A. FREUND & COMPANY

More than a half century ago the extensive mercantile business of A. Freund & Company was established by the firm of Petersen Brothers—Emil, Julius and Herman Petersen—who secured a stock of goods and opened their doors for business about 1860. Since that time the enterprise has been conducted with growing success until, under the management of A. Freund & Company, it is now the largest mercantile establishment in Cedar county and the largest located along the line of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company between Clinton and Cedar Rapids. From the inception the business, has been gradually increased to its present extensive proportions, keeping pace with the growth of Lowden and the prosperity of the county, notwithstanding the fact that twice all the buildings and stock were destroyed by fire, the first conflagration occurring December 8, 1869, while the last was on the 23d of June, 1878. The enterprise was established on the present location about 1860 and the original partners, Emil, Julius and Herman Petersen, sold out to their brother August Petersen and their nephew Julius Freund in 1882, at which time the firm style was changed from Petersen Brothers to Petersen & Freund. In August, 1889, Mr. Petersen retired from active business, disposing of his interest in the store and bank to his nephews Julius and August Freund, who conducted their interests under the style of J. Freund& Company. Of these Julius Freund died in 1893 and August Freund has since been a member of the firm, which has since operated under the style of A. Freund & Company. In addition to the conduct of their extensive mercantile interests, they conduct a private bank, in which they are carrying on business of extensive proportions. The firm also has the only grain elevator and does all of the grain buying in Lowden. Their new elevator was built a few years ago and is a thoroughly modern structure, splendidly equipped with machinery and fixtures. They also sell coal, having coal sheds along the side tract of the Northwestern Railway. They handle all kinds of farm implements, including threshing machines, gas and steam engines, and have a large and well equipped store room for the conduct of this business. It is one hundred and thirty feet long and extends from Clinton street across block 6 to the side tract of the railroad. The implement store room is located west of the main store building of the firm.

August Freund was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, in 1860, but has been a resident of Lowden for the past thirty years, during which time he has always been connected with the business of the firm of which he is now the head and principal owner. He first started in as a clerk when but sixteen years of age and has gradually worked his way upward until he now occupies a most conspicuous and enviable position at the head of extensive mercantile and financial interests.