Reinke’s Home Hardware

The story of R. G. Reinke and his family business is one of perseverance and community roots. Born in West Prussia in 1867, Reinke came to Canada at the age of 21 with little more than his carpentry skills and a determination to succeed. He first found work at the Childerhose woollen mill, but in 1895 he joined with partners to establish McIntyre, Reinke & Boland, a sash and door factory in Eganville. A sawmill was soon added, and the firm also became known for producing unpainted furniture. At the time, wages for skilled labourers ranged from only 15 to 20 cents an hour.

By 1913, Reinke had become the sole owner of the business. Operating under his name until 1935, the firm was later renamed R. G. Reinke & Sons as his children Gerhard, Oscar, Roland, and Waldemar joined him in the trade. The company expanded steadily, and by the late 1940s it stood among Eganville’s largest industries, employing many local men in both milling and contracting work.

An advertisement from 1948 proudly described the business as “manufacturers of building materials from bush to home. Let us help you plan your new home; estimates given free.” The family’s enterprise extended further, with a hardware store in Eganville that doubled as a service station and outlet for farm implements. During Old Home Week in 1948, the Reinkes ran two full-page advertisements—one for the planing mill and building supplies, and the other for the hardware store.

R. G. Reinke himself was known for an extraordinary work ethic, sometimes labouring for 24 hours without rest. When asked about the key to his success, he gave a simple reply: “I took a chance and worked hard.” His legacy endured through the next generation, with Gerhard taking sole ownership of the hardware store in 1962, later managed by his wife Ann.