Minnesota Farm Economy Oral History Project: Interview with Herb Richter

Titles: Minnesota Farm Economy Oral History Project: Interview with Herb Richter (Supplied title)

Description: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Herbert Richter grew up on the family farm north of Conger, Minnesota. His father, August Richter, and uncle, Charles Richter, owned and operated the Richter Hardware store in Conger from 1906 to 1946. Herbert worked at the store while attending high school in Conger, helping with services, repair, and other aspects of the business. In 1942, he entered the armed services; upon his discharge in 1946, he returned to Conger where he took over the family hardware store in partnership with his brother. The store, now known as the Richter Trustworthy Hardware, still operates under this partnership in l989. Richter has been active in Conger's civic and school affairs for over sixty years. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Charles Richter's stone blasting accident in early l900; a description of the early years in the hardware business, including information on services rendered to farmers, machinery set up, and harness repair; a description of the original platting and businesses in Conger; the labor shortage during World War II; changes in merchandising methods through the 1960s to l980s and the effect of discount and wholesale firms on small town independent businesses; government regulations, including workers compensation and income tax; the l985 l988 economy and its effect on rural businesses; dairy farming and creameries; consolidation and cooperation of schools and services in rural communities.

Dates

• 03/16/1989 - 05/12/1989 (Audio interview conducted on 3/16/1989 and video interview on 5/12/1989.) (Creation)

Creation

• interviewee: Richter, Herbert
• interviewer: Robertson, Margaret A.

Identifiers

• Library Call Number: OH 76
• Accession Number: AV1988.167.5
• Accession Number: AV1999.261.4

Holding Type: Oral History - Interview

Project

• Oral History - Project, MHS Collection, project: 'Minnesota Farm Economy Oral History Project' <OH 76>

Quantity: 1 hour sound cassette 1 hour videocassette 11 pages transcript

Format

• Content Category: sound recordings
• Content Category: moving images
• Content Category: text

Measurements

• 45 minutes length

Subjects

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