LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

The Republican Centennial Edition, Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa
Thursday, July 12, 1956, Section One, Page 2
Transcribed by Shirley Plumb, June 29, 2019

BARKER POULTRY EQUIPMENT CO.
In Wapello, Ottumwa & Keosauqua

    The Barker Poultry Equipment Company started here in Wapello as the Wapello Machinery Company and was located in the old button factory building back in September of 1944, with following men as officials and employees.

    R. E. White as president, Kenneth Baker, vice-president, George Barber, manager. The employees were Loren Stearn, Ora Wilson, Andy Berry, Donald (Dutch) Gillette, Charles (Chick) Trible, Carl Walker, William (Bill) McDowell, Otis (Cye) Hicklin and Roy Hunsicker.

    At one time there were sixty men and women employed at the plant, however, today there are only eleven there.

    The principal items manufactured are poultry picking shackles and culling coops. They also are making up now the large feeding battery pans as they have eight welders on the job and one are welder and the proper machine and presses. A new item added is a small poultry picking machine which is gaining much success in today’s market.

    The company moved to its present location out on the highway in January of 1945 which premises were formerly occupied by the Wagg Battery Company.

    The headquarters of the company is located in Ottumwa and in 1951 the stockholders were changed and voted to adapt the name of the old firm to The Barker Poultry Equipment Company with Norval Harmen a manager.