FIFTIETH ANNUAL CONVENTION 31 



J. P. MASON 



In the Spring of 1868 I began my dairy work, working 

 in one of the first cheese factories in the Fox River Valley, 

 for the firm of Wanzer, Moran & Devine — Mr. Wanzer 

 was a pioneer dairyman, Mr. Pat Moran was a Commission 

 merchant at 199 South Water St., and Mr. M. A. Devine was 

 one of the pioneer milk dealers of Chicago, and also owner 

 of a large dairy farm adjoining the factory. Several years 

 later he sold out to the Bowman Dairy Co. At that time he 

 was running about sixteen wagons. Through progressive 

 ideas, the Bowman Co. have enlarged until they run about 

 1,200 wagons. This factory run through the summer sea- 

 son from April 1st to November 15, closing through the 

 winter; they manufactured full cream cheese, about 35 per 

 day, weighing 55 to 60 lbs. each at the tip of the season. 

 This was before the advent of the Holstein cow, silo alfalfa, 

 balanced rations, Babcock test — just plain, native cows and 

 some of them very good at that. I worked for this firm 

 two seasons. 



In the Spring of 1870, I went to Missouri and managed 

 the first cheese factory in the State — for Perrine & Kellogg 

 of Cameron, Clinton Co. They kept 300 cows of their own 

 and bought some milk outside; they had a farm of 1,400 

 acres. I was young then, and they paid me a good salary. 

 After I had worked for them about two months, one of the 

 firm came to me and said to me, "We are going to increase 

 your salary 33 1-3 per cent." I worked for this firm four 

 years. We found ready market for our cheese in St. Joe, 

 Kansas City, Mo., and Leavenworth; they kept from 20 to 

 40 men improving the place. They had great difficulty in 

 securing a good farm foreman — they would quit and change 

 quite often — then the firm would come to me. It was my 

 work to run the factory, I did not milk or have anything to 

 do with the outside work, but I always went where duty 

 called, for the success of the business was my work, and 

 many and many a time I would go out in the boiling hot sun 

 to help harvest and thresh, and lead the van. I did not say, 



