THE GRAND TRAVERSE UNION AGRI- 

 CULTURAL SOCIETY. 



BY HON. D. C. LEACH, EDITOR OF THE GRAND TRAVERSE HERALD. 



Traverse City, October, 1874. 

 This society embraces the ei,2jht counties iu the northern part of the Lower 

 Peninsula, and is what is commonly known as the '*' Grand Traverse country." 



HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY. 



During the spring and summer of 1868 the Grand Traverse Herald published 

 several editorial articles urging the formation of an agricultural society. The 

 proposition was well received by farmers and by our people generally. As a 

 result of our suggestions, a call was published in the Herald of June 12th of 

 that year, for a meeting at the county clerk's oflBce on the 8th of July. On 

 the 3d of July the Herald again took up the subject, reviewed it at some 

 length, and urged the farmers to take earnestly hold of the matter. 



The meeting on the 8th of July was well attended. Hon. Morgan Bates 

 acted as chairman, and E. Hatch, Jr., as secretary ; a constitution was adopted, 

 officers elected and the society fully organized. 



The name chosen by the society was that which it bears at this time, — Grand 

 Traverse Union Agricultural Society. The officers elected were the following: 



President — A. B. Dunlap. 



Secretary — R. Hatch, Jr. 



Treasurer — D. C. Leach. 



Vice-Presidents — E. P. Ladd, H. D. Campbell, J. K. Guuton, J. Dean, J. 

 Lee, G. X. Smith, E. Knight, L. E. Smith, and J. S. Dixon. 



The first fair was held on the 14th and loth days of October. It was even 

 more successful than the most sanguine had ventured to hope. Hon. A. B. 

 Dunlap, the president of the society, delivered the address. Number of entries 

 for premiums, 251. 



The officers elected at the annual meeting were as follows: 



President — E. P. Ladd. 



Secretary — E. Hatch, Jr. 



Treasurer — D. C. Leach. 



Vice-Presidents — C. Fowler, Sr., H. D. Campbell, J. K. Gunton, E.Johnson, 

 W. S. Hubbell, H. Monroe, G. IS". Smith, J. Lee, A. B. Dunlap, George Thomp- 

 son, J. E. Fisher, L. E. Smith, E. Knight, J. P. Brand, G. C. Lull, J. S.Dixon, 

 .and A. D. Brady. 



