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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGrange 2019 july1 ENFIELD VALLEY GRANGE NO. 2951 By Leah2 Carpenter3 updated by Sue Thompson4, Enfield Town Historian 2019 NOTE: The following information on the Grange is a “work in progress” if you have additions or corrections please contact Sue Thompson (historian@townofenfield.org). Beginning History: The New York State Grange was founded in 1873. This Grange was referred to as a great farm fraternity. The birth of the grange was created because the federal government wanted to bring order from chaos to the stricken land after the American Civil War 1861 to 1865. “The Enfield Valley Grange no. 295 organized in February 1875, at the home of John Theall. Fourteen men and women attended the meeting. Jesse Lyon, Deputy Sheriff from Schuyler County, directed the organization of this Grange. There were 32 charter members. Jame s M. Lanning was the first master of the Grange. John Theall was the first secretary. NOTE: There is a brief write-up of each of the charter members at the end of this document. Members of this grange were offered discounts on household goods and farm and family insurance, and they provided a place where families could gather for social events. The group participated in county fairs, showing everything from vegetables to livestock. By 1875, New York State had 11,723 members in the Grange. Enfield Valley Grange (EVG) No. 295 was part of the membership as their Grange was organized February 4, 1875. Enfield was the seventh Grange to be organized in Tompkins County. On March 19, 1875 the Grange was numbered 295.5 The second EVG meeting was held on February 16, 1875. This meeting and for several years thereafter, were held in John Wortman’s Hall, (201 Enfield Main Road) Enfield Center. Rent for the hall was fifty cents per evening included heat and janitorial service. According to Tompkins County Granges Report 6 1955 Grange meetings well held at Wortmans’s until January 1925. From January 1, 1925 to July 27, 1925 1 Information received from Ithaca Journal June 7, 1975 - Glance Backward by Barbara Bell, Ithaca, New York. Material for the article was gathered in part by Warenea Ramsey - member of the grange. 2 Leah Belle Gray Carpenter was a member of Enfield Grange for many years. She passed away on July 23, 2002. 3 The Town of Enfield New York Christian Hill to Enfield Falls. Edited by Members of the Enfield Historical Society and Sue Thompson, Enfield Town Historian. Social Chapter 14. 2002. 4 Sue Thompson, Enfield Town Historian, historian@townofenfield.org 5 Tompkins County Granges Eightieth Anniversary. June 18, 1955. Odd Fellows Temple, 310 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY. Town of Enfield Historian Collection. 6 Tompkins. Page 2 2 meetings were held in the basement of the Methodist Church on West Enfield Center Road. The Patron’s Fire Relief Association was organized July 5, 1876, with $150,000 risks. Grange members were involved in creating this organization. The prime mover in the organization was Amos F Curry. L.B. Curry of Enfield Centre was listed as one of the county directors and J.H. Theall Secretary of the organization. This was the first organization of the kind formed in the State.7 A committee was appointed in February 1923 to explore the possibility of building a Grange Hall. Land located in Enfield Center, was purchased from Harry Willis in 1925 for the building of the Grange Hall. Granges and friends donated not only dollars for the construction but pitched in with special capabilities and contributed materials to get the job done as economically as possible. Several contractors submitted to the Grange (Will Jones and Henry Rothermich and Frank Stevenson) building plans for the Grange Hall, along the cost of building the Grange. The contract was given to Byron Davenport a building contractor from Ithaca. During the building of the Grange Hall he bought and lived in the house that Emily and Lyman Warren (225 Enfield Main Road) lived in Enfield . After the Grange Hall (178 Enfield Main Road) was built he moved back to Ithaca.8 The Cost of the Hall was $6,000. The building was dedicated August 24, 1926 when Robert Hubbell was Master. Dinner was served to approximately 500 guests, and 600 people attended the dedication program where the principal speaker was Silas L. Strivings, Master of the New York State Grange.9 The last payment on the mortgage was made November 15, 1944 and the burning of the mortgage was celebrated in April 22, 1946.10 7 History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler Counties New York. : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers... Philadelphia: Everts & Ensign, 1879. Page 392. 8 Interview July 23, 1990 with Jack Hubbell, Warenea Ramsey, Helena Schaber. Town of Enfield Historian Collection 9 History of Enfield Valley Grange No. 295 April 30, 1875 – June 8, 1975, July 26, 1997. Enfield Historians Collection. Shared by Carol Baker, Enfield Grange. 10 Tompkins. Page 2 3 A Juvenile Grange was organized on June 14, 1927, by Mrs. Emma Jerome, State Juvenile Deputy. There were eighteen charter members. The first Juvenile Grange officers were: Master – Ruth Rothermich; Overseer – Lawrence Thall; Steward – Harold Laue; Assistant Steward – Robert Stevenson; Chaplain – Helen Wilson; Secretary Donald Riker; Treasurer – Doris Hansen; Lecturer – Elizabeth Stevenson; Gatekeeper – Harold Lokken; Ceres – Charlotte Tucker; Pomona – Alice Riker; Flora – Evelyn Ervay; Lady Assistant Steward – Dorothea Updike; Juvenile Matron – Mrs. Martha Bock. There have been many needed repairs and additions to the Grange building and property. The kitchen was remodeled with running hot and cold water, new cupboards and an efficient work table. Two bathrooms were installed. In 1996 all the downstairs windows were replaced and a new Lenox hot air furnace was installed by Charles Hubbell. In 1999 the upstairs windows were replaced, a new commode and new tile floor were put in the restroom. Most of these projects were done by Grange Master Roger Hubbell. He was assisted at times by other Grange members.11 On the second floor auditorium of the Grange hall there is a mural of Lucifer Falls located in Robert H. Treman State Park (Enfield Glen) that was painted by E. David Hemminger for a federal program to employ artists during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. In year 2000 new vinyl siding was installed and some of the kitchen countertops were refinished. 11 History of Enfield Valley Grange, 1997. 4 Women's Activities committee made arrangements for refreshments at each meeting and planned fund raising functions such as public dinners, barbecues, etc. They were also responsible for the annual Baking and Needlework Contests. The Legislative Committee suggested legislation to be forwarded to Pomona and to State Grange for action. In the late 1960's Enfield Valley Grange sent a resolution to Pomona and on to State Grange asking for the "Stop Ahead" signs you see at corners in rural New York as well as other states, and they said it would never happen. In 1939 the Alumni Band of the Ithaca High School presented a concert in the Grange Hall. The Band was directed by Dayton F. Latham, who had toured the country with the Patrick Conway and his concert band. In 1976 The Grange members participated in a Walk-A-Thon. They started walking from the Enfield Grange Hall and walked to the Trumansburg Fair Grounds. Walkers had sponsors for each mile walked and the money went to the NYS Grange Building fund. This was part of NYS Grange Bicentennial Committee Project for the Bicentennial year. Each year the Grange participated in community service projects such as allowing the Enfield Community Council and the Baptist Vacation Bible School use the grange hall free of charge. A local Boy Scout group was also sponsored. The Grange also contributed financially to the Tompkins County Dairy Princess Program and the Deaf Camp Program. In 1975 it was reported they serviced 35 firemen at their annual supper in January, a Community Service Project. G.L.F. (Agway) - The Grange and the Dairymen's League formed a federation, in the early 1900's for the purpose of serving farmers. G.L.F. was to provide farmers with feed, seed, fertilizer, and other farm supplies and give them a market for farm products. H.E. Babcock of Ithaca was instrumental in getting G.L.F. started. Past Masters of the Enfield Grange: James M. Lanning William F. Smith Joshua S. Miller George S. Fowler James L. Marshall Andrew R. Gibbs Will H. Jones Jr. Robert Hubbell Harvey Stevenson Mary Louise Brown Harold Laue Roy Linton George Stark Raymond L. Carpenter Roger Ballard Andrew Krayniak Amos F. Curry John H. Theall F.A. Holmes J.M. Baker C.D. Wallenbeck James McCracken Leslie Hine Pearle Rolfe Hazel Rumsey Updike Edith Teeter Alfred Palmer Eugune Hubbell Robert R. Carpenter Gerhardt Achilles, Sr. Bridgette Brown Leah B. Carpenter Edgar Brewer Eugene G. Willis Lucius B. Curry Frank S. Stevenson Fred D. Rumsey Clifford Leonard Herbert D. Bailey Forrest Specht Leon Rothermich Robert Rumsey Isabella Spencer Earnest Laue T. Roger brown Charles Guyett Francis Rumsey Carpenter Roger Hubbell 5 As of 1995, Enfield Valley Grange is the only grange left in Tompkins County that owns and maintains a building. Russell R. Carpenter, from Enfield Valley Grange, is the Pomona master. Several other Enfield members are active on the Pomona level. Enfield Valley Grange has enjoyed many celebrations/programs over the years. The 50th Anniversary was held April 15, 1925 in the Methodist Church with 300 Grangers and guests. Three of the five living charter members were present at that meeting.12 Enfield Valley Grange marked its 65th Anniversary at a February 27, 194013 meeting. Isabella Bohach, present lecturer, was in charge of the meeting. The minutes of the organizational meeting of February 4 th, 1875, were read, as were the minutes of the first grange meeting. February 16, 1875. Fred D. Rumsey gave a detailed history of the grange from the time it was organized to the present date. The grange meetings were held in Wortman’s Hall at a rental charge of 50 cents a night, and later in the Methodist church. In 1926 the present Grange Hall was dedicated. Of the twenty- seven master, there are ten living past master: Leslie Hine, Mrs. Hazel Updike, Clifford Leonard, Fred D. Rumsey, William Jones, Frank Stevenson, Harvey Stevenson, Robert Hubbell, Mrs. Mary Louise Brown and Mrs. Edith Teeter. The present master, Leonard C. Rothermich, has served longer in their capacity than any other. Raymond Cooper, past master of New York Grange was the principle speaker. Among other speakers were Deputy State Master, Carl McKinney, Juvenile Deputy, Mrs. Carl McKinney and Master of Tompkins county Pomona Grange, Merrill F. curry. Honor was also shown to the descendants of the first Officers of Enfield Valley Grange. They were Mrs. Ethel Taber, granddaughter of the first master, Monroe Lanning; Mrs. Jessie Agard daughter of the first gatekeeper, William Tucker; Harvey Stevenson, grandson of the first lecturer, Seth Harvey; and Mrs. Fannie Lanning, daughter of the first member initiated, Samuel Curry. Harvey Stevenson grandson of the first lecturer, was lecturer at the time of the 50th anniversary and Elizabeth Stevenson, great granddaughter of the first lecturer was lecturer at the time of 60th anniversary. Enfield Valley Grange also goes on record in 1876 of starting the Patrons Fire Relief Association. Several Xylophone selections were given by James Spencer, master of the Juvenile grange. Guests were present from Jacksonville, Ithaca, McLean and Newfield. Refreshments were served. In 1950 the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of was celebrated with a Southern Fried Chicken dinner and program. Henry Sherwood, State Master, was the guest speaker. Roy Linton was Master at that time. In 1975 the 100th Anniversary was celebrated with a dish to pass dinner and program. Gladys Willis and Marjorie Stevenson were presented 50 year pins that day. 12 Tompkins. Page 2. 13 Watkins Express, Watkins Glen, New York March 6, 1940. Old Fulton Postcards.com. 6 Guests included State Deputy, Ed Conklin, and National Chaplain, Kermit W. Richardson. Roger Ballard was Master. In 1968 the Grange honored the fifteen living past masters. Master Robert Carpenter asked Pat Gray and Fred Swartwood to co-chair a Variety Show in 1969. Subordinate and Junior Grange members took part in the show. The Show was presented at Enfield, Burdett, and Lansing granges. On August 28th the show was taken to the State Fair in Syracuse, N.Y. Roger Brown was Master in 1969 when a Special Recognition Program and Fellowship Dinner took place on June 18, 1971. Eight 25 year members, twelve 50 year members and six 60 year members were recognized. State Master, Robert S. Drake, was on hand to present the pins. Robert Carpenter was Master on June 12, 1987 when we put on a special recognition dinner and program honoring Hazel Updike and Leon Tucker for 75 continuous years of membership. Morris Halladay, National Chaplain, was guest speaker and presented the 75 year pins. Brother Halladay is a member of our sister grange in Groton. For part of the program Bernice and Leon Tucker's daughter, Shirley Boyd, sang. Bernice Tucker harmonized on a couple of Shirley's songs. It was obvious where Shirley got her beautiful singing voice. In the 1960's and 1970's Pat Gray was instrumental in the production of an Enfield Grange newsletter. There is a collection of the newsletter in the Enfield Town Historians Collection. An example of discussions that took place at various Grange meetings though out the years was reported in the “History of Enfield Valley Grange”: the price of grass seed, cow testing, prices of American Wire Fencing, raising pigs, purchasing harvesters, buying cement by the carload lots for 72 cents per sack with a 10 cent rebate, styles and prices of chairs, grafting and planting trees, the outlook for rented farms, drilling buckwheat and sowing winter wheat.14 Over the more current years, the Grange has put on fund raising events. The money the Grange makes is used to operate and maintain the Grange Hall. The one that has lasted the longest is the Election Night Suppers in November. With the first Democratic Primary held in Enfield on June 25th, 2019 the Grange held a Roast Beef Dinner fund raiser. Place mats, ice cream at various functions, catered the annual Firemen's banquet for a number of years (the Baptist women have taken on that job in recent years, (reported in 1995), sponsored card parties and most recently put on an annual Chicken Barbecue. At the card parties we played progressive five hundred. At first they were held in different homes. Setting up fourteen card tables in the homes became a problem. One night Bob and Leah Carpenter had to put a table in the laundry room for lack of any place else to put it. We had to move the card parties to the Grange Hall. Attendance fell after that, so the card parties were discontinued. In recent years the Grange has hosted the Defensive Driving course, several local historical programs, 14 History of Enfield Valley Grange No. 295 April 30, 1875 – June 8, 1975, July 26, 1997. Enfield Historians Collection. Shared by Carol Baker, Enfield Grange. 7 Holiday - Christmas and Halloween parties, Meet the Candidates meetings, Farmers and Craft Market, monthly Craft Club, Square Dances, Dancing Blue and Swing, Youth Programs, Holiday Bazaar, Pancake Breakfasts, Fish Dinners, Solar Informational Meetings all open to the public. The Grange rents out their Hall for many private events such as baby and bridal showers, business presentations, memorials services, and wedding receptions. CHARTER MEMBERS OF ENFIELD VALLEY GRANGE #295**15 Information based on Federal and New York State Census. Marriage dates est. (estimated) was based first child’s birth. George Washington and Rebecca Wood Budd. George was born in 1823 in NYS to John and Christina Shafer Budd. Rebecca was born in 1826 in NYS to Abraham and Phebe Budd Wood. They married in 1842. Their child was Oral Budd. George died in1897 and Rebecca died in 1903 they are both buried in Budd Cemetery, Gray Road, Enfield, NY. George was Overseer of the Poor for the Town of Enfield in 1886 and 1867. The Agricultural Census**listed them as owning 80 acres of land. William and Sarah Cox. William was born in 1842 in England to William and Ann Cox. Sarah was born in 1846 in England. They married 1867 EST. Th eir children were Edward, Jennie and Hettie Cox. He died in 1875 and . Sarah died in 1919 they are both buried in Grove Cemetery, Falls Road, Trumansburg, NY. The Agricultural Census** listed them as owning 54 acres of land. Amos F. and Lydia Harvey Curry. Amos was born in 1831 to Amos and Armelia Babcock Curry. Lydia was born in1822 to Silas Wooley and Abigail Lovell Harvey. They married in 1854 EST. Their children were Samuel and Fannie Curry. Fannie, their daughter, was also one of the charter members of the Grange (see below). Amos died in 1902 and Lydia died in 1906, both are buried in Rolfe Cemetery, Applegate Road, Enfield, NY. Amos was Enfield Town Supervisor 1850. The Agricultural Census** listed them as owning 42 acres of land. Oscar and Mary Jane Wallenbeck Fish. Oscar was born in 1834 in Wayne County Pennsylvania to Charles and Sarah Fish. July 7, 1902 Burdett, New York. Mary Jane was born in 1837 to Solomon and Jane Aston Wallenbeck. They were married in1863 EST. Their children were Eugene and Sarah Jane Fish. Oscar died in 1902 in Burdett, NY and Mary Jane died in 1879 in Enfield, NY. Both are buried in Enfield Presbyterian 15 **They were generally listed as a farmer and keeping house throughout the Federal and New York State Census’s during their lifetimes. The farms were typical farms of crops and livestock. The report of acreage is from the 1870 and 1880 Nonpopulation NYS Census data. 8 Cemetery, Enfield Main Road, Enfield, NY. The Agricultural Census** listed them as owning 65 acres of land. Seth and Emma Teeter Harvey. Seth was born in 1835 to Joseph and Hannah Lovell. Emma was born in Lansing, NY to Andrew and Sally Tichenor Teeter in 1844. They were married in 1834 EST. Their daughter was Carrie Emma Harvey. Seth died in 1885 and Emma died in 1922 both are buried in Hayts Cemetery, Hayts Road, Ithaca, NY. The Agricultural Census** listed them as owning 85 acres of land. James and Harriet Ford Harvey. James was born in1833 in Enfield, NY to Joseph and Hannah Jane Lovell Harvey. Harriet was born in 1843 in Enfield, NY to Edwin and Sally Ann Brown Ford. They were married in 1861. Their children were Cora, Flora, Delia, Harriet, Harry, and Ledra Harvey. James died in1881 and Harriet died in 1931 both are buried in Christian Cemetery, Enfield Main Road, Enfield, NY. The Agricultural Census** listed them as owning 120 acres of land. Silas and Martha Rumsey Harvey. Silas was born in 1825 in Enfield, NY to Joseph and Hannah Jane Lovell Harvey. Martha was born in 1827 to Jonathan and Mary Doolittle Cooper Rumsey. They were married in 1842. Their daughter was Sarah Jane Harvey. Silas died in 1900 and Martha died in1904 both are buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Enfield Main Road Enfield, NY. The Agricultural Census** listed them as owning 52 acres of land. Silas was an Enfield Road Commissioner and Fence Viewer Samuel and Fannie Curry Hix16 (Hicks). Samuel was born in Enfield, NY in 1848 to Leonard and Rachel Starr Hicks. Fannie was born in Enfield, NY in 1854 in Enfield, NY to Amos Flavius and Lydia Harvey Curry. Samuel died in 1918 and Fannie died in1901 in Eaton County Michigan. They are both buried at Chapel Cemetery, Sandstone, Jackson County Michigan. In 1880 they were listed in the Federal Census as farmers in Enfield. The Federal Census listed as farmers in Eaton County Michigan in 1900. Samuel’s parents moved to Parma, Jackson, Michigan shortly before Samuel and Fannie moved to Michigan. Byron Jackson. Byron was born in Cayuta, NY 1870 to Eldad and Catherine Strong Jackson. In 1859 he married Catherine Taylor born in Newfield in 1835 to William and Cynthia Vail. Their children were Fred, Addie, and Jennie Louise Jackson. Byron died in 1902 and Almina died in 1929 both are buried in Grove Cemetery, Falls Road, Trumansburg, NY. The Agricultural Census** listed them as owning 137 acres of land. Abraham Johnson – Abraham was born in 1814. He married in 1854 EST. Synderilla “Estella Hunter born 1818. Their children Alice and Amasa Johnson. The Agriculture Census** listed them as owning 75 acres of land. 16 Hix name listed in the 75th Anniversary of Enfield Valley Grange295 April 21, 1950 brochure. The name Hicks in the Census matched the husband and wife names listed in the Charter Member list of the Grange. 9 James M. Lanning – James was born in 1832 to Elias and Nancy VanDorn Lanning. He married Almina Gould who was born in 1835 to Bethuel Vincent and Deborah Allen Gould. Their children were Cyrus, Dewitt, Minnie and Martha Lanning. James died in 1902 and Alminia died in 1929 both are buried in Grove Cemetery, Falls Road, Trumansburg, NY. The Agriculture Census** listed them as ownin g 111 acres of land. Isaac H. Newman was born in Lansing, NY I 1923 to Harmon and Margaret Ozman Newman. He married in 1951 Cornelia Ann Treman was born in in 1829 to Jared and Ann Marie (LePine) Paddock. Her father Jared Treman was one of the owners of the Enfield Grist Mill at Upper Robert H. Treman State Park in Enfield. Their children were Jared T. and Ellen Newman. Isaac died in 1893 and Cornelia died in 1881 both are buried in East Lawn Cemetery, Ithaca, NY. Isaac was Enfield Town Supervisor in 1881 and Enfield Railroad Commissioner. The Agriculture Census** listed them as owning 130 acres of land. Isaac and his brother William owned the house located 677 Bostwick Road, now the Bostwick House Bed and Breakfast. Isaac also owned and lived in the home at 60 Colegrove Road in the Town of Enfield, NY. Their son Jared T. Newman was a lawyer with the well-known firm of Newman and Blood staring in 1894. They were one of the developers of Cayuga Heights in Ithaca, NY. There is a copy of his diary on the Enfield Web Site. Marenas Pinckney born in 1833 in Enfield, NY, to Jacob and Sybil Upsteade Pinckney He married in 1856 Elizabeth Brewer born in 1833 in Dutchess County to Col. Henry and Rebecca DuBois Brewer. Marenas died in 1917 and Elizabeth died in 1926 both are buried in Forest Park Cemetery, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Their children were Helen, Henry, Dewitt, Augusta, and Herbert Pinckney. They lived in Enfield until sometime between 1880 and 1900 when they were shown to live in Little Rock Arkansas. Simeon and Jennie (Jane) Hoagland Rolfe. Simeon was born in 1839 to Joseph and Mary Gleason Rolfe. Jennie born in 1843. They married in 1866 EST. Simeon died in 1898 and Jennie died in 1934 both are buried in Hayts Cemetery, Hayts Road, Ithaca, NY. Their children were Jessie and Clinton Rolfe. The Agriculture Census** listed them as owning 48 acres of land. Simeon was a trustee for Rolfe Cemetery Association, Applegate Road, in Enfield. Jonathan and Luanna Darragh Rolfe. Jonathan was born in 1833 to Ephraim and Elizabeth Rockwell. Luanna born in 1843 to William and March Leach Darragh. They married in 1868. Jonathan died in 1902 and Luanna died in 1918 both are buried in Presbyterian Cemetery, Enfield Main Road, Enfield, NY. Their son was Robert Rolfe. The Agriculture Census** listed them as owning 33 acres of land. Horace and Susan Benson Rumsey. Horace was born in 1842 in Enfield, NY to Joshua and Charlotte Rumsey. Susan born in 1840 in Norwalk, Ohio. They married in 1874, Enfield NY. Horace died in 1842 and is buried in the Trumbulls Corner Cemetery, Newfield, NY. Susan died in 1925 Norwalk, Ohio. The Agriculture Census** listed them as owning 60 acres of land. 10 John H. and Sarah Theall. John was born in 1838 in Enfield, NY to Eleazer and Amy Theall. Sarah born in 1843 to Joseph and Mary Gleason Rolfe. They married in 1861. John died in 1901 and Sarah died in 1902 both are buried in Rolfe Cemetery, Applegate Road, Enfield, NY. The Agriculture Census** listed them as owning 48 acres of land. John was a trustee for Rolfe Cemetery Association, Applegate Road. He was also a Major in the Tompkins County National Guard (1875, - 1886) his land was referred to as the Major Theall Farm. William L. and Delia (Fannie Adelia) Hosner Tucker. William was born in 1840 to Ezra and Caroline Lanning Tucker. Delia born in 1836. They married in 1863, Enfield, NY. William died in 1929 and Fannie died in 1916 both are burie d in Hayts Cemetery, Hayts Road, Ithaca, NY. Their children were Jessie and Clinton Rolfe. The Agriculture Census** listed them as owning 52 acres of land.