Clarence Day and his mother Edith Day established a fur farm on their property in Clam Lake, Wisconsin. They fenced a large swampy area on their land for the raising of muskrats. Pens were also built for the raising of fox, mink, and chinchilla rabbits. They called the farm, The Chippewa Fur Farm.
In the 1930's fur coats were very popular for women but also for men. Fur stolls, collars, and trims were also in style. Mink oil also was used in some medicinal products and cosmetics, as well as to treat, preserve, and waterproof leather.
The Chippewa Fur Farm was not a success. Several factors contributed to the failure. The climate was too cold, other animal predators killed off the fenced in animals, and distance from the large populated area were all factors in the demise. After the roaring twenties the popularity of fur products began to decline. Another important factor in the failure was that Clarence and his family loved animals and disliked killing them for the market.
In a letter from Clam Lake written by Annie Winifred Allen in 1933 she states that she went fishing for fox food. She writes "as fast as we baited the hook we had a fish". Apparently this was one source of food for them.
Parts of the fence still remain as a reminder of that period. An interesting endeavor for a city family with a great sounding idea.
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