The proprietor of Palmer’s Dairy was Ralph John Palmer. He was born on January 8, 1908, in Coolspring Township, La Porte County, Indiana. The 1930 U.S. Census lists him as a laborer on a dairy farm. He first appears in the 1929–1930 Michigan City Directory, where he is listed as a salesman for the Scholl Dairy Co.
He married Helen Mary Kniola on February 3, 1933.
The earliest listing we have found for the Palmer Dairy Co. appears in the 1936–1937 Michigan City directory, where it is listed at 1713½ Elston Street.
We want to keep the history accurate. Ralph died by suicide at the age of 33. According to an article published in The South Bend Tribune on December 3, 1940, he was found deceased in his home by his wife, Helen, after shooting himself. The article reported that he had been in ill health for six months. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City.
After Ralph died, the dairy remained on Elston Street for a few more years, until around 1947. In the 1947 phone book, it lists only the office on Elston Street and the plant at Relief Rd. and Warnke Rd. (now 9030 E. Hwy 212). By the 1949 phone book, both the office and plant were listed on Hwy 212.
The last listing we could find was in the 1966 phone book, and it no longer appears in the 1969 phone book. It’s unclear what exact year the dairy closed, especially since we found a photo dated 1965 showing the building for sale.
1929-1930 – Palmer Ralph, salesman for Scholl Dairy Co, Rural Route 2.
1931-1932 — Palmer Ralph, salesman for Scholl Dairy Co., boards at 1115-1/2 E Michigan St.
1934-1935 — No listing
1936-1937 — Palmer Dairy Co., 1713-1/2 Elston St.
1938-1939 — Palmer Dairy Co (Ralph Palmer) 1713-1/2 Elston.
Ralph J Palmer — (Helen M) residence at 307 W Barker Ave.
1940-1941 — Palmer Dairy R J Palmer proprietor at 1715 Elston.
1942-1943 — Palmer Dairy, 1715 Elston. (listed under milk dealers)
1947 — 1712 Elston lists Elston Bar Restaurant and 1715 lists vacant.
1947 & 1948 — Palmer Dairy, office at 1715 Elston, phone #626, plant at Relief Rd. and Warnke Rd. (now 9030 E Hwy 212)
1949 — Palmer Dairy, office at E. Relief Hwy., plant at Relief and Warnke Rd.
(embossed on heel), Lamb Glass Co.
(embossed on base), Owens-Illinois Glass Co. 
