Oswego Grange 175, organized by Adam R. Shipley in 1874 as a grassroots effort to help farmers protect their economic interests, also served as a means for folks to participate in social, civic, religious and business activities. A small house on Shipley’s farm served as the Grange Hall. Shipley became the first Oswego Grange master in 1874, then became state Grange master in 1875 through 1880.
Adam’s wife, Celinda E. Shipley (1826-1905) was elected master of Oswego Grange in 1881. At the 1886 session (state Grange meeting), she delivered an essay on the history of the cooperative movement, which is printed in the Journal of Proceedings of the 1886 State Session. Celinda also held other Grange positions prior to becoming master of Oswego Grange. Agnes Shipley, daughter of A.R.’s oldest son Milton, lectured at the Grange for many years. If The Grange needed someone to entertain, she knew who to call.
“For about 68 years, mother made all the flower arrangements and did all the decorating for special occasions,” stated her daughter Maude. Maude joined The Junior Grange when she was 13, “practically growing up there.” She did quite well with Grange work the year of the state convention in 1886, “taking all of the degrees offered at the time for junior grangers.”
Lydia Buckman Carter (1847-1934) became the first female Grange master in Oregon, serving at Tualatin Grange #111 in 1878 (renamed Frog Pond). She is believed to have been the first woman in that position in the nation. Lydia A. Carter and her husband Samuel H. Carter (1843-1911) owned the historic Carter house built in 1881 on the property at the corner of Stafford Road and Overlook Drive. Samuel was an active granger for 37 years.
Nicknamed Mamma Dickie, Florence Adelle Dickinson (1856-1932) retained a membership in Oswego Grange for forty years. During that time she touted herself as a grape-growing expert. She may have become an expert in the cultivation of grapes; but the legendary brand of Dickinson’s Jams and Jellies is what most people remember her for. Mamma Dickie began producing berry preserves in 1879 in the family’s farmhouse kitchen on Stephenson Road as a way to supplement her husband’s carpentry income. Charles may have quit carpentry when Disneyland selected Dickinson’s to operate a concession on Main Street in 1955 when the park opened. The J. M. Smucker Company acquired the family business in 1979.
From the time they were formed, Granges supported and encouraged women to take on leadership roles; but Oregon dawdled until 2006 when Phyllis Wilson became the first woman elected Oregon state Grange master. Other women who played pivotal roles: Clara Waldo elected state lecturer, editor of the Grange Bulletin, state deputy and member of Board of Regents of Oregon Agricultural College (OSU); sisters Mary Howard, Bertha Beck and Mildred Norman acted as state secretary plus handled all administrative tasks of the organization for a total of 76 years.
The Grange also played a major role in Oregon suffrage movement, led by Abigail Scott Duniway. Often referred to as Oregon’s Mother of Equal Suffrage, Grange member Duniway wrote a resolution advocating that women be given the right to vote. The Grange passed the resolution in 1899 long before Congress and the state of Oregon adopted it as law.
Marilyn Reiher, author of “Oregon State Grange” (published 2023) and current president of Winona Grange, became active in the Junior Grange at age 5. She’s been a granger for 65 years, has held most offices and entered contests ranging from canning to public speaking. Marilyn says she was “born into the Grange. My dad and his parents, four brothers, and two sisters belonged to North Bayside #681 (near Coos Bay) in 1928. My mom, Hilda Reiher, joined Pine Forest #632 when she was teaching in Bend in 1930. Mom served as state juvenile superintendent (now junior director).”
Citations:
Findagrave.com
“Oswego Vignetes” by Mary Lou Colver p 121.
“In Their Own Words” by Theresa Truchot p 281-82.
“Oregon State Grange” by Marilyn Reimer
“Free Land for Free Men” by Vera Lynch p 499.
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