Hopewell Grange

This article was written by Frank Borror of the East Peoria Historical Society in 2016. Used with permission.

The Grange, officially referred to as The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is a fraternal organization in the United States that encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well-being of the community and agriculture.

The term grange originally referred to a building for storing grain and evolved to describe a farmstead including out-buildings. The Grange, founded after the Civil War on Dec. 4, 1867, is the oldest American agricultural advocacy group with a national scope.

A major accomplishment credited to Grange advocacy was the passage of the Granger Laws, a series of laws passed in several Midwestern states, namely Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois, in the late 1860s and early 1870s, regulating rising fare prices of railroad and grain elevator companies after the American Civil War. The births of the Cooperative Extension Service, Rural Free Delivery, and the Farm Credit System were all due largely to Grange lobbying.

Agents were paid to organize local granges and membership in the Grange increased dramatically from 1873 (200,000) to 1875 (858,050). Many of the state and local granges adopted non-partisan political resolutions, especially regarding the regulation of railroad transportation costs. The organization was unusual at this time because women and any teen old enough to draw a plow were encouraged to participate.

The importance of women was reinforced by requiring that four of the elected positions could be held only by women. Membership has declined considerably as the percentage of American farmers has fallen from a third of the population in the early 20th century to less than two percent today. None the less, granges still exist in over 2,100 hometowns.

A local chapter, #1747, was chartered in March of 1907 with 38 members as the Hopewell Grange. Louis Keil served as Master and Louis Stahl as Secretary. Louis Stahl's daughter Anna was elected Lecturer and later became the first Matron of Hopewell Junior Grange. The area was centered on Hopewell Grade School and that is where early meetings were held despite protests from those who were against closed meetings being held in public buildings.

It is believed the Hopewell name was adopted because of the school. In 1911, when a new Hopewell school building was built, the Grange purchased the old frame schoolhouse and moved it across what is now School Street on to a half acre lot purchased from John Rein. The building was remodeled and served as the Grange Hall and community center for many years.

By the mid-1930s local Grange membership increased to over 200 members The first inducement for membership in the organization was the opportunity afforded for collective buying. This, later, was overshadowed in importance by the educational, social and legislative opportunities the Grange offered. The Hopewell area was strictly rural, made up of residents that were primarily of German descent and the Grange Hall functioned as a community center. In the early years, the Grange met every week and often three or four times a week for committee meetings, degree team or play practice.

It would be well to add that, often when the roads were impassable for vehicles, people would gather and in tens and dozens and walk to the meetings. Bob Purcell, past Master and 51-year member of Hopewell Grange, stated that the camaraderie and fellowship he has enjoyed has kept him involved these many years.

Bob stressed the fact that the Grange is the only family orientated fraternal organization in the United States and pointed with pride to the youth programs offered. As a side note, Bob has two daughters, Laurie and Karen, that were each selected as a National Grange Princess, an honor shared by no other family. Sarah Jeffers was also a National Princess and Randy Black a Prince.

In 1952 the Grange constructed a 40x80 hall with an auditorium, stage, kitchen and dining area on property owned by Lester Keil at what is now 407 Grange Road, approximately one half mile south of Route 24. His widow, Florence, later donated this tract to the Grange.