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| Cherokee
County Businesses
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| The
TIMES has passed its third birthday, and is today the most influential
and widely circulated paper outside of Sioux City, in the Northwest.
From a seven column paper with only one side printed at home, to an
eight column paper all printed at it own office, the TIMES has grown up
in two years, with a circulation such as equals that of many a journal
long established and in old, rich and populous counties. To
our
friends we are grateful, while to our enemies we can afford to be
generous. We propose to take a retrospect of the growth and
development of Cherokee village during the past two years, to show the
amazing progress western towns make, of which Cherokee forms an example
of the most energetic type. Cherokee, when No. 1 of the TIMES was issued, presented the picture of a village in the bud, waiting for sunshine and shower to awaken into bloom the hidden embryo. The Company had not then placed their lots in market, such lots as had been disposed of, were sold by Corbett, Lebourveau, Kellogg, & Co., mostly at a low rate to induce people to take them. The business of the village was more mythical than real, and like every place else, Cherokee had her detractors, who plainly saw "it would never amount to anything." The construction company operated the railway which had been but four months running through trains, and the depot consisted of a rude structure, now used by C. A. Dow as an Agricultural warehouse. There were but eleven dwelling houses in the village, viz: Jas. Archer's, C.E. P. Hobart's, H. Kennedy's, E. Everts, H.C. Kellogg, Dr. Cleaves, E. Cowles, C.F. Culver, E. Luther, H.D. Nye, and our own. Besides these, two families lived at their place of business, H. Lockwood and W. H. Fife. The "Cottonwood," as the structure was called, of which not a vestige is left, and the site of which will shortly be as doubtful as those of Carthage or Palmyra, was then the center of attraction. Dan McKay was the master of the hotel de ville and not infrequently had a hundred guests in his crowded quarters. The business houses were few. In the lumber business, the firm of Luther & Rice had the most extensive yard and their office was the sole building on the south side of Main street, west of the R. R. track. Jas. Archer had his yard on the north side of the track, and Mr. Hobart had just opened his yard near its present site. Mr. Culver was alone in the agricultural business, and occupied the building held by his successor, Mr. Hall. Crossing to the east side of the track Mr. Fife, the pioneer merchant did a general business in the west side of his present block. Mr. S. H. Larkwood did business in Ike Elles' present meat market.. Vandercook & Van Epps temporarily had crowded their stock into Nye's stand. Z. .A. Wellman held forth in a traction of what is his present building and F. W. Huxford, and Thomas Greer were neighbors in Greer's block, or rather that part of it since fitted up as a hotel. Where E. Lockwood now manufactures shoes, the firm of Gourlay and Wilson kept a grocery store, 'Jim' devoting his time to his jewelry trade. There was the law office of Kellog & Lewis, the building wherein the TIMES is now printed, the office of Cyrus Snyder, and that of N. T. Burroughts. There were several buildings in process of erection. The drug store of E. C. Herrick was almost completed and the store of F. W. Huxford. Rollow, Archer, H.C. Lewis and it may be some others were building swellings. That magnificent structure, the McLean House, had just been staked out. This to our recollection is a fair picture of Cherokee, on the morning the TIMES first made its bow to the good people of this place. This much for a retrospect, today we propose to give a panoramic view of the village -- the material prosperity of which is unsurpassed in the history of even western towns, where not infrequently villages shoot up like Jonah's gourd with as rapid a decline as that historic plant. Let the reader take a survey of the town and at one glance, his eye will rest on 53 business houses and 94 dwellings, a large percentage of the business houses are substantial frame structures, nearly all with battlement fronts, the streets are regular, though Main street alone is graded, and possesses much of a business air. The houses are mostly painted, a white color, scattered over a wide area, and many of them with neat gardens attached. The population, allowing six persons to a family, would be 564 persons. To the west, on the hill top stands a tidy structure, it is the M. E. Church, the first and only house of worship in town, but look to the north of Hall's place of business, you notice the foundation of a house, it is the Congregational Church, soon to be completed, look northward still, there stands the frame of a building 40 x 40, and 80 feet high. It is the school house, yet to be the "noisy mansion" of the village, an ornament and an honor to her people. Having thus taken a glance at the village as a whole, let us pass down Main street, commencing at the store of H. A. Fife. |
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H.
A. Fife
This
is the pioneer store, grown from a small affair to a fine wooden block,
with a frontage of 42 feet. Inside is a splendid assortment
of
goods in every line known to the trade, groceries, clothing, dry goods,
millinery, hardware, crockery, boots and shoes. You may here
deposit your extra funds in "Fife's Banking house," or purchase
exchange on eastern cities or any part of Europe. |
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H.
D. Nye
Next
in order is the premises of H. D. Nye with
an awning in front. This business house is devoted to
groceries,
fruits and tobaccos, and is also one of the earliest structures.
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L.
D. Carey
The
boot and shoe store of L. D. Carey is
next door. Mr. Carey sports an eagle for his coat of arms. He
has
a large and splendid assortment of goods. East of this is a
Restaurant. Next door a large store, the property of C. M
Read.
This store also has an awning in front, and is unoccupied at
present.
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Z.
A. Wellman
The
first Apothecary on our way is that of Z. A. Wellman. Mr. Wellman is
the postmaster, and has fitted up the post office in a very convenient
and suitable shape, with boxes and drawers. He deals in
groceries, medicines, paints and oils.
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Cornish
Bros.
keep
a most excellent hardware store. Their building is 98 feet long, all of
which is devoted to their business. It is often remarked that
no
superior stock can be met with in any city in Iowa, and few larger
establishments outside of the populous cities They carry on
an
extensive Tinsmith trade, which is managed and controlled by Otto
Rudolph.
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Otto
Rudolph
who
has no superior in the business. He manufactures the
furniture
for their stove trade, makes oil wells, milk vats and everything in his
line.
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Kelly
& Walrath
have
a very fine store 60 feet deep, and deal in dry good and groceries.
They carry a large stock, and have very neat quarters..
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J.
A. Cole
The
Drug store of J. A. Cole, is next on our way. He keeps a good
stock of drugs and medicines, oils, and a variety of articles not kept
elsewhere.
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E.
C. Herrick
On
the corner of Main and Second streets is the Drug store and News depot
of E. C. Herrick. His stock of drugs is equal to those of the two
former, and he keeps in addition a fair supply of books. He
deals
in stationery quite largely. His News Depot is well kept and
does
a business that proves the intelligence of the community.
Each
week he sells 72 daily papers, 17 political weeklies, 15 pictorial
papers, and 53 story papers. In monthlies, Harper's 7,
Atlantic
5, Ballou and Godey 3, and of four others one each, making in all 19
monthlies. Of the reviews, 3 are taken; miscellaneous papers, 7.
Such is the business done at this news emporium, and it must
be
remembered that the greater part of the people get their papers and
magazines through the post office.
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E.
Cowes E.
Lockwood
Jones Bros.
Going
down the street, we pass the law of office of E. Cowes, the shoe shop
of E. Lockwood, the building now used as a school house, the Leader
office and the establishment of the Jones Bros. This is a
large
building, wherein is carried on the wagon trade and blacksmith business
by Mr. Bostwick. .
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F.
W. Huxford
Mr.
Huxford has a neat and well filled store, almost wholly devoted to dry
goods and clothing. Of the latter, his stock is unusually
large
and well selected. Mr. Huxford formerly did business in the old town,
but as soon as the depot was located, he opened a branch in this
village, and still continues to carry on an extensive trade. nd a
variety of articles not kept
elsewhere.
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W.
Pelton
W.
Pelton keeps a furniture store next door to Huxford's. His stock of
furniture is large, and his business, already extensive is growing.
He receives nearly all of his furniture in the knock down, "
and
makes up in his shop.
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J.
P. Howe
Immediately
west is the store of J. P. Howe, wherein is carried on a first class
grocery and Boot and Shoe trade, as also a Sewing Machine depot.
His trade is quite extensive and his success assured. To the
rear
of this establishment is the TIMES office. Its quarters are neither
room or cheery, but is well supplied with material both for jobbing and
newspaper work.
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W.
Jones
The
only merchant tailor in Cherokee is W. Jones, who does an extensive
business in his line.
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M.
Vandercook
The
establishment of M. Vandercook is an extensive one. A general
trade is carried on in all the various branches of merchandise.
Mr. Vandercook was also a merchant in the "old town' prior to
the
building of the railway, and built his present store as soon as the
company threw their lots in the market. His stock of goods is
as
large as it is varied.
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Mr.
Kennedy
Otto Peck
Mr.
Kennedy carries on the grocery business next door, and Otto Peck the
gunsmith trade.
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M.
Ward
The
restaurant of M. Ward, is well fitted up and a thriving business is
done. In his line of trade Mr. Ward is succeeding
well.
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Mr.
Meeker
Mr.
Ellis
Mr.
Smith
Fulton & Scribner
Kellog
& Lewis
The
Harness shop of Mr. Meeker is well supplied and is prosperous.
Also the Meat market of Mr. Ellis. The law office
of Mr.
Smith is passed and we are now at that handsome building, the Bank of
Fulton & Scribner. This firm has but recently opened business,
but
their house is so neatly fitted, and has such an air of business about
it that one is reminded when inside, of larger counting houses of the
east. The firm though only in business since the first of
August,
has succeeded admirably, and the house is one of the institutions that
our citizens view with pride. Overhead is the law office of
Kellogg & Lewis.
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Roe
& Whitmore
Such
is a hasty glance at the business on Main street. On Willow street
there are some business houses, of which the Land office of Roe
&
Whitmore, is one of the most important. This firm has sold
within
18 months 32,000 acres of land, and a great many town lots.
They
are the agents for the Iowa Falls and Sioux City Land Company.
Their extensive sales are due to the great acreage they
offer,
and the reasonable terms of payment.
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T.
Hopkins
The
harness shop of T. Hopkins is a conspicuous place of business, wherein
is done a large and growing business.
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McLean
House
On
this street is the McLean House, without an exception the best hotel to
be found in the west. The house is finished off in good
style.
It has a 62 feet front, the main part of the house 40 feet
deep
with an L 40x50 the full height of the house, and attached to the L, is
a building 16x4, making the entire length 106 feet. The house
contains 36 bed rooms, comfortable, roomy and well supplied with
carpets, sofas, chairs and all the necessary furniture. The
office, sitting room and dining room are all furnished in first class
style. There is a billiard hall attached, containing two
tables.
The hall is furnished din the most approved style.
This
hotel has a splendid custom.
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J.
Cope
The
Iowa House kept by J. Cope, is a good country hotel, and kept in good
style. The house is not large, but neat, tidy and popular.
The
rooms are well furnished and guests are made comfortable. .
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Photograph
Gallery of J. C. Wilson
Near
the McLean House is the Photograph Gallery of J. C. Wilson. Mr. Wilson
has neat rooms, well lighted and hung round with the finest specimens
of the art. He ha two cameras, one is a powerful lens,
adapted
for taking large pictures. His work is superior to any artist
in
the Northwest.
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Mrs.
Jones
Mrs.
Jones has a millinery establishment on this street.
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Thos.
Greer
Thomas
Greet plies his last industriously on this street and is the owner of
the Greer Block. He does a good trade, has a large custom and
usually keeps a few hands employed.
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W.
H. Tiel
Mr.
Hodgins A.
Rollo J.
W. Coombs & Co
On
Willow street there is but one business place, the Livery Stable of W.
H. Tiel. Mr. Tiel usually has eight span of horses, with suitable rigs
for summer or winter. His stables do a large business and are
conducted in a manner that win respect. a large and growing
business.Mr. Hodgins has also a livery stable, with horses and conveyances. On the west side of the track are the blacksmith shop of A. Rollo and J. W. Coombs & Co. The latter carries on a fine trade and has in connection a wagon shop. |
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Lumber
The
amount of lumber handled during this year exceeded that of the previous
one by almost double. The total sales sum up for the season,
two
million, five hundred and seventy six thousand, nine hundred and
seventy-two feet, valued at $74,800.00. Considering the sparsely
settled country and the number of stations around Cherokee, these
figures are altogether remarkable. Engaged in the Lumber
business
are three firms: Archer, Burr & Co., and Hobart and Snyder.
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Grain
The
amount of grain marketed in Cherokee , shows the rapid growth of the
county more than any other items. In '70, only 600 bushels of wheat
were shipped from here; in '71 there was probably 45,000 of wheat, and
30,000 bushels of corn marketed. While this season, since the
12th of August, 95,000 bushels of wheat have been shipped, and there
can be no question that not more than one third of the crop is already
sold. It is safe to compute that 250,000 bushels of wheat
will be
sold in the Cherokee market this season, while the deliveries of corn
will increase to probably 75,000 bushels. This season has witnessed the
building of three elevators. That of Hobart and Snyder, 50 x
26,
with a capacity of 8,000 bushels; that of James Archer, 30x30, with a
capacity of 12,000 bushels; and that of C. Beckwith, 36x30, with a
capacity of 8,000 bushels. These elevators are well built,
and
supplied with the best kind of machinery, Fairbank's scales and other
conveniences. They are painted, and standing in a row as they
do,
the the village quite an imposing air, in marked contrast to the sleepy
towns of older states.
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Agricultural
Implements
Agricultural
implements, have been astonishingly large, when it is remembered that
three years ago there was no such business in the county. The oldest
firm was that of C. F. Culver, whose successor, R. Hall, has sold this
season (see list below) D. P. Burr & Co., carry on an extensive
trade, but have not received such an extended lit of items of their
sales: (see list below). Holt Garrison & Co., commenced
business
last spring and in a short time have succeeded in building up a
remarkable trade. Their sales are: (see list below). C. A. Dow began
business here in the spring of '72. His business has prospered
amazingly. His sales are: (see below). Other parties sold reapers
&
c., to the value of $8,000. James Archer $3,000 and Jas. Henderson
$5,000.
The total sale of agricultural implements for the year have been $97,187, or in round numbers, $100,000. The sale of Plows reach the enormous number of 847. |
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Coal
The
coal trade of Cherokee for the last season was an item of some
importance, the total sales amounted to 730 tons, which sold at $6.00
per ton, added $4,380 to the business of the place. The coal trade
appears large when it is known that wood is the principal article of
firing in the village and along the river. anding in a row as they do,
the the village quite an
imposing air, in marked contrast to the sleepy towns of older
states.
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