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Pages 24-25 Our Town, Kimballton, Iowa Circa 1922

GUND, SIEN & COMPANY
Peter Rattenborg, Manager

The firm of Gund, Sien & Company have been with us since 1919 as owners of the local elevator. Mr. Peter Rattenborg is the local manager. He is an ex-soldier and is a painstaking and loyal employee of the firm. He wrote the head office about our Xmas celebration and our little booklet and they wer ekind enough to take the time to send us the following:

WHAT WE THINK OF KIMBALLTON

"It was in February, 1919, that we purchased the Kimballton elevator, and became a member of the community. We were impressed on our very first trip to the town, with its appearance in general, and especially with its well-kept homes. The adjacent farms showed they were being tilled by men who knew their business.

Elevator and Light Plant, Page 24 Our Town, Kimballton, Iowa Circa 1922
Elevator and Light Plant.
"As the months rolled by, we came to the realization, Kimballton and its business territory, was and is, exceptional in many ways. We found the farmers, with whom we deal, men of their word, and excellent judges of the quality of the grain raised.

"We found, too, a tendency for those in town and country, to pull together for the common good. Too often, the spirit of fair play between town and country is lacking, and consequently both suffer.

"A town is as good as its customers want it to be. The loyalty shown its business men is reflected in the stocks of goods carried, and prices at which they are sold, for a larger volume of sales means lower prices.

"However, the progress of any town located in an agricultural section is retarded when the people in it, and especially the business men, do not realize the farmer's prosperity has much to do with their own, and that his problems are theirs as well, and do not do their part in helping him to solve them.

"We expect some day to see Kimballton a very much larger place than it is now, modern in every way, and experiencing a much greater volume of trade. Just when that day will come depends almost entirely upon when Kimballton and the surrounding territory want it to come. More smiles, more friendliness, better roads, better schools, better entertainment, a bigger town and a better town, all go together. Financially, the reward is worth while, for besides an increased amount of business done, property values increase, and farm land always sells for more money when its trading point centers in a good, live, thriving town.

"Kimballton has a reputation for doing things, and with the pull together idea developed still further, ever keeping in mind the thought of the most good for the greatest number, big things will surely come to pass."

Any outside firm which takes so much interest in the town where one of its branches is located is a boon to the town and should have the loyal support of the countryside. They have an ad in the supplement! It's yours for the reading.

KIMBALLTON CLOTHING COMPANY
Carl Lauritsen

The Kimballton Clothing Company under the present management came into existence in 1920 when Mr. Lauritsen moved his stock from Elkhorn to Kimballton, knowing that when in search of a good live business place, he would make no mistage [sic mistake] in choosing Kimballton.

The Kimballton Clothing Company is a real clothing store with a complete and up-to-date stock of men's furnishings.

The tailor of the concern is Jens Madsen, one of our ex-service men, who will smooth out any crimp that may appear where it shouldn't.

The firm does cleaning and pressing and guarantees satisfaction.

Mr. Lauritsen is the state agent for the Jersild Knitted Goods and a fine stock of knitted articles is on hand at the store.

The store of the Kimballton Clothing Company is always clean, with goods attractively displayed. This same holds good for the windows, which are kept nicely decorated.

See their advertisement in the supplement. Nothing is nicer in the way of Xmas presents than well chosen articles from the Kimballton Clothing Co.'s stre.

JEWEL CAFE
Niels J. Sorensen

Niels came here twelve years ago; worked at various trades until 1920 and then started up for himself with an ice cream parlor. Later he became ambitious and expanded the ice cream parlor into a restaurant and now occupies the building which formerly housed a jewelry store.

Niels Sorensen has made his business a place where the whole town feels at home. If anyone is sad, they go to the Jewel Cafe for a little sympathy; if anyone is mad, they go there to shoot it off at Niels and then drown their troubles in a cup of his delicious coffee; if anyone is glad they go there to celebrate; they're always welcome and they always get what they come for. Try it yourself.

Niels has an ad in the supplement. Turn to it and see what he suggests in the way of Xmas gifts.

JORGEN PEDERSEN
Pedersen Meat Market

Jorgen Pedersen came here in 1912 from Denmark. When he first saw Kimballton he was ready to turn around and go back. Instead, he stuck it out and in 1920 he started in business for himself [cont'd on next page]

Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, August, 2021. View original page image at top; click to enlarge.

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