Oliver H. Kelley

Oliver H. Kelley was a 19th-century American labor organizer and government clerk who founded the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry in 1867. This organization aimed to support farmers and rural Americans by promoting education, cooperation, and political advocacy to address their economic challenges. Kelley’s efforts helped foster rural community spirit and laid the groundwork for later agricultural movements. His leadership emphasized the importance of collective action and self-help for farmers facing post-Civil War economic struggles, making him a key figure in American agricultural history.