Mercer County Pomona Grange History
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		During the early years, granges had many problems.  Mistakes were made and some granges became dormant.  From 1877 through 1903, there were no new granges established.  The growth and development for each grange was determined solely by its members.  Early in this development is seemed necessary to establish a Pomona Grange.  After some discussion Mercer was selected as the meeting place to organize the Pomona Grange. Seth Hoagland was the State Deputy who organized Mercer County Pomona Grange.  Each of the 32 granges was to send four women and four men for a total of eight representatives.  Even though only 30 of the granges responded Mercer County Grange #25 was organized on March 30, 1876.  During this organizational session 90 candidates were initiated into the fifth degree.  Annual dues were placed at $0.40 per member per year. The grange records from 1876 to 1923 were burned when the home of Harry Vorous was destroyed by fire.  Some of this early history was provided by older members living during that time, but the records are far from complete. The grange was established to support and encourage all that is right in our American way of life as Seth Hoagland frequently pointed out.  Over the years, Mercer County Pomona Grange has been active toward this goal.  Due to the fact that one farmer in seven had lost his farm and the grange had also suffered membership loss, in 1932 the Pomona Grange passed a motion to sponsor a unit of the tax justice league to help those affected by the depression.  Many grange members were active in promoting the Mercer County Farm Bureau organized in 1902.  Resolutions formulated in our subordinate granges and presented to our Pomona have become national policy and have influenced state and national legislation.  In 1932 there were 30 subordinate granges in Mercer County with a total of 3,290 subordinate members.  In 1937 there were 20 subordinate granges, in 1948 there were 17, and in 1976 there were 18.  In 1948, there were 2,096 subordinate members and in 1975 there were 1,587 members.  At the present time, there are approximately 600 subordinate members and 10 granges. Over the years, the scope of the grange has been altered to fit the times.  Perhaps this is why the grange has survived so long.  Originally established to aid the farmer, the grange outlook has increased to encompass all Americans. It works to support those policies in government beneficial to all people.  It works to provide youth programs and projects for all youth to help them develop a better manhood and womanhood.  Today, the grange is the American way of life.
					copied from the 2001 Mercer Co. Pomona Grange #25 History Booklet