ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSO(.IATION. 15 



tion, being a source of immense revenue to the people of the 

 state, a preserver of its soil fertility and a most important branch 

 of that great industry that feeds and clothes the nations. 



I conclude by once more cordially thanking you for this kind 

 reception. 



SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



Mr. President and Fellow Members : 



Even if our meeting is not as successful as v^e might have 

 desired, we may console ourselves in having done our duty by 

 coming thus far south. I feel that both the local committee and 

 myself have done all v^e could in advertising the meeting and 

 that special thanks are due to the energetic efforts of Mr. R. G. 

 Welford. 



It was my ambition to have collected some historical facts 

 as to our Association, but find it difficult even to secure the 

 names of the presidents and secretaries. The first meeting was 

 organized in Elgin, December 14 to 16, 1874, with Dr. Joseph 

 Tefft as president and M. H. Thompson as secretary. In 1882 

 we find Dr. Tefft still president and I presume he remained 

 during the seven intervening years. Mr. R. P. McGlincy was 

 secretary in 1882 and remained as such up to 1887. Mr. H. B. 

 Gurler became president in 1885 and 1886. In 1887 Mr. Love- 

 joy Johnson became president and Mr. R. Lespinasse secretary, 

 the latter remaining up to 1891, while Mr. Johnson remained to 

 1894, when Mr. John Stewart became President. Mr. W. R. 

 Hostetter acted as secretary up to 1895, when Mr. E. E. 

 Critchfield acted to 1896, late in the fall, when I took charge. 



Meetings were held in 



Elgin 1874 



ChampaigTi 1884 



Belvidere 1885 



Aurora .1886 



