BARNARD STAMP - Key Persons
John Henry became the sole owner after buying out Mr. Arnold's heirs. John Henry's five sons - Harry, Gerard, Bernard, Vincent and William - entered the business between 1895 and 1927 after doing part-time stints at the firm and after working in other fields. Six-day, Monday-Saturday, work weeks were the norm at the time. During the subsequent years, the "stamp works", as the old timers called it, was credited with getting the Venker brothers and their large Catholic families safely through the nation's Depression.
During World War II, the Venker brothers were the only employees, and they all agreed to be paid the same regardless of their position, seniority, or the size of the family they had to support. In 1941 when their father, John Henry, passed away, the Venker brothers, like their father, bought out others - in this case their sisters - to retain ownership and control over how the business would be run.
After the end of the war and the death of brother Harry, the remaining Venker brothers decided it was time to bring in another generation. Among the various sons and nephews who were given the opportunity to get involved, Vincent Venker's son, Jim, emerged as a permanent employee. He joined the firm in September, 1947, after serving in World War II, taking classes at St. Louis University and working as a cost accountant at Hussman Refrigerator.