Regional History Center Regional Collections John P. Case Collection (Na... Finding AidTitle: John P. Case Collection (Naperville), 1922-1965
ID: RHC/RC/086
Extent: 2.5 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 01/12/1980
Subjects: Agriculture, Case, John P., Dairying, Family farms, Holstein-Friesian Cattle, Hybrid corn, Naperville (Ill.), North Corn Belt Seed Growers, Incorporated, Pfister Associated Growers, Pure Milk Association, Seed Inventory
Languages: English
The collection partially documents John P. Case’s private farm practices and his participation in the organization of the Pure Milk Association from 1922 to 1965. Records include correspondence, minutes, reports, publications, and financial data.
The major portion of the collection contains financial record books used by Case to measure his farm productivity over a given year. Included are tabulations of crop, livestock, labor, and operating receipts and expenses dating from 1922 to 1965.
For related materials researchers may wish to consult the Pure Milk Association (RC62), the Mid-West Dairyman's Company (RC81), the DuPage County Farm Bureau (RC87), and the North Corn Belt Seed Growers, Inc. (RC90).
John P. Case was born on March 26, 1897 near York Center, Illinois. Educated at the University of Illinois and Hamilton Law School, Case completed a master’s degree and became a successful dairy farmer operating 470 acres of land in DuPage County, Illinois.
As member and director of the Chicago Milk Producer’s Association John Case was among those who pioneered the idea of creating a dairy producer’s cooperative to improve dairy standards, increase product sales, and encourage dairy farmer cooperation. The result of their efforts was the incorporation of the Pure Milk Association (PMA), an organization eventually recognized nationally as one of the most successful milk producer’s cooperatives in the United States.
In the twenty years that Case was active in the PMA, he served as district director representing the marketing interests of dairy farmers in DuPage County from 1931 to 1951. In 1933, Case served as the treasurer for the association and, in 1935, he was elected president, a position he held until 1938.
In addition to his dairy interest, Case became involved in the production of hybrid seed corn in the Naperville area. In 1938 Case,along with two other local farmers, established the Northern Illinois Seed Growers Inc. to produce and develop hybrids. The company changed its name to North Corn Belt in 1939 and in 1943 it became part of the Pfister’s Associated Growers (PAG), an organization which maintained several hybrid seed corn-producing plants throughout seven states in the cornbelt country. John Case served as president of the association until 1966.
Case’s established reputation as a national leader in the dairy and seed industries qualified him for executive positions in other ag-related organizations. Included were the following: Director of the DuPage Tuberculosis Association (1940), President of the DuPage County Board of Health (1951), Director of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America (1952), and President of the Illinois Association of Boards of Health (1962). Case continued his business responsibilities and agricultural operations until his death on July 26, 1975.
In 1922, John Case married Esther Penfold of Lombard, Illinois. They had five children who all settled in the DuPage County area.
Agriculture
Case, John P.
Dairying
Family farms
Holstein-Friesian Cattle
Hybrid corn
Naperville (Ill.)
North Corn Belt Seed Growers, Incorporated
Pfister Associated Growers
Pure Milk Association
Seed Inventory
Repository: Northern Illinois University
Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.
Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.
Acquisition Source: Joan Case
Acquisition Method: Joan Case donated her father’s records to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on January 12, 1980.
Related Materials: For related materials researchers may wish to consult the Pure Milk Association (RC 62), the Mid-West Dairyman’s Company (RC 81), the DuPage County Farm Bureau (RC 87), and the North Corn Belt Seed Growers, Inc. (RC 90).
