A' B' Graham

1
A. B. Graham

• Who Was He?

A Special Historical Presentation
Created by Doug Dill, 4-H Agent, Champaign
County OSU Extension
Edited by David Farrell, Extension Associate,
4-H Youth Development
2
A.B. Graham

• Born in Champaign County near Lena, Ohio in 1868
• Teacher, Principal, and Superintendent
• Husband and Father
• Writer for Newspapers
• 1st Director of OSU Extension
• Co-founder of the Junior High School concept
• Was a Teacher of Teachers
• An Educator with U.S.D.A. for 22 years

3
A.B. Graham

• And He Was The Founder
• of the Ohio 4-H Program...

Started 100 Years Ago
On January 15, 1902
4
A.B. Graham
A.B. Graham was born in Champaign County in 1868
in a house just outside of Lena, Ohio.
5
A.B. Graham - His Family
A.B. Graham (at age 6) with sister Lettie in 1874.
His Parents Joseph and Esther Graham.
6
A.B. Graham - Survivor
Grahams home burned down when he was only
10 years old.
Each family member suffered burns - and his
father died from his injuries 8 days later.
The Graham family moved into this Miami County
house in Lena, Ohio after the fire.
7
A.B. Graham - Student
As a student, Graham first attended Carmony
School in Champaign County. It would later
become the location of his first teaching
assignment.
8
A.B. Graham - Student
Graham graduated from school at age 16 and
received his first Teaching Certificate in
1884.
Just like today, teachers were required to pass a
teachers exam to be allowed to teach.
9
A.B. Graham - Husband
In 1890, A.B. Graham (at age 22) married Maud
Lauer (age 20). Together they raised a family
of four children.
10
A.B. Graham - Teacher
Graham taught at numerous schools in Champaign,
Miami, Shelby and Clark Counties.
Back then, a teacher would have anywhere from 16
to 40 students in a one room school building.
X
X
X
X
X
X
11
A.B. Graham - Teacher
As President of the County Teachers Association,
Graham wrote regular educational columns for a
local newspaper. It was the beginning of a
lifetime of very prolific writing.
In 1896, Graham was a teacher and principal at
Terre Haute School in Champaign County. The
building had only two rooms.
12
A.B. Graham - Advocate
Graham was a strong advocate of improving
conditions in rural schools, including the
transportation of students.
He thought schools should be attractive inside
and out. He secured traveling library books,
pictures for the walls, and improved playgrounds.
13
A.B. Graham - Superintendent
In 1900, Graham became the Superintendent for
Springfield Township Schools in Clark County.
While there, he saw a need to improve rural
education and student experiences. As a result,
he decided to form an educational club for
youth.
Graham in 1903 - Age 35
14
A.B. Graham - Founder of 4-H
On January 15, 1902 - Graham formed a Boys and
Girls Agricultural Experiment Club.
Their first meeting was held in the Clark County
Courthouse in Springfield, Ohio.
A.B. Graham standing with club members at the
Clark County Courthouse in Springfield, Ohio.
15
A.B. Graham - Early Clubs
Early members of Grahams club raised corn,
flowers, vegetables and did soil testing. They
kept detailed records of what they did and the
results.
16
A.B. Graham - Later Clubs
In 1924 the Boys and Girls Agricultural Clubs
officially changed their names to 4-H Clubs.
They are still known by that name today.
17
A.B. Graham - OSU Extension
In 1905 Graham was named the first Director of
Extension at the Ohio State University.
While at OSU he wrote a plan for Extension work
in Ohio.
A.B. Graham in 1905 - Age 37.
18
A.B. Graham - OSU Extension
Grahams Plan for Extension in Ohio

• Elevate the standard of living in rural
  communities.
• Emphasize the importance of hard work and good
  work habits.
• Acquaint boys girls with their environment and
  the use of scientific investigation.
• Give boys interested in farm work basic knowledge
  of agriculture and give girls the basics of
  domestic economy.
• Educate adults in the basic science of
  agriculture and in the latest farm practices.

19
A.B. Graham - Educational Pioneer
While serving as Director of Extension at OSU,
Graham was appointed to a national committee that
developed the concept of Junior High Schools.
A.B. Graham in 1914 - at Age 46
20
A.B. Graham - U.S.D.A.
Graham went to work at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) in Washington, D.C. in
1915.
While there he supervised the work of Extension
Specialists in many subject matter departments.
A.B. Graham in 1931 - at Age 63
21
A.B. Graham - U.S.D.A.
Grahams U.S.D.A. Accomplishments

• Graham developed the mobile Extension Schools
  concept by using trains as classrooms to take
  information to the people throughout the U.S.

• Helped write numerous educational News Releases,
  Bulletins and Fact Sheets and contributed to more
  than 750 bi-weekly news releases 20,000
  bulletins being distributed by USDA.

• Encouraged the staff to use good teaching
  techniques and was known as a Teacher of
  Teachers.

22
A.B. Graham - U.S.D.A.
Graham worked at the U.S.D.A. for 22 years until
he reached mandatory retirement at age 70 in 1938.
The U.S.D.A. held a special ceremony for Graham
when he retired, in honor of his many
accomplishments.
23
A.B. Graham - Retirement
After Retirement

• Graham moved back to Columbus, Ohio.
• Became an avid writer of letters.
• Sewed two dresses for granddaughters.
• Received recognition and many awards.
• Spoke at many schools and community organizations.

A.B. Graham is pictured here (at age 80 ) with
his wife, Maud, in 1948.
24
A.B. Graham - Awards
Some of Grahams awards include

• A Governors Award for the Advancement of Ohios
  Prestige.
• An Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the Ohio
  State University.
• A U.S.D.A. medallion citation for
  accomplishments as Teacher, Extension Agent, and
  Philosopher.
• An Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award
  from the Ohio Farm Bureau.
• A Distinguished Service Award from American
  Agricultural Editors.

25
A.B. Graham - Awards

• Inducted into the National Agriculture Hall of
  Fame.
• Inducted into Great Ohioans Hall of Fame.
• Honored at the Ohio State Fair with portrait in
  the Rhodes Center.
• Clark County building (where 1st 4-H Club meeting
  was held) was named A.B. Graham Memorial
  Building.
• A 4-H Camp (in Clinton county) was named 4-H
  Camp Graham.

26
A.B. Graham - Recognition
1958 - A.B. Graham Day was held at WRFD radio
on his 90th birthday.
1981 - A special plaque was placed in Ohios
Capitol Building Rotunda.
1977 - He was posthumously inducted into the Ohio
4-H Hall of Fame.
27
A.B. Graham Proud Moments
Participating in the 50th Anniversary of 4-H in
1952 at age 84.
Participating in the dedication of Graham High
School in 1957 at age 89.
28
A.B. Graham 1868-1960
A.B. Graham passed away on January 14, 1960 at
the age of 91.
He is buried in Fletcher, Ohio in Miami County.
29
A.B. Graham - Unique Man
Portrait of A.B. Graham and his granddaughter.
A. B. Graham reciting Sunbeams
30
To Learn More about A.B. Graham
A.B. Graham Country Schoolmaster and Extension
Pioneer By Robert Virginia McCormick
A.B. Graham Educator, Founder of 4-H Clubs by
Miss Fanny Bosler, former teacher at Graham Local
Schools, for a 100th birthday celebration at the
school
31
We Salute A.B. Graham - Founder of the Ohio 4-H
Program

• Celebrate Our Heritage!

Thank You