The Davis City Advance, Davis City, Iowa
Thursday, January 7, l897

'DAVIS CITY and DECATUR COUNTY'
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'S.R. FRAZIER'

Is the pioneer merchant of the city, having established a store here nineteen years ago. He was born in Ohio and served in the war in Company A, l4th Ohio. Owns a good home here in Davis City and also 62 acres adjoining the city. He has three sons and one daughter, viz: Orville, Clarence, Glenn and Miss Hazel. The firm name of the store is now Frazier, Severe & Company. Orville Frazier being the Company. They occupy and own a fine brick 30x60 feet. W.L. Severe was born in Ohio. He owns a good brick house and is a worthy citizen. The firm has one of the largest and most complete stocks of cooking and heating stoves for a town of this size that the writer has ever inspected. Among the different kinds handled, we noticed the "Gem City", "Round Oak", and many others all of which are standard make. They also keep a good stock of building hardware, tinware, shelf hardware, groceries, boots and shoes, rope, skates, cups and saucers, queens ware, salt, syrup, flour, the Home flour a specialty. Country produce is taken. Buys to cash and gets large discount which they give to their customers in the way of low prices. Mr. Severe is a member of the School Board and a public spirited man.

'J.H. ROBINSON'

Druggist, occupies his fine two story brick store building 24x80 feet, opposite the Horton House, and in the principal business block of the town.

MR. ROBINSON carries one of the finest stocks of Drugs and Medicines in southwestern Iowa, besides a full line of paints, oils and druggist's sundries and notions. He has an excellent trade and is one of the solid business men of the place.

He is a druggist over 30 years experience. In arrangement, his store is a model of taste and convenience that makes it a pleasure to the customer. The store betrays the esthetic taste of the proprietor.

His native town was Dover, Illinois. In l873 he married MISS M.J. WOODMANSEE, at Princeton, Ill., and in l879 removed with his family to this city, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Robinson has been prominent in local affairs from his arrival here, having fitted acceptably various corporation and school offices, and is at present one of the city council. He is a member of various benevolent orders, and an active and solid citizen. His excellent wife is prominent in social affairs, and they have four sturdy sons, the eldest of whom, Claude, is now at Chicago, attending the Illinois College of Pharmacy, preparing to follow the vocation of his father.

Their pleasant home is with them, as with all correct families, the most interesting place in the world, and from such homes come men well fitted to carry the destinies of the future state, and maintain the order of happy and prosperous communities.

'E.A. ROBERTSON'

Came to Davis City five years ago from Wisconsin, and engaged in Blacksmithing. Mr. Robertson is not only a blacksmith but also carries a full stock of farm machinery, such as the Milwaukee Harvester, pumps and windmills. His implement house is 50x80 feet and two story. Every kind of a vehicle from a wheelbarrow to a traction engine may be found there. In this age of machinery, no one thing is of more importance to a farmer, than a well selected line of implements, specially designed for the work which they are to accomplish. This is one of the points to which Mr. Robertson gives particular attention; viz., that of keeping a line of implements suited to the particular wants of this vicinity, and not a stock of novelties which are constantly being put on the market with no other object in view than to benefit the manufacturer. If the farmers would always consult practical and experienced men like Mr. Robertson when supplying their needs, there would be fewer complaints of inefficient farm machinery. His blacksmith shop is 24x40 feet, and is the leading one in Davis City. Mr. Robertson is an excellent workman and will lay down the hammer to no one. His work compares favorably with any; and his best patrons are the ones who have been with him the longest. He always tries to please and succeeds in the trying. He does general blacksmithing; wood and iron work, repair work and horse shoeing, and is a mill wright by profession. He is a member of the city council, and takes an active part in all public matters.

'O.W. HALSTEAD'

The gentleman whose name appears above is the practical jeweler and watch maker of Davis City. He was born in a sod "dug out" in Nebraska and came here two years ago where he has since been in the jewelry business, and is a fine workman and also the youngest business man in the town. As a gift to your sweetheart, wife or daughter, what would be more appropriate and agreeable than some token of jewelry selected from the large and varied stock to be found in the establishment of Mr. Halstead. This young man has been in the city for two years, and his store will always be found headquarters for fine jewelry, repairing and engraving. He is going to school every day and runs his store nights and mornings, and is also open half an hour each noon. When in need of articles in his line, give him a call.

'POSTMASTER'

Perhaps the most thankless position to occupy, and that in which it is the hardest to please everyone, is that of Postmaster. This we know from experience and not from hearsay. The Postmaster of Davis City however, comes about as near filling the bill to the entire satisfaction of all, regardless of politics, as anyone could or has. The gentleman we refer to is

'F.J. ARNOLD'

A gentleman who has been in this city sixteen years, and in this county all his life, and is a highly respected citizen. He received his appointmet in l893 through Hon. E.W. Curry, previous to which he was engaged in various lines of business. He makes a most popular and efficient official and the business of the office has been constantly increasing under his management. A large majority of his patrons hope for his return. He owns a good home in the city and is one of the boys.

To Be Continued . . . 'JOHN R. GRIMES'

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
September 6, 2003