| A History of STRUM and the TOWN OF UNITY by Roy Matson |
| THIS IS PAGE 45 | TABLE OF CONTENTS | PAGE BACK | PAGE FORWARD |
| markets by large tank wagons affected area milk product manufacturing to some extent but a continual increase in dairy cow population brought volume up. In 1945 additional help was hired so that each man could have one day off per week. Heretofore, a seven day work week had governed. The price of milk fluctuated greatly during the next few years. $1.26 had been paid in 1946. This figure dropped to $0.80 in 1949, upped to $0.90 in 1953. Equity reserves up to 1944 were paid in 1948. Directors voted themselves $2.00 for regular monthly meetings and $1.00 for a special call. In July, 1948 it was decided to quote the price of milk per hundred weight, computed at 31/2% butterfat, with a $.07 differential. The next payment was based at $3.12 per cwt. Through the next two decades prices rose steadily, $3.35 in 1965, $3.65 in 1966, and in 1970, $4.65 was paid for milk delivered in cans and $4.80 for bulk delivery. The last figure in the minute book, dated February 20, 1975, 41 years after the first entry, was $6.69 for can delivery, $6.84 for bulk. The era of small creameries had seen many closings following the World War II years. Changes from manufacturing of dairy products to whole milk sales seemed inevitable and the change from can delivery to bulk pick up moved steadily. The scene had changed locally. From twice a week pick ups by wagon and 30 gallon containers with milk being measured by the inch to shiny insulated tanks equipped with high priced cooling apparatus, then disposed to any number of speedy, clean delivery trucks whose mileage serving patrons is astronomical. The Unity Creamery Company is gone, but one thing is certain. Throughout about 90 years of about every kind of imaginable problem characteristic of the dairy industry it preservered. There have been many men who gave years of service to this creamery. Beginning with merchant Hans Willumson who straightened the first problems, the first officers, Nels Hagestad and secretary Even Holte, a patron of 50 years. Old timers had a party for Anton Rognlien, an early president, on his retirement. His successor was Paul Moltzau during whose term the block building was constructed. Buttermaker Fred Hagen deserves mention, and finally Minor Goss and Willard Gunderson. Minor assumed the management of a practically defunct creamery during the darkest depression times, banks were closed, markets were bankrupt and farmers dependent on meager milk checks. For 27 years he steered and held to a course that erased a large deficit and put the creamery in a position of equity reserves and gave a satisfactory price for patrons’ products, which is about all a co-op can do. Willard Gunderson began work as a helper in 1927 and continued for 45 years, 38 of these as buttermaker and plant superintendent. The length of uninterrupted service is an indication of satisfied patrons. The Postal System Strum has had a dozen different postmasters since Ole Kittleson hung out a shingle on February 20, 1885, informing the few residents that he was postmaster and “Strum” was the return address. he was followed by Ole Nysveen who serve(d) three times for a total of approximately 22 years. The officers and the date they began service follows: Ole Kittleson February 20, 1885 Ole Nysveen January 11, 1888 Ole Thomasgaard June 25, 1889 Ole O. Nysveen December 14, 1897 Ole O. Nysveen January 9, 1903 Claude E. Burton July 22, 1915 William H. Call February 17, 1925 Elvin E. Strand September 10, 1927 Ralph E. Lyon May 27, 1936 Clarence P. Call July 1, 1944 Gerald Bergerson July 29, 1949 Clarence P. Call April 5, 1957 Forrest Spangberg August 5, 1958 Clarence P. Call August 26, 1960 Douglas Runkel February 16, 1961 Rural Fee Delivery began in 1900 on a route serving farmers north of town up to a rural |