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Beverly (Blakley) Foutz donated the following images and information, in July 2021.
Gus Kumler is also the one that financed the Edgewood High School stadium, so named " Kumler Stadium." He was a farmer and banker from the Seven Mile. When the picture was taken he lived at Westover Retirement Home. When asked to speak at Grange meetings in the 1970's Gus, without fail sang, "How Great Thou Art." He was a 50 year-Golden Sheaf member of Collinsville Grange.
I believe the 2 photos with him were taken at the 50th anniversary on February 12, 1970. Gus Kumler celebrated his 100th birthday in 1974. Gus graduated from MU in 1896.
The Collinsville Grange Hall was purchased in 1968 by the Grangers. Two years later, Mr. Kumler donated the funds to remodel the basement into a dining room , kitchen and also served as a meeting room for the Junior Grangers. The Hall had 3 apartments and was managed by Gordon Wintersteen, Overseer of the Grange.
LEFT: This group photo includes Charles Williamson , one of the charter members and first secretary of the organization.
Muriel Huffman Monter, along with Edward Dome, was initiated later in the spring that year.
This picture with George Baecker deserves special note: his son, Warren Baecker is still a member and received his 75 Year Award in 2017. He lives at Mt. Pleasant in Monroe. Warren's mother, Ella Baecker was one of the first Juvenile Leaders of Collinsville Grange.
Our oldest living member currently is Jackie Hollowell. She resides at Doverwood Village in Fairfield Twp.
The Collinsville Grange was chartered on January 20, 1920. Currently (July 2021), there are 40 members and the Collinsville Grange is the only Grange in Butler County (Ohio).
At the time of the mortgage burning, in July 1976, Janice Streit was Master President. Past living Master / Presidents include Beverly (Blakley) Foutz and Edward Beeler. The current President is Marilyn Dickerson.
Longest serving Master was Gene Blakley - for nearly 50 years. He passed away June 15, 2020.
Phil and Beverly Foutz serve as the County\ Deputies.
The Juvenile, now called Junior Grange, was organized in 1970 with Juanita Blakley as Leader.
Kevin Blakley was the first Junior Master/President. Other charter members included Melody Halcomb (Combs), Sheila Bailey (Lykins), John Bailey, and Scott Blakley.
The Baileys are children of Phyllis McWhorter Bailey.
ABOVE: Sadie McWhorter was the Grange Flora and had served as Women's Activities Chair many years. Luther served on the Executive Committee.
ABOVE: This picture of Juanita Blakley (left) and Jean Gillespie (right) was likely taken in the late 1980's.
ABOVE: Albert Witherby (right), from Darrtown, was Master/President in 1960 at the 40th anniversary. He, and his wife, Jo, served as county Deputies, for several years, thereafter.
ABOVE: Florence and Gordon Wintersteen lived in Seven Mile. Florence was the Grange Pianist for many years. After Florence passed, Grace Rager played piano. Both ladies were excellent at playing all the Grange music and marches for the floor work, Degree Work, and Drills.
Later, Cindy Rager Wilson played the keyboard.
Warren and Judy Waldron are the current (2021) musicians.
ABOVE: This picture of Archie Rager (left) and Gene Blakley (right) shows them as they helped prepare the Grange booth at the Butler County fair. The photo was probably taken in the late 1980's.
ABOVE: Emerson Unzicker, who passed in the late 1970s, was chairman of the county fair booth committee for many years. Juanita and Gene Blakley took over, after Emerson was unable to do it anymore.
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