The Reedsville Cooperative

Reedsville Co-op in 1936. Left to right: Ervin Maertz by gas pumps (employee); Charles Burich, board member; Albert Reimer, board member; Joe Vondrachek, board member; Arthur Berkholtz, manager of Co-op; John Mahnke, President of the Board; Steve Foreyt, board member; Reinhard Grimm, board member; William Rusch, board member; Art Wendland, board member; Alvin Schultz, driver of cattle truck; Norman Haelfrish, driver of gas truck; Charles Vondrachek, driver of gas truck; Charles Daley, driver of coal truck; Steve Dvorachek on top of silo (employee).

Cooperatives have been a key part of rural areas for over a century. Historically and today, farmer-owned co-ops work together to help members market and process their crops and livestock, and acquire needed supplies and services.  For a group of 25 Reedsville farmers, this began as an early dream in 1918 and has since expanded and grown. The initial group of farmers joined together to market their livestock in and around the bustling village of Reedsville. They would take orders once a month and the livestock would then be shipped on railroad cards. These humble beginnings marked the start of the Reedsville Cooperative.

Then known as the Reedsville Equity, this group soon expanded. In April 1923, the group reorganized themselves as the Reedsville Cooperative Association and elected John Mahnke as president, who served until 1950. Wiliam Rusch became the Vice President, and Herbert Krueger, the secretary-treasurer. Directors also included Willaim Dahlman, Reinhard Grimm, Joseph A. Vondrachek, Charles Burich, Otto Mahnke, and Steve Foreyt. Henry Rusch was hired as the Cooperative’s manager.

Livestock sales were going well and the group decided to add to the cooperative with coal and feed business. A warehouse was built in 1924 which allowed for the group to expand their sales and hold business meetings. The sale of bulk gas was added in 1931, which at that time the gasoline was selling for 11 cents a gallon, kerosene for 8 cents and gallon, and hired labor could be acquired at 30 cents an hour.

The Great Depression stimulated growth in the cooperative. An employee, Elvin Schultz, was a livestock trucker and had his own portable feed grinder. He would grind feed for Co-op members on his farm until 1934 when the Co-op purchased the portable feed grinder from Schultz and installed it in their warehouse. A brick store building was built at the corner of Highway 10 and 6th street in 1939. The second floor was used as a funeral parlor with Joseph Will as the first hired undertaker.  In 1945, the Co-op purchased the furniture and funeral home business from Edward Shimon. Shimon remained as their funeral director and the furniture business also continued to expand.

The Co-op was fortunate to have many loyal employees during its early years: Charles Vondrachek drove the gas truck for over 10 years. Charles Daley was also reported to tell a story to every customer as he ground their feed.

Reedsville Co-op in 1955. MCHS 95.53.1

Early cooperatives, like the Reedsville Co-op, met the needs of their members with items such as gasoline, fuel, fertilizer, feed, and even funeral services. Today, Country Visions Cooperative continues the history begun by the group of 25 Reedsville farmers.