It all began in 1882, when Fred Haar—an immigrant from the southern part of Russia—moved to the newly established villiage of Freeman, South Dakota. In Freeman, Fred, alongside his partner Christopher Guenthner, opened a hardware and implement business that was found on honesty and sound business practices, a philosophy that gained Haar and Guenthner the respect and loyalty of the local farmers.
In 1901, the partnership of Haar and Guenthner dissolved by mutual consent, with Fred Haar retaining the implement business—a business that specialized in selling John Deere and IHC equipment. By 1923, when the first row crop tractors arrived, John Deere had won out as the sole brand sold by Fred Haar Co.
Over the years, Fred Haar Co. has been managed and owned by several generations of Haar descendents. Theo, Hugo, Albert and Robert Haar took over for their father in 1938. Theo's sons Alfred and Herb assumed management in 1952. Alfred's sons Jim and Bob took over in 1991. And now, Fred Haar Co. is in its fifth generation of immediate family, a testament to its ability to stand the test of time. Through good and bad, from fire to the Great Depression and rising inflation, the company still stands tall.
Each new generation brings a new element of change, through adaptation to the current marketplace and advances in equipment and processes. But through it all, one thing has always stayed the same—the Fred Haar philosophy of honesty and sound business practices.
This philosophy continues today. Now with stores in Wagner, SD, and Yankton, SD, in addition to the original store in Freeman, Fred Haar Co. Inc. builds upon a strong foundation created through generations of hard work, fairness and loyalty.