestone traveled the road of Grange service. She loved the Order, and had enthusiastic affection and deep vision of potentials for the country child. What "those little brown hands" held within their grasp was real to her. Her own hands held special blessing for rural children. She typified the words of Henry Ward Beecher: "We should so live and labor in our time that what came to us as seed may go to the next generation as blossom, and that which came to us as blossom may go to them as fruit."
She sowed patriotisn, honesty, unselfishness, thoughtfulness for others first,-principles she stressed by word, by guidance to Juvenile Deputies and Matrons, and in the National Grange Monthly by practical pointers patterned for full, rewarding de- velopment for years ahead for individual and group.
Appointed in 1928 to the position of National Juvenile Super- intendent, by National Master Louis J. Taber, she served for eleven years. Here are big items initialed by Susan Freestone, originator:
Due to her influence State Master Fred J. Freestone appoint- ed County Juvenile Deputies. Through her the Juvenile Deputies' Association was formed, and a sash obtained for each Juvenile
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Deputy. She appealed to the State Grange Executive Committee, and the Juvenile Degree was conferred at State Grange sessions, beginning with the 1931 Olean session, where Ross Juvenile No. 134 achieved high success, and did much to advance Juvenile work. This success was repeated later at National Grange, where it "worked wonders."
Through Mrs. Freestone the distinctive red was adopted as the Juvenile color, manuals were covered in red, and red Hand- books issued. With the help of Charles M. Gardner, High Priest of Demeter, the Juvenile Manual was revised, and a new pledge for adult honorary members adopted. A sixty-four page Juvenile Song Book was published, the graduation ceremony first intro- duced, installation ceremony written, a loan service of helps and bulletins provided, and the Juvenile Grange Honor system start- ed. State Grange contests for Juvenile emerged; instead of a one- half column devoted to Juvenile work in the National Grange Monthly, a whole page, designed to suggest helps and give account of Juvenile activities, was allotted. Mrs. Freestone prepared an informational folder, six-page, entitled, "Our Most Precious Pos- session." Mr. and Mrs. Freestone in 1956 donated the colorful red and gold caps and capes used in the Juvenile degree at State Grange.
To somewhat preserve Susan W. Freestone's personality, we quote from her own words: "More care and attention is being paid to have programs that will help create a love for the better things of life, and train Juveniles to choose things that will help them in developing strong, upstanding character. A desire is planted in their minds to live clean, upright lives. .. . The type of work done by a majority of our Juvenile Granges continues to be outstanding. Its influence is doing much to promote honesty, loyalty and trustworthiness. The members are learning to work together, to cooperate, to think of others and love the country and its beauties. .. . The surest way to improve conditions in the country is to properly train the children."
"We are proud that the Grange was the first agricultural organization that realized that the boys and girls of the farm needed an organization of their own where they could be helped and educated. .. . It has been a source of wonder to me to see how wisely and comprehensively the Founders of the Order planned our wonderful Order. When on every hand today you hear about the youth movement and realize every organization is waking up to the fact that more time and attention must be given to them, it makes us proud and happy that there has always been a place for young people in our Grange."
Mrs. Freestone referred to a letter from one Founder, Oliver Hudson Kelley, to another, Francis McDowell, July, 1868, in
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"Father" Kelley's "Origin and Progress of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry," published in 1874. "I suggest a primary degree expressly for the little folks from six to sixteen, so as to enter- tain and interest the children in the rural districts, and get their minds interested in the study of the beauties of nature, etc., and to afford them some rational recreation." That was the beginning.
In 1936 State Master Raymond Cooper said: "New York State is very proud of the splendid record of our National Superintend- ent and her work will not be forgotten."
The National Grange Monthly of October, 1946, paid tribute: "The brilliant work of Susan Freestone is still reflected in the development of the young Granger organization."
STATE JUVENILE SUPERINTENDENTS
NO. 1. MRS. DAVID KIDD:
At the 64th annual session, Utica, State Master Raymond Cooper announced: "At this session we shall be happy to intro- duce to you our State Juvenile Superintendent Beatrice Kidd, whose untiring efforts have encouraged Juvenile work since she took office in May."
Prior to that date, the title had been State Juvenile Deputy. From 1922-1930, that title was worn with distinction by Miss Natalie Barns, Orange County; Mrs. Florence Auchter, Monroe County, and Mrs. Emma R. Jerome, Onondaga County. Beatrice Kidd wore the new title of State Superintendent from May, 1936, to December, 1941, five and a half busy, fruitful years.
Her background training was good: A graduate of Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania, High School, and Englewood Business Col- lege, Illinois, she joined the Grange in 1914. Former Chaplain, and later Juvenile Matron of Dansville Grange No. 172, in 1929 State Master Fred J. Freestone appointed her Livingston County
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Juvenile Deputy. From 1929-36 she organized nine Juvenile Granges and reorganized one.
At this 1936 Utica session, State Master Raymond Cooper announced thirty new Juvenile Granges and four re-organizations during that year. June 30, 1936, 299 Juvenile Granges reported with a membership of 8,429. June 30, 1941, there was a report from 380 Juvenile Granges, with 33 late in reporting, and an esti- mated membership based on all reports of 9,908. There was an evident gain of at least 81 Juvenile Granges, with a membership gain of 1,479. Mrs. Kidd's report of 1937 indicated 6,000 adult, or honorary members, had taken the beautiful Juvenile degree.
JUVENILE GRADUATES: Over 2,485 Juvenile members had graduated into Subordinate Granges, a valuable asset of trained youth.
DEDICATIONS: In 1936, Mrs. Kidd dedicated the Juvenile room of Corfu Juvenile Grange No. 204; 1938, Juvenile owned hall of Pavilion Juvenile Grange No. 56; in 1939, two Juvenile rooms,- that of Webster Juvenile Grange No. 13 and Bristol Valley Juven- ile Grange No. 249.
MODEL JUVENILE GRANGE HONORS: Were won for five consecutive years for New York State Grange. This implied high standards and gain in membership. 33 late reports prevented the 1941 honor.
ACHIEVEMENT CHART CONTEST: Was instituted in 1937 by Mrs. Kidd. These charts, annual record of work achieved, were gay with red and gold stars.
"The Juvenile Grange is our very own 'Youth Organization,' and it is the duty of every loyal Grange member to support it," said Mrs. Kidd.
No. 2. ISABELLE HARRIS;
Mrs. Russell Harris, Glens Falls, in December, 1941, took up the mantle of New York State Grange Juvenile Superintendent where Beatrice Kidd had laid it down. She filled the position for two years, during which she worked with Mrs. Harry Caldwell, National Grange Juvenile Superintendent, in editing the National Grange Manual for Juvenile Leaders. Mrs. Harris wrote the article on the Juvenile Degree.
First Juvenile Matron in Warren County, Mrs. Harris was County Juvenile Deputy 1932-34, and 1938-40. During 1941-44 and 1954-60 she was Pomona Lecturer. In 1948-49 she wore the green of State Grange Pomona. As State Grange pianist for several years, she won many friends. At present she is Matron of "Westmount", the Warren County Infirmary where her hus- band is Commissioner.
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Mrs. Harris' final report as State Juvenile Superintendent noted personal disaster. "As most of you know, the fire which completely destroyed our home, also destroyed Juvenile Grange records and equipment. This made the work of the Department very difficult. Nevertheless, through the loyal support of the Juvenile Deputy force the work has progressed very well."
The Taber Forest, a National Grange Juvenile project, was completed in 1942. Mrs. Harris had encouraged contribution by New York Juveniles. In her broadcast over WGY, she chose the topic, "Juvenile Grange."
"Defense work was the major Juvenile Grange issue," said Mrs. Harris. "They met and faced the National crisis and came through 100%."
No. 3. RUTH B. THEW.
This enthusiatic Grange worker joined Warwick Grange No. 948, where she served as Lecturer. After her marriage to Deputy John G. Thew, she transferred to Hamptonburgh Grange No. 950. In 1941-43 she was Orange County Juvenile Deputy. In 1948-49 she was Hamptonburgh Lecturer, in 1952-53 its Master. An active Presbyterian, past Matron of Warwick Chapter Eastern Star, she is homemaker in the 150 year old homestead, the heart of their 425 acre farm.
While State Juvenile Superintendent, 1944-52, approximately 254 Juvenile Granges qualified for National Achievement honors. In 1950 Mrs. Thew presented $602.25, contributed by the 298 Juvenile Granges of this State to National Master Henry Sher- wood, to buy tables for the Conference Room in the new National Grange Building, Washington, D. C.
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Mrs. Thew was instrumental in the Susan W. Freestone Vocational Educational Fund, which originated in 1945. Her dream of a long term Juvenile project resulted in the Juvenile Grange Reforestation Program, which evolved in 1951 in coopera- tion with the State Division of Lands and Forests. June 8, 1946, Mrs. Thew broadcasted over Station WGY, "What the Juvenile Granges are Doing," and thus acquainted many with our active young Juveniles. Mrs. Thew's wise leadership left a lasting im- press on Juvenile Grange building.
4. CATHERINE HALLADAY, Groton.
Following her service as Juvenile Deputy of Tompkins County, 1949-51, Mrs. Morris Halladay was appointed Juvenile Superintendent, 1951-53. In 1958 she was Lecturer of East Lansing Grange No. 792.
During her two years as Juvenile superintendant, Mrs. Halla- day attended the Grange Leadership School, Washington,D. C., from which she brought much of value to Juvenile Deputies, Matrons and Patrons, of the Empire State. At the 1952 Saratoga session, it was her pleasure to report the first planting of the Juvenile Grange Forest, Chautauqua County.
Mrs. Halladay excelled in her guidance to new Juvenile Deputies fresh in this field of Grange activity. She is well re- membered for her helpful interest. Also, at the 1960 Watertown session, she demonstrated to an appreciative delegation, in her report as Chairman of the Session Committee on Grange Law and Improvement, her unusual ability in still another phase of Grange work.
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5. AUDREY MILLER
Fifth in succession in this important position, Mrs. Roger Miller has proved an ideal choice. Active in Adams Center Grange No. 950, in Baptist Church, community affairs and in 1950-53, Jefferson County Juvenile Deputy, her days are filled to the brim in this new activity. Roger Miller was County Deputy, 1950-57. They are former farmers and now live in Adams Center, where Mr. Miller's business is insurance.
As a member of the State Grange Youth Committee, ex officio, Mrs. Miller held a number of workshops in adjacent counties. A member of the teaching staff of the Youth Leader- ship Schools Mrs. Miller found approximately three-fourths of those enrolled were former Juvenile members. She also assists in Regional Conferences, and in planning the annual Deputies' School program. In 1954-55 she prepared a column for the National Grange Monthly, and now adds Juvenile news for the "Empire State Granger."
She assisted in the dedication of Smyrna Juvenile Grange No. 523 Hall. In 1955, she was appointed by Governor Averill Harriman to attend the State Conference on Youth and Delin- quency, and also attended the first National Youth and Juvenile Conference, Hamilton, Ohio. She has held over one hundred con- ferences, plus county meetings where she has given helpful advice.
In 1959 State Master Leland D. Smith said: "Under the able direction of Mrs. Miller and her helpers in the field, a great num- ber of boys and girls have a start in this unexcelled organization, the Grange."
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Chapter 4 FIELD WORKERS
1. DEPUTY GRANGE MASTERS
Noah Webster defines the word deputy as "one appointed as the substitute of another, and empowered to act for him or on his behalf." Leonard Fuller, Past Deputy and present Executive Committee member, addressed the Deputies' Association in Bib- bins Hall, Ithaca, in 1955, and applied Webster's definition to Grange Deputies: "Your authority is this-in the State Master's absence from your county you ARE State Master, subject, always, to his direction. You are the head of the Grange in your own county. You are the leader. You have the backing and support of the State Master. Having this support and confidence demands that you prepare yourself in every way to carry out the the duties of your office with honor to the State Master you represent."
A Grange Deputy is recommended by vote of his county, and appointed by the State Master, who usually accepts the county recommendation, but has the right of veto. All State Masters have expressed appreciation of the devoted Grange spirit manifested by the Deputy force.
In 1934 State Master Fred J. Freestone said: "Some Grange members believe that a Deputy receives compensation from the State Grange for every visit to a Grange. Recompense is made but for one Grange visit. Our Deputies often visit their Granges several times during the year. They make these extra visits be- cause they like the Grange folk, because they take pride in their county, are anxious to see it grow, because they believe the Grange is worthy of the best they can give, and that no organization stands for so many worthwhile things as does the Grange."
"Money cannot buy the service our faithful Deputy Masters give in the Grange," said State Master Raymond Cooper.
"The greatest honor that can be bestowed upon a Grange member in his county is to be recommended as Deputy Master of New York State Grange," commented State Master W. J. Rich in 1943. "The office offers a great field of service and unlimited possibilities."
"State Master Henry Sherwood mentioned war restrictions, and said: "I wonder if we all realize how many sacrifices our Deputies make during the year? Night after night they ride the highways to bring the Grange message. Do we ever think of the countless visits, the long trips through all kinds of weather, over icy and snow-filled roads,-long hours of travel and short nights of rest?"
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At Saratoga Springs, 1952, State Master Leland Smith paid tribute: "This past year it has been my good fortune to have the finest Deputy force anywhere in the nation to work with-I deep- ly appreciate the good work they have done."
How many visits do they make, annually? Deputy Nelson Marolf, Lewis County, 1961 President of the Deputy Association, answered this query: "An estimated two meetings per week, State-wide." Multiply 104 by 53 Deputies; you have an approxi- mate 5,512 visits annually. Since the entire force is only required to make some 844 visits per year, the figures given above are an index of loyalty to Grange ideal.
DEPUTY SCHOOLS annually held at Bibbons Hall, Ithaca, have replaced the former conferences at State Grange which took the presiding State Master from the session, and added another burden of tension for him. The two-to-four day Deputy Schools present an intensive study and preparation period prior to the required early annual visit to each Grange. In order that early information may be uniformly available, schools, in earlier years, held in December or January, are now held in September.
NATIONAL GRANGE RECOGNITION CERTIFICATES, highly prized, have been received by at least forty-four Deputies, but, since records are incomplete, it is impossible to list these. Here are the foundation rules for this distinction: Any two out of the three are required for recognition: 1. Gain in membership. 2. Organization of four or more Granges. 3. A decided improvement in ritualism and community service.
DEPUTY AWARDS, COMMUNITY SERVICE: Well deserved, monetary awards are made now to Deputies with 100% county participation. and smaller amounts for 50%.
LEADERSHIP AND STATE GRANGE OFFICE: Of the five State Masters of this era, two developed leadership qualities in the Deputy force, W. J. Rich and Leland D. Smith. Research tells that at least twenty-eight Deputies became State Grange officers: David Kidd, Overseer, Chairman Executive Committee; Ralph Young, Steward Overseer-Executive Committee; Clarence Johncox, Steward, Overseer, Chairman Executive Committee; Russell Curtis, Assistant Steward, Steward, Overseer; E. Reynolds Farley, Clyde Hitchcock, Leonard Fuller and Morris Halladay, Executive Committee; Timothy Thomas, Fred Rumsey, Glenn Sheldon and Matthias Smith, Stewards; Dana Waldron, Earl Wat- son, Merrill Curry and Robert Drake, Assistant Stewards; Harold Stanley, Secretary; Stella Miller and Marietta Windecker, Lec- turers; Agnes King, Flora; Carl Fairbanks, Chaplain; Ray Lant, Arthur Speenburg and Edward Beightol, Gatekeepers; Jessie Prouty, and Leah Benjamin, Pomonas; Susie Jennings, Ceres.
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The following have been Presidents of the Deputy Associa- tion: 1934, Earl William, Machias, followed by Lester Young, Warren; 1935, Ray Lant, Chatham; 1936, J. Wells Weaver, High- land; 1937, Glen Sheldon, Lisbon; 1938, Claire Arnburg, Kanona; 1939, Foster Garrison, Brewster; 1940, Lorenzo Niles, Cazenovia; 1941, William Whittaker, South Fallsburg; 1942, Ethan Coon, Rhinebeck; 1943, Scott Traxler, Dansville; 1944, Carl Fairbanks, Williamson; 1945, S. C. Bradley, Aurora; 1946, Clarence Smith, Cattaraugus; 1947, George Pickston, Manlius; 1948, Walter Goff, Lake Placid: 1949, Harold Story, Ulster Park; 1950, Oscar Borden, Schaghticoke; 1951, Herman Larsen, Waterloo; 1952, Spencer Dun- can, South Schodack; 1953, Henry Pitcher, Millerton; 1954, Clarence House, Avon; 1955, Roger Miller, Adams Center; 1956, Edward Hasbrouck, Goshen; 1957, Maxwell Parish, Fulton; 1958, Howard Wightman, Friendship; 1959, Walter Gardinier, Amster- dam; 1960, Gerald Hotaling, Cato; 1961, Nelson Marolf, Beaver Falls.
At the 1940 National Grange Session, Syracuse, Fred Emmick, Norwich, Deputy Chenango County, received recognition as a builder of conspicuous service, for five subordinates organized that year.
STAND ON YOUR FEET, any Grange session, 1934-1960: The Flag of our Country comes marching in, escorted by the entire Deputy force, answer to all who would tear down the precious freedom of our New York State Farm, the heritage of America and all it means to mankind.
2. JUVENILE DEPUTIES
During the period 1934-60, 395 Juvenile Granges were organized, 297 reorganized. Among the latter is Huron Juvenile No. 1, outcome of the vision of Huron Grange No. 124, organized May, 1904, and reorganized in 1935. This evident growth resulted from labors of our fifty-three Juvenile Deputies. Juvenile mem- bers become adults; a Matron may be lacking; a Juvenile becomes dormant. Reorganization equals growth.
Usually the Juvenile Deputy is the wife of the Deputy State Master. If not, compensation is made for one trip to a subordinate, just as to the Deputy. Juvenile Deputies, and their willing assis- tants, Matrons or Patrons, exert their utmost to advance the Juvenile program. Their lasting influence reaches far into future values for Grange, community, and leadership training for rural youth. Mrs. David ยท Kidd, first State Juvenile Superintendent, expressed this: "The greatest service an individual, a Grange or a Government can render is to direct the boys and girls into paths of wholesome living and usefulness." She added: "Be tolerant about the 'noise of children.' They are what you were. "
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Attendance at annual Deputies' Schools, Bibbons Hall, Ithaca, requires about four days. Schools provide educational stimulus, and helpful instruction. Inspiration comes from the finest avail- able speakers, like the late Charles M. Gardner, highest ritualistic officer, and his successor, E. Carroll Bean; the late Albert Goss, when National Master, and his successor, Herschel Newsom. Through Mr. Warren Ranney, Mr. Paul Taber and others of the G. L. F., outstanding teachers of recreation, handicraft and child welfare have instructed the Juvenile Deputies. The State Master and other State Officers attend, and the scale of information and cooperation is high.
Juvenile Deputies help form the Flag escort at State Grange sessions. The Juvenile Deputy Association was formed in 1930. Since 1934, the following have served as Presidents: 1934, Mrs. Harry Marble, Holcomb, followed by Miss Blanche Johnson, Ham- burg; 1935, Miss Natalie Barns, Newburg; 1936, Mrs. Foster Garrison, Brewster; 1937, Marion Salisbury, Norwich; 1938, Mrs. Glenn Sheldon, Lisbon; 1939, Mrs. L. E. Harvey, Marathon; 1940, Mrs. J. C. McKinney, Freeville; 1941, Albert Shaw, Highland; 1942, Mrs. Fred Klein, Tonawanda; 1943, Mrs. Herman Larson, Waterloo; 1944, Mrs. Florabelle Pitts, Wolcott; 1945, Mrs. Scott Traxler, Dansville; 1946, Mrs. George Pickston, Manlius; 1947, Mrs. Leon Failing, Three Mile Bay; 1948, Mrs. D. Arthur Berry- man, Bluff Point; 1949, Mrs. Lloyd Wyant, Castile; 1950, Mrs. Oscar Borden, Schaghticoke; 1951, Mrs. Spencer Duncan, South Schodack; 1952, Mrs. Jonathan Pulling, Cobleskill; 1953, Mrs. Al- bert Halsey, Southampton; 1954, Mrs. Paul Bahret, Hyde Park; 1955-1956, Mrs. Edward Hasbrouck, Goshen; 1957, Mrs. Anthony Rivers, Jay; 1958, Mrs. Howard Wightman, Friendship; 1959, Miss Mildred Mehring, Mohawk; 1960, Mrs. Gerald Hotaling, Cato; 1961, Miss Beverly Smith, Clifton Springs.
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