Cheese Makers MFG. Co. & Blum Bros. Box Factory
Unity Township, Clark Co., Wisconsin
Contributed by Dorene Newman
(Except from the Unity Centennial Newspaper)
Joe Prien's Box Factory (circa 1947)
From the Gene Prien Collection, submitted by Alan Gurtner.
The Cheese Maker's Manufacturing Co. was formed in 1919. The organizers of the Company sold their stock to cheesemakers and business investors of the area. Wooden cheese boxes were then made. All the boxes were turned and nailed by hand. The only machinery that was used was a heading machine, a tongue and grooving machine, a planer, a veneer lathe, and a clipper.
In 1921, Ed Prien became the superintendent, with Mr. Walstrom as manager and Wallie Lapp, a foreman. Sixty-five men were employed at that time. Boxes were first shipped by rail. Later trucks took over the servicing of cheesemakers in the near areas. New automatic machinery was purchased in Kewanee, Wis. For a few years, berry crates and fillers were manufactured. Ed Prien worked intermittently from 1921 to 1937. His wife, Mable, taught in the Riplinger school. They had one daughter, Katherine (Prien) Carroll. Upon leaving, Ed Prien purchased the Gamble Store at Rib Lake.
In 1923, Charles Chapin of Chicago, became business manager and bookkeeper, and continued soliciting stockholders among the cheesemakers. Ed Prien became foreman over the entire factory production. In 1925, Joe Prien became bookkeeper. He moved to Unity with his wife, Ella, and three children, Arlene (Prien) Radke, Milton and Eugene. He held this position until 1955 when he retired and moved to Medford.
On July 4, 1940, the factory was destroyed by fire. Paul Blum of Marshfield purchased stock of the company and rebuilt in the spring of 1941. The name of the factory was changed to Blum Brothers Box Factory. In 1947, Martin VerKilen became foreman. On Nov. 30, 1960, the factory was discontinued and the manufacturing was moved to Marshfield. On Dec. 29, 1972, Blum Brothers sold their manufacturing plant to Donald Fischer and Corwin Dallman. Mr. VerKilen worked for Bum Brothers until its closing. He was retired and makes his home in Marshfield.
