Pictured at left is Jacob Wentz standing next to Amza Hay.
Submitted photo
BROOKVILLE — In 1894 Jacob E. Wentz married Orilla Heston. They had one son, Ralph Orion Wentz. All three were born in Jay County, Indiana. Jacob passed away on Dec. 13, 1914 at the age of 49.
Jacob Elmer Wentz came to the Brookville area in 1898. He and his wife lived on a farm southeast of town. In 1908 he purchased an interest in the Amza Hay & Henry Finfrock Hardware Store and at that time moved to Brookville. It was thereafter known as Hay & Wentz.
Hay & Wentz sold buggies, tobacco trans-planters, corn planters, Superior Grain Drills, field rollers, lawn mowers, spike tooth harrows, gasoline and oil stoves, Lowe Brothers’ paints, sewer pipe, cement, stock, and poultry foods.
He remained a partner with Mr. Hay until 1911, when he became sole owner. It then became known as the Jacob Elmer Wentz Hardware & Implement Company. The store was located at the corner of Walnut and Market streets.
In February 1905 and 1906, Mr. Wentz served as vice president of the Brookville Farmers’ Institute.
In June 1909, Mr. Wentz purchased the Arthur A. Creager home at 204 Maple Street and began work on erecting a stable on the rear of the lot. On Nov. 28, 1914, Mr. Wentz passed away at this home.
In the November 1909 election, Jacob was elected as a new member Brookville Council and was still serving in 1913, when he became Brookville’s treasurer. Upon his death, Mr. Samuel Dunkel was appointed to the office of Brookville Village treasurer to fill the vacancy.
After Jacob’s death in 1914, the Hardware and Implement Company continued in business under the management of William H Oliver. Mr. Oliver, who had been bookkeeper for the company and was appointed administrator of the estate of the late Jacob Wentz, continued the business.
In February 1919 Mr. Oliver purchased the hardware store. Mr. Oliver had been with the firm for 12 years and had been managing the business since the death of its owner.
In February 1920, Mr. Oliver fell victim to influenza. In March 1920, the William H. Oliver business returned to Jacob’s widow, Mrs. Orillla Wentz. She took ownership of the store and Jacob and Orilla’s son Ralph became the manager.
The purchase included the building which made it an ideal hardware store. At that time, it was said that it was the largest hardware business in this part of the state.
All information and the photo for this Look at Brookville article were supplied by the Brookville Historical Society. Do you have a photo or historical information to share or add?
Please contact the Brookville Historical Society at 937-833-0285 or email to [email protected].
