DeGraff Centennial of 1950

Henry Madden dressed as a gold prospector

DeGraff was surveyed and platted by Col. Andrew DeGraff and William Boggs in 1850, and the village was incorporated in 1864. One hundred years later, in May 1950, the village marked that milestone with a grand four-day celebration. Thousands came, filling the streets and turning front porches into natural meeting places where friends and relatives could visit, reminisce, and renew old ties. Residents entered into the spirit of the occasion by dressing in 1850s clothing, and many of the men grew beards, goatees, and sideburns for the festivities. Contests for costumes, beards, and parade floats added to the fun and gave the celebration an unmistakably festive character.

Over the course of four days, the centennial offered a lively program of events for residents and visitors alike. Some of them included a tractor-pulling contest, home talent shows, the high school commencement and alumni dinner and dance, softball games, basketball games between the Bloomer Girls and the DeGraff High School girls, and the bearded men against the men who did not grow facial hair (who purchased a shaving permit for $1.00), a greased pig contest, square dances, and a model airplane show.

One of the most memorable moments of the celebration was the crowning of the queens. Mrs. Lester Rairdon was crowned Queen of 1850, and Miss Ellen Corwin was crowned Queen of 1950, Large bouquets of roses were presented to both queens, and each attendant received a single rose.

The parade brought much of the celebration’s excitement into full view. Jess Comer served as grand marshal, and R.G. Shreve announced the parade and other events. Among the units were bands from Quincy, Rushsylvania, Belle Center, and Sidney; the Willard Stout Post of Belle Center; the Harold Kerr Post Drum and Bugle Corps; the Centennial Queen float; the Women of 1850 float; and a unit of thirty horses from several riding clubs. The Given Feed Company float featured women dressed in feed-sack garments, while a display of McCormick-Deering tractors, from the lightest models to a heavy diesel-powered engine, depicted DeGraff’s growth over the years. The DeGraff Garden Club entered two floats, one covered with flowers and attended by four young girls, and another featuring a pony and cart labeled “Future Garden Club.”

The DeGraff Packing Co. float carried a large replica of its canned products, while Roby Garage displayed both 1920 and 1950 Studebaker automobiles. Rexer Funeral Home brought an 1868 horse-drawn hearse, a new ambulance, and a funeral car, and Reeder Funeral Home exhibited an A.J. Miller hearse, and various antique fire equipment was also presented.

School classes from 1908, 1909, 1914, 1932, and 1948 marched together, and floats were entered by the DeGraff Hatchery, Tanger & Sons, Farm Bureau, Notestine Pure Oil, Given Feed Store, Mid-States Container Corp., and the Bloomer Girls. Many others joined on foot or rode in buggies and wagons.

The Miami Grange won first place for its float, which showed a pioneer family and men working in a “field” with antiquated wooden implements. The DeGraff Creamery took second place with its old horse-drawn milk wagon. Henry L. Madden earned third place by appearing as an 1849 gold prospector, complete with an impressive crop of whiskers, a burro loaded with pans, a pick, and a shovel, and even a live monkey. Ronnie and Donnie Shafer won the greased pig contest, working together to capture the slippery animal donated by livestock dealer Bob Jackson.

In the beard contest, Dave Clason won best overall beard. In the goatee and mustache division, E.W. Hoke won first place. In the mustache and sideburns division, L.B. Adair received first-place honors. Kenneth Gump won for the most unique beard, and Bob Black won for the ugliest beard.

In the Most Complete Costume Made in 1950 category, Mrs. John Roby won first place. In the Most Clever Dress Made in 1950 category, Mrs. Robert E. Strayer won first place, In the Oldest Costume category, Mrs. George Amos, won first place for a dress that was 150 years old.

The four-day centennial celebration was clearly more than a series of events. It was a time when DeGraff’s streets, homes, and gathering places were filled with people coming together to celebrate the village’s past. Months of planning made it possible, but it was the spirit of the community that gave the occasion its lasting meaning. Even now, it stands as a vivid reminder of how deeply people valued their town, their history, and the friendships and family ties that bound them together.

Many of the DeGraff 1950 Centennial Celebration photos were taken by Hadley Studios in Bellefontaine.  If you can identify any of the individuals in the photos, please let us know.