Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Krom, Berger,
----Source: Tribune Record Gleaner (Loyal, Clark Co., WI) 7/25/1974
Krom, Harold (Greenwood Pharmacy - 1974)
Mingling with Mary (By Mary Woods)
There are a lot of reasons for people moving into a community. Some people move for the sake of getting away from the big city, while others move for reasons of advancement or to benefit from the larger city. But back in 1952, Harold Krom moved to the community of Greenwood for the simple fact that he wanted to help the people, and 22 years later, he continues to work with and served the people as owner and operator of the Greenwood Pharmacy.
Born and raised in Withee area, Krom states that he began his career as a pharmacist at the Withee Drug Store working as an intern for R. L. Berger, Registered Pharmacist. In 1932, he received his degree in pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin-Pharmacy School. Krom states that, following his graduation the Depression had deprived many of the students from finding employment, so he returned to the Withee area, and served as a relief pharmacist in Bloomer and Eau Claire. When the Depression no longer affected the area, in1935, he opened the Withee Drug Store that had been forced to close during the Depression.
With very few pharmacies in the area, and the need for medicine, Krom witnessed many Greenwood and surrounding persons coming to the Withee area for drugs, and after being asked by the people of the Greenwood area, he purchased the old Lund Pharmacy in Greenwood in 1952. The pharmacy at the time of Krom’s purchase was also closed. Asked as to why he came to the area, he states besides being aware of the need for a pharmacist in the area, he also liked the area, and the people that he had been associated with through the drug store in Withee. When he came to Greenwood, the Withee pharmacy was turned over to his brother Milton for management, and still remains so today.
Commenting on the changes that have occurred in the field of pharmacy, Krom remarks, “It used to be that most of the medicine was compounded by hand, which took much longer than today, when most of the medicine we use comes in prepared dosage forms, and all we have to do is count out the correct number. The types of medicine have changed a great deal, for people used to take aspirin for more reasons than they do to9day, but with all antibiotics, and tranquilizers that are on the market today, the number of, and types of medicines that people take is very high. WE are living in a chemical age as far as medicine goes, unlike years ago when a great deal of medicine was made from plants, roots, and bark,” continued Krom.
Krom also remarked, “Medical records are also a new phase of my work that has developed over the years. I keep a family record of all the prescriptions that have been given out, along with all the allergies that may be found in the family. This is very important when giving out medicine, for many people will get severe reactions from certain medication.”
Speaking of forms and records, Krom also noted that the business done in his store through the use of medical assistance programs and insurance companies continues to grow. He estimated that about 35 percent of his business is done through one of the other agencies, and having such programs available to the people demands a great deal of book work on behalf of the pharmacist.
Besides owning and operating the Greenwood Pharmacy, Krom is also an active member of the Greenwood Rotary, having served as president, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Masonic Lodge, Tripoli Shine of Milwaukee, Chippewa Shrine Club, and a member of state and national drug associations. Harold and his wife, Virginia, have one daughter, Debra, who has recently completed one year at the UW-Eau Claire in the health field.
A lot has changed since 1952, when Harold moved to the community of Greenwood. The town perhaps has grown, the people have changed, and improvements have been made. But one thing still remains the same after 22 years, and that is Harold Krom’s dedication, and concern for the people of Greenwood and the surrounding areas.
