Regional History Center Regional Collections DeKalb Milk Consumers Assoc... Finding AidTitle: DeKalb Milk Consumers Association Records, 1922-1971
ID: RHC/RC/015
Extent: 4.0 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 04/06/1978
Subjects: Consumption (Economics), Dairying, Dairying, Cooperative, DeKalb (Ill.), DeKalb County (Ill), DeKalb Milk Consumers Association, Finnish Americans
Languages: English
The records contained in this collection document the activities of the Milk Consumers Association Incorporated, of DeKalb, Illinois. The materials reflect on Association business from 1922 through its 1966 dissolution, with the bulk of the materials covering the years 1950-1966.
Types of records include minutes (1950-1965), correspondence, bills, payroll records, I.R.S. materials, banking records, monthly balance sheets, hauling routes, stock inventories, stock certificates, and final dissolution shares. Additionally, there are share purchase books that record sales for most of the years between 1922 and 1952.
Although the minutes (1950-1965) provide an excellent source of information concerning the growth and development of the Association and there are records of share sales throughout the years 1920-1950, this collection lacks records which would closely scrutinize the business in its formative and middle years, 1917-1949
The DeKalb Milk Consumers Association was founded in 1917 by a group of Finns from the local area. The original shop was located in the basement of a grocery store called the Finnish Mercantile Company. Initially individual members, i.e. , those who had bought one share at ten dollars cost, would come to the store and pick up the milk they needed. Eventually delivery service was introduced and the Co-op grew rapidly.
The original dairy purchased raw milk from area farmers, poured it through screens and separated out impurities. Between 1926 and 1930 the Association enlarged and modernized its facilities and introduced butter and cottage cheese to its product line. In later years, cream, 2% milk, and skim milk were also added.
In 1956 the Milk Association incorporated to protect individuals against liabilities. By the early l960's the Co-op was becoming less Finn-dominated and more involved with local competition (Meadow Gold) and federal regulations. In 1963-1964 the Co-op decided to become a delivery service only and began to buy its products from the Pure Milk Association (Dairy Lanes) of Wisconsin.
Increasing difficulties with finances, personnel, competition and federal/state enforced regulations forced the Milk Consumers Cooperative to sell out to the Muller Pinehurst Company in 1966.
Consumption (Economics)
Dairying
Dairying, Cooperative
DeKalb (Ill.)
DeKalb County (Ill)
DeKalb Milk Consumers Association
Finnish Americans
Repository: Northern Illinois University
Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.
Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.
Acquisition Source: Mr. Howard Eychaner
Acquisition Method: The records of the Milk Consumers Association, Inc. were donated by Mr. Howard Eychaner, a former president of the Association, to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on April 6, 1978.
