USGenWeb - The First Seventy-five Years in the Sanborn Community (1878-1953) - IAGenWeb

Sanborn’s Oldest Store Still in Operation

E.A. Mayne

One of the oldest business places in Sanborn today which has continuously served the people of this community as a general merchandise store is the Jack Sprat Store owned and operated by E.W. Mayne. Whitten & Wasson built this store building during the summer of 1887. At that time they had a General Store in the building north of the new building.
The Pioneer of June 3, 1887 states “We are pleased to learn that Sanborn is to have another substantial building. Wasson will at once begin the erection of a solid brick on the lot just south of the present store.”
The business was operated by Mr. Wasson as Mr. Whitton resided at Marshalltown, Ia. When the walls of the building were up for enough to admit the laying of the upper floor joist it was decided to put on a second story for a hall if a right of way for an outside stairway was available. This was obtained in a short time, and the July 22, 1887 Pioneer gives the following “Mr. Wasson having obtained right of way for a stairway, has begun the erection of a hall over his new store, as anticipated last week. Mention of which we made at the time. The hall will be 25x80 feet, not large but a very neat little hall and one that will be a great convenience to the town.”
It was here that the Odd Fellows held a grand ball, the Catholic people held their Fairs, the Republican Rally was held, dances, shows and the social activities of the town were held.
E.A. Mayne started working for Mr. Wasson in 1890. Mr. Wasson was in business for 18 years when he sold to the firm, Mayne & Kings, who operated the business from Jan. 23, 1899 until 1908 when E.A. Mayne bought Mr. King’s share and the business was known as E.A. Mayne General Merchandise until 1920 when the firm name changed to E.A. Mayne & Son. Since the death of E.A. Mayne on Nov. 23, 1946, the business has been operated by E.W. Mayne, who is the present owner. Sixty-six years in business. “It is a pleasure to serve you.”
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