DeKalb County Farm Bureau Collection

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-052

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

These records partially document the activities of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau from 1913 to the present. The majority of the collection consists of monthly and annual publications. A history of the organization provides extensive background information on the growth and development of the Bureau.

Dates

created: 1913+

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the materials in the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights to the collection are held by the Northern Illinois Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

DeKalb was the first county in the United States to establish a formal farm organization to carry local responsibility for extension work in agriculture. On January 5, 1912, a group of local farmers, bankers, and newspapermen created the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association at the Elks Club in the DeKalb Daily Chronicle Building. Those attending this first meeting elected an executive committee: H.H. Parke, D.S. Brown, George Gurler, Fred Townsend, Charles Bradt, George A. Fox, Frank Greenaway, C.D. Shoonmaker, W.F. Leifheit, R.D. Chappell and Samuel Bradt. Henry H. Parke served as acting chairman until May 12, 1912, when Dillon S. Brown was elected president. He served as president until February 12, 1923. On June 19, 1926, the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association became the DeKalb County Farm Bureau.

Note written by

Extent

8.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Records were collected by the Northern Illinois Regional History Center in past years with some of the printed materials transferred to the Center by the University Archivist.