News: Abbotsford – Amacher 50 Yrs. in Hrdw. Business (Apr 1971)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
 
Surnames: Amacher, Dahlberg, Wyers, Scheller, Graffunder

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 08 Apr 1971

Hans J. Amacher And Abbotsford Hardware Company, Incorporated, are celebrating 50 years in business in Abbotsford this month.

Most merchants throughout the Abbotsford (Clark Co., Wis.) business community are staging events to tie in with this 50th anniversary celebration. The pages of today's Tribune-Phonograph contain various advertisements relating to this promotion and offer special buys.

Amacher came to Abbotsford at the age of 20, when he, Fred Amacher and E.B. Dahlberg, then owners of the Stetsonville Hardware Company, purchased the Abbotsford Hardware Company from L.H. Wyers on March 4, 1921.

The Abbotsford Hardware Company operated as a partnership until it was dissolved in 1935.

That business in Abbotsford was not rushing in the early 20's can be seen by Amacher's following statement: "During the first few years the hardward business was a one man operation. One of the indications of the tempo of business at that time was the ball playing on main street every afternoon in the summer months by various merchants."

As time went by, however, volume increased and helpers were added to the new business.

One of the greatest helpers joined the business in 1927, when Hans was married to Gertrude Scheller of Granton.

Throughout the years Amacher was active in public service and gave his time to the National Guard unit, Abbotsford Village Council, was on the Abbotsford Board of Education for 30 years, from 1928 through 1938, was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and Christ Lutheran Church.

One of the highlights of Amacher's life was his playing in the Tri-City band in the 1920's.

Remodeling and improvements of Abbotsford Hardware Company have been extensive over the years. In 1941 the first new addition was added, which consisted of a friend room, shop, basement and second floor storage.

In 1958 the interior of the main floor was completely remodeled, which gave the store a new floor, wall fixture and lighting.

Mr. and Mrs. Amacher's only son, Harold, and his wife Charmaine own and operate Abbotsford Variety Store, which they purchased from Abbotsford Hardware Company in 1961.

Their only daughter, Carol, is married to Ronald "Putts" Graffunder, who have owned and operated Abbotsford Hardware Company, Incorporated since April 1970.