After being born in Columbia, KY in 1885, Ollie Dolphus "O.D." Dillingham moved to Texas in 1900. In 1908, O.D. married Ada Clampitt and they would go on to raise five children (i.e., Margaret, Elizabeth, Pauline, Dan and Richard). He started his first business, Winters Ice and Fuel (coal) Company, in Winters, TX. In 1910, he added a petroleum products agency (i.e., kerosene) and installed the first gasoline pump in West Texas.
In 1926, he embarked on an ambitious plan to establish a chain of creameries throughout West Texas building a plant a year until he had covered the territory he wished to serve. The original Abilene plant was completed with ice cream being the first product. Milk was added in 1927. Ice was added in 1928. The Banner Dairies system would employ eventually over 400 people and grow to include 23 plants and branch operations all across West Texas.
During the World War II, Dillingham supplied all the milk for soldiers at Camp Bowie and Camp Barkeley (now Dyess AFB). He was awarded a bronze plaque and a Certificate of Meritorious Service from the Army Service Forces of the United States for supplying more dairy products to the American forces than any other individual in the nation.
In 1953, the merger of Banner Dairies with Foremost Dairies ended O.D. Dillingham's career in the dairy business. Dillingham was involved in a number of businesses (e.g., radio stations, banks, car dealerships, lumber yard, Dr. Pepper Bottling Co.) over the years. Also, he was a benefactor and board member to a number of groups (e.g., Hendrick Hospital, and Hardin Simmons University), but his first, and last, love was the dairy business. Mr. O.D. Dilingham passed away in 1975 at the age of 90.
In 1926, he embarked on an ambitious plan to establish a chain of creameries throughout West Texas building a plant a year until he had covered the territory he wished to serve. The original Abilene plant was completed with ice cream being the first product. Milk was added in 1927. Ice was added in 1928. The Banner Dairies system would employ eventually over 400 people and grow to include 23 plants and branch operations all across West Texas.
During the World War II, Dillingham supplied all the milk for soldiers at Camp Bowie and Camp Barkeley (now Dyess AFB). He was awarded a bronze plaque and a Certificate of Meritorious Service from the Army Service Forces of the United States for supplying more dairy products to the American forces than any other individual in the nation.
In 1953, the merger of Banner Dairies with Foremost Dairies ended O.D. Dillingham's career in the dairy business. Dillingham was involved in a number of businesses (e.g., radio stations, banks, car dealerships, lumber yard, Dr. Pepper Bottling Co.) over the years. Also, he was a benefactor and board member to a number of groups (e.g., Hendrick Hospital, and Hardin Simmons University), but his first, and last, love was the dairy business. Mr. O.D. Dilingham passed away in 1975 at the age of 90.
After being born in Columbia, KY in 1885, Ollie Dolphus "O.D." Dillingham moved to Texas in 1900. In 1908, O.D. married Ada Clampitt and they would go on to raise five children (i.e., Margaret, Elizabeth, Pauline, Dan and Richard). He started his first business, Winters Ice and Fuel (coal) Company, in Winters, TX. In 1910, he added a petroleum products agency (i.e., kerosene) and installed the first gasoline pump in West Texas.
In 1926, he embarked on an ambitious plan to establish a chain of creameries throughout West Texas building a plant a year until he had covered the territory he wished to serve. The original Abilene plant was completed with ice cream being the first product. Milk was added in 1927. Ice was added in 1928. The Banner Dairies system would employ eventually over 400 people and grow to include 23 plants and branch operations all across West Texas.
During the World War II, Dillingham supplied all the milk for soldiers at Camp Bowie and Camp Barkeley (now Dyess AFB). He was awarded a bronze plaque and a Certificate of Meritorious Service from the Army Service Forces of the United States for supplying more dairy products to the American forces than any other individual in the nation.
In 1953, the merger of Banner Dairies with Foremost Dairies ended O.D. Dillingham's career in the dairy business. Dillingham was involved in a number of businesses (e.g., radio stations, banks, car dealerships, lumber yard, Dr. Pepper Bottling Co.) over the years. Also, he was a benefactor and board member to a number of groups (e.g., Hendrick Hospital, and Hardin Simmons University), but his first, and last, love was the dairy business. Mr. O.D. Dilingham passed away in 1975 at the age of 90.
In 1926, he embarked on an ambitious plan to establish a chain of creameries throughout West Texas building a plant a year until he had covered the territory he wished to serve. The original Abilene plant was completed with ice cream being the first product. Milk was added in 1927. Ice was added in 1928. The Banner Dairies system would employ eventually over 400 people and grow to include 23 plants and branch operations all across West Texas.
During the World War II, Dillingham supplied all the milk for soldiers at Camp Bowie and Camp Barkeley (now Dyess AFB). He was awarded a bronze plaque and a Certificate of Meritorious Service from the Army Service Forces of the United States for supplying more dairy products to the American forces than any other individual in the nation.
In 1953, the merger of Banner Dairies with Foremost Dairies ended O.D. Dillingham's career in the dairy business. Dillingham was involved in a number of businesses (e.g., radio stations, banks, car dealerships, lumber yard, Dr. Pepper Bottling Co.) over the years. Also, he was a benefactor and board member to a number of groups (e.g., Hendrick Hospital, and Hardin Simmons University), but his first, and last, love was the dairy business. Mr. O.D. Dilingham passed away in 1975 at the age of 90.
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