A Thought to Remember: 1912-1914 saw many changes in Highland businesses

Jacob Geppert, in 1903, started as a plumber with the Mosimann Plumbing Co. In 1912, he then entered the employment of Edward Stoecklin Hardware & Plumbing, where he became a partner with Stoecklin. The Stoecklin Store was located at the northeast corner of Main and Cypress. (Later, it became Schott Implement Co., of Maurice Schott, after the death of Edward Stoecklin in 1935.)

“In 1924, Jacob Geppert built his own plumbing shop and hardware store, as his son, Harold Geppert, joined him. They eventually employed four other men. They laid more than 100 sections of Highland’s original water lines, entirely by hand, charging $2.50 a 10-hour workday. They also sponsored a float in the Centennial Parade in 1937.

“The firm continued after Harold’s death in 1959, with Jacob taking an active part in the growth of Highland.

“Jacob, when he was 81, started a small subdivision on the west side of Oak Street. This was annexed into the city of Highland in 1954. Five homes are located there, now. Later, Jacob built a building just west of his plumbing shop, where Jim Kayser’s, Kayser Rexll Drug Store was located. (These two buildings were sold to the Farmers & Merchants Bank when R.J. Hagist was president. The bank needed these two buildings for its expansion and parking lot in 1981. This is now Meridith Funeral Home.)

Jacob Geppert retired at age 88, after being in business for more than 60 years.

(Geppert information from Pages 46, 121, 125 and 225 of the Sesquicentennial Book and from Lynn Geppert Wildhaber.)

“The brick building at 806 Broadway was built by Fred Ardeuser, who operated a harness shop in the building until 1919. Mr. Ardeuser sold the stock and business to Robert Mannhard, whose father, John Louis Mannhard, purchased the building. Robert Mannhard continued in the trade of harness making for many years, but in 1930, he downsized, as he built a small frame building directly behind his original shop and leased the brick building to Mrs. Elsie or Elise Jenny Drum. (Her photo is with this column.)

“Mrs. Drum opened a restrauant, which she operated for about 10 years. Elsie sold her restaurant to Leslie Ellis about 1940, and he sold to Mrs. Gemoules in 1943, and she continued until 1943. Oscar Gruenenfelder leased the building and opened a pool hall and taxi cab business, operating until 1952. (Oscar then worked for me at Roland Harris Furniture for a few years, until he retired, again.)

In July 1952, Walter’s Liquor & Sporting Goods Store was owned by Edwin “Kid” and Delores “Toots” Walter.

“The Walters, in May 1958, sold to Hugo Weber, and he operated as ‘Mi-Store’ until Nov. 15, 1963, at which time Lawewnce ‘Sonny’ St. Cin purchased the business, calling it ‘Sonny’s Liquor & Sporting Goods’.

“In August of 1973, Philip and Barbara Zurliene purchased the store and changed it to P&B Liquor & Sportings Inc. In September 1973, they purchased the store building from Robert Mannhard. On Feb. 25, 1974, the business was purchased by Irwin and Gail Holtkoetter, with the Zurlines maintaining the building. The Holtkoetters closed the business in the mid-1980s. Today, this 806 Broadway is H&R Block tax preparation and Betty Voss.

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 6:43 AM with the headline "A Thought to Remember: 1912-1914 saw many changes in Highland businesses."