Two badges for the Gratz Grange, No. 1686, Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The Grange number on the badge does not match a description of the Gratz Grange which appeared in a Gratz history published in 1997, stating the Grange at Gratz was #530.
The description as it appeared in the Gratz history:
The Gratz Grange #530 organized in April 9, 1875, with twenty-six members listed on the original charter. Hillary B. Schreiner served as Master, Aaron H. Daniel became secretary. The organization operated a store in the I. O. O. F. Building until about 1886. Local farmers brought their produce, eggs, and other products to the store. A hired road huckster sold the commodities door to door in mining towns in the coal region. The Gratz Grange eventually became dormant, but in later years was again activated in several different times. The last time was during World War I, and continued for many years, although dwindling in numbers. When larger grocery markets and chain stores became popular, the grange stores were no longer useful.
In addition to providing organized help for farmers and farm products, the grange provided comradeship and social functions for farm families at regular meetings. They also used their talents to provide drama and musical entertainment for special programs.
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