Woodring & Son, 1899 Biography

WOODRING, CONTER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 3/26/2006 at 19:16:29

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:

Woodring & Son

Those familiar with the business world of Carroll will certainly know the popular business of Woodring & Son, which is located next to the post office. In 1881 these men came from Marshalltown to Carroll and took over the furniture business of Mr. John Conter, for which they paid $500. But since then the business has grown so much that it must be considered the largest business of this kind in Iowa. It is a building 26 feet wide and 120 feet long, two stories high, which is filled from top to bottom with the most customary, as well as the fanciest, furniture. A large warehouse filled with all types of merchandise is also located near the business. In the large store, one finds everything from the usual kitchen furnishings, all the way up to the finest parlor and bedroom furniture, carpets, and baby carriages. The stock of coffins is located in a separate room. Mr. Woodring, Jr. is the only embalmer licensed by the state board of health. The business is reliable, and so it has earned the support of the residents of Carroll County.