In days gone by, farms were very dependent on candles for lighting or used kerosene for lamps and had to hand pump water for use in the home and for watering their livestock.  These tasks were time consuming. Lighting was poor and reading was difficult.

Charles F. Kettering, of the family of the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, was a scientist and engineer who greatly helped the public good. He is credited with creating an electric cash register and accounting system for banks.  

While working for the National Cash Register Corporation, on the side along with Col. Edward Deeds, they developed a better electrical ignition or starting system for automobiles. These two men along with others organized Dayton Engineering Laboratories (Delco) in 1909. Kettering and Delco not only improved auto lighting systems but also developed a dependable way to generate electricity on farms. This was known as the Delco Lighting System.

In the accompanying photographs a Delco generator which was powered by gasoline is shown. This is in the shop at Gnann’s Fix It Shop in Springfield. Mr. Bowers Gnann acquired this through Danny Harden.  

The generator was attached to a series of battery jars like the ones shown with metal plates in them. The generator would operate charging the acid in the jars so that the system could be used for a time to generate electrical power. The batteries allowed for recharging and restarting the system which could only operate for a limited period of time.

During his early adult years, Artis Rahn was employed with the sales of the Delco Lighting Systems. It is believed by family members that this was probably with the Mingledorff business in Savannah. The accompanying photo shows him in the office with posters on the wall depicting the Delco system. The female employee with him is unknown.

Some people in the community were able to afford a Delco Lighting System, which was fairly expensive for the times. The system was placed in a closed, small shed, sometimes near a garage or woodshed. The little building resembled a privy or outhouse and was usually referred to as “The Delco House.”  

The system had to be housed in an enclosed protected waterproof building to prevent livestock from damaging it as they roamed freely and to prevent young children from coming in contact with the acid in the jars. Some farmers who had these systems included: Mack Weitman, Harvey Freyermuth and Roy Rahn. These were fairly common in the 1930s in our area.

The Clyo School had a Delco system. It allowed for lighting for night activities like plays and programs at the school. They were able to bring in movies that were shown at the school. Invariably it was noted these systems failed often and predictably in the middle of the showing of a movie. They would take a break and the person operating the system would troubleshoot and get it going again. These systems allowed for the use of a water pump, small refrigerator and electrical lights.  

Mr. Kettering certainly made life easier with his inventions. Although he held 140 patents, the Delco Lighting System brought many farms into the beginning of the electrical age with modern convenience.

As electricity became available in cities and later rural areas, these systems were put away in storage for those of us today fortunate enough to locate them and explore their history.   

This was written by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org