and as other board members, Alex Mattson, Abram Siirilä, Abram Pajari and Matti Lindula, all of them Finns. Business was started with a modest capital and with Finnish determination, and much free work was donated to get the business going.

During the first six months of operations, 53,000 pounds of butter were produced, although many difficulties had to be overcome. The enterprise already seemed to be a success when further difficulties appeared, so grave that they threatened a complete standstill. However, there was no lack of determination, and additional support was forthcoming from certain individuals, and so the dairy was saved, even though its business turnover remained very limited for a time.

in 1916, Otto Kela was appointed business manager, a post he held for more than four decades. In 1920 there was pro-

Sebeka Co-operative store in 1920.

duced a total of 504,191 pounds of butter, which brought $301,702 to the producers; in 1930, the total was 1,273,156 pounds, with $463,655 earned; 1,717,353 pounds were made and $554,451 distributed in 1940; production decreased in 1950 to 1,483,096 pounds, but that brought in $1,150,696, while 1956 figures give 2,161,851 pounds and payments of $1,419,719. These figures indicate that this cooperative dairy has become the economic mainstay of the Sebeka region. It is one of the biggest enterprises of its kind in Minnesota. In recent years the following Finns have belonged to its board of directors : Riikkula, Nikkari, Lillquist, Kyrölä, Saarela, Wirkkala, Komula, Raatikka and Loija.

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