Albert and Edward Steiner were longtime grocers in Highland

Johannes “John” Steiner came from Switzerland in 1847, then married in St. Louis. I will cover their family in business, in the Highland area. Last week, we were starting.

The Louisa Steiner (Samuel) Jenny Sr. family lived on the Johannes “John” Steiner old farm, east of Highland on St. Rose Road. We will cover the grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Highland who were business and farming.

John Steiner’s granddaughter, Mrs. Elise B. Jenny (Stuart) Drum, started and owned Drum’s Cafe in the Mannhard Building. (See her photo with today’s column.)

Ida L. Jenny (1878-1920) married John R. Habbegger of Jamestown. They had three children. The oldest was an attorney, Frederick L. Habbegger of Highland; he had his office at 904A Broadway for over 40 years. His sister Ada L. Jenny married Doctor Edward L. Hediger Sr. of Jamestown, and their son, Dr. Edward L. Hediger Jr. of Highland, was a also medical doctor in Highland for almost 40 years.

Arnold Steiner (1855-1910) was John’s fourth child and was born in Sebastopol. In 1879, Arnold married Mary Luehm.

Arnold’s oldest son, Edward A. “Rox” Steiner and his younger brother, Albert J. Steiner Sr., both worked for Highland Store Co. Albert from 1903 thru 1918, was employed as a salesman for the Highland Store Co., which was located at the northwest corner of Broadway and Pine.

Albert, in company with his brother Edward Steiner, John Klein and Emil Bellm, became members of the East End Mercantile Co. from 1919 to 1930, which was located at the southwest corner of Main and Cypress. Then, in 1930, the two brothers built the new brick store at 809 Broadway, called “Steiner Brothers, Grocery and Vegetable Store.” (See the photo of the two owners and their new building with today’s column. It’s also in the Highland Home Museum, along with much Steiner farm information.)

In July 1934, Albert died. His brother Rox continued the store for a time, but later sold the store and business to his cousin Harvey Hug, the butcher, and his partner, Orville Case. Hug and Case’s business became the “Highland Cash Market.”

Ed Hug’s meat market was the former meat market and was advertising in January 1940 as “Hug’s Cash Market.” He also advertised to just phone “22” for afternoon delivery. You would love his specials today: pork chops, 20 cents a pound; bulk kraut, 5 cents per pound.

Several other businesses would occupy the Steiner Brothers Grocery building over the years. In 2003, James W. “Muttie” Koehler, who recently just passed away, compiled a list. Koehler owned the building from 1975 to 1990, having purchased it from Red Gilligan’s father. Koehler’s list of businesses and people included: Buffalo Brewing, Dennis Ramsey and Dean Burk, Pit Stop, Carl Goff, Bernie Goebel, John Huhn, then Ken and Marge Koelz Real Estate and Shoe Store and now Foppe Designs Inc.

Ed Steiner’s son, Wayne “Chick” Steiner, had a big turkey farm, east of Highland, where the “Shindacher” horse burial ground on St. Rose Road was started on 10 acres in 1886.

Albert Steiner’s son Albert Jr., a.k.a. “Spanky,” and Charles Schmetter purchased Fred Morlence’s Radio & Electric Store at 1007 Broadway. The electric business was sold to Charles Dressel, and he operated the business from his home in White City. Fred Morlence sold the first television in Highland on July 18, 1947 to Michael’s Recreation, which was owned by Bill and Vera Michael. Michael’s Recreation was where an the empty lot is now in the middle of the 800 block, on the south side, of Broadway.)

Arnold Steiner’s oldest daughter, Ella Marie Steiner, married Edward B. Hug, the butcher. Hug’s oldest son, Waldo, married Della Beinecke. I contacted their daughter, Shirley Hug (Robert) Bastilla, who was able to give me some information.

Wally was first in the egg distribution business, which was continued by their daughter Shirley Hug Bastilla’s husband Robert, until they sold to Odell Oberbeck. Then, Robert “Bob” Bastilla started with the First National Bank in public relations. Wally had purchased Steiner’s Mens Wear from his cousin, Eldridge Steiner, when Eldridge retired and moved to Florida.

Edward Hug’s second son, Harvey, continued his father’s butcher business and later purchased his cousin’s, Edward and Albert Steiner Sr.’s grocery store on Broadway, in conjunction with Orville Case.

Arnold Steiner’s third daughter, Adelle, married Herbert Schmiedeke Sr. In the early 1920s, Herb started a gasoline and oil delivery in the Highland area. (I have one of his advertising pencils in my Highland collection at in the Highland Home Museum on the top shelf of the “S” cabinet.)

Next week, we will continue with Eldridge Steiner and his purchase of a cleaners, also other merchants and other Steiner businesses, including Louis and Leo Steiner (aggressive farmers). Do you have additional information?

This story was originally published January 11, 2018 at 7:50 AM with the headline "Albert and Edward Steiner were longtime grocers in Highland."