In Part 1 of this 3-part series, the story of F. C. Steele, a wholesale meat processor, was explored. This concluding chapter covers the company that absorbed F. C. Steele, the well-known national concern, Armour & Company.
The grand opening of Armour & Company was held on January 2, 1905. This was a major event held at the 10-year-old plant at the corner of Cross and Race Streets. The Cartier Orchestra performed, and a piano was furnished by L. M. Pierce Company on High Street. Food, beverages, and cigars were available for the guests' enjoyment.
Ernest S. Steele, the son of F. C. Steele, who had years of meat-processing experience, was named the plant manager. This was a position he held until he retired in 1918, after 31 years with Armour & Co., including his time with F. C. Steele & Company.
In late March 1923, Armour & Co. merged with Morris & Company, the subject of Part 2 of this series. As Armour purchased Morris's assets, it took control of the business operations. In all, there was a combined capital of $550 million, roughly $10.5 billion in 2026 dollars.
In 1928, Armour discontinued its local operation in Holyoke. Morris & Company, Armour's subsidiary, would handle the Holyoke trade with help from the Springfield office for deliveries. The Armour name would still be in effect. Armour's business discontinued there on February 18, 1928.
In completing a circle of meatpacking in this three-part series, Armour & Company moved to the former F. C. Steele & Co. meatpacking site at 24-26 Main Street. The company remained there until it curtailed all Holyoke operations at the end of May 1943.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System
