Doak & Hartsook

DOAK, HARTSOOK

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/3/2004 at 10:15:19

The firm of Doak & Hartsook, of Winterset, is the leading implementhouse of Madison County and the business which they control has been established longer than any similar enterprise in the county. In 1875 William Hedge established an implement house, which he continued to conduct until 1888. In that year the firm became Koeler & Rhyno, and the next change came about in 1892, when the business came into the possession of Jones, Dickey & Company. Four years later the firm name was changed to Minturn & Bell, but in 1899 Mr. Bell sold his interest to Mr. Silliman and the business was conducted under the style of Minturn & Silliman. In 1909 W. H. Doak traded a valuable farm for the store and conducted it alone until 1913, when F. P. Hartsook purchased a half interest therein, and the firm became Doak & Hartsook.

In the early days William Hedge, the founder of the business, sold a fourteen inch wood beam plow for twenty-two dollars and the same plow is now sold by Doak & Hartsook for fourteen dollars, which indicates something of the advance that has been made in the agricultural implement industry. Mr. Hedge sold the John Deere plows and Doak & Hartsook still handle them and also sell the Standard mower, the first models of which Mr. Hedge sold many years ago. Doak & Hartsook carry the products of only the best and most reliable factories and have a reputation for keeping a full and well selected line of farm machinery and vehicles. They handle the famous Velie wrought iron vehicles, thus caring out their policy of selling only the best. Their business methods are thoroughly in accord with that modern spirit in the commercial world which builds for the future, in seeking at all times to give the customer not only the greatest value in goods possible at the price, but also to give him the benefit of the experience and expert knowledge of the merchant, and to make courtesy the role of the store. The wisdom of this policy is apparent, as Doak & Hartsook are today recognized as the leading merchants in their line in the country and their trade is constantly increasing.

Taken from the book, "The History of Madison County, Iowa