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Stratford centennial
(1891-1991)
Businesses of yesterday, pp. 185-218
Page 193
Becher's Ice Cream Parlor Edward Becher came to the Stratford area from Green- ville, Wisconsin when he purchased a Watkins dealer route in this area. He met and married Bertha Harter of Stratford. Bertha was an excellent cook, and had expressed her interest in opening an ice cream parlor using her homemade ice cream recipe. They started by purchasing Dr. Wahl's residence at the comer of Elm and Second Avenue. The property included two lots surrounded by an iron fence and two rows of trees with a carriage barn on the opposite comer, next to the alley. They opened a wall within the house for a "parlor" with tables and chairs so people could come in and enjoy a dish of her home- made ice cream. Anna Harter Doll (now 95 years old and living in Marshfield) was Bertha Becher's sister. She helped Bertha with preparing and serving the ice cream, a "special treat" as people did not have refrigeration in their homes at that time to make and keep ice cream. She commented. "Ed (Becher) would chop up a large block of ice before he went on his Watkins route, and then Bertha and I would chop it into smaller chunks to use in the ice cream maker. We would make two gallons of ice cream at a time, taking turns doing the hand cranking. We then set the ice cream in buckets of ice to keep it cold. We served the ice cream plain, or had chocolate and other toppings if they preferred. Soon the Bechers saw a need for more room to expand their small enterprise so in April of 1917 plans were made to build a 22'x34' one story building with full basement on the comer of their property next to the alley. They called it "Becher's Ice Cream Parlor." Magdalen Becher Bowen, oldest of the Becher children related, "In the kitchen was a four burner gasoline stove. Joe Brei, the village fire marshal, took special interest in seeing that we had a fire extinguisher and kept it updated. However, I don't remember it being used in the kitchen, but it was used toputout awater heater fire in Rifleman's basement nextdoor to us. In 1930 Dad purchased a bottled gas stove and Ritgers Funeral Home serviced it with Skelgas. Four tables with four chairs each provided the serving ar- rangement. Food for plate dinners and pies were prepared in the Becher home kitchen and carried over to the Ice Cream Parlor for noon serving. Ice cream was now served in their new establishment. A soda fountain was also installed and added more tasty treats for serving. It was a busy time at noon and also after the performances at the Opera Theater, and after the high school ball games. Watkins products, as well as other items such as candy, cameras, film, tobacco, pipes, cigars, fresh fruit, dairy prod- ucts, newspapers, and magazines were added for the retail trade . "Anything to help make an extra nickel," said Anna. "Times were hard and money was not plentiful like it is nowadays." Gas pumps were also added in front of the store. The Becher children, as well as hired help, all had their jobs. Magdalen related that she remembers her dad showing her how to make change at a very young age. She was instructed to "wait on" the young children who came in with their pennies to buy candy. The business was open seven days a week, providing the people with a variety of items and a social place to gather. Twice Ed was robbed, once at gun point. A wing was added to the west side of the building for booths and many other changes took place through the years. In May, 1949 the business was sold to Roy Pucker of Marshfield. Glenn Hughes of Marshfield purchased it next in April, 1950; then Ray and Hallie Gross October, 1953;
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