Sterlena the Cow, a fourteen foot high fiberglass sculpture, became one of Fulton County, Ohio's most recognizable product icons after being created as a parade float in the mid 1970's for the Sterling Milk Company. In the era of Borden's "Elsie and Elmer," Sterlena promoted the company's many store locations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The business began in 1926 when "Goldsmith and Waldfogle" opened at the rented Neuhauser Hatchery in Wauseon, Ohio, first buying and selling eggs, cream, and poultry. In 1928, Peter Goldsmith's brother-in-law sold his half of the business to Sam Goldsmith, creating "Goldsmith Brothers, Inc.," which relocated to North Fulton Street in downtown Wauseon. In 1932, the business bought out the neighboring Franklin Creamery Company of Toledo and added butter churning. In 1934, the company added bottled milk and ice cream. The Goldsmith Brothers ended their partnership in 1942, and Sam took ownership of the poultry portion of the business. In 1952, Peter's son-in-law, Robert Heindricks, joined the business, and in 1954 son Marvin did the same. The company incorporated in 1957 under the new name "Sterling Milk Company," with Marvin as vice president. Under his leadership, the company grew to employ a staff of over 300 at 28 locations by 1989. After Marv retired, the company was sold to a Wisconsin corporation and eventually closed in 2007. Because of the popularity of the Sterlena parade float, former employees reopened the downtown milk plant after the closing and operated it for three more years, with the milk branded "Sterlena Pride" in honor of the sculpture.