many years a widely known landmark. It was with real regret that Kimballtonians saw it go down a few years ago.
HANS NIELSEN
One of our very earliest business men was Hans Nielsen, who for many years was in the furniture and undertaking business in Kimballton. Mr. Nielsen is not so active in business any more, not having had the best of health for several years, but his many friends will be glad to see his picture here and to remember his activities in the past.
Hans Nielsen
As time went on several other business houses went up, but it was not until the advent of the railroad which was built by the prospective patrons along the line and financed by popular subscription, that Kimballton boomed. With the coming of the Atlantic Northern Railway line prices soared, banks were established, new business houses were opened, and many new houses were built.
First Train Into Kimballton
CO-OPERATION
With this short resume of the earlier happenings we are about ready to move on to take up the business houses now in town, but first we must mention the wide and good effect the co-operative associations, which have been from time to time organized, financed and managed by the farmers of the surrounding territory, have had in the development of the community.
First in line was the Crystal Springs Creamery which took name from a beautiful free-flowing spring which supplies running water in the creamery. The association was organized by the farmers in order to procure for them the best prices for their dairy products. For many years the creamery was well and ably managed and was a great asset to the farmers. Later the farmers turned more to stock feeding and that, together with outside competition forced them to suspend operations for a while. However, now that many of the members are again going into dairying, the association is preparing to resume activities by January first, and it is to be hoped that the members will realize that in co-operation and in being loyal to their co-operative associations lies the farmer's only effective weapon against usurious middlemen.
Of great importance, too, were the co-operative lumber companies that were organized in earlier times. Later days bringing with them the ever-expanding big lumber companies also brought competition that the smaller companies could not bear up under, and as the larger concerns were able to undersell the co-operative yards, continued efforts of the association seemed superfluous. The yards wer esold at reasonable figures to the Green Bay Lumber Company and the association liquated.
FARMERS SHIPPING COMPANY
Poul Bjorn, Manager
Another co-operative association of no less importance to this community is the Farmers Shipping Company, which began operations in 1911 and has been doing an ever increasing business each year. Mr. Henry Hansen is now president of this association; Mr. Peter Peterson is active as its secretary, and Poul Bjorn it's [sic its] very able manager.
Poul Bjorn was for many years engaged in farming; he knows how to grade stock; and although his position is not by any means an easy one to fill, the patrons feel they are fortunate in having him for a manager of their society.
Through the Farmers Shipping Company the members can market their stock at a minimum expense and can buy feed, salt, flour, and other commodities at cost plus actual shipping expenses. Each member must own at least one share of stock, par value $25.00. On this he is paid a preferred dividend annually of 7%. All profits are divided at the end of each fiscal year in pro rate share of live stock sold through the organization.
The Farmers Shipping Company buys in open competition with other firms, pays the highest market price possible, and has, during the last years, been able to declare a very substantial dividend to the shippers besides. As a rule a member saves more the first year than his original investment in the company.
We believe that it will pay every active farmer in the community to be a member of the Farmers Shipping Company. It will pay him directtly [sic directly] by bringing him greater profits on his live stock, and it will pay him indirectly through the [cont'd on pg. 12]
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, August, 2021. View original page image at top; click to enlarge.
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