''The National Grange of the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry was founded in Washington, DC on December 4, 1867, by Oliver Hudson Kelley, a Mason and a clerk with the Federal Bureau of Agriculture, and six other men.Ê Known as "the Farmer's Masonry," the order uses a seven-degree ritual system, with signs, passwords, grips, and regalia. Both men and women are admitted, 14 years of age or older as equal members, since Kelley was persuaded by his niece, Caroline Hall, to admit women into the order when it was first founded. The first lodge was Grange No. 1 in Fredonia, NY.Ê It was instrumental in passing the "Granger Laws" which put an end to various abuses by the railroad industry in the late 1800Õs.''
''The order uses the Holy Bible in its ritual, which is placed on an altar in the Grange, and 43 passages from the Holy Bible are quoted in the Subordinate Grange's four degrees. The Grange Master administers vows to the candidates in each of the four degrees, and the candidate is hoodwinked in the first degree, showing Masonic influences.''
''The county level administers the fifth degree called "Pomona," while the state level administers the "Flora" degree. The National Grange administers the Degree of "Ceres" or "Demeter" which is exemplified annually. The order forbids alcohol in its meetings, and stresses temperance outside of the Grange.''
''There was a time in the not-too-distant past when the local Grange Hall was the center of community life in many small towns. It was a place of social gathering, a political rallying point, an economic cooperative, a fraternal order, a service organization and an agricultural forum. It instilled love of God, family and country. It helped farmers band together to protect their mutual interests. And, more than any other institution it embodied an American way of life.''
''The Grange is the nationÕs oldest and second largest farm organization.Ê It had its beginnings in Washington DC in 1867, founded by a group of farmers for their mutual support and to foster civic, moral and political responsibility. Grange members joined in various group ventures: buying and selling goods; legislative lobbying on behalf of farmers; and eventually, in protecting themselves through insurance. Grangers considered themselves good insurance risks because of their dedication to family, property, citizensÕ rights and private enterprise. They thus felt entitled to lower insurance rates. Many small mutual insurance companies were formed by Grangers, but only five have grown to multi-state size. In 1893, the Washington State Grange met in the hayloft of a new barn in White Salmon, Washington, and resolved to start a fire insurance cooperative. By-laws, assessments, and conditions for the new association were formulated and agents were appointed in various Granges. On April 4, 1894, business commenced and the Washington Fire Relief AssociationÕs insurance was in force.''
''The Association changed its name in 1936 to Grange Fire Insurance Association. In 1943, to reflect the broadening of coverage offerings to include casualty, as well as fire insurance, the name was then changed to Grange Insurance Association.''
