Richmond, William

RICHMOND

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 1/20/2009 at 16:08:52

William Richmond

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.50, Council Bluffs)
William Richmond, wholesale and retail grocer, Council Bluffs, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, July 12, 1845, and at the age of sixteen years emigrated to the United States with his parents and settled in Green County, Wis. He received his education in his native country. He followed farming for four years, and then engaged in the hotel business in Manchester, Iowa, for three years. He then traveled for the grocery house of Harper Bros., Chicago, until he came to Council Bluffs in October, 1880, and began business at No. 14 Pearl street, where he has since remained. His store occupies two stores 90 feet long and 20 feet wide, the lower floor containing the retail department of the business, the upper floor containing teas, spices, etcs., and the cellear is stocked with sirups, oils, vinegar, etc. He began business with about $2,000 worth of stock, his annual sales then amounting to about $50,000. He now carries about $5,000 worth of stock and from present prospects his annual sales for the present year will amount to about $100,000. He employs three men in his establishment and keeps nine men on the road, and expects soon to increase his force of traveling men. Mr. Richmond is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Note: 'sirup' is spelled as it is in the book. This was a common spelling until the 20th century.