In 1915, John Wistinghausen was a busy man. He raised farm animals, cut and sold ice from the Portage River, and grew and sold fresh flowers from his Oak Harbor farm. The little side floral business that John and his wife, Mary, started over a century ago grew to what is today Wistinghausen Florist & Greenhouse, which is now owned by John's great-grandson, Bob Wistinghausen, and his wife, Kim. Wistinghausen Florist & Greenhouse is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year.
Like many locals of the time, John and Mary found ingenious ways to make a living. John cut ice on the Portage River and sold it both privately and for the village. He dug a cut on the farm where he stored the ice, and the couple grew flowers – such as zinnias, hyacinths and snapdragons – on land they owned by the river. Eventually, they also grew tomato starts for Weller's tomato factory down the road.
"His great-grandfather did a lot of things. He probably started the flower business because he was looking to supplement his income," Kim said. "With the cooler and ice, he had a place to cool flowers, so it was a natural progression."
Although there is not a definitive opening day for the business, Ottawa County records show that John and Mary paid taxes on the flower business for the first time in 1915. An old ledger that Bob and Kim still own records the very first delivery: a "floral design for Albert Rose's little boy, July 1st, 1921." Bob and Kim are not sure if the flowers were honoring a birth, a death, or some other occasion.
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