Ross R. Sawyer, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Ross R. Sawyer
ROSS R. SAWYER, the general manager of the Valparaiso Home Ice Company, was born in Brook, Indiana, on January 31, 1902, the son of Moses C. and Alice (Corbett) Sawyer, both of whom were natives of Brook. Moses C. Sawyer was prominent in the political life of Newton County, Indiana, having served two terms as sheriff of that County. To his marriage were born two sons: Ross R. and Glenn L., who is now a resident of Chicago. Moses C. Sawyer passed away at Brook, Indiana, in 1910, and the family then removed to Valparaiso, Indiana.
Ross R. Sawyer graduated from Valparaiso High School and completed the law course at Valparaiso University, where he received his LL. B. degree in 1922. His first practice was in Cook County, Illinois, and a year later he returned to Valparaiso and here became interested in the company which he has since served as general manager. The Valparaiso Home Ice Company was incorporated in 1920 with a capital stock of $75,000. The officers and directors are as follows: William Schleman, president; John Ross, secretary; C. S. Hoover, treasurer; E. G. Osborne, director; and Ross R. Sawyer, general manager. The products of this company are ice, ices, ice cream, sherberts and a recent addition is the installation of a butter-making department. The major product, known as Valpo Velvet Ice Cream, is sold throughout the region and enjoys almost exclusive patronage in Porter County. The industry provides a ready source of disposition for butter fats, cream and milk for farmers in this vicinity, contributing a great deal to the wonderful dairy farm development that has taken place in this community in the last few years. The buildings occupied by the concern embrace 22,500 square feet; only the most improved machinery and hygenic methods are used in the manufacturing process. The demand has grown so steadily and substantially that it requires ten motor trucks to do the hauling back and forth. Mr. Sawyer has very ably managed the major activities of this concern since assuming charge, and it is probable that most of its expansion is due to the very fine judgment he has used in the daily administration of its affairs.
Mr. Sawyer is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the National Ice Cream Manufacturers Association, the National Ice Association, Kiwanis Club, Elks, Masonic order and the Sigma Delta Kappa legal fraternity. He is personally popular throughout the entire region.
Source: Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927. History of the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and Laporte. Volume II. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 827 p.
Page(s) in Source: 224-225
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook