Milford chronicle., 1951-04-13
Milford Grange
Celebrates It's
! 77th Anniversary

AlC NT1uuSe Is the Oldest farm
organization in existence that has
functioned continuously since it
was organized in 1868 following the
Civil War.
Milford Grange was organized
April 13, 1874, with thirty charter
members by National Organizer, J.
M. Hamilton of California.
John J. ROosa, the first Master.
served for years and was follow
ed by Robert Gilman, G. d. Semal-
lie, Garrett S. HysOn, Charles S.
Barker and Charles H. Sackett.
The first meetings were held in
Good Templars Hall" on S. E.
Front Street (next to Derrickson's
StOre),
In 1878 we moved to tie "Odd
Fellows" building. Jacob H. Roosa.
(sOn of John J. RoOsa) was now
Master, was followed by Mr.. Howe
as Master We now Outgrew our
quartels, so in 1921 we bought the
old Milford Steam Laundry on
posite the community building. The
meetings were held here until July
28, 1921, when fire destroyed our
building and furniture leaving Mil
ford Grange without a home. We
now met in the owls Hall" until
we could build.
Mr.. A. B. Peet, cur next master.
was followed by H. r. Lemex and
E. J. Lewis.
Early in 1922, work was started
on our present building. The first
meeting in our new home was held
on February %, 1923, with A. E.
Num- as Master.
On April %, 1923, the new build
ing was dedicated with Robert P.
Robinson, Master of Delaware
State Grange, as Master Of Cere-
monies. The Heebners furnished
the music.
Colonel Theo dOre Townsend
spoke on "The Influence of the
Grange in the Community"
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Barker, the
only living charter members, were
present.
Our home was not paid for. We
held bakes, plays, suppers, pyramid
parties, rainy day bags, bazaars.
helped at Firemen's Carnival, fur
nished banquets for other organi-
cations and blanket clubs to help
us get out of debt.
A. E. Num- was followed, as mas
ter, by Wesley Heebner, c. J. Holz-
mueller, C. E. Jester, Howard r.
Moore, F. Davis Watson. Paris Kir-
by, Samuel Morgan, Howard r.
Moore, again, S. G. Armour. DON
aid Jester. 1t was during Donald
TESTERS administration that we
were able to burn our mortgage.
Robert Jester then served as Mas
ter followed by J. NJ. Longbotham
and our present Master, Preston
KentOn.
Milford Grange was host to
hundred Changers and their fami-
lies from all parts of the State on
Saturday evening at our 77th an
niversary. We enjoyed a covered
dish dinner with chicken pie as
the main course and everything that
goes with it. Mrs Jonathan S. Will
lis, ST., was chairman of the din
ner.
Mrs. William Michel. chairman
OF the dining room had made the
tables attractive with bowls of Jon
suils and fOrsythia and a huge
birthday cake. Miss Ida Roosa.
daughter of our first Master and
Miss Ester Kenton, daughter of our
present Master, cut the cake.
Mr.. and Mrs. S. G. Armour pre
sented the program for the evening
which follows: Solo, Sadie Wright:
Duet, Sadie Wright and Grace
Thomas with Mrs. Thomas accom-
panist; a reading. Grange Service
to Agriculture" bv Nettie F. Jes-
ter; piano duet, Edna Barker and
Trena KentOn; monOlOgue, Edith
Lacey; duet, Whispering Hope"
Sadie Wright and Doug Fry.
The address OF the evening was
given by Harry c. Johnson. Master
of Delaware State Grange. His sub
jeCt Grange Progress in Delaware"
A stunt, stop The Music" was
put on by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jes-
ter. Mrs. Trena KentOn and Miss
Esther KentOn.
Greetings were given by State
Flora, Mrs. Gladys Johnson and
from other visiting dignataries.
Drama Night will be held April
21st with Mrs. John LOngbotham as
chairman
The Grange will snOnsOr a card
and bingO party, April 25th.