The John Morrell & Co impacted South Dakota Agriculture greatly over the years. This week’s What’s New Wednesday tells some of the history of packing plant. John Morrell & Co. originally started in the fruit produce business in 1827. George Morrell, of Bradford, England, came into an extremely modest inheritance of 60 pounds or about $12. He came across some oranges, most likely from Seville, Spain, and purchased them to sell at the town market. With his profit, he continued to sell produce. About 1830, George Morrell began working, his most popular products being cured hams and bacon. Twelve years later, his son John Morrell took over the company and expanded it to Ireland and the U.S. After building plants in London, Ontario, Canada and Chicago, it was Ottumwa, Iowa that became the hub of company by 1888. In 1909, a test plant was started in Sioux Falls as the rail line was strong and there were lots of hogs in the area. According to Eric Renshaw of the Argus Leader (Feb. 1, 2015), just two years later, John Morrell Co built a “modern” meat packing plant able to process 500 cattle, 6,000 hogs and 1,000 sheep each day! AMK merged with the company in 1967, but maintained the brand. The year 1973 saw an update to the somewhat disjointed compound. Smithfield Foods purchased John Morrell in 1995. They also kept the brand for a number of years and still operate the plant as of today.
The Morrell’s Pride Meats fan celebrates a century of business from 1827-1927. On the back side, it boasts: “Morrell's Pride Food Products Favorites in many lands for 100 years. John Morrell & Co. Since 1827. Packing Plants at Ottumwa, Iowa --- Sioux Falls, SD. Hams, bacon, lard, sausages, canned meats. Famed for their fine flavor.” Through many trials (bloody strikes, health concerns and fires) and triumphs, the original John Morrell & Co brand survived almost 200 years.
SDAHM 2005:029:005 Donated by Norman Carter