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

'DAVIS CITY and DECATUR COUNTY'
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'J.C. KESHLEAR & CO.'

The Bee Hive Merchants, are the proprietors of a general merchandise store. Mr. Keshlear came here twelve years ago from Kansas City. The stock of goods handled by this firm is certainly worthy of prominent notice in this trades edition. They own a good store building 28x40 feet, and carry a large stock of dry goods, and it consists of all the latest and most fashionable novelties in winter dress suitings, and are prepared to show the ladies of Davis City the finest line of dress goods ever brought to the city. You will also find foot wear in such quantities that it would be entirely improbable that you should call for anything that they do not carry. Groceries of every description -- everything you want to eat. They take country produce in exchange for groceries, and make a specialty of the very best grades of flour. Hats, caps and notions may also be found there. Poultry bought, and the best of prices paid. Fall and winter goods are selling cheap. Mr. Keshlear married Miss Altha Bolon, daughter of the vice-president of the bank in l89l. His wife is the company in the firm, and they have a nice home, and are a happy family too, having a son named Wm. Bolon Keshlear. Mr. Keshlear is a member of the City Council, and a public spirited man.

'L. THOMPSON'

The subject of this sketch was born and raised in Wapello County, Iowa, and came to this city five years ago and opened up a general store with a large and complete stock in every department. He has a store room 24x60 feet, two story, and owns it, therefore having no rent to pay and hiring no clerks; buys and sells for cash and gets a large discount which he gives to his customers in the way of low prices. Country produce is taken and good prices paid for same. Mr. Thompson is closing out his stock of clothing at cost to make room for spring stock. Groceries, dry-goods, notions, boots and shoes, hats and caps and a full line of millinery goods in the rear of the store and an up-to-date stock of trimmed and untrimmed hats.

'EMMONS AND JOY'

J. Emmons, the senior member of the above firm was born and raised in Decatur County and vicinity. The firm was established two months ago and is now the up-to-date and prosperous meat market of the city.

His partner, G.H. Joy is also an experienced butcher and thoroughly understands every branch of the business from killing a beef to dressing a chicken and they kill only the best. Their shop is located opposite the bank and is a building 22x65 feet equipped with all the necessary articles pertaining to a first class meat market. Their shop is also headquarters for dressed poultry and fish and game in season, and they always pay the highest cash market price for hides, tallow, butcher stock and all kinds of poultry and game and always have on sale cured meats. The manner in which they keep this establishment shows that they know just what is wanted in that line and fully understand the business. One very admirable feature that can be noticed on entering this shop is the evidence of its being kept in an exceptionally clean and tasty order. A wagon is on hand always to deliver meat to any part of the city, and even out into the country. Messrs. Emmons and Joy are first class men and gentlemen in every respect.

Yes, Davis City has her barber shops too, and is well represented in that line by

'L.H. SHOEMAKER'

Who was born and raised in Indiana, and came here to Iowa in l860 when a mere boy, and was raised in this county, and came to Davis City in l890 and established a restaurant and barber shop, and it is the leading and largest one in the town. Mr. Shoemaker is a good workman and attends strictly to business and keeps his shop in neat shape and his tools in good order, and has two good barber chairs.

In connection with his barber trade he carries a fine line of cigars, tobacco, fruits, confectionery, temperance drinks and ice cream and oysters in season. He has one of the neatest little restaurants we have seen in a long time. Mr. Shoemaker is a member of the Town Council and an active worker in the upbuilding of the city and its interests.

'J.W. BURRELL'

A stranger coming to the city, as well as the city people themselves, have frequent necessity to patronize a livery establishment, and when they do so they are always pleased to obtain good services. Mr. J.W. Burrell whose large livery barn is well known, it being one of the oldest barns in the town, makes it a point to keep good horses and vehicles with competent drivers. There need be no fear of accidents or delays in travel when in one of his rigs. Mr. Burrell was born in this city forty-six years ago. His son, Alfred, is a partner in the business and is an intelligent and industrious young man. They are genial proprietors and give their own personal supervision to the barn and see that all animals are well taken care of. Their carriages are kept in good running order and with a good steady team that is willing to go, what can be more pleasant than a drive through the city and over the country with one of their excellent rigs.

'R.L. GORE'

The carpenter and contractor and the leading one in Davis City, was born in this county. He learned the trade of carpentering and contracting years ago and has mastered his trade and made a very marked success out of his business. He erected the Frank Osborn residence which is one of the finest in this township and has also put up a number of good residences in this city. Plans and specifications are furnished his patrons, and he will work by the day or contract. His shop is located on his residence lot, where he will always be pleased to attend to your wants in his line.

'BENNETT BANTON'

We had the pleasure during our stay in Davis City to meet the above named gentleman who is the pioneer settler of the county coming here in l843. He told us he had seen Indians, deer, and killed bears in this very township. He is still farming.

To Be Continued . . .'G.W. KELLER'

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
September 13, 2003