TIMES ARE CHANGING

Thomas Neesen’s merchandise business proved to be profitable for him, but he had always dreamed of one day
starting a creamery, and in 1878 he decided to do so.

He purchased the necessary machinery and equipment. In addition he bought two teams of horses, a team of
mules, some wagons and cream cans. He hired men to drive to all parts of the territory to gather the milk and bring it to the creamery which was in the basement under his store. Neesen paid these men $40 a month, a good wage for the times for laboring men who were not required to furnish their own teams and wagons.

The machinery, the separators, butter churns and the like were horse powered, and were located outside behind

the store. Actually it was the mules that furnished the power.