Regional History Center Regional Collections Kendall-Grundy Farm Service... Finding AidTitle: Kendall-Grundy Farm Service Company Records, 1928-1978
ID: RHC/RC/105
Extent: 25.0 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 08/18/1980
Subjects: Agriculture, American Farm Bureau Federation, Farm supply industries, Grundy County (Ill.), Grundy Grain and Supply Company, Grundy Service Company, Kendall-Grundy Farm Service, Kendall County (Ill), Kendall Farmers Oil Company, Morris (Ill.), Oil industries
Languages: English
These records document the three agricultural service companies, Kendall Farmers Oil, Grundy Grain and Supply, and Grundy Service, which merged to form the Kendall-Grundy FS, Inc. in 1971. The collection, comprised of meeting minutes, audit reports, purchase/sales journals, and general financial ledgers dating 1928 to 1970, details each company’s history. Of particular interest are materials dating in the 1930’s and 1940’s; these documents reveal the strain government rationing caused within the agricultural community. Although supplementary documentation, correspondence and printed materials, is not included, the available records describe the benefits and services these businesses provided to area farmers.
Researchers should note that a company history is available in Box 1, File Folder 1.
Kendall-Grundy PS, Inc., organized in 1971, originally started business as two separate companies: Kendall Farmers Oil and Grundy Service Company. Both companies distributed oil and gasoline to area farmers. Grundy County customers initially received products from Kendall Farmers Oil, but in 1934, the increasing call for more oil induced Grundy County Farm Bureau to organize the Grundy Service Company. E. D. Cook, manager of Kendall Farmers Oil, also served as head of the new company. The close cooperation between the two companies continued until they voted to cancel joint management in 1947. Each company went on to update and increase their facilities.
By 1970 increased competition and tight margins encouraged a new look at the “one company per county” policy. The feeling grew that by merging the two companies, greater advantages would be gained in volume buying and more efficient use of personnel and equipment. In 1971, the shareholders agreed to a merger, forming Kendall-Grundy FS, Inc. Robert Ament, president; Gary Granby, vice-president; Russell Halkyard, secretary; and Robert Vilmin, treasurer presided as the first board of directors. Jerry Herrman became manager of the newly-formed company. In 1977, the company received the FS Golden Anniversary Award as one of the top seven companies in the Illinois Farm Supply Co. system.
The Kendall-Grundy FS, Inc. continues to follow the original companies’ objectives: improve the profitability of farming; maintain sound financial policies and practices; preserve local ownership and control; lend support to Farm Bureau; provide fair and equitable treatment for employees; promote the welfare of the community; and operate under sound business ethics and principles.
Agriculture
American Farm Bureau Federation
Farm supply industries
Grundy County (Ill.)
Grundy Grain and Supply Company
Grundy Service Company
Kendall-Grundy Farm Service
Kendall County (Ill)
Kendall Farmers Oil Company
Morris (Ill.)
Oil industries
Repository: Northern Illinois University
Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.
Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection remain with Kendall-Grundy PS, Inc.; literary rights are dedicated to the public.
Acquisition Source: Leon Bonneur
Acquisition Method: Leon Bonneur deposited the Kendall-Grundy FS, Inc. Records in the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on August 18, 1980.
Related Materials: The Regional History Center also holds several related record collections: DeKalb County Farm Bureau (RC 52); Kane County Farm Bureau (RC 76); Winnebago Farm Bureau Co-op (RC 79); DuPage County Farm Bureau (RC 87); Will-DuPage Service Company (RC 94); Carroll County Farm Bureau (RC 96); Kendall County Farm Bureau (RC 103); Grundy County Farm Bureau (RC 106); and Farmer’s Elevator Company (RC 109).
