The founder of Brady and Son Hardware, William Albert
Brady, came to Reston in 1898. He had used to drive to the
Pipestone-Reston district from Virden to take orders for farm
implements and repairs, until it seemed more logical to settle in
Reston. He built a home and an implement warehouse and he went
about the country taking orders for farm implements and repairs, so he
got to know the people.
Brandon Sun March 10, 1896
In 1914-15 the implement store was extended to include hardware, house
wares some furniture and china, and a lumber yard was built on the lot
at the back. In 1915 practically the whole west side of the business
district was burned to the ground, Mr. Brady’s premises included. They
did save a great amount of pots and pans, showcases, etc., but were
unable to get anything from the second floor, which was full of buggies
and farm machinery.
He set about building, on his previous site, the large brick block
later called the Klusen Block. The south part of the block became the
post office and there were apartments and storage space above.
When Frank Brady returned from airforce training in England, he joined
his father in the business, which became known as W. A. Brady & Son
in 1921.
The Brady store stocked everything imaginable. Besides the usual
hardware, there was axle grease and harness. Even a horse brush could
be bought for 30 cents in the thirties. A good pocket watch cost $1.25
and a better one was $1.75. In 1929, he began selling lawn mowers.
There were buggies and wagon parts stored in the second story.
There was a gas bowser outside this store too, when horse and buggy
days were over and the gentlemen of the town began to vie with each
other to see who had the finest and newest automobile. Horses had their
revenge however when a runaway team almost completely demolished the
bowser and dragged it down the street.
The store remained in the family until 1956.
Adapted from Trails Along the Pipestone, page
495, 53
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