Smyrna times., 1947-03-27

and refrigeration. ''It was in 1922
that really made my start in tn,
refrigeration field" Mr.. Wilson re
marked, "as it was in this yea
that we took over the franchise Il
sell Frigidaire equipment in Ken
County. 1t hardly seems possibl,
now, but at that time there wer,
only three electric refrigerator
in Delaware below the Chesapeak,
and Delaware Canal" Record!
show that the refrigeration bust
ness expanded rapidly as they be
gan to sell commercial refrigera.
ton including Frigidaire Mill
Coolers, Reach-In and Waikiki
Coolers. Frigidaire expanded the
territory to include all of Kent
County and Sussex County. The
Wilson business then included sales
offices in Dover, Milford, and Sea-
ford. I'm those days" Mr.. Wilson
stated, I'VE had to sell the need
for refrigeration and not just the
equipment. People at that time
felt that ice-cooled cabinets were
plenty good enough"
In 1881, Mr.. Wilson saw gen.
uine economic need for Farm Milk
Coolers to save the thousands of
pounds of raw milk being rejected
daily due to high bacteria count
and so in 1881, while still with his
father, he designed and built his
first Milk Cooler. He severed re-
lations with his fathers business
on July 1, 1884, and started a new
business under the name of Wilson
Products Corporation, with a cap
ital of less than $4,000. The story
from this point on is common
as the business has
grown to a position of national
prominence in the refrigeration in
dustry and in the economic devel-
opment of our store. Wilson Re
frigeratoin, Inc, has now over
thousand dealers and distributors
selling Wilson products in every
state in the Union.
Last December a year-end bonus
Of $4,000 was declared for dis
tribution to Wilson employees.
The weekly payroll at the present
time amounts to better than SILL
300 a week. There was a time"
Mr.. Wilson remarked, while I was
in business with my father when
only about 10 per cent of our bust
ness came from Smyrna. The bal
ance of our sales came from the
small towns throughout the state.
My sincere hope for some sizable
oayrolls in Smyrna has come true"
Mr.. Wilson Is known not only
20 his many friens far and near as
'Skeet," but also to his employees
and business associates throughout
he United States. He has always
lad a keen interest in community
affairs and was one of the original
thirteen members of the Smyrna
Rotary Club. He is a past Noble
Grand, Morning Star Lodge, No. 6,
If Smyrna; members of Citizens
Hose Company No. 1, Inc,
'myrna-Clayton Chamber of Com
nerce, and Asbury Methodist
Church. Although he has had lit
lie time to devote to sports during
he last few years, he is vitally in
crested in softball, baseball, bas-
,etball, golf, and any activity you
an mention. During his four
ears at the University of Della
ware, he helped work his way
trough college playing baseball
nd according to authoritative re-
'orts had all the makings of
Professional ball player, but chose
usiness for his life work instead.
lie played. professional baseball
With the Eastern Shore League for
'ocomoke City and Cambridge,
faryland from 1921 to 1928. Mr..
wilson feels that Smyrna has
ever before had the opportunity
o grow as much as it could today
nd expresses his sincere hope that
Materials and labor may soon get
n line so that Smyrna may grab
his golden opportunity.
Mr.. Wilson is a member of the
Society of Agricultural
American Society of
refrigeration Engineers, Charter
nember of eight and Vice-Presi-
mt of the Home and Farm Freez-
r Manufacturers Association. Ma