The Grange in Clark County
From The History of Clark County, Ohio
Chicago: W.H. Beers & Co., 1881 - Page 360
The Grange movement reached Clark County early — the first grange organization in the county being No. 50, and the work progressed rapidly until twelve had been organized. Of these, five have gone entirely out of existence, and only two can be called really strong and successful organizations.
The Grange is an organization first formed in 1867, and fully completed and perfected in 1873, designed to unite the farmers of the country in one great brotherhood, in which by mutual existence, mutual protection, mutual instruction, and mutual encouragement, they can advance in financial prospects in intellectual progress, and in social life and enjoyment.
In 1873 and 1874, the movement advanced with unparalleled rapidity, and Granges were organized at a rate utterly unheard of in the annals of any similar organization.
It could be compared to nothing, but a great wave sweeping across the country. In the nature of things such advance could not be healthy, and, after it had passed, many were the wrecks of imperfect organizations left behind. A period of depression followed, and the impression was spread that the Grange was dead. At the present time the organization is coming out of this depressed stage, and a healthy activity is manifested in almost all quarters. In Clark County the order is less prosperous than in many others. It is, however, well grounded here, and is likely to gradually gain strength as its purposes become better, and more widely understood.