Graf & Sons, Inc. was founded in 1923 by C. J. "Honus" Graf after his graduation from the Ohio State University. In 1914, Honus Graf received his degree in Electrical Engineering after being a productive member of 3 varsity sports programs at the University. He and his acquaintances each entered some part of the construction industry. All were entrepreneurs, each deciding they would work and build a business for themselves.
A visionary inventor from the state-up-north, Mr. C.G. Johnson had realized that the horseless buggy would forever alter the way Americans would daily travel about. Johnson thought people would desire a dry, secure and safe place adjacent to their homes in which to house their new fangled machines. To him, that old pair of swinging barn doors which sagged and were easily obstructed just would not do for the new-age motoring citizen of the early 1920’s. He thought that an upward acting sectional door would be safe, convenient, and when properly counter-balanced, easy to operate for both women, men and "oldsters" as well. He proudly set out to Midwest County Fairs to market his new "Overhead Door"; a miniature of which was mounted in the back of a model T Ford. Unfortunately for Mr. Johnson, due to the highly technical nature and the specialty installation of the product, he could not sell, make and install all of these doors by himself in such a large geographic area.
At the same time, Honus Graf and his construction buddies with degrees fresh from the University were eager to make their fortunes; even if it meant only buying and selling from one another. They too were also certain that the automobile would change both theirs and their children’s future. They had seen a bulky rolling steel "window blind type" door being made in Columbus, Ohio; but were convinced it belonged in neither the houses nor the commercial buildings which they intended to build. Honus was designated to go find a more user friendly door or if it did not exist; they were determined to invent and make one for themselves.
After a search lasting several years, Mr. Graf found Mr. Johnson and as is often said..."The Rest Is History"! Honus Graf brought the Upward -Acting Sectional Garage Door to the Columbus and Southeastern Ohio areas in 1924, as the area’s first independent door dealer. He was true to that pledge he and his College pals had made with eachother; that each would own his own business and therefore be obliged to serve only his own customer, not a boss living in a faraway place.
Mr. Graf had two sons, C..J. Jr. and Jack, who eventually entered the door business with him. Campbell Jr. moved on to academia while Jack stayed to continue in the family tradition of service to his customer.
Jack Graf graduated from the Ohio State University in 1942 having distinguished himself as an undergraduate athlete in two sports. After playing for the legendary Paul Brown; Jack was named the most valuable football player in the Big 9 (now Big 10 with 11 competing schools) having been awarded the Chicago Tribune Award.
Jack was also Captain of the Buckeye basketball team. On the social side, he was named the real live promotional "The Male Animal" for the New York Broadway opening of the James Thurber / Elliott Nugent Play.
In 1945, Jack returned to Columbus to join his father at Graf & Sons and to continue his association with the Ohio State University. Honus Graf retired in 1966 when Jack purchased the door business from him.
From the post-war era until 1970 Jack Graf had a hobby to which he was dedicated. For over 26 years it would lead him around the county in the pursuit of excellence. Jack was the only Assistant Head-Basketball Coach at the University during the period. His duties ultimately lead him to coach and participate with seven (7) Final Four Basketball Championship caliber teams and nine (9) Big-Ten Championships. The University was but a part time avocation for Jack. During this same period he was also operating Graf & Sons and dedicating it to the same excellence in the door business that he expected and received from his basketball players.
Just about the time Jack returned to Columbus after the war; he also began his family. He has three children, Jack Jr.(Jay until he was 8), Holly, and Laurie. Like his father before him, and his grandfather before that, Jack Jr. has entered the door business to ensure that quality and excellence will continue at this independent and family owned door dealership.
Jack Jr. graduated from The Ohio State University in 1970 and in 1978 purchased the business from Jack Sr. He has three children, Andy, Kate and Libby, who are presently studying full-time. Kay Graf (the other equally important part of the Graf Jr. family) can be found most days at work with Jack and the forty others who comprise the extended Graf family. Graf & Sons is today the family business that it was two generations ago when Honus pledged Graf & Sons independence and quality dedication to its customers.
While working at Graf & Sons, Jack has continued the family tradition of looking beyond the business. He has served as a delegate to the White House Conference of Small Business and also on the Upper Arlington Planning Commission. He was appointed by the Mayor of Columbus to the Commission on Ethics and Values and serves as its Treasurer. He has been Associate Vice President of the Building Industry Association (BIA homebuilders) and served 8 years on the Board of the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio (2nd oldest commercial contractor association in the U.S.) From 1994-1996 he was honored to serve as President of the International Door Association.
Graf & Sons has expanded its product offerings from the original Upward-Acting Garage Doors into products which truly can fill any door opening whether it is residential, commercial or industrial. It has added not only Loading Dock Equipment and Folding Partitions, but also the numerous other products shown on the pages which follow. Graf & Sons has one of the finest Showrooms in the United States detailed to help its customers select the right door and operator (Garage Door System) to enhance and beautify their homes. It features the Crystal Gallery of Light Design which displays every design option in full scale. It has computer simulated assistance to show what these options and colors will look like installed. It is truly spells the end of the boring and look-alike door.
In the following pages you will be exposed to the features and benefits of the products which Graf & Sons offers for sale. Whether you are looking to build new, repair or renovate your home, office or factory; you can find the information you need to make intelligent choices. Just fill in the easy to use order form and Graf & Sons Parts World-Wide service can ship you what you need in a hurry.
Graf & Sons has been involved with many of the great and historical projects in Central and South-eastern Ohio. From the doors at the new Ohio University Baseball facility (Athens, Ohio) to the new multi-purpose arena at the Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio); Graf & Sons, Inc. has been part of the supply team.
Graf & Sons, Inc. is today what it has been since 1923...fiercely independent, dedicated to quality, offering a huge selection of products, and mindful of its customers' budgets. From all of us here at Graf & Sons over these many years:
Thank You for Your Trust and for Your Business.
We install the best and service the rest
You can find the best selection of residential garage doors on display in Central Ohio!
Graf & Sons invites you to stop in and view our products on weekdays 9am-5pm and by appointment otherwise.
Our huge parts inventory is available for purchase weekdays 9am-5pm.Your radio controls can be serviced by our bench technician weekdays 8am-5pm
If you have any questions about related topic , please use our website contact form to get on touch with our specialists or use our
Q & A section of our website.
Discover the magical world of s and read all our quality reviews and articles.
