History of Elmquist's
In November 1869 brothers Peter Johan and David Elmquist emigrated to the United States from Konobergs Ian, Smaland in Sweden, according to family genealogy records. The original United States citizenship papers for eldest Peter, reveals that they arrived in Quebec, Canada around May of 1869.
In 1870, their United States citizenship papers were officially signed in Dunn County, Wisconsin, an event that would mark the beginning of a new enterprise in a new country and surviving over a century.
Born to the family of Johan Marcus Elmquist, an organ manufactory operator, David Elmquist was the fourth son in a family of six children. His career began as a jeweler’s apprentice under the supervision of brother, Peter. By 1872, David would become a journeyman and together Peter and David would run a jewelry store in Minneapolis.
While living in Minneapolis, David met his wife Ida Hultgren. Ida was also from Sweden and the two would eventually marry in 1875. Soon after the marriage, David would move his family to Litchfield, Minnesota where he would own and operate a jewelry store. After trying his fortune in Litchfield, David would decide once again to relocate and move to one of two towns, Bemidji or Willmar, Minnesota and from there one could coin an old cliché by saying “AND THE REST IS HISTORY”.
In 1902, David Elmquist opened a jewelry store in the first of what would eventually become one of four store locations in Willmar. On Benson Avenue, Elmquist Jewelers would remain until 1928, occupying two stores at different times in a 26 year period. Then in 1929, David’s son Oscar would move the store to the Lakeland Hotel Building for the next 37 years. By 1967, Don Elmquist, Oscar’s son would move one door down to 411 West Litchfield Avenue, the store’s fourth and current location. Downtown Willmar has been the home to Elmquist Jewelers for over a century.
Oscar Elmquist took over the family owned business in 1915, one year prior to the passing of his father David. Oscar would operate the business into the late 1950’s. I recall a recent conversation I had with Oscar’s daughter Avis, who grew up watching the inside of the family business. She described her father as a hard worker and talked about how diligent he was with his daily work routine, which consisted of: “Walking to the store very early every morning and working until 5:30 every evening. Oscar would return home to the family residence on West Third Street and stay just long enough to have supper with the family and then walked back to the store to finish up in the back room on various work orders or repairs until 9:00 or so at night."
Oscar’s relentless dedication to the family business was admirable and often times quite necessary. For most of the family-owned businesses in those days consisted largely of the family members who made up the work force within the business. Avis remembers working in the store along side her mother Stella (Estelle) and brother Don, usually after school.
Avis’ memories of the family jewelry store also included a story she had heard several times while growing up. And even though it became a familiar story over time, she is not for certain to this day if the story was fact or folklore. The story or legend that was repeated over the years was regarding her Grandfather David moving his jewelry business from one town to another. Supposedly because times were hard, the move consisted of transporting only the necessary tools needed to start up his business at the new location, by carrying his tools in his pockets or on his back while walking, not riding several miles to the stores new location in a new town. Whether fact or fiction, the story seems to convey the possible struggles the Elmquist family business faced, as it tried its fortune in different towns. Like many other families who owned businesses at the beginning of the 20th century survival meant doing whatever it took to provide a better life for your family. Be it fact or folklore, the indisputable truth is once the family was established in Willmar, they would find themselves securely planted for the next 100 years.
In 1959, Oscar Elmquist died and Avis’ brother Don took over the family business. Don Elmquist would successfully own and operate Elmquist’s and eventually enlist the help of longtime friends and loyal employees Cy Giere and Mike Noonan. While looking ahead and planning for the future of Elmquist Jewelers, Don announced the sale of the Elmquist’s stock to associates Cy and Mike in 1995.
When Don passed away in February of 1999, Cy and Mike had already been operating as Elmquist’s new owners since 1998. With Don’s blessing and the new owners commitment to quality service and merchandise that was established by the store’s founder over 100 years ago. Elmquist’s traditions continue to live and thrive today as we strive to be the destination where your best memories ever begin!