Proud Legacy

Our History

From "Historical Excerpts of the Pennsylvania Granges: 125th Anniversary Edition," Edited by James E. Diamond, Ph.D. and Donald E. Evans, D.Ed.; Nancy E. Cole, Technical Research Associate

by Claud Riegel (past President, Jefferson Grange)

Jefferson Grange #1384 was organized on June 10, 1908 in the Village of Jefferson Station in Schuylkilll County by Harvey Fessler. The members of Jefferson Grange purchased grain, feed and fertilizer by the railroad car load. They would sell it to the farmer for the cost of what it cost the Grange. This was a way of helping each other.

In 1953, the Jefferson Grange Hall was destroyed by fire and all records were lost. So there are no records to be found until 1960. The only thing that was found was a list of officers for 1954-1955. They were: President Sterling Staller; Vice President John Dietz; Lecturer Iva Moyer; Steward Paul Felty; Assistant Steward Merlin Kerschner; Lady Assistant Steward Mamie Phillips; Chaplain Ethel Bernheisel; Secretary Mary Reber; Gatekeeper Russell Reber; Treasurer Theodore Kerschner; Ceres Judith Reber; Pomona Messina Walton; Flora Amy Felty; Finance Committee Thomas Moyer and Norman Fisher; and Executive Committee William Walton, Merlin Kerschner and Russell Reber.

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In 1955, members of Jefferson Grange planned to rebuild a Grange Hall. They built the first floor and had to stop because of insufficient funds to complete the building. Activities to raise money for the building fund included selling homemade donuts and sponsoring oyster and ham suppers. After a few years, a second story was constructed onto the Grange Hall. During the 1960s, members served meals to the Boots and Saddle Clubs.

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In 1965, members of Jefferson Grange participated in the "sowing of seed" service at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church. The Jefferson Grange had a Blue Cross Hospital Plan for its members at a discounted cost.

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In the late 1970s, attendance at the Jefferson Grange meetings began to dwindle. At the meetings, all that was done was to transact business and pay bills.

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In June 1979, the members contacted the State Grange President about the problem of dwindling attendance and membership. Robert Steese and some others came to the rescue. A committee was organized and they sent letters to people in the community followed by a visit a week later. The committee worked for three months on this project and in September, members of Jefferson Grange obligated and reinstated nine new members....

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In 1983, members of Jefferson Grange got involved with reorganizing the Schuylkill County Fair. Since that time, Jefferson Grange annually sponsor(ed) a food stand that serve(d) funnel cakes and french fries. The food stand (was) a major fundraising activity for the Grange to sponsor community service projects.

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Members of Jefferson Grange (most recently were) supporters of the Kempfort Telethon to raise money for the Miracle Children Fund.

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