The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 8, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 February 1986 — Page 74

Today And Tomorrow — Wed., Feb. 19,1986

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REMEMBERING THE PAST — When Virgil Henschen first began his business in 1936. he bought his first truck from Henry Wirt. Pictured is Henschen next to that truck. Henschen Oil is presently located at the corner of SR 19 and CR 50 in Nappanee and is operated by Henschen’s son. Gene.

Henschen Oil celebrates 50th anniversary of firm

Henschen Oil, located at the corner of SR 19 and CR 50 in Nappanee, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in business this year. Although the business has undergone many changes through the years, one thing has remained the same — its commitment to quality service, backed by integrity. When Virgil Henschen started the company back in 1936, as an agent for the Standard Oil Company, times were much different. Selling items such as Eureka harness oil, Mica axle grease, and motor oil out of barrels were common items at any station. Henschen only had one truck at that time and it held 400 gallons of fuel, which was considered a lot then. Today, each of his trucks hold 2,500 gallons. During the 30s, gasoline and kerosene were the most commonly used fuels. Many household items operated on kerosene, such as lamps, cook stoves and some refrigerators. Also at that time, most farming tractors were gasoline operated. Thus, for places that would require more than several gallons, it was delivered directly to the house. This may sound easy, but without the aid of pumps or metering gauges in the 30s these fuels had to be transported off of the truck five gallons at a time. Today, however, 300 gallons can be delivered in one shot. With this background, it’s understandable when Henschen boasts of having 1,000 gallons days — that’s big business! The winter months could be quite inconvenient for delivering fuel, too. One bad snow could remain on county roads for weeks, making travel on them impossible. Occasionally, Henschen would hike the fuel in, five gallons at a time, through the mud and snow. But mostly, he would deliver enough in the fall to last through the winter. The 40s brought with it many advancements in the petroleum industry. The most noteworthy occurring with the pump trucks. This invention increased delivery

Boyer's Lawn and Garden excels in both quality and experience

“We’ve had a great year,” said Jack Boyer, owner and manager of Boyer’s Lawn and Garden, Kosciusko County’s oldest lawn and garden tractor business. Boyer, whose garden tractor operation is located at the south edge of North Webster, relates that, “Bolen’s increased its business over 65 percent last year across the United States and I’m sure we got our share of it, and we at Boyer’s are going to continue the momentum through 1986 showing why Bolen’s Tractor and Equipment is still number one because the firm hasn’t lost its quality and also offer many improvements for 1986. Bolen’s has a new three-year exclusive warranty which no other dealer offers,” Boyer emphasized. He also noted the firm has the best finance system in the business. Experience and expertise in the tractor

capabilities immensely. Henschen was the first in the area to own a truck of this kind. Around the time of World War 11, furnace oil became all the rage and tractors converted to a power fuel instead of gasoline. As times changed so did Henschen’s business. His ability to recognize the need to move into new areas in the petroleum industry help keep his business a continued success. In 1975, when Amoco changed its marketing program, Henschen became an independent company which handled Amoco products. Only a short year later, Henschen Oil increased its territory to encompass the northern portion of Kosciusko County as well as all of Elkhart County. Although furnace oil is quickly being replaced by natural gas, it has not hurt Henschen Oil’s business. Those accounts are merely being replaced by an ever growing number of commercial accounts with places that require a constant re-fueling. Over his past 50 years watching the petroleum industry change, he has also noticed a drastic change in fuel prices. He has seen gasoline jump from 15 cents a gallon to sl.lO. Kerosene has gone from 11 cents to $1.39 and furnace oil has gone from only seven cents a gallon to sl. Today Virgil Henschen no longer owns the business, but it continues to remain in the family. His son Gene bought out the business in 1983 when Henschen Sr. decided to retire. Gene Henschen as well as taking over the business has also taken his father’s attitudes about good business. Helping him is his wife, Carol, who handles much of the bookkeeping and accounting. Also on staff as an accountant is Tom Loucks. Making deliveries throughout much of Elkhart County is Jim Loucks. Handling the Nappanee and northern Kosciusko County area is Bill Beer. Larry Weldy serves as Henschen’s only transport driver.

business, along with quality, make Boyer’s a leading business in the community. Selling and servicing Bolen gas and diesel tractors, Pioneer Homelite, Poulan and Lombard chain saws, along with a new line of wood and coal add-on furnaces, have all played a part in his success. “Furnace sales continue to be good ever since we added that line to our business nearly 10 years ago.” Boyer, along with his management role, also likes to assist with the mechanical end of the, business. “I have two other mechanics, but I like this aspect of the business, too,” he related. Boyer also proudly gives credit to his 16-year-old daughter, Sarah, “who runs the parts department and assists in the operation of the business when she is not in school and especially is great help during the summer months.”

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