enable purchases at a discount, and later contact with a similar venture in Duluth, to make possible purchases at wholesale prices. The next step was to open a store.

In 1917 Elanto was re-organized legally to cover the store venture, and the new board consisted of Henry Varonen, chairman; Kalle Laakso, secretary; Fred Törmä, treasurer; and Ilmari Lindewall, Peter Huttunen, Isak Viklund and John Härmä. In 1927 the boarding house was separated from Elanto into an independent unit, legalized as the Home Coop Club, still active as such in its own premises even in the 1950s. It was a truly cooperative venture, managed by a board of directors : membership in the cooperative was automatic to those (there were about 150 at peak times; in the 1950s still some 30 or so) who ate there regularly for a minimum of three months.

The Elanto Cooperative Company, meanwhile, separated from the boarding house venture as it was, moved to new quarters across the street and operated its food store with increasing success. In 1917, sales totalled $38,604, leaving a net profit of about $1,500; in 1923, corresponding figures were $63,000 and $2,300. Expansion of facilities and diversification proceeded apace, although branch stores in Bovey and Keewatin were not successful and had to be terminated. Sales in 1933 totalled $69,000; in 1953 they were $364,085.

Elanto joined the Cooperative Central in 1917; it also joined the Range Cooperative Federation. The first business manager of Elanto was Filus Anderson, and he has been followed by Jalmer Levola, Joseph Mäkelä, Jack Stark, Jack Vainionpää, Lauri Passi, Jack Järvi, Frank Saari, Arvid Salo, Albert Lanto, Frank Biltonen, William Niemi, Henry Staudinger and Julian Stokke. In 1957, business manager was Richard Kinnunen, and the board of directors was made up of Lauri Laakso, chairman; Harry Larson, vice-chairman; Elmer Salmi, secretary; Lauri Mortt, treasurer; and Frank Dergantz, John Sejnoha, John Stish, Fred Törmä, Charles Lahti, Nestor Lampi and Enoch Beckman. In 1957, the cooperative had 11 employees and 1,413 members.

Local Business Enterprises : One of Nashwauk's first businessmen was Oscar Johnson, who opened a grocery store in 1905; later, he was an automobile dealer. He has also been Nashwauk's postmaster, and a selectman. Other grocers have been Charles Sulonen (from 1914) and John Rostedt. Kalle Ollila was the first Finnish saloon keeper; in 1909 he built a three-story brick hotel with 50 rooms. This hotel was owned later by John Lanto,

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