Administrative/Biographical History
In the early 1920’s, Farm Bureau oil companies were established throughout the state of Illinois to provide fuel for farm machinery. On February 16, 1927, the Will County Farm Bureau met to discuss the possibilities of organizing a local oil company in Joliet, Illinois. A decision was made to form the Will County Farm Supply Company. Members of the Farm Bureau Executive Committee were appointed to the Board of Directors of the new cooperative. They included Mr. William Webb, President; Mr. J. W. Paterson, Vice-President; Mr. Royal Dixon, Secretary-Treasurer. Also appointed as directors were: Mr. M. J. Patterson, Mr. Arthur States, and Mr. Mark McClure. On October 1, 1927, the Will County Farm Supply Company began operations.
In its early years, the Farm Supply Company enjoyed immediate success. With emphasis on growth and expansion, Will County Farm Supply Company merged with DuPage County Farm Supply in 1935 to form the Will-DuPage Service Company. Expansion continued during the 1950’s with the purchase of a feed, seed, and fertilizer business known as Will County Cooperative, Incorporated. In 1966, the WILL DU Enterprises, Incorporated was organized as a subsidiary of the service company to promote the production and marketing of poultry eggs, and livestock. This subsidiary ceased operations in 1973.
Today the company continues to operate as a major distributor of farm supplies for Farm Bureau members in the Will-DuPage County area.
