According to U.S. census and burial records, Frederick Carl Graf was born on April 26, 1899, in Dortmund, Stadtkreis Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
The 1930 U.S. Census records that he immigrated to the United States in 1927. He was married to Maria (Mary) Wilhelmina Boenisch.
According to The Milk Dealer: The National Journal for the City Milk Trade (1948), the Fred Dairy Co. merged with the National Milk Co. of South Bend, Indiana, in 1948.
He died on November 23, 1975 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City.
See the directories tab for more information on the years his business was in operation.
1931–1935
Fred C. Graf (Mary W), residence: 508 Springland Ave.
Occupation: machinist (1931–32).
Previous occupants of 1320–1322 E. Michigan (1934):
– 1320 Keenshaw Dairy
– 1322 Hatfield Grocery Store
1936–1939
Fred C. Graf (Mary), milk dealer, residence: 508 Springland Ave.
First listed as milk dealer in 1936.
– Keenshaw Dairy Co. is listed at 1320 E Michigan in the 1936-1937 city directory.
1940–1941
Graf’s Dairy — Fred C. Graf (Mary), proprietor
Business: 1320 E. Michigan
Residence: 508 Springland Ave.
1322 E. Michigan: Rist’s Grocery
1942–1947
Graf Dairy Co. (F. C. Graf & Mary)
Business: 1320–1322 E. Michigan
Phone: 615 (later 614)
Residence: 508 Springland Ave.
1949
Fred C. Graf (Mary), operator of The 49’er Diner, residence: 508 Springland Ave.
1320–1322 E. Michigan now listed as The 49’er Diner.
(No further Graf Dairy listings.)
Werner Graf, salesman, National Milk Co., r. 508 Springland Ave.
1950–1956
No Graf Dairy listings.
Fred C. Graf employed at Joy Mfg. (grinder/inspector/factory).
Residence continues at 508 Springland Ave.
Other family residents include Werner, Helga, and Norman.
1320–1322 E. Michigan becomes:
– The Chatterbox Restaurant (early 1950s)
– Gene’s Restaurant (mid-1950s)
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map (1948).
Note: 1320–1322 E. Michigan is on the right side. The dairy was located between School and Porter Streets. As of 2025, the site is an empty lot next to a gas station.
