The Neillsville Canning Company

The Neillsville Canning Company was organized on Feb. l5 1913, with a capital stock of $15,000 after several meetings of the business men of the county seat. Robert Kurth was chosen president, Gust. Krause vice- president, George Ure treasurer, and Levy Williamson, secretary, all of whom have served in their respective positions since. In the spring of the same year a plant was erected near the railroad depot at Neillsville, convenient for the farmers bringing in their produce and with side track facilities for shipping the goods. It Is a well built structure and a valuable addition to the industries of the city, employing half a hundred hands or so during the packing season and making a ready and profitable market for the products of scores of acres in the vicinity.

During the first season about ten acres of beets and beans were planted by the company and about 20 acres by the individual farmers and 5000 cases of canned products were manufactured and shipped. During 1914 there were 75 acres devoted to raising crops for the factory and 18,000 cases were manufactured. During the first year the financial status of the concern was satisfactory but not tremendously so, but after the close of business for the second year the stockholders carried very satisfied expressions and it was reported that the season had been eminently successful.

This year there are 125 acres of beans and about 400 acres of corn being cultivated for the factory and the output will be proportionately increased— probably 40,000 cases. Additions and improvements have been made to the plant so that it is now absolutely up-to-date in every respect and operated according to the most approved sanitary methods, the work of canning the product being done entirely automatically by the machinery, no human hand touching the foodstuff from the time it is brought to the plant until It is hermetically sealed in the cans. Of the Output this year, it is expected that about one half will be beans and nearly as much corn, with beets, pumpkins and kraut in smaller quantities but all under the same brands—the well and favorably known ‘Marathon” and “Big Farm” brands. These brands have enviable reputations with the trade and find a ready market.

The canning factory is expected to be the start of a number of industries which will add to the prosperity of the county seat. During its comparatively short existence Ft has paid out about $3,000 in wages and for crops and some of the farmers who have given their attention to the crops especially for the factory have profited to the extent of $200 an acre by so doing.

When you eat canned corn or beans, get the “Marathon” or “Big Farm” brand.

1931