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"Backstory" - Karl Harken started Harken Meat Processing in 1930 by butchering only in the winter months and selling out of his pickup on the town square in Richland, IA. He would receive calls from customers who wanted more of his excellent quality meat. In the early 1940s, with the arrival of electricity at the farm, Karl bought coolers and freezers and started butchering cattle and hogs year-round. He bought farm ground and grew feed to raise animals for his meat processing business. He built buildings at the farm to support the growing business. He hired many employees and provided them housing. Karl Harken died Oct. 5, 1960. Hildred ran the business until Feb. 11, 1965, when she sold the farms and farm equipment. In addition to this, they had for 25 years, a PET BEAR, she was a black bear from Canada, they got her in 1940 as a little cub. They ran an extremely successful business for over 35 years and acquired over 1,100 acres during that time. The sign is believed to be from around the 1930s as the advertising on it is only for pork as they started butchering cattle in the 1940s.
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