Oliver Hudson Kelley facts for kids
Oliver Hudson Kelley (born January 7, 1826 – died January 20, 1913) was an important person who helped start the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. This was a special group for farmers and their families in the United States.
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Who Was Oliver Hudson Kelley?
Oliver Hudson Kelley was born in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1849, he moved to the frontier lands of Minnesota. There, he became a farmer.
In 1864, Kelley started working as a clerk for the United States Department of Agriculture. This job allowed him to travel across the Eastern and Southern parts of the United States. He traveled after the American Civil War had ended.
Why He Started the Grange
As he traveled, Kelley saw that farmers and their families needed help. The Civil War had caused many problems. He wanted to bring these families together to help rebuild the country. He believed that a strong organization could best support farm families.
Kelley worked hard to create this new group. He made many connections with people across the country. These connections helped him find the other six original founders of the Grange.
On November 15, 1867, Kelley officially started the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, also known as the Grange. This organization aimed to build a new future for American agriculture. Oliver Kelley was the first secretary of the Grange. He held this position until 1878.
Other Founders of the Grange
Oliver Kelley worked with several other people to create the Grange. These founders were:
- William Saunders
- Francis M. McDowell
- John Trimble
- Aaron B. Grosh
- John R. Thompson
- William M. Ireland
- Caroline A. Hall, who was Kelley's niece
Kelley's Legacy
Oliver Hudson Kelley's work has been recognized for its importance. On October 27, 2006, he was honored at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame.
The Oliver Kelley Farm
Today, you can visit the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, Minnesota. The Minnesota Historical Society takes care of this farm. It is a living history farm. This means that people who work there act like people from the past. They show visitors what Oliver Kelley's life was like as a farmer in the 1850s. Since 2017, the farm also has a "Farm Lab" section. This part shows how modern farming works in Minnesota.
Carrabelle, Florida
In 1877, Oliver Kelley also founded a town in Florida. He named this town Carrabelle, Florida. He named it after his niece, Caroline A. Hall, who was one of the Grange founders.
