The Citizen, 1992-07-01, Page 53THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1 ,1992. PAGE A21.
East Wawanosh Township 125th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
Published by North Huron Cmzen
Snells hatch big business
Murray and Wilma Scott were selected as the East Wawanosh
Homecoming King and Queen at the fundraising dance on June 6.
Heritage judges
Mr. and Mrs Lee Vance of Wingham were the judges for the costume
contest at the Heritage Auction and Dance on June 6.
Most residents of East Wawanosh are
aware of the Snell Feed and Supplies
business in Westfield, but are they aware
that it first started out as a chicken business?
Ernest Snell and his new bride Anna
(McDowell) first established their chicken
business al Westfield in 1940 with 100
Leghorn hens. The Snells would receive
$4.00 for a crate of 30 dozen eggs at the
time.
Business soon expanded, which seems to
be the story all the way around with the
Snells and their business ventures. In 1944
they had to build a three storey chicken
house. In 1945 and 1946 the couple started
a hatching business with a capacity of 6,000
eggs. By 1954 the hatching capacity was at
30,000 eggs and the firm was selling
100,000 chicks a year.
Ernest decided to put in a feed business on
the farm in 1949. They converted an old
barn into a mill. At first a tractor and
hammer mill were used, then they were
replaced by a new GMC diesel stationary
motor, a large grinder, and a feed mixer.
Business ran into a glitch in 1953 when a
tornado swept through and tore the roof off
the mill. The roof had to be replaced.
Another unfortunate incident happened in
1956 when Ernest suffered a physical
breakdown from overwork and had to
undergo two major operations. The chicken
business had to be discontinued.
However, Ernest's illness didn't put him
out of action for very long. In 1957 Ernest
and Anna started a farm implement business
by converting the old chicken building into a
service shop. They obtained a franchise
with International Harvester, and later New
Holland and Gohl Farm Equipment.
They say things happen in threes: August
1959 the feed mill was destroyed by
lightning. The Snells lost approximately
100 tons of feed. A new feed mill was built
across the road on the south half of Lot 34,
Cone. 5 on land from Ernest's brother Alvin
in 1960.
In June 1960, an agreement was signed
with Ontario Hydro for electric power and a
new power line built to the mill, which used
about 150 h.p. al the time.
Ever-expanding the business, the Snells
built a new cement block building on the
north half of Lol 34, Cone. 4 for farm
equipment. In 1963 the business was
incorporated as a private company, Snell
Feed Supplies Limited.
The company purchased a new grain
dryer and installed a set of platform scales in
1965. Storage capacity increased in 1971 to
90,000 bushels and a new 30' x 100' concrete
silo was built along with two others at 20' x
80'. A new 60' scale was also installed to
weigh the larger trucks. In 1972 a new grain
dryer with a drying capacity of 800 bushels
per hour was purchased to handle the
increased volume of com. At that time the
drying charge for com was 13 cents a bushel
at 30 per cent moisture.
Two more 24' x 90' concrete silos and five
30' x 100' silos with a storage capacity of
775,000 bushels were built in 1975, 1976,
and 1977. A hydraulic dumper was also
installed and an additional grain dryer with a
drying capacity of 2,000 bushel per hour.
continued on page A22
to everyone in
East Wawanosh
Township
on your
125th Anniversary
and Homecoming
Celebrations
Jrom
Jim and Thelma Wilson
Wilson's Health
& Gift Centre
Blyth 523-4440
F CONGRATULATIONS
to our neighbours in
East ‘lAiawanosfi Township
Chamney Sanitation
Salvage & Recycling
Serving
East
Wawanosh
and area
tor 22 /
years “
6W?
AUBURN
8 y
526-7799
Ort behalf of
the citizens
and
council of
Wingham,
we extend our
Best Wishes on
your 125th
Birthday
The Town & Council
of Wingham