Interlaken Grange #160

            According to available information Farmer Grange No. 160 was organized at Farmer, Seneca Country, New York, (later Farmer Village and now Interlaken) by a Mr. Haggerty on April 2, 1874. 

        The 1874 officers were William W. Booram, Master; W. Ford Rappleye. Overseer; A.P. Austin, Lecturer; P. W. Rappleye Steward; Alton Booram. Assistant Steward; C. H Parshall Chaplain; A.D. Peterson, Treasurer; William Ditmars, Secretary; Anson Boyer Gatekeeper; Mrs. W.F. Rappleye, Pomona; Mrs. M. Rappleye, Ceres; Mrs. A.D. Peterson. Flora; Mrs. W. Ditmars, Stewardess.  

The bracketed material has been added to help identify these early members.

Austin, A P

Austin, Jehial

Austin, Mrs. Jehial [Ann R Rappleye]

Blauvelt, Franklin [died 1899 age 48]

Boorom, A J

Boorom, A (Alton?)

Boorom, Mrs. A

Boorom, William W

Boyer, Anson H [died 1886 age 35]

Ditmars, Mrs. William [Marietta Huff]

Ditmars, William [died 1890]

Parshall, C H [Caleb Halsey]

Peterson,  Abram D

Peterson, Mrs. A D [Mary Wintersteen]

Rappleye,  A J

Rappleye, Mrs. A. J

Rappleye, Marion

Rappleye, Mrs. F M [Ruth A Morgan] Rappleye, Mrs. Peter [Stella Williams]

Rappleye, Mrs. W Ford [Sarah A. Blauvelt]

Rappleye, Peter W

Rappleye, W Ford

Records from both the Grange and members indicate that at least three buildings were home to Farmer and later Interlaken Grange #160 within the village.

William E. Gardner in a letter to Eva Clapp dated  November 11, 1954 describes the first meeting building as being south of what is now the Interlaken Historical Society Farmers' Museum.

Shown at right are nine Past Masters of Interlaken Grange taken in 1951: Nora Bainbridge, Elizabeth Young, Fred Freestone, Eva Clapp, Harry Carpenter, E. R. Minns, Clarence Ward, George Hunt and Vance Crane

During the 1976 Bi-Centennial year  the officers were: Philip Stannard Master; Charles Ditmar Overseers; William Bates Lecturer; Maynard Youngs Steward; Lewis Morgan Assistant Steward; Ruth Bates Lady Assistant Steward; Martha BallChaplain; Elsie Ward Gatekeeper; Clarence Ward Treasurer; Mildred Stark Secretary; Betty Morgan Ceres; Hazel Menter Flora; Ruth Albertsman Pomona; Executive Committee, Clarence Ward, Lewis Morgan and Martha Ball.

In addition to the business meeting portion of the evening Grange meetings include education and fun social activities. Various items have been gleaned from the minute books.

During 1896 members seem to have centered social life on Grange activities. In cold weather there were candy pulls and oyster suppers, and in late winter a maple sugar "sociable." As days grew warmer, Grangers held clambakes on the lake shore, went on picnics, and had parties with ice cream as the main dish, or coffee with homemade pies. Other Social activities included a sugaring party with an assortment of pickles, perhaps to off-set the maple sweetness.  The early 1900's included spelling bees, Grange Fairs and harvest exhibits, a two-cent supper, speakers on a variety of current events and new literature. There were debates also, the subject of one of these was “which is harder to steer, a tractor or a mule?”

Anniversaries

With any organization anniversaries are a time to celebrate. In 1905 there was a special celebration to honor charter members with seven of the ten survivors present.

Another anniversary observance was held in 1934 with more than 200 in attendance. During the program, Mrs. Marion Hurlbut wore her grandmother's wedding gown.

Shown at right is the celebration in June 1948 when Past State Master, and member of Interlaken Grange #160, Fred Freestone (2nd from right) received his Golden Sheaf Certificate for 50 years of membership in Grange. The certificate is being presented by State Master Henry Sherwood (2nd from left), while Interlaken Grange Master Clarence Ward (center) and Mrs. Shewood and Mrs. Freestone observe. Over 500 people from 33 counties and 10 State Officers joined in the celebration.

Five other Interlaken Grange Members received Golden Sheaf certificates as well, Mrs. D. C. (Mary Peterson) Bassette, Mrs. T. B. (Mary E) Freestone, Mrs. Artie Flagg, Mrs. Emeline Grove and Mr. Wirt Severn. The Interlaken Review noted, "This represents in reality 300 years of service in the Subordinate, State and National Granges."

A special exhibit in May 1935 included items taken from the cornerstone of Interlaken's old school which were to be preserved still longer in the cornerstone of the new school.

134th Anniversary April 12, 2008

Community Involvement

Over the years, Interlaken Grange has contributed to many other civic needs such as Near East Relief, Interlaken Fire Company and the high school band, CARE, State Grange building fund, arthritis foundation, Korean Children's Fund, a children's home, scholarships and Farm World Affairs Inc.

         For those who believe electricity has been around forever, please note that the proposal of electrification of rural Seneca County was the subject of a program at one Grange meeting in 1935.

         A 1973 Community Service Project was the lettering of rural Mail Boxes (200) in the Interlaken area. Sponsored by Interlaken Grange #160 the work was done by Mr. and Mrs. William Bates of Covert.

(Photo courtesy of the Interlaken Review)

Bicentennial Project

In 1975 a major project for the Grange was the Bicentennial Project of Restoration of Covert Baptist Church in Covert. The project included the painting of the outside of Church, Chapel and Steeple with two coats of paint. All paint and work were donated by interested people. This project also included the starting of services and receiving of a full time Pastor. Restoration continued inside the Church in 1976.

From the currently available records these are the names of the charter members of Covert Grange.

In 1961 several of the charter members were presented with their Golden Sheaf award, which recognizes their 50-year membership in Grange. Included were Henry & Edna Stannard, Ida Frost, Ella & Morris Medlock. Making the presentation is Evelyn Dawson, Master of Covert Grange.

Master 

Edwin Hawks