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The first Heck Hardware business in Bonduel, WI.
Heck Hardware in Bonduel, WI.
Notes
Heck Hardware
Bonduel, WI
HECK HARDWARE INC. – By Darlene Heller
On March 18, 1901, Heinrich G. Heck leased properties from Wm. and Marie A. Bonnin for a period of five years to establish the H. G. Heck Hardware Co. On March 21, 1907 an additional one-year lease was taken out on this same property. This site later became the Gamble Store, later Smitty’s Parts Unlimited, then? and now? (126 E. Green Bay St. Bonduel). Some of the known products sold during these beginning years were the limestone acquired from the Wussow Bros. Lime Kiln operation of Slab City, Weber Wagons, Van Brunt Seeders and Drills, John Deere Plows, paints, and Champion Harvesting Machines.
In 1906, Robert Specht was taken in as a partner and business continued to grow. In 1907 a new and larger store was built at 113 North Cecil Street; the site of the present Heck Hardware. During this time, George Krueger, a tinsmith also became a junior partner but retired from the business a few years after this move. Later, Ben Haefs was employed as a tinsmith. Matt Wagner, a nephew of Robert Specht, was also employed there for many years.
Horse drawn buggies were added as a product line. These buggies were stored in the upstairs of this building. Delivery to this second floor was accomplished via a “lift” on the back side of the building. Hardware, housewares, stoves, implements, barn equipment, and dynamite were also sold. A small stone building located across the road from the Golden Grill on south Cecil St. was used to store the dynamite. Later zoning laws forced Mr. Heck to store the dynamite outside the village limits so a site near the depot was used on Flambou Rd.
Through time, the company dropped its line of farm machinery and specialized in hardware, plumbing, heating, water systems and appliances. During the 1930’s Lorenz Heck, son of Henry Heck conducted the family business and in 1937 Henry Heck died and Lorenz later became a full partner.
In 1948, Robert Specht sold his share of the business (50%) to Barney Dussling. Lorenz Heck and Barney Dussling’s business then included plumbing, heating, bulk milk tanks, bottle gas, appliances, power garden equipment, mowers, and air conditioning; as well as a “full-line” general hardware store. The business was then known as Heck and Dussling. In 1967 the front of the building was remodeled.
In 1978 Richard Heck, son of Lorenz Heck purchased the family business. Richard Reinke was in the stores employ for many years and just recently retired. Richard and wife Bette now operate this business with one employee (Lorraine Busch). Products sold presently are a line of general hardware items, pumps, paints, plumbing supplies, and greeting cards. Tin work continues to be offered.
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
Henry G. Heck was born June 5, 1872 at Richfield Wisconsin; the son of Lorenz and Kathryne (Griesemer) Heck. He was reared and educated in the Richfield area and gained employment in the hardware and implement business as a young man. In 1901 he came to Bonduel at the request of his brother Hubert who had previously established the H. H. Heck Merchantile Co. in Bonduel. He then started the H. G. Heck Hardware Co. and continued to operate it until 1937.
He was one of the incorporators of the Bonduel Telephone Co. and the Bonduel Feed and Light Co. He held the position of treasurer of the Town of Hartland for many years as well as treasurer of the Village of Bonduel after the village was incorporated.
On February 7, 1900 he married Amanda Brummund. They were the parents of Lorenz, Harvey and Alice (Mrs. Palmer Lowery). Henry died July 5, 1937.
Robert Specht was born August 30, 1878 in the Township of Waukechon and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Louie (Ottelia Schmitt) Specht. His early years were spent in the Township of Angelica and he married the former Emma Bonnin on June 30, 1909. After his marriage, he resided in Bonduel.
He was a business partner of the H. G. Heck Hardware from 1906 to 1948 when he sold his share to Barney Dussling. He was a director of the Bonduel State Bank for 37 years and a charter member of the Bonduel Fire Department. George Krueger, a junior member of the H. G. Heck Hardware Co.
Lorenz R. Heck was born July 21, 1908 at Bonduel. His parents were Henry and Amanda (Brummund) Heck. He attended Bonduel Grade School and Shawano High School. He then attended Lawrence College. On June 2, 1935, he married Virginia Mahn. They are the parents of Beverly, Richard, Joyce, and Jacquelyn. Lorenz died in 1986.
Barney Dussling of LaCross purchased half interest of the H. G. Heck Hardware Co.
October 12, 1948 when Robert Specht sold his share of the business. Barney was born June 11, 1913 in Portage Wisconsin. His parents were John and Anna Dussling.
He attended the University of Wisconsin, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Economics.
Prior to coming to Bonduel, he was employed at the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio.
He married Marie Piehl of Seymour in 1941. They are the parents of William, Patricia, John and Mary. Barney sold his share of the business to Richard Heck in 1978.
Richard Heck was born in 1938 the son of Lorenz and Virginia (Mahn) Heck. He attended the Bonduel grade and high school As a youth and young man, he worked in the store regularly. On October 1, 1960 he married Bette Stuewer. They are the parents of Anthony and Teresa. In September of 1961, he was drafted into the military service. Richard became the sole owner of the Heck Hardware in 1978.