Creamery

There are several references to Oran Creamery location. Occasionally, it’s unknown what location is being referred to. The first was located west of Oran. The second was north of Oran at Minkler. The third is the location in Oran on Oran St.

1890.06.05 Oran creamery at Minkler is said to be the model creamery hereabouts. ( Waverly Republican)

1891.11.12 Oran Creamery buttermaker at Minkler attended the dairy convention. (Waverly Republican)

1892.08.17 Oran Farmer’s creamery, located eight miles west of Oelwein, with the contents destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon. Loss $2,600 covered by insurance. It will be rebuilt. (Waterloo Courier)

1892.08.18 One day after the Waterloo Courier reported the fire, the Waverly Republican reports the Ike Woodring was out to Minkler selling Oran creamery a complete new outfit.

1894.01.25 Byron (Myron?) Lenius sold his interest in the Minkler store to Louis Harwood. Byron finds his time is wholly occupied with his creamery work. (Sumner Gazette)

1902 Jan 9 Minkler Mention - Oran Creamery held its annual election Saturday.  Ellis Roberts was elected director and Phillip Smith secretary.  (Sumner Gazette)

1902 Feb 13 Minkler Mention - Patrons of Oran creamery hauled coal this week.  (Sumner Gazette)

1903 Feb 4 Minkler Mention—The Oran creamery company filled their ice house last week.  (Sumner Gazette)

1904 Jul 14 Minkler Mention  Howard Rousch has resigned his position at Oran creamery and went to Sumner Monday.   (Sumner Gazette)

1905 May 25 Minkler Mention - Oran creamery company paid $1.10 for April milk.  (Sumner Gazette)

1908 Dec 17 Wm. McMeek went to Oran last week to do some repair work on the creamery.  (Sumner Gazette)

1909 Jan 21 The new creamery is running nicely with Bert Bentley as buttermaker. (Sumner Gazette)

1936.08.04 Theft of 1,024 pounds of butter

1954 - 1975 William (Bill) Meier was buttermaker

2002.05.01 Oran Creamery discontinues business effecting May 1.  It began business in 1887 at "Minkler Corner".  It was moved into Oran after the introduction of the railroad in 1909. (Shirley Holub scrapbooks)

 

Photos taken by Ben Stong when he managed the creamery.