709 D Street

Address: 709 D Street

Legal Description:

Building: Geneva Milling Company

1887 A number of prominent businessmen and farmers met to organize and incorporate Geneva Roller Mills, Co. The ground was purchased from Austin Knowler, who had bought it from the railroad on June 1, 1872. The mill was in the south part of the city. It was a “majestic looking building 36x62’, four stories high” with an engine room 20x36’. It had the capacity of 100 barrels of flour per day and about 500 bushels of feed.

1888 An elevator was added. It had a storage capacity of 25,000 bushels.

1889 Frank Briggs was manager of the Geneva Mills.

1892 A. Z. Peck was the head miller.

1894 Charles Jarvis replaced L. M. Sargent in the Geneva Roller Milling Co. flour and feed store. Mr. Sargent left for the Cherokee strip.

1895 F. H. Briggs resigned from his duties as director and secretary. The Briggs' family moved to Lincoln. Mr. Peck, head miller, took over as manager.

1896 The mill was leased by Geneva Roller Mills Co. to John Templeton and D. Guthrie of Superior.

1897 The mill was awarded contracts for the Industrial School at Geneva, the penitentiary and insane hospital in Lincoln.

1915 Mrs. Guthrie sold the mill to John A. Johnston of Superior. His son-in-law, Henry Cellar, managed the mill.

1917 The new flour, GEMCO (Geneva Milling Company) brand, was placed on sale in Geneva stores for the first time.

1917 In March, Cellar Milling, Co. installed a complete outfit of new machinery.

1917 In July, the name of the firm was changed from the Cellar Milling Co. to the Geneva Milling Co. No changes in ownership were made, the sole purpose was the desire to more closely associate themselves with Geneva.

1926 H. R. Cellar announced the mill had suspended grinding operations for the year because of the failure of the wheat crop in the area.

1926 The mill was idle for three years.

1929 An auction was held to sell the Geneva Milling Co. Two brothers, John J. and William H. Grothe of Dorchester purchased the mill. The firm that operated the mill was known as Grothe Brothers.

1932 In September, William H. Grothe retired and sold his interest in the mill to John J Grothe. His son, Charles A. joined him in the business. The proprietors were known as John Grothe & Son, but continued to operate as the Geneva Milling Co.

1945 Charles A. Grothe became the sole owner. In January, a fire destroyed the mill. It was replaced by a modern feed mill only.

1951 Two grain storage tanks were added

1991 Charles A. Grothe announced his retirement and turned the business over to his son, Charles F. Grothe.

1993 The Geneva Grain building at 600 F Street was purchased

2002 Charles F. Grothe announced his retirement and turned the business over to his son, Michael F. Grothe.

2008 A new office was built at 210 So. 7^th.

This was ongoing as of the last posting.