Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-31
Monument Unveiled
In Memory Of
Founder of Grange

Founder of Grange
On Friday. July 80, in Rock Creek
cemetery, Washington, D. c., gran
lite monument was unveiled in memory
of Oliver Hudson Kelley, founder of
the Grange, with appropriate exercises
in which prominent members Of that
organization and agricultural leaders
from all parts Of the country partici-
pated. The monument and the Kelley
family lot were formally presented to
the National Grange, which will as
sumo its perpetual supervision and
care.
The officers OF Potomac Grange, No.
l. at Washington were in charge of
the special ritualistic service prepared
for the occasion. and the unveiling of
the monument was by the hand of
Governor Robert p. Robinson of Della
ware, who is treasurer Of the National
Grange and master of the Delaware
State Grange. The presentation was
by W. II. Landvoigt, executor Of the
Kelley estate, for many years Mr.. Kel-
ley's secretary and lifelong friend of
the family, all OF whom rest in Rock
Creek cemetery.
The acceptance of the gift and the
dedication address was by Louis J.
Taber Of Columbus, Ohio, master OF
the National Grange. followed by the
floral decoration of the monument by
prominent members of the Grange,
symbolizing tributes 10 Founder KEEL
ley by the membership of the past, of
the present, and of the future.
Part of the full text Of National
Master Tabcr's address is as follows:
A century, when measured by the
Eternal time-piece, may be but as
watch tick, but when computed in HUI
man heart throbs, a century becomes
a span of years beyond the limit Of one
mind or of one generation. The last
100 years, when measured by scientific
discovery, material advancement and
human progress, stands out as the
most important hundred years in the
history of mankind.
1t was century ago-January I,
1S26-in little cottage on a quaint
Boston street, that Oliver Hudson keI-
ley first saw the light of day. He in
herited those qualities of love of lib
erty, independence and progress that
characterized New England's early
history. Educated in the public schools
and given broad knowledge of gen.
eral affairs, he soon caught the spirit
that led westward the Star of En-
hire. and finally settled on a Mime
Sofa farm becoming accustomed TO
the problems, the privations and the
opportunities of Western agricultural
life.
A scholar a student a philosopher;
a man of vision and Of courage; if at
times a dreamer. he became as far as
organized agriculture in America was
concerned, 4 Man of Destiny, for to
him was given the vision. faith and
courage to lay the foundation of rural
organization in America, and to be-
! come pioneer, blazing uucharted
paths for future men to follow.
His keen insight into the political
and social problems. his knowledge of
fraternal history and his experience
in Masonry, coupled with his expert
ence as representative of the gov
eminent in the wartorn sections of
the South, gave a background upon
which to build a working outline for a
farm organization that should endure
No man ever attains great accom-
plishments alone or unaided. The
greatest of all Teachers needed Twelve
Disciples to carry forward His pro-
gram. Every leader must have faith
full workers in the execution of we'll
thought-out plans; so Oliver Hudson
Kelley, in his conception of the Grange
and in its translation into a practical
reality, had the assistance of other
men who are usually referred to as the
Seven Founders of the Grange"
When we state that Brother Kelley
| had valuable co-workers and loyal as
| sistants who shared with him the
! glory of his accomplishments, we
| cannot detract from the fact that it
was Brother Kelley who conceived the
work and planned it: it was he who
| had faith when others were discour-
| aged; it was he who wrought most and
| sacrificed most, and it is fitting that
| we today refer to him as the Father
| of the Grange" the Founder of the
| Grange, and a pioneer in organized
| agriculture in America.
1t is well for US to remember that
| the Grange charter is different from
that of any other farm organization
! that has since appeared or is now ex-
! listing in America. a careful analy-
! sis reveals that it is distinctly differ
ent from any farm organization found
in the Old World it is first a great
farm fraternity, with a constitution
and ritualism drawing inspiration
from Nature and Natures God: with a
! social and educational program seek
/ ing to educate and elevate it's mem
] perShlp, rural lie and mankind: with
| public program striving for equality
| for agriculture and a square deal fol-
! rural life; with a business and CO.
| operative background aimed towards
the economic betterment of those who
toll. With all of this, the Grang,
stands unique in admitting woman t
! full voting and official equality Will
man, giving to her virtues and grace,
the exalted position and crownins
glory of the Order.
The Grange places the open Bible OF
its altar and the flag of the Republic
in the lodge room. 1t makes the Wore
of God and the flag the ensign tina
should be over the hearth-stone an,
in the hearts of all worthy Patrons
This is neither the time nor the plac
to recount all the accomplishments o
the man whom we today honor Suhic
It to say that the early struggles, tn
great privation, long years of hard
ship and discoura cement, were finall
crowned with success.
1t is indeed fitting that this monu
ment is erected not only to Olive
Hudson Kelley but to Temperate
Lane Kelley, his wife and their fou