Exploring business and history behind Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company which was once Swedish Farmer’s Gin Company.

Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company is one of the few cotton gins operated in Elroy, Texas. Not to mention Del Valle, Texas. This cotton gin was established by Swedish farmers from Del Valle. Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company served as a cotton gin where some of the ginning in Travis County was done during the early 20th century. Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company operated in Elroy from 1905 to 1950.


Emil T. Nelson and A.K. Nelson farmed land purchased by their father Olaus Nelson in 1893 in Elroy, Texas. This land was located south of FM 812. A cotton gin called Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company would be constructed on this land in 1905. Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company was first known as Swedish Farmer’s Gin Company and Swedish Farmer’s Cotton Gin Company. They were instrumental in the establishment of the Swedish Farmer’s (Cotton) Gin Company with Emil T. Nelson as president. Most of the company’s records were written in Swedish. (Ref: http://www.outabouttexas.com/LocSrv?locId=128032)

Emil T. Nelson served as president, Emil Wissen as secretary and A. Knut Nelson as treasurer. Thomas Blomquist was one of the stockholders. The company was run by a board of directors and had stockholders. Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company was also known as Elroy Cooperative Gin. (Ref: https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/aushc/00054/ahc-00054.html)

Apparently a lot of corn was sold at Elroy Farmers Gin Company.  “LOTS OF ground ear corn, and rock ground corn meal for sale at Elroy Farmers Gin Company. WANTED TO buy ear corn at Elroy farmers Gin.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385723416/)

Elroy Farmers Gin Company was sued by a farmer named J. A. Bachman for unspecified damages in late 1910 in a lawsuit entitled J. A. Bachman vs. Elroy Farmers Gin Company. The lawsuit was transferred to 53rd District Court. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, Page 10, Wednesday, December 7, 1910)

According to a biennial report issued by the State of Texas, Swedish Farmer’s Gin Company had $8,950 dollars in stock (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=4TMbAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA2-PA37&lpg=RA2-PA37&dq=Swedish+Farmers+cotton+Gin+Company&source=bl&ots=YbR9sV5geq&sig=ACfU3U098Ao4HqBp9E_jaqmkMLU8m5XqGw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi_o53wz5TtAhVGcq0KHVa7ANU4ChDoATASegQIDBAC#v=onepage&q=Swedish%20Farmers%20cotton%20Gin%20Company&f=false)


Swedish Farmers Gin Company changed their name to Elroy Farmers Gin Company on July 1, 1919. From then on out, this cotton gin would be known as Elroy Farmers Gin Company. (Ref: San Antonio Evening News, Page 13, Tuesday, July 1, 1919)

 

Tom Blomquist started operating the Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company in 1947. Tom Blomquist re-opened Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company in August 2, 1947 after a change in ownership. An average between 700 and 800 bales cotton were produced at Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company in past years. However since re-opening the gin he had ginned only 47 bales. In the past, he frequently has ginned through March. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385924912/)
 
On March 1, 1950, there was decision to call a special meeting to consider reorganizing from an incorporated stock company to an incorporated non-profit cooperative. A vote was called and there were 114 votes for and 40 votes against the reorganization at a special meeting held on March 14, 1950. The Board of Directors was tasked with the power to complete the reorganization. The name was changed to Elroy Cooperative Gin Inc. (Ref: Elroy Farmer's Gin Company Ledger)


 

The Board of Directors later voted to shut down Elroy Cooperative Gin Inc in 1974. The Elroy Cooperative Gin Inc property was sold to a private homeowner in 1976. Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company is now a private residence. Today a private homeowner owns the barn and shed.

 

Elroy Farmer’s Gin Company is located at 14000 FM 812, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617.