Charles Gnam, 1899 Biography

GNAM

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 3/15/2006 at 00:33:19

I translated the following biography from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published in a special 25th Anniversary Edition of the paper on Friday, 20 September 1899. Information in brackets and notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Chas. Gnam

There is hardly a person in Carroll County who enjoys a greater popularity than Mr. Chas. Gnam. After he left the clothing business he had with an earlier partner, he opened his own clothing store on Fifth Street several years ago. Like all beginners, Mr. Gnam also began with some anxieties. But as soon as the business opened, his friends, who are located all over the county, came and bought. They brought still more customers, and now he has a business that may be compared with the biggest and best in the county. The inventory represents a value of $25,000, and one can boldly assert that the biggest and best selection of suits, overcoats, hats, caps, and men’s accessories are found at Chas. Gnam’s. But also in respect to prices, the business is among the most reasonable in the county, and his motto is: “Good and durable goods, a low profit, and a quick turnover.” And this motto is accompanied by the great courtesy of the owner as well as his store assistants, so that the business has earned far and wide its large support from the public of Carroll County.