Yeast Queen - Peerless Yeast Company

FACTORY OF THE PEERLESS YEAST COMPANY

The following comes from the "Historical Industrial and Social Record of Peerless Union City, Michigan"; Edited, Compiles, and Published by Tom F. Robinson in March 1903 for a price of 50 cents.

One of Union City's most promising manufacturing enterprises, and one which bids fair to reach large proportions, is the factory of the Peerless Yeast Company, which is established in a handsome new building erected expressly for the purpose on South Broadway, adjacent to the tracks of the Michigan Central R. R. Company. This company was incorporated in July, 1902, with a capital stock of $400,000, which was subscribed almost wholly by residents of this city and immediate vicinity.  The product of the institution is a dry yeast and the company owns patents and secret processes for the manufacture of a very superior article in this line.  The officers of the company are as follows: President, D. D. Buell; Vice-President, J. W. McCausey; Secretary and Manager, H. A. Meyers; Treasurer, A. J. Boyer; Board of Managers, D. D. Buell, J. W. McCausey, H. A. Meyers, A. J. Boyer, and H. T. Carpenter.  The stockholders include some of the most solid and enterprising citizens of the place.  The manufacture of yeast was commenced in September, 1902, and, the company has met with unprecedented success from the very start.  The product has everywhere was given the best of satisfaction, and the salesmen, of which there are a number on the road, have found no trouble in introducing the new goods.  The Peerless Yeast Company is not in the trust and this fact, coupled with the superior excellence of the goods and the attractive manner in which they are put up, has aided greatly in the success which has thus far been experienced.  The dry yeast manufactured by this company is known as "Yeast Queen," and although the territory as yet covered is comparatively small, nevertheless the brand is becoming widely and favorably known, and has become a household necessity in many localities.  The factory is a model one in its way.  The main building is 40 x 100 feet in size, and the two floors are filled with the latest improved machinery for the rapid manufacture of the product.  The arrangement of each department is exactly suited to the requirements for successful yeast manufacture and the whole establishment is a model of neatness.  Abundant steam power is provided, the whole factory is heated by steam and equipped with electric-lights.  The manufacturing department is in charge of Mr. John Bates, a yeast-maker of twenty-four years' practical experience and as none but the purest and best material is used in the manufacture, and the result is a product superior to that of many institutions of a similar nature.

The secretary and manager, Mr. H. A. Meyers, came here to assume control of the business in November, 1902.  Previous to coming he had had ten years' experience in banking and other lines, and he brings to the company a valuable knowledge of business affairs.  The superintendent of agents is Mr. J. B. McFarlane, who has had ten years' experience in the sale of yeast, and whose original methods for the introduction of new goods are proving most successful.  With the increase of business the company contemplates large additions to the original factory and it is confidently anticipated that in a very short space of time "Yeast Queen" will be a familiar household word in all parts of the country.

The plant of the Peerless Yeast Company is admirably situated for the convenient and speedy shipment of goods, lying as it does adjoining the tracks of the Michigan Central railroad and with side-tracks close to the factory.

Note -  My grandfather Louis Chard notes in both the 1910 nd 1920 census records that he worked at the Yeast factory.  In 1910 he was a yeast baker and in 1920 listed occupation as yeast maker.  The 1930 census notes his occupation as working on the railroad, one would guess the yeast plant closed during the depression.