Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-12

retiring secretary, Mrs. Eta NJ.
Brown, read the History OF Benton
GRANGE, Its Founding and Growth"
Mrs. Brown has been secretary Of the
Grange for the past six years, in which
capacity she has served faithfully.
The paper which Mrs. Brown gave was
Of interest to all, especially to the
Patrons. and more especially to the
Benton Patrons. It. follows:
"History Of Benton Grange, Its
Founding and Growth"
Today, Jan. s, 1916, marks the 10th
milestone Of Benton Grange, and it
seems fitting that we turn back the
pages Of history and see what we nave
accomplished during our ten years OF
existence. Previous to that date,
those VINO wished to join a Grange
were obliged to joint out Of town. and
a large number had joined Clinton
Grange. 1t began about that time to
be talked about that Benton ought to
have a Grange in her own town, ana
several interested members prominent
among whom were Mr.. ]. S. Warren
canvassed the place and secured
names enough to secure a Charter ana
on Jan. g. 1906, the AZ Charter men,
bers we're organized into Benton
Grange. No ass, P. Of H. State Dep
uty Kate Ellis assisted by State Dep
uty =. n. Cannon of Gardiner ana
Sister Sadie Lord of Victor Grange
conferred the four degrees upon the
Charter Members and installed the Of
yy-0C
Master, Margaret Hosford. secretary
and Eta NJ Brown. Lecturer. AS
soon as the Grange was formed
large number from Clinton Grange
took dimit cards and joined us, so that
we consider ourselves child Of Clln-
ton Grange toward whom we nave
cherished the kindest and most frateF-
nal feelings during all the years. Dur
ing the first year we took in % mem
bers by initiation and % by dimit. SO
that at the end of the first year we had
o. members. OF the AZ Charter men,
bers. one half or q are at present
members, three have died, seven have
taken dimit cards, five have with
drawn and six have been suspended.
During the ten years we have gained
by initiation 226 members and by
dimit SO members, making total Oh
32l members received. OF that num-
Der we have lost by death, by dimit.
by withdra wal, by suspension lis
members. leaving us today Wlthf
membership of 202-97 brothers and
l05 sisters.
The following are those who have
passed away: John Hosford. Henry
Clark, Charles Seavey, Rev. A. w.
Reed Mrs Mary A. Brown, FANNIE
Richardson. Charles Fitzpatrick, Katn-
crime Kidder, E. B. Moore. Josephine
Hall, Almeda Pooler and Ellen Brown.
We have received from all sources
during these years 4304.sS of "nlch
s147O.75 was dues, $41S.00 for fees ana
s246113 proceeds from fairs, plays So
Gals and suppers. From the very
start we have had officers interesteo
i'm the welfare and advancement of the
Grange and the members have always
been ready to second any movement
for the benefit Of the Order. MT. IL.
f. Prentiss now Master for the thru
time. has been a safe and wise leader.
We have had six different Masters, as
follows: H. NJ. Flood. Fred Pollard
Albert Reed, l.. E. Prentiss. ]. S. War
rem and L. A. Davis, who nave "orheo
hard to build up a successful Grange.
Three secretaries have served LOT
the ten years, Margaret Hosford. one
year, Mrs. Mildred Pilsbury for three
wears and Mrs. Eta NJ. Brown for six
years. and who resigned at the end OF
1915. Eight efficient Lecturers VINO
have labored hard to interest ana
bring out the talents Of the members:
Eta NJ. Brown, Alice Brown, Myrtle
Chase. Alberta Foss. Mrs. Hattie
Scott Abbie Reed, Nellie Roondy and
Frances Richardson.
One Of the earliest of our purchases
was a piano. which has done us good
service. From the first we have been
anxious to lay up some money, with
the idea Of some time owning home
of our own. About five years ago in
1910 we purchased a lot Of land from
J. S. Warren on which to build at
some future time. We have held ten
very successful Grange Fairs and the
proceeds together with several pre-
miums received from the Central
Maine Fair helped swell our bank ac-
count which has also been consider
ably increased by socials, suppers. etc,
until in 1915 we had saved about
$1400 besides paying our running ex-
penses.
For two or three years there had
been loud and insistent demands by
some Of the members to start in and
build hall. The more conservative
thought we ought to wait until we had
| more money. On Jan. q. 1915. the
matter Of building was discussed and
a committee was chosen to get plans
for a hall and report at the next meet
ing. On Feb. "a two plans were pre-
scented and the same committee was
authorized to find out cost Of same.
who reported at next meeting. On
March 10. 1915, Benton Grange voted
to build a hall. SO out q IS voting in
the Affirmative. The Building Com
mittee appointed were Bros. c. A.
Pierce. A. R. Young. Everett Hunter.
Alton Richardson and Worth Brown.
The committee and members worked
with a will. A large amount Of labor
and money was given and on Dec. 3.
| We dedicated our new hail. Of which
We all feel so proud. P. s. NJ. Stetson
and s. NJ. N. J. Thompson and s. Sec.
E. H. Libbey we're present and con-
Quoted the exercises which were lis
tened to by large number All
| yvora loud IN thoir proiono our