Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-03-19
OTTAWA COUNTY AGBIC VI
TURAL SOCIETY. 81


per, by some twenty-one gentlemen, farmers
of this county, who believing the time has
arrived when it will be more beneficial to
the farmers of this county, to organize
an Agricultural Society than to remain
any longer in an unorganized state," meet
ing was held at the Congregational Church,
at Steel's Landing, ON the goth ult., which,
numerously attended, was called to order by
III. Pennoyer, ESQ.,; Col. Amos Norton was
unanimously called to the chair, and Geo.
Luther chosen Secretary. On the suggestion
of DIR. Eastman, pertinent prayer, by the
Rev. Mr.. Bridgman, was listened to by the
assembly, and the law providing for the for
nation Of agricultural societies having been
read by the secretary, and the object of the
meeting being briefly explained in some spir-
tied, soul stirring remarks, by Mr.. Pennoyer,
on motion of L. Eastman, it was unanimously
Resolved, That a society, to be called the
Ottawa County Agricultural Society, be
formed. On motion of II. Pennoyer
RESOLVED, That committee of three be cho-
sen to draft articles of association. T. East
man, M. l.. Hopkins and Geo. Luther, were
chosen, and on motion II. Pennoyer was add
ed to said committee.
On motion of L. NJ S. Smith, commit
tee of five was chosen to nominate officers of
the society for the coming year. L. M. S.
Smith, Geo. Luther, Geo. Baxter, VIM. NJ
Ferry, Jr., and p. Lawton, were chosen, who
reported the names in Art. of the articles
of association, and on motion of HI. Bate
man, Esq, the report of the committee was
adopted.
The following articles of association being
reported by the committee, selected for that
purpose, after some discussion, were unani-
mously adopted, to wit:
Art. l. Henry Pennoyer, Timothy East
man, Simeon Hazelton, Grosvenor Reed, L.
NJ S. Smith, Geo. Luther Perley Lawton,
Allen Stoddard, Geo. Baxter, Geo. Parks and
A. S. Sumner, their associates and successors,
inhabitants of Ottawa county, Michigan, are
hereby associated and organized under act
No. so, of session laws of 1855, into a soci-
ETY. for the advancement of agriculture, horti-
culture, the mechanic and domestic arts, to
be designated and known in law as the Otta-
wa County Agricultural Society.
Art 2. Its officers shall be President,
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and sew
en- Directors, who shall together constitute an
executive board, for the management of the
concerns of said society, a majority whereof
shall be quorum, and they shall 81 so manage
the property and concerns of said society as
will promote its best interests" and protested
objects, and there shall be a corresponding
secretary in each town in the county. All of
which officers shall hereafter be elected an
nually, by the stockholders of said society,
on the last day of holding the Annual Fair,
at such time and place as shall be notified in
the premium list or show bll-the officers for
the current year are hereby appointed and
named in section of these articles of asso-
citation.
Art. 3. The annual meeting Of the execu-
tive board shall be held on the first Monday
of December at the place of holding the last
Annual Fair, when and where the officers
shall make their requisite reports, and which
shall be the societys fiscal year and of the
official term of its officers, and upon its adj
journment shall commence the term of the
officers elect But all officers shall continue
to discharge the duties of their office until
others are chosen and qualified to fill their
place.
Art 4. Before entering upon their duties
the officers elect, constituting the executive
board, shall file written acceptance with the
secretary. The secretary and treasurer shall
each give bond in such penal sum as the
board may direct running to the Ottawa
County Agricultural Society, with one or
more sureties, to be approved by the Presi
dent.
Art. 5. The executive board are vested
with power, at any regular meeting, to fill
any vacancy in its numbers that may occur
by reason Of death, resignation. or any legal
event, and they may make bylaws, prescrib-
ing the duties of the several officers and rules
for the management of the society generally,
not incompatible with these articles of asso-
citation, "may hold fairs and exhibitions and
may distribute premiums for the best and
most meritorious animals or articles exhibited
in the several departments of the arts in which
they are engaged" as shall be by their by
laws and regulations provided.
Art. 6. Any resident of Ottawa county,
by the annual payment of one dollar to the
treasurer or secretary and by subscribing to
the articles of association, shall be stock
holder of the society.
Art. z. The officers of the society Of the
n