News: Owen – Standard Oil Station (Sold - Dec 1968)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Mathewson, Smith, Schmocker, Carlson

---------Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 02 Jan 1969

Wednesday, January 1, 1969 was the first time in 30 years that Kenneth Mathewson didn't turn the key in his own place of business (Owen, Clark Co., Wis.).

He relinquished the keys to Ken's Standard Service the night previous to Andrew Smith, who has purchased the station and assumed possession.

Ken isn't sure what his future plans call for, other than realizing that by getting out of the station he was doing the best thing possible to enable him to enjoy some leisure and retirement with better health.

He first started in the gas business here in 1931, when he operated a Texaco station in the building that now houses Ted's Lunch. This operation covered a span of 10 years until 1941, when he became a county traffic officer. Then, in 1948, he leased the Standard Station, then known as Schmocker & Carlson. (The building still stands to the west of the Owen Cleaners). In 1955 he left this location after building a modern Standard Station to the east of Will Implement Co., which he has operated ever since.

During these many years Ken has pumped a lot of gas, in addition to making a host of friends who wish him good health and happiness in his retirement.

Making friends will not be difficult for his buyer, as Andy is a former and popular businessman of this city, having operated Andy's Mobil Station for several years prior to becoming a county traffic officer a little better than a year ago.