NELS MORTENSEN
The Square Deal Store
In 1892 Nels Mortensen, then a little chap of nine years, carried a basket of eggs to Kimballton, which was four miles from his home. Then he round-about-faced and carried the same basket filled with groceries to his home. That's the first thing he remembers about Kimballton--that and the fact that it was a tired little boy that finally reached home.
Mr. Mortensen has been in the hardware and implement business, with pumps and windmills a specialty, since 1916. Mortensen is a man that believes in a square deal in more ways than one. He believes in giving each customer a square deal and he believes in giving his town and community a square deal. He realizes that a town can't build itself without the good will of the countryside, and he has endeavored to create more interest and better understanding between the town and country by putting on each winter a series of community meetings interspersed with what he terms "old-time dances." These meetings have been a great success and we believe Mr. Mortensen has done the town and the country a real service by these entertainments.
Mortensen is now the president of the school board and he is in large measure responsible for the fact that our school has been accredited, which is a big step forward for the town. He also serves a councilman at this time.
Assisting at the Square Deal Store is Mr. Wilhelm Larsen, who tends to the outside work of the firm.
WEST & ESBECK GARAGE
Jens G. West and Ed. T. Esbeck
The West & Esbeck Garage is one of the finest buildings in town and one of the most up-to-date garages in this section of the country.
Mr. Jens G. West came here sixteen years ago and was for seven years a blacksmith here. When a blacksmith expires, professionally speaking. he becomes an auto man and Mr. West was no exception to the rule. After he sold his shop, he entered an auto school and came back ready to open his new garage as a full-fledged mechanic.
With him as a partner is Edward T. Esbeck, popularly called Ed. Just as the firm had opened for business, Ed answered the call of his country and spent many months in the army here and in France. Coming home, he threw himself into the business and has been going ever since. Ed is the kind of chap that dares to stand up for his convictions and if he thinks anything is right or wrong, he'll say so outright and then go about his business, which is more than many of the rest of us have the nerve to do; we feel it's easier to sit back and criticize. Just now Ed serves as a councilman.
The West & Esbeck Garage has built up a fine business. Just recently they have become distributors of the Westinghouse Radiophone; they invite you to come in and "listen in on the world" any time you are in town.
With them is Hans Nielsen, who is always busy accomodating the patrons of the place.
They have a page in the ad supplement. Did you read it?
HANS J. NORGAARD
Blacksmith
Mr. Norgaard came here in 1916 and started his blacksmith shop in 1918. He says the first thing he remembers about Kimballton is that there were no houses for rent and he hasn't been given a chance to forget it since. Norgaard knows his business and as he has wide territory he has a fine chance to do big business. Lately it has become necessary for him to call in his brother-in-law, Mr. Andersen, to help him. They are now ready to give good and immediate service, what is more, they guarantee satisfaction.
CARL E. CARLSON
"Kimballton's Leading Department Store"
Carl E. Carlson is one of our younger merchants. He came here from Ft. Dodge in 1916 and started in business in the general merchandise store in the north end of town together with Mr. Carl Faaborg. In 1917 he bought out Mr. Faaborg and has since then been sole proprietor of the store.
Mr. Carlson was an experienced business man when he came here and he straightway pitched in with vim and vigor to make his place the "Leading Department Store" of the vicinity. Carlson knows merchandise and knows how to keep a clean stock on his shelves. When he put on his last sale in October, the advertising man, who was here to manage it, said to him: "Carlson, I don't want to flatter you, but you have the cleanest and most up-to-date little stock I've seen for many a day." That's some comp, and Carlson is to be congratulated.
Last year at Xmas time the Leading Store put on a Xmas bargain sale that put pep into the whole countryside. They'll be ready for you again this year. Watch 'em!
Helping Mr. Carlson in the store are Carl Faborg and Miss Ediel Hartvigsen. Faaborg and Miss Ediel both are adept at window trimming and the windows of the store always show tasty and well-planned displays.
Carlson's page in the supplement will interest you. Don't miss it!
CRYSTAL SPRINGS & SHARON CREAMERIES
Marius and Peter Nielsen
"They're hustlers, alright!" That remark has been heard many a time when one of the Nielsen brothers are seen going through town in one of their trucks.
Marius and Peter Nielsen have succeeded in building up a creamery business that was on its last legs, so to speak. They have met competition in open market and regardless of outside companies which have offered much higher prices here than elsewhere in order to oust the local creameries, they have been able to hold their own; better than that, they have been gaining each day.
Peter Nielsen runs the Crystal Springs Creamery and Marius Nielsen manges the Sharon Creamery. With them is their brother, Walter, who officiates where most needed.
Peter Nielsen is now the commander of the Frede Nissager Post of the American Legion. There is work for the post to do and we believe Pete will see that it is taken up.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, August, 2021. View original page image at top; click to enlarge.
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