Bio: Johnson, Jake/Lucy – Still in Business After 42 Years (Jan 1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Johnson, Schiszik, Brecke, Bochnia, Schaus

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 21 Jan 1976

There are not many tavern owners around today who are still in business and can talk about prohibition, the first nickelodeon, slot machines and beer taps cooled by ice, but Jake and Lucy Johnson of Curtiss will if you ask them about the olden days.

Both in their 80’s, the two of them have owned and operated Johnson’s Tavern for the past 42 years, and so far haven’t any plans for retiring, because as Jake puts it, “I don’t know what I’d do to keep myself busy if I retired.”

Their building was erected in 1914 and originally housed a blacksmith shop, but only for a short time. Mrs. Johnson’s father owned the building and sold it to his sons, and for the next 20 years it was known as the Green Brothers Store.

When Lucy’s brother moved his stock to Abbotsford the building was bought by the Johnson’s and they moved their business from across the street, where they had originally started out.

Prohibition had ended in April and the Johnsons started in the tavern business in August. Jake says he went into the tavern business because at that time the depression was on and there weren’t any jobs available.

Asked if he had it to do all over again, would he do the same thing? Jake said, “Probably not,” but then added, “Many people when asked that question, say they would do thing differently. But if given another chance would find themselves doing things the same way the second time. So it’s hard to say if I would or not.”

Here first juke box was an electric machine and was not coin operated. Lucy says it played 12 records. For a time they had a nickel slot machine, but Jake says the last year he sent his $100 in for a stamp, the state stopped issuing them. He stated at that time all the money collected from slot machine stamps was to be used for veteran’s housing.

Years ago the Johnson kept their beer cold in an ice house out in back of the tavern and Kalepps of Abbotsford delivered ice several times a week. The inside taps were cooled the same way and everything was packed in sawdust. The Johnson, both born in the Town of Hoard, say at one time Curtiss had four grocery stores, and according to Lucy the village wasn’t any bigger than it is now, but time were different.

Sidewalks were boardwalks, a good sized sawmill was operating in Curtiss and the main street was a dirt road, all signs of the times during that period. Jake say when Main Street was being prepared for blacktop, workers dug the depth of a car and still found nothing but sawdust.

Looking back over the years since he first moved into the village in 1913, Jake says, “I’ve lots to be thankful for. I can’t kick too much.” His wife has lived in Curtiss since 1899 and the couple has been married for 54 years.

When their children were young, they have six, Lucy says she was too busy to spend much time working in the tavern, but commented years ago parents took their children with them and went out as a family. She feels the availability of babysitters and the beer bars have brought about the change.

Trying to get an inkling of how long Jake plans to continue working, this reporter ended the interview by again asking about retirement. The 82-year-old Jake replied, “At my age it could be tomorrow.”

There children are Lyle Johnson and Mrs. Earl (Iris) Schiszik, both of Curtiss, Mrs. Myron (Sharon) Brecke, Stetsonville, Mrs. Joe (Carol) Bochnia, Madison, Florida, Mrs. Glen (Ramona) Schaus, Little Chute, and La Verne Johnson, Rochelle, Illinois.