1/19/2010 3:23:00 PM
Now we turn to the account book for 1891
Glimpses of Yesteryear
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| T.O. Kilburn's Roller Mill, about l889. Kilburn was first in the hamlet of Washington with a water-powered gristmill. He then moved to Spring Valley to build this much improved roller mill located at the east end of Market Street. Farmers came from near and far to have their grains ground into flour and feeds. The mill burned in l9l5. |
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By Mary Jo Dathe
The Patrons' Cream Account Book of l89l revealed new names of progressive businesses with creative ads and new lines in a much-enlarged booklet from l886. At the Spring Valley Creamery & Stock Co., W.H. Strong remained president, S.A. Hunt was the new secretary, and still superintendent of the operation was B.H. Holmes. A.P. Flower, with his full-page ad, had a new location: "Corner of Broadway & Jefferson, dealer in Garland Stoves & Ranges, Hardware, Tinware, Rushford Wagons, John Deere Plows, Oils, Glass, Putty, Paint & Pumps." Giving Flower stiff competition was "F.J. Harris, Dealer in Hardware. Peninsular Furnaces, Stoves & Ranges; Tinware, Superior Barbed Wire, Wood & Iron Pumps, Glass and Putty." Not to be outdone, in the fray was "S.C. Lobdill, Pioneer Hardware Store. Acorn Cook & Heating Stoves, Baker Barbed Wire, Milburn's Hollow Steel Axle Farm Wagon, Coal & Wood, Lime, Stucco, Cement & Plastering Hair. Always the best goods at the lowest Prices." And then there was the "North Star Iron Works, W.A. Potter, Prop., Manufacturer Of & Dealer In High Grade Pumps, Pipe & Well Supplies, Tank & Stock Force Pumps, capacity one BBL per minute."
Clothing and dry goods stores abounded. New to these pages were 1) "Loucks & Fryer, Schraut's New Building, Dry Goods, Carpets, Cloaks; low prices & fine goods bring people to us from many miles." 2) "Kumm & Lenz, Dry Goods, Groceries, Hats, Caps, Largest Line of Carpets in Fillmore County." 3) "J. S. Lee, Dealer in Men's and Boys' Clothing; Full Line of Fur Goods." 4) No longer a partner with Clark, "J.C. Halbkat, keeps a full line of Dry Goods, Notions, Boots, Shoes, etc...Full & Fresh Line of Groceries...Farm Produce taken in exchange for goods." 5) "Save Your Money, buy your Clothing, Gents' Furnishing Goods ... Trunks, Valises, Fur Goods, of John Leuthold, The Clothier." We boasted two jewelers: "Sheppard & Corell, Jewelers, This is the Oldest Jewelry House in Fillmore Co. Fine watches, clocks, jewelry, silverware, books, stationery, fancy goods & notions," plus "Kerry Conley, The Jeweler, will sell honest goods at honest prices. Diamonds, watches, clocks, spectacles, musical merchandise, and at prices that will please you." He and brother Fred went on to invent and sell cameras, many examples of which are on display at the Methodist Church Museum.
Three "tonsorial parlors" included l) Prim Lupein at the "City Barber Shop in the basement under the bank." 2) D. Plonty's "Tonsorial Parlor, on Broadway in basement under Commercial House, Transient and Home Trade Solicited." 3) "George Culberton's Barber Shop catering to Ladies' & Children's Hair Dressing & Cutting." Lawrence Bar claimed to be headquarters for "Great Bargains in Boots & Shoes," while Stenson & Robinson offered "a NEW boot & shoe store with a full stock." W.R. Huston was still at the Banner Drug Store, and Huntley at what he called the Excelsior Drug Store.
Offering home furnishings were "Crain & Son at the Corner of Main & Broadway - furniture, organs, carpets, coffins, caskets, baby carriages, pictures & frames, bed mattresses & springs, rockers and much more, even Bibles." Al Conklin's House Furnishing Store also offered "guns and ammunition, gun repair and a tin shop." Thankfully, for the benefit of today's generations, photos were taken at "L.M. Schofield, The Leading Photographer and Dealer in Pianos and Organs."
Three businesses dealt in meats: W.J. Hughes' Market with his usual line of fresh and salted meats; "Spaulding & Schmidt Meat Market, Highest Market Price Paid for cattle, sheep, calves' hides, pelts & poultry. We are here to stay, Live and Let Live," and Elliott & Reidel, "office over Huston's Drug, Dealers in Livestock, honest weights and guaranteed satisfaction shipping for farmers on reasonable commission."
Rundell & Crain were manufacturers of butter tubs and shippers of eggs and poultry. Men advertising as grocers were "W.W. Washburn, the oldest & most reliable Dealer in Staple & Fancy Groceries, crockery, glassware, flour, feed, corn, oats, etc. California fruit as Specialty." Rafferty & Week were in the "Bank Block, Bargains in all Lines a Specialty. Dry Goods and Groceries, Crockery." Plus "M.E. Molstad, General Merchandise, Clothing Dept. two doors south of P.O." T.O. Kilburn had opened S.V. Roller Mills and offered "Feed ground at any time; Good Flour for Sale."
Recalling this was the horse and buggy era, the harness shop was a necessity. On Broadway, it was "D.A. Sullivan, Mfr. and Dealer in Coach & Heavy Harness, Saddles, Whips, etc." Secondly, "Lawrence & Son, Dealers in Harness, Saddles, Whips, Robes, Blankets, Etc." Sheldon & Hande were on East Main, selling "Agricultural implements, Barbed Wire, Stoves and Hardware." C.F. Kumm was a "Manufacturer of Wagons, Carriages, Sleighs with special attention to repairs of every description." He later sold out to Sears, the father of Richard Sears of Sears, Roebuck & Co. fame.
Lumberyards advertising in this booklet included l) Andersen & Thayer with "Sash, Doors, Lumber, Brackets, and all kinds Building Materials." 2) Osterud & Gullickson, "Shop running year round doing such work as tanks, frames, brackets, stair work, church work, counters, shelving, wood turning, ...Call & See Us. Office & yard SE of CMSTP depot." 3) C.L. Colman remained at his South Section site in wholesale & retail lumber sales.
The professional page still listed Dr. J.R. Johnson with his office over D.A. Sullivan's; Dr. H. W. Thornhill with his office at home; and Dr. Meredith, with his card reading "Homoeopathic Physician, Surgeon and Accoucher" (obstetrician). J.E. Nutting & Son advertised as "Surgical & Mechanical Dentist, over Sheppard & Corell's Jewelry, All Work Guaranteed."
It is well to remember these were only a few of the dozens of businesses that thrived in our small town in the l880-90s and who chose to place ads in the Patrons' Account Book.
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