The Somerset reporter., 1904-02-18
Canaan Grange.


man Grange, Patrons of Husbandry,
the evening of January 2lst upon the
retirement of Master George II. Foster
from the chair after five years occupancy
of the position of Master, and his pre-
sentation of a portrait of his father,
Eli III Foster, a former Master, to the
Grange. The paper is published in &C
cordance with vote of Canaan Grange.
Worthy Master, Brothers and Sisters
The years they come and the years they
CO. and what do they bring US? To us
as Grange they have brought US much
prosperity. The Grange has wrought n
great work and we, its patrons, look
around and call it good but do any of
us ever think to look back and see how
this wonderful work started?
The idea OF Grange in Canaan ems-
mated from few progressive farmers,
some thirty In number, who could read
from the "handwriting on the wall" a
promising prediction for the future of
this our much abused occupation. A
future as honored as any calling on the
face of the globe, and the present state
Of affairs proves that they understood
and read Alright. The farmer of today
who minds his own affairs, studies the
nature Of his soil, plants sows and tills
uDderstsndingly needs to doff his hat or
bow down to no other industry or occu-
patton. Such being the case the farmer
looks up and feels a certain respect for
himself, engendering respect from others.
Therefore the farmers, as a class, have
become respected by the highest digni-
taries of this our glorious Republic; and
we feel more than ever that it is ours,
and that we have helped to make 1t
what it is, the broadcast, the brightest
and the hlppiest country on the earth.
Referring TO some old records we find
that II. D. Barrett, worthy secretary of
Canaan Grange when first organized,
predicted that from that little band Of
thirty members, we should have one Of
the best oranges in the country; and
although he could not see the almost
insurmountable barriers that would have
TO be overcome, he predicted truly.
The first worthy master elected TO
preside over Canaan Grange was Amos
Stevens, a worthy man, who performed
his duties In faithful manner and the
Grange grew and thrived under his rule
and began to show signs of the pure
metal of which it was composed. About
this time disastrous fire swept over a
part of Canaan villrge completely wiping
out the Grange hall, all Of its furniture,
regalas and records, but through the
foresight Of our worthy brother, W. c,
Fitzgerald, the charter was saved. 1t is
not to be wondered vt that for time
these worthy patrons were disheartened
and the grange apparently died. But
after time few, more courageous
than the rest, made move to reinstate
the Grange; and from the ashes of that
apparently dead Grange arose this
beautiful home of ours, filled to over
fl wing many times with bright intell-
gent band of patrons, who stand ready
and willing to overcome every obstacle
TO further their interests in the cause
for which they work,
The reinstated grange chose for its
worthy master, one of Canaan's most
successful farmers, Elijah Foster. MI.
Foster ruled wisely and we'll for some
TWO years, respected and beloved by all.
The patrons looked up TO him more as a
father and friend, than as master.
Then as he beAa an to feel "old age creep
ing on" and feeling that his cares were
too numerous, h. drop d the mantle of
his grange responsibilities on the
shoulders of his only son, George H.
Foster, who has "ruled in his stead" for
five years. As to the wisdom of his
ruling, the growth and prosperity Of
our grange as seen today, will speak in
language not to be mistaken; and now
having accomplished the object for
which he aimed, that is, seeing the
Grange out Of debt and placed on q firm
basis, our time-tred and never failing
friend, steps aside to make room for his
successor, Cecil b. Gardner.
We would be glad to see him In his
old chair another year but he wills other
wise, and we, knowing that he needs
rest, submit One Of the best things he,
in his thoughtful kindness has done for
us, is to place upon the walls of our
Grange home, by the request of that
worthy matron his mother, true and
beautiful portrait of his father, and our
othertime beloved master.
The patrons who knew him in those
happy days, look on that portrait with
dewy eyes, hardly able to express them
selves, but feeling in their hearts well
pleased that our walls are honOred by
his likeness, seeming to say, "be We also
faithful to the cause you represent
Aud now beloved brother. trying to
heed his sdmonitons, we all unite in
thanking you for presenting us with so
sacred memento Of your affection and
hoping to see your familiar face among
us as often as business and health will
permit, we for the present, will wish
you Godspeed in all your undertakings,
and long and happy life. S. W N.