In 1902 Troutman’s Farms Dairy was established in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by James M. Troutman, son-in-law of Franklin Beisel and Adaline [Romberger] Beisel. Initially, the dairy was operated with equipment purchased from Homer Stine and Mark Stine, who had a dairy just northeast of the Beisel farm. As part of the purchase the Stine’s sold Troutman a milk wagon.
After obtaining milking cows, Troutman began delivering milk in the Lykens Township area using the milk wagon. Early milk deliveries were made by filling large metal containers with milk and, using a ladle, containers provided at houses and farms where he stopped were filled. Later, the milk cans had faucets and Troutman would dispense the milk into a large measuring device from which he would fill the customer’s containers. The route was eventually expanded to supply Elizabethville, Gratz, Berrysburg, and Pillow.
Typical 19th and early 20th century milk wagons had metal interiors and ice compartments which helped keep the milk at a temperature where it wouldn’t spoil. The stamp shown above was issued by the U.S. Postal Service. It depicted one type of horse-drawn milk wagon. However, as motor vehicles became prominent, it became customary to re-fit them so they could be used to transport milk. James M. Troutman purchased a new Studebaker truck in 1916 and had it fitted for his deliveries. By 1927, raw milk began being sold in bottles. In 1928, he purchased a new Studebaker truck, and the milk was delivered by his daughter Florence [Troutman] Young and other children.
Over the years, the business was expanded with the purchase of other local dairies, including Oscar Zimmerman‘s Dairy and the Lloyd Billow Dairy. Wholesale milk sales to area stores (and some restaurants) was begun in 1939 and in 1950 Pasteurization and homogenization equipment was purchased. The competition between James M. Troutman and other area dairies was fierce, but friendly, and the Troutman family always prided itself in being able to deliver in even the most adverse weather conditions.
In 1962, James M. Troutman turned the management of the dairy over to his two sons, John Troutman and Paul Eston Troutman. By 1983, a decision was made to abandon home delivery, but the business went on for a few more years as a wholesale supply.
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