What demographic primarily made up the membership of the Arkansas State Grange by October 1875?

The Arkansas State Grange, part of the larger National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, was established during a time when agricultural issues were a significant concern for rural communities, particularly for white farmers in the post-Civil War South. By October 1875, the membership of the Grange predominantly consisted of all white members, reflecting the social, economic, and racial dynamics of the rural South at that time.

The Grange aimed to advocate for the interests of farmers, particularly on issues such as railroad regulation and agricultural education, and it attracted individuals who were experiencing economic hardship after the war. Consequently, membership was mostly limited to white farmers and their families, excluding many minority groups and women from formal leadership roles, although women did participate in the activities of the Grange.

This demographic composition highlights the challenges and social structures that existed during the reconstruction era and the way that race and agriculture intertwined in rural America, making it clear why the answer focuses on the all-white membership as the primary demographic.