History

An excerpt from a history written by Hugh Brady in 1960.  Hugh's father, was involved in flour milling for many years.


"While the Old Mill, the first Mill in Fairview, was still in operation in 1921 another new project entered into the limelight. Now quoting from Bishop Hans P. Hansen: 'In 1921 a corporation was organized for the purpose of manufacturing flour and feed stuffs, under the designation of ‘Fairview Roller Milling Company’. The majority of stock was subscribed by members of the James Rigby family, with LeRoy Rigby as president and manager. The building was erected and machinery installed in 1922. Capacity, 50 barrels per day. LeRoy Rigby was the first miller.' The location was on the railroad sidetrack just south of the depot.
The flourmill unit of this institution was a short system; a MIDGET MARVEL, as was that owned by Mr. Brady in 1914. The difference was in capacity. It was powered by electricity, which proved to be within the ability of the mill to pay.


Soon after the beginning of operation, Mr. Rigby employed Ray Brady, the writer’s brother, as an assistant, who a little later became head miller. Some time during the following ten years, Ray leased the mill and operated it until 1932, when it was purchased by Utah Poultry Producers Cooperative Association and the Fairview Poultry Association.  The Utah Poultry Producers Cooperative Association then having controlling interest, purchased the lease from Mr. Brady and gave him employment in their plant at Salt Lake City. In his stead they employed Hyrum D. Mower as miller and manager. He was succeeded by Linden Christensen, in the early fall of 1933. Long before this time it was discovered that satisfactory production of flour was much more difficult with this short-system mill. Efficiency was highly important and necessary.


In 1935 Mr. Christensen obtained the services of Bishop Hans P. Hansen as floor-man and miller. Mr. Christensen again assumed these duties in 1941 when Bishop Hansen resigned.  Quoting again from Bishop Hansen: 'In March, 1943, Mr. Christensen left the employ of the company. There being no one who could successfully operate the flour production, the manufacture of flour was discontinued. The machinery was removed from the building to make room for other activities.'


With sincere appreciation, I now quote from the writings of Linden Christensen under date of March 8, 1969: 'About 1935 I hired Mr. Hans P. Hansen as floor-man and miller. Mr. Hansen was manager only about two years of the eleven I served the Poultry Producers Assn. On August 1, 1941, I hired Mr. Urban Bench to take Mr. Hansen’s place, as his health was bad from a grain chemical dust. In March of 1943, I was bothered with the dust so I left the mill. Mr. Urban Bench then became manager and made flour till the year 1950 when the mill was junked for scrap.'


Another quotation from Mr. Christensen is interesting: 'I made only one grade of flour. Also made cereal of different kinds, some rye. The flour was made from 1/3 soft white wheat and 2/3 Turkey red wheat. We received 3 bushels of wheat for 100 pounds of flour in our sacks. No shorts or bran. The only mill to do that kind of trading at that time. Our cereal mill was bought from A. U. Miner or Nephi Cruser.'
Thus ended 83 years of activity in one of Fairview’s greatest pioneer industries."


MORE HISTORY TO COME . . .