siskokid
Kleinheinz Dairy Co.
At one time, as many as 65 dairies served the greater Wausau, Wisconsin area. Fresh cow’s milk was poured into cans cooled by ice cut from the Wisconsin River. It was then measured into glass bottles for home delivery. The “milk man” was a familiar and friendly face and skim milk was considered a by-product and used to feed farm animals. Wausau’s first modern dairy industry began under the guidance of John Kleinheinz and Harold Pettingill. They were the first to offer pasteurized milk to their customers and began a dairy operation under the name of Marathon Sanitary Milk Company in 1914. Their claim was “Pasteurized for your protection.” Just four years later, Kleinheinz and his brothers Joseph and William bought out Pettingill and formed the Kleinheinz Dairy Company at 121 S. 2nd Avenue, Wausau. In 1926, they built the present dairy building and the original dairy to the north was converted into an ice cream plant. The Kleinheinz brothers operated the dairy until 1944 and then sold it to Bridgeman-Russell. The business was then acquired in 1952 by Elmer “Bud” Sneider and his son, William. In 1978, Golden Guernsey took over the Sneider business, but the buildings are now abandoned.
Kleinheinz Dairy Co.
At one time, as many as 65 dairies served the greater Wausau, Wisconsin area. Fresh cow’s milk was poured into cans cooled by ice cut from the Wisconsin River. It was then measured into glass bottles for home delivery. The “milk man” was a familiar and friendly face and skim milk was considered a by-product and used to feed farm animals. Wausau’s first modern dairy industry began under the guidance of John Kleinheinz and Harold Pettingill. They were the first to offer pasteurized milk to their customers and began a dairy operation under the name of Marathon Sanitary Milk Company in 1914. Their claim was “Pasteurized for your protection.” Just four years later, Kleinheinz and his brothers Joseph and William bought out Pettingill and formed the Kleinheinz Dairy Company at 121 S. 2nd Avenue, Wausau. In 1926, they built the present dairy building and the original dairy to the north was converted into an ice cream plant. The Kleinheinz brothers operated the dairy until 1944 and then sold it to Bridgeman-Russell. The business was then acquired in 1952 by Elmer “Bud” Sneider and his son, William. In 1978, Golden Guernsey took over the Sneider business, but the buildings are now abandoned.