AVERY, Harmon W. 1852-1930

AVERY

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/7/2015 at 13:36:35

1st Reinbeck Merchant Dies Tuesday Night

H. W. Avery Passed Away From Infirmities of Old Age

H. W. Avery, Reinbeck's first and oldest merchant, died at his home at Reinbeck Tuesday night from heart trouble and infirmities of old age. He was 78 years old. His health failed rapidly during the past year.

Funeral services are being held at the Methodist church at Reinbeck this afternoon. Rev. Schmidt from Beaman, a former Reinbeck pastor, will officiate at the service.

Mr. Avery entered the mercantile business at Deanville, an inland station a few miles northwest of Reinbeck. He conducted a small store there and delivered goods through the surrounding country with a wagon. When the railroad came to Reinbeck in 1877 he opened the first store there and used a room in a house for the purpose. A little later he discontinued his store in the country and put up a store building in the new town. He continued business there until seven years ago. Everyone within the trading territory of Reinbeck knew him and his store established a good patronage. Too liberal credit extended during and after the war made it necessary for him to quit.

Mr. Avery is survived by his wife and one grandchild.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 7 August 1930, pg 1