Plotnick Blacksmith
(from The Delano Eagle, December 14, 1893)
“Paul Plotnik is the blacksmith and dealer in farm machinery who located here two years ago and during that time has built up an extensive business. His work speaks for itself and when a man is once his customer he always is. Any work that is put in Mr. Plotnik’s hands is always done in the best manner possible, either by the proprietor or a workman who understands his business, as Mr. Plotnik will employ no others. He also manufactures bobsleds, and cutters and is working up a good business for himself. He handles all kinds of farm machinery and deserves the big trade he is enjoying. His show is located on River Street where you can always find him at work. He is an excellent blacksmith and devotes especial attention to this line of work.”
(from The Great Northwest Magazine, December 1909)
PAUL PLOTNIK - A city which receives the amount of grain first hand that Delano does must of necessity and naturally have a very large trade in agricultural implements and machinery. Mr. Paul Plotnik has an establishment containing a full line of farm machinery, buggies, wagons, bob sleighs, hayracks, wagon boxes and spring seats. This immense stock is housed in a building 24x40, with an addition 10x40 and in connection are two warehouses, 36x50 and 16x36. Three competent men are employed in the manufacture of wagons, seats, bobs and hay racks, the last of which is widely known as Plotnik’s patent hay rack. Mr. Plotnik has been engaged in business here for eighteen years. To have an inventor, who through careful thought and investigation of means and ways has been able to give to the community a product so complete in its mechanism, so substantial in its structure, is an honor few cities can boast of. Mr. Plotnik also conducts a first class blacksmith and horse shoeing shop and in this line has the liberal support of all Wright county farmers.”
April 28,1910 ad from the Delano Eagle
Paul Plotnik was born in German-ruled Poland in 1869, and immigrated to America in 1887. Three years previous to coming to America he learned the blacksmith trade. On arriving in America, he spent a year in Waverly, learning the English language. Eventually, because he could speak four languages, he became an interpreter in the courts. Paul came to Delano in 1889, and opened his own blacksmith shop, renting a small building on the corner of River Street and Elm Avenue (the current location of the Schaffer building). In 1891 he built a shop across the street (where the Delano Granite Works display yards were located), and in 1933 he built his shop on Highway 12. Paul retired after 55 years in business, after selling his business to his son George when he returned from WWII. Paul died in 1948.
Shop on Highway 12