Feed mills predate grain elevators.  Feed mills served the primary function of grinding and mixing grain for livestock feed and often for flour.  Grain elevators did not emerge until rail lines were laid in grain producing regions.  The grain elevators allowed farmers to bring their grain to a nearby location and sell it.  The grain elevators were constructed very close to railroad tracks.  They allowed the bulk storage of various grains, which could later be unloaded into rail hopper cars for transportation to larger markets.  Many grain elevators also operated a feed mill so that local farmers could sell all or a portion of the grain they raised and return a milled portion to their farm for feeding livestock.

All of the grain elevators that operated in the village of Conklin also offered feed mill services.  Six Corners also had a feed mill.  The following grain elevator – feed mills served the farmers of Chester Township:  S. W. Skeels, J. W. Cazier and S. W. Skeels, Conklin and Wallace, Haas and Stockhill, Emmons and Stockhill, E. Z. Albright, Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company, Condon and Runciman, and Dykstra’s Elevator.

An article in the July 31, 1931, Coopersville Observer, states,

“One of the older institutions of the village is that now conducted by Condon & Runciman, the Conklin elevator. The building occupied by this firm is one of the landmarks of the village. Many years ago S. W. Skeels established a store house on the site of the present structure, using part of the building as a dwelling and conducting his business in the balance. He was at that time agent for the railroad at Conklin. Later John W. Cazier was taken into partnership by Mr. Skeels and the business was changed to handle the regular run of business coming to an elevator. Their interests were taken over by Conklin & Wallace and after some time these men transferred their interests to Haas & Stockhill, Mr. Haas finally selling his interest to Mr. Emmons. This firm later disposed of the business to E. Z. Albright, who conducted the same until it was taken over by a number of the farmers of the community and changed to the Farmers Co-Operative Elevator Co. After conducting the business several years this company sold to the present owners, Arthur Condon and his partner, C. H. Runciman of Lowell. The active management of the business is in the hands of Mr. Condon and due to his careful operation the mill and elevator has enjoyed a successful and growing business.

This firm buys wheat and other grains, cleans beans and does a large business in general farm feed supplies, grinding and mixing feed to order and otherwise proving to their patrons that here may be purchased what they want and when they want it.

Since assuming charge of the business Mr. Condon has purchased the interests of Moseley Bros. in their warehouse located in Conklin and uses this building as a potato warehouse. Across the tracks from the elevator the firm have also taken over another building which they use for the storage of supplies of feed and other commodities handled by them.”

Samuel Dykstra bought the elevator on February 9, 1938*, and it has remained in the Dykstra family to the present time.