The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Bob's TV & Home Furnishings
-by Bonnie Johnson The Quill Staff
In 1956 Bob Hamilton moved to Stronghurst when he was transferred by the Santa Fe and worked as a railroad station operator at night.
He lived in the Porter Trailer Addition. He would help Mrs. Porter with work and at her suggestion, went to Everett Keener to see if he needed any help with TV and radio repair. "Everett couldn't afford to pay me", said Bob.
"But that was ok. I was learning the business. As I became more knowledgeable, he began paying me on commission. Everett passed away in 1959 and I bought his business and worked out of his garage.
Later I moved to Paul Bell's furniture store building, where Doran Insurance is now. I rented the back end of the store to John Richey for his painting business which he used until he retired."
In 1961 Marlin Fisher and Bob bought the old McElhinney building and tore it down. They remodeled the remaining building and expanded their business. Bob had the TV shop and Marlin had the appliance store, heating, etc.
In 1965 Ralph Tatge bought Marlin's share of the building and in 1971 Bob moved out and Ralph bought his share. In 1964 Bob bought the ground that housed the Modern Woodman office that belonged to Eva and Raymond Johnson and the old Carmean Produce Building. He built a laundromat on part of this ground in 1976, and this is where his store stands today.
Bob stated, "There were rats and weeds all over the place. It was quite a mess, but I cleared the area and built the front part of the existing store for the TV shop in 1971.
In 1971, Paul Bell encouraged Bob to start a furniture business, and taking his advice, Bob added furniture to his TV business and his business grew so much that in 1972 Bob built on to the back of the building.
Bob stated, "Roxanne Richey was my first secretary and helper in the store, working for me over 27 years.
Today I have a full time TV man, Scott Simpson.
Lori Taylor, my daughter, has been with me over 21 years and she runs everything better than I do; Theo Phillips has been here for over 18 years, and Blaine Faudree is an independent carpet layer, but works for me when needed."
Bob is also in the real estate business, buying and selling houses and buying homes, renovating and renting them. The rental business is run out of the store. He also has owned a furniture and appliance business in Roseville for 18 years.
When Bob was asked about his concern for the community, he said, "I believe the town "fathers" should find out from people and businesses what they could do to help them survive.
A town should encourage people to move in and have a good life, the town board has been helpful these last few years. They should give an incentive for people to build houses".
Bob's greatest joy about being here is the fact the he can be "obnoxiously independent".
"I quit a good job with the railroad and made a success out of what I love to do. I came here when I was 21 and I'm 69 now. It's a great thing to be able to do what you enjoy doing".
Bob told the story of buying the old funeral home from Marlin Fisher. Marlin, who was the funeral director at the time, wanted to build a new funeral home, but he didn't want the old one torn down.
He asked Bob if he would like to buy it for $3000, so Bob figured what it would cost to move the building, build a basement, and other items needed to successfully set the house.
He told Marlin he couldn't afford it. But Marlin didn't give up and told Bob if he would install the sound system, antenna, and the wiring necessary to make it work, then Bob could have the house.
Bob said he rode on top of the house as it was being moved in order to cut off any branches that were in the way and to lift any electrical wires that hung low enough to get caught in the roof of the house.
Bob and his wife Gloria have lived in the country east of Stronghurst for 23 years. Bob has five daughters, Linda Brohman, Karla Todd, Lori Taylor, Sherri Haley and Rachael Hamilton; ten grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Bob Hamilton of Bob's TV & Home Furnishings is celebrating its 45th year of business in Stronghurst.
Bob Hamilton
Theo Phillips & Lori Taylor