News: Neillsville - C.C. Sniteman Pharmacy (123 years - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Weiler-Nytes, Klieforth, Lidmila, Walker, Aumann, Marquardt, Rueth, Statz, Holman, Susa, Colwell, Smith, Eisfeldt, Coulthard, Smith, Sniteman, Myer, Sontag, Klopf, Perry, John, Rennock

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 10/28/2015

C.C. Sniteman Pharmacy (123 years - 2015)

Sniteman Pharmacy observes 123 years in business



This is how the wood-frame C. C. Sniteman Drug Store appeared in the early 1880s. In 1891, a new brick store was built like a cover over the wooden building, which was dismantled during construction. (Contributed Photo)

By Todd Schmidt

Sniteman Pharmacy, Neillsville’s second oldest business, is in the spotlight during October, which is American Pharmacists Month with the motto “Know Your Pharmacist, Know Your Medicine.”

Kristen Weiler-Nytes, who is the current pharmacist in charge, explains how a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) is earned and how the profession has evolved since the C.C. Sniteman Company (later renamed Sniteman Pharmacy) was established in 1882.

Before the beginning the profession of pharmacy, a future pharmacist attends six to eight years of undergraduate and pharmacy school education. Upon graduating and passing the pharmacy licensing exams, he or she earns a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree and may go into practice or complete a pharmacy residency.

Every two years, pharmacists complete continuing education to stay up-to-date on the current and new medications introduced to market.

Weiler-Nytes is a 2001 graduate of Loyal High School. She then attended UW-Madison, earning a bachelor’s degree in anthropology in 2005.

She decided to pursue a career as a pharmacist. In 2010, Weiler-Nytes graduated from UW-Madison with a PharmD degree, and began working at Sniteman Pharmacy in July 2010 after passing her board certification.

Weiler-Nytes said the landscape of health care in our nation is changing and pharmacists are no longer simply dispensing medications. Pharmacists are devoting more time to patient services such as health screening, medication check-ups and vaccines to establish the community pharmacy’s value as a health care resource.

“Pharmacists have a direct role in patient education and the appropriateness of using certain medications,” Weiler-Nytes said. “We communicate with patients and physicians and help manage costs and minimize side effects from prescribed medications. We answer a lot of healthcare questions and help triage patients.”

Since it is crucial for patients to know why they take each of their medicines and prevent side effects, pharmacies are beginning to offer medication check-ups. During a 30-to-45 minute appointment, a pharmacist will discuss your medicine (including those taken over the counter) and resolve any medication-related problems.

The pharmacist can also ensure patients are only taking needed medicines and are not paying too much for prescriptions.

Weiler-Nytes said 80 percent of chronic diseases are treated with medication.

On the horizon are changes is state law, allowing pharmacists to participate in collaborative agreements. Under the direction of a physician, pharmacists may soon be able to modify medications prescribed to patients, making treatment more cost-effective.

“Under a supervising physician, this will allow more discretion,” she said. “Wisconsin is a fairly progressive pharmacy state.”

The Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) does not recognize a pharmacist as a medical provider, making them the most underutilized professional in the field.

Pharmacists may also undergo training to become immunization-certified and deliver vaccines to the community. Sniteman Pharmacy offers immunizations for diseases including influenza, pneumonia and shingles with no appointment necessary.

“Especially as winter approaches, consider stopping by to get the influenza vaccine- it is the only way proven to prevent the flu,” Weiler-Nytes said.

Medication synchronization is a convenient way to have all your prescriptions filled on a single day each month and is the newest service offered at Sniteman Pharmacy. Once enrolled in the program, there will be no need to call in prescription refills, fewer trips to the pharmacy and no worries about running out of medicine.

The Sniteman Pharmacy staff includes pharmacists Kristin Weiler-Nytes, Dave Klieforth, Bill Weiler and Bev Lidmila; certified technicians Linda Walker, Kris Aumann and jenny Marquardt; technicians Kelsey Rueth and Karen Statz; clerks Deb Holman, Tammy Susa and Rebecca Colwell; office manager Julie Smith; and student clerks Elijah Eisfeldt, Brady Coulthard and Ulotta Smith.

More information is offered at the newly renovated website, www.snitemanpharmacy.com.

Founder Charles C. Sniteman entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at the age of 18. Before coming to Neillsville, Sniteman worked at a drug store in Peoria, IL, from 1871 to 1876.

Sniteman contracted malaria during the manufacture of botanical drugs and insect powders and was advised to go to northern Wisconsin or Minnesota for his health. He just happened to stop in Neillsville and like what he saw. He remained a prominent figure in the community until his death Oct. 28, 1940, at the age of 91.

Sniteman was employed by storeowner Henry Myer to operate the business. He eventually bought out the ownership interest.

In 1881, Sniteman painted the store with silver paint and renamed it the “Mammoth Silver Drug Store,” a name it kept for about 10 years.

In 1882, Sniteman hired as a clerk George L. Sontag, then age 16. Sontag obtained his pharmacy degree and remained a fixture in the store until his death Jan. 19, 1946.

(Photo of older C. C. Sniteman Drug Store)

This is how the wood-frame C. C. Sniteman Drug Store appeared in the early 1880s. In 1891, a new brick store was built like a cover over the wooden building, which was dismantled during construction. (Contributed Photo)

The business received a complete facial in 1891, as Sniteman built a new brick store like a cover over the original silver-coated store. Not a single day of business was lost during construction.

The store was lighted with carbon arc lights and later became one of the first electrically lighted businesses in northern Wisconsin.

When the new store was built, Sniteman rented a portion of the front to Henry Klopf, who operated a jewelry and watch repair shop in that location until 1920.

While promoting his business, Sniteman was very active in fostering development in Neillsville.

He was instrumental in getting a city light and power company started. He was also a heavy supporter of the Neillsville Furniture Factory, which started in 1893 and at one time employed 500 men.

Sniteman was also credited with establishing a canning factory. As a result, two canning plants operated in Neillsville until the early 1940s.

Along with his other activities, Sniteman also served from 1882 to 1898 as steward of the 3rd Regiment of the Wisconsin National Guard.

People who came under Sniteman’s business wing had a way of staying with him.

David Perry joined Sniteman’s as a young pharmacist in 1922. The 22-year-old remained with Sniteman’s as a stockholder, then principal owner, until his death May 16, 1968.

Since then, Sniteman Pharmacy has been owned and operated by LeRoy John and Robert Rennock, then solely by John.

Dave Klieforth and Bill Weiler purchased the pharmacy in 1989. Kristen Weiler-Nytes currently serves as pharmacy manager of operations.

The chronology of ownership, along with much memorabilia, is on display in the second-story office area of Sniteman Pharmacy.

As he once told a reporter, Sniteman was not a true believer in self-treatment.

“I Don’t believe in dosing like some do,” Sniteman said. “People often mistake symptoms and take the wrong kind of medicine if they try to treat themselves. Drugs are all right if you know what you are taking them for. There would be less chronic sickness if people didn’t put off seeing a doctor for so long when ailments first start.”



Sniteman Pharmacy staff members shown above (l-r) are: Kelsey Rueth, technician; Stacy Zwiefelhofer, pharmacy student; Kristin Weiler-Nytes, PharmD; Deb Holman, clerk; Julie Smith, office manager; Kris Auman, CPhT; Karen Statz, technician; and Dave Klieforth, RPh. Missing from the photo are staff members: Bill Weiler, RPh; Jenny Marquardt, CPhT; Linda Walker, CPhT; Bev Lidmila, RPh; and clerks: Tammy Susa, Rebecca Colwell, Elijah Eisfeldt, Brady Coulthard and Ulotta Smith. (Photo by Todd Schmidt/Clark County Press)