Pleasant Hill History Center

J. C. Klopfer

Thanks for reading about the life of J.C. Klopfer.  He was born on December 28, 1904.  His parents, Louie and Edna (Minnich) Klopfer owned a farm on the northwest corner of Hogpath Road and the Rangeline.  That is where he grew up.

When J.C. was a boy, his grandmother Elizabeth lived with their family.  She and his grandfather, Christian, were born in Germany and came to Newton Township as young adults.  J.C. had two younger brothers, Paul and Virlen.

J.C. graduated from Newton Township Schools in 1924.  His building was in front of the one that stood for 80+ years.  It was called Pleasant Hill High School.  He did attend some classes in the new building during his senior year.  In the lower grades J.C. attended the one room schoolhouse that was right across the Hogpath from his family’s farm.

J.C. was an excellent basketball player for Pleasant Hill High.  The school nickname was the Eagles.  When he played, rules called for a jump ball at center court after every basket.  J.C. was the guy who always jumped center.

In 1921 Louie bought Schuesslin’s Meat Market in Pleasant Hill.  The family sold their farm at public auction and moved to town.  Louie got most of his meat by buying cattle, hogs, and chickens from local farmers.  He then butchered and sold all of the meat.  He quickly became well known for his fine cuts of meat and especially for his excellent sausage.

Two years later in 1923, Louie bought the grocery store down the street, and the business became known as Klopfer’s Grocery and Meat Market.  The family made their home and lived in the same building as the store.  The next year J.C. graduated from high school and became a partner in the family business.

When J.C. wasn’t working, he enjoyed spending time with friends.  They used to attend dances at Wintergarden, in Minster, and at Russell’s Point.  They were a lot of fun, even though he wasn’t a very good dancer.

After high school J.C. kept playing basketball.  Pleasant Hill had a team also called the Eagles.  One night at an away game, he got hurt.  A group of friends brought him home.  After they left J.C. asked his mom if she liked the girl he was with.  She said “I liked the other girl better!”  The other girl was Helen McMaken from Piqua.  His mother’s opinion mattered a lot, so he asked Helen out.  They started dating steadily around Christmas in 1925, and got married on April 11, 1926.  Two days later was Helen’s first day working in the store!

His brother Paul joined Louie and J.C. in the family business in 1927.  Later that year Edna, J.C.’s mom, died of tuberculosis.  His youngest brother, Virlen was just 8 years old when she died.

It was in November of that same year (1927) that Helen and J.C. had their beautiful baby girl, Virginia Lee.  With the new baby addition to his family, they moved from the second floor above the store to the double house across the street.

During these years J.C. spent almost all his time working in the store and enjoying the good life that Pleasant Hill offered.  He liked living close to the store and having the easy walk to work.

In 1933 Paul married Mary Lynn Wineland, and almost right away she joined them working at Klopfer’s.

Virlen graduated from Newton in 1936.  He was the best basketball player in the family, so when he went on to college at Wittenberg, he was able to play there.  While Virlen was at Wittenberg, Louie died.  It was in 1939.

Soon after his death J.C., Helen, and Virginia moved back into the home that was connected to the store.  They lived there 20+ years.

After Louie’s death, Paul began managing the grocery part of the store, and J.C. ran the butcher shop.  They worked well together.  During the war J.C. used a barn and slaughterhouse just west of town to butcher meat.  He would refrigerate it down there, and bring the meat to the store the next morning.  Customers would line up with their food stamps.  Lots of things were rationed during the war.

Virlen went on to become a school teacher, then an administrator, and then a superintendent.  He married Newton’s Home Economics teacher, Nancy Caughey, in 1942.

After the war things got a little easier for folks.  Business was good for many, many years.  There were always people in the store shopping.  Many out-of- town folks called in their orders.  Employees would shop for them and have everything ready when they arrived.  Customers would buy a lot of meat.  J.C. would get a lot of compliments!  J.C. and Helen made many, many friends.

Klopfer Farm

1894 Map

 J. C.'s High School Diploma