The Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune from Muscatine, Iowa • Page 259

CENTENNIAL JOURNAL, MAT 31, 1940 Muscatine Business Directory (Continued From race 2) In Auguit, 1835, iwo brothers, Dr. J. Graham, then 32, and E. Graham. -8, natives of opened a drug store in Muscatine and called it Hall," but the name was soon replaced by the 1860 ST.

CLAIR BOTTLING Established' by J. B. St. Clair. 1300 firm name of "Grahara Broth- tiic Civil war they crs.

Before handled sueh goods as leal tobacco, picture frames, Daguerreotype stock and early photographic materials, beside field and garden seed. All these were dropped years except garden seed in bulk, of which to this day the firm still trade leadership. In 18G7 Graham Brothers moved their stock into a threc- s-tory brick building at Second and" Cedar streets, where the store now is loc.ited. James E. Graham sold his interest to his brother in 1H72 and moved WHOLESALE EICHENAUER CIGAR in 1862 by Ferdinand Kaufman, Eichcnauer's Cigar store, one of the older firms of Muscatine, has been in the same location at 211 East Second street since it was originated by Ferdinand Kaufman back in 1862.

This makes 78 years in the same spot on Second street A few years after he started in business, Mr. Kaufman took his son, Adolph into the firm, ar.d following his father's death Adolph took over the business hjmseif. In 1899 George Eichcnauer bought out the firm and continued to operate it until 1925 when his son. Fred Eicher.auer became proprietor. the assistance of hie son, George M.

Wittich. Father and son became partners soon afterward, and at the death of the senior Mr, his son became owner of the business. Later, George Wittich moved to the present location at 210 Cedar street. The firm was known as the Wittich Funeral home for many years until in 1932 when the name was changed to the George M. Wittich Funeral home.

More than two years ago, Mr. Wittich took Floyd A. Downey and Thomas F. Beveridge into partnership with him, and this relation still continues. All throe men are embalmers, as is Clifford Klein, a member of tiie stafl Au the 3SC4 MULL SON'S away.

He died in Woodstock, 111., in 1894. Dr. Graham died suddenly Dec. 3, 1886, and his son, E. L.

Graham, then 19. became owner. In 1889, following his graduation from the Chicago College of Pharmacy, the son took complete charge of the store. Among the early employes of the Graham Drug store were G. A.

Riemcke, John J. Havercamp. Charles L. Washburn, and Fred H. Green, who was chief assistant in the store for more than 30 years.

E. L. Graham operated the firm until his death in 1933, when D. A. Bauerbach purchased the store and now operates the business.

Today Graham continues with a complete line of drugs, toilet goods, and drug sundries. Bulk garden seed and general farm and garden supplies have been an important part of this store's business for over GEORGE IS." EITMAN in 1857 by Frank Eitman, Sr. The Eitman family has been identified with the grocery business in Muscatine for nearly a century ever since Frank Eitman, established his! Ublishcd in 1854 by Charles L. Mull. Charles L.

Mull, founder of the wholesale grocery firm in Muscatine which bears his name, started a wholesale and retail store in the 100 block on East Second street 76 years ago, in 1864. The firm was later moved to the site now occupied by the Elfers Electric store, and still later to where the Auto Parts is located. In 1891 Mr. Mull erected the building at the corner of Pine and Second streets where the firm has since been operating as a wholesale house. The founder's son.

William L. Mull, entered the business in the 1880's. and his other son. Charles in 1890. while a grandson, William L.

Mull, became a member of the firm last year. The serior William L. Mull died in November of 1919. while the death of the founder had occurred in 1894. Charles A.

Mull is still actively associated with the firm. Many changes have taken place in the wholesale business since the firm's founding. In the early days prunes were received in 1590 pound hogsheads, compared to the 25 pound packages of today, and currants came in Grocery store in 1857 at the site 5M pauncl Coffee was of the present South Muscanr.e I sh ppet ree n. roasted at the wholesale house, and ground by the housewife in her own kitchen. Mull's has handled Harl brand canned goods for more than 50 years, and H.

K. spices for over 25 years. More recently the All Gold" line of California fruits has been added. On display at the firm is a collection of tobacco which is over 50 years old. home, including the hearse and ambulance, is up-to-date and of the best make available.

BRIDGE GROCERY lishcd in 1867 Giesenhaus. by Frederick Poughkeepsie, New York, returning in 1888 to enter his father's business. In 1890 he was placed in charge of the Huttig Manufacturing company and was actively interested in its affairs until his death on August 31, 1935. Since the days ol William Huttig the business has been conducted in the same progressive manner as was the custom of the founder. Lee L.

Richards was facturing company. In 1905 a new plant was erected on Poplar street covering one-hall block, which included a foundry for making grey iron castings. Still later in 1914 work was started on a new plant to be used for the manufacture of steel pulleys. In 1915 the firm name was changed from the Barry Manufacturing company to the Barry company, and the latter madeiporaled. president and general manager In 1939 Thomas P.

Barry be- One of the old-time groceries in Muscatine is the Bridge grocery at 22-1 Walnut street, established in 1867 by Frederick Giesenhaus, The store was so named because of its proximity to the Muscatine high bridge, and has always had a great deal of Illinois trade which comes across the bridge to Muscatine. In later years Mr. Giesenhaus' daughter, Grace Giesenhaus, had operated the business for her father. In July of 1939 Andrew Johnson and his son, Ernest A. Johnson, bought the firm and continue to operate it at the same location.

A full lice of staple and fancy groceries and meats is carried by the store. Several improvements have been made by the Johnsons, including a new refrigerator and new lights. lire station on Hershey avenue. His four sons, Joe. Frank, Fred find Georsc.

were associated in business with him. In 1898 Georqe brought the store uptown to the present location at 106 West Serond street while the other three brothers established a store across from the Romann-Liebbe company. These three men continued their store until 1937 they retired. Clarence Eitrr.an. the present owner of the George Eitman grocery, was associated with his lather 10 years before buying out the business in 1929.

1S5S 18G7 GEORGE M. WITTTCn FUNERAL in 1867 by W. Wittich. The history of the George M. FULLER'S QUALITY FOOD I Wittich funeral home dates back in April I to 1867 when W.

Wittich, father MARKET- 1858 by Barney Fuller. Today grandsons of Barney Fuller, who established the Fuller Quality Food market in 185B. carry on the traditions of their grandfather in an enlarged modern market at 522 Mulberry avenue. They arc Charles B. and Leonard M- Fuller, who of George M.

Wittich. and Christen Kt-gel opened an embalming establishment in Muscatine at a site in the 100 block on Iowa avenue. Later, another partner was taken into the lirm which was then known as Wittich, Kegel, BAKER BROTHERS in 1867 by John Baker. A pioneer boiler works in Muscatine, the Baker Brothers engineering company was 'ounded in 1867 by John Baker. The present head of the firm, S.

Baker, a son ol the 'ounder, assumed leadership in 1897. His father died in 1906. Owen E. Vance associated in he business from 1903 until his death in 1932. The third generation of Bakers, W.

C. Baker, has been in the business with his lather since 1923. The firm makes canning equipment for factory, farm, home, state and private institutions, laboratory and serum making retorts, and special machine or plate work which they design and construct. 1868 nUTTIG MANUFACTURING in 1808 by William and Charles F. Hut- tiS.

William Huttig, who was born on Feb. 5, 1836 in Jena, Saxe Weimar, Germany, came to the United States and settled in Muscatine during the year 1855. Being an accomplished musician, he taught music for several years, then started in the groc- in 1914, which position he held until his death on April 6, 1938. He became associated with the company in the year 19OO. On September 1, 1938 Arthur C.

Hansen, who had actively engaged in the sash and door industry for over 40 years, was appointed general manager, which position he now holds, Prior to coming to Muscatine he was an executive of the Rock Island Sash and Door Works Rock Island, 111. Since taking over the general managership, Mr. Hansen has inaugurated various improvements, chief of which is the new Power Plant which is located in the property formerly occupied by the Muscatine Lighting company, On the river Iront across the tracks Irom the plant. The present executive staff in addition to Mr. Hansen, is as follows: W.

H. Schwab, Sales Manager. H. B. Fuller, Advertising man- Purchasing came president of the firm, which office he now holds.

The fourth generation is now associated with tile company. The Harrys had much to do with the that Muscatine became the button center of the world. Factories that were later started hero did so largely because machinery was available and thus interest in the new industry locally magnified. GLENN W. ASIITON FLOUR Established 1870 ager.

H. L. Brandau, Agent. E. B.

Albers, Plant superintendent, H. Winn, Secretary. 1889 MORGAN'S DRUG Established in 1869 by F. Reppert and company. One of the older drug stores in Muscatine is the Morgan store located at 127 West Second street.

It was started back in about 1809 by F. Rappert and company, and at that time was located on the corner wliere the Laurel building now stands. About 67 years ago Mr, Reppert moved his business to 107 West Second street, where it remained for 62 years, or until 1933 when Mr. Morgan, the present owner, changed the location to 127 West Second street, formerly occupied by the Wagner Cigar store. A.

W. Morgan first entered the business about 40 years ago in partnership with Mr. Cody. After two years the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Morgan took it over himself and has run the business alone ever by W.

E. Ashton and brother, EL M. Ashton. Seventy years in the same location is the record of the Glenn W. Ashton Flour and Feed store, 510 East Second street.

Started in 1870 by two brothers, W. E. and H. M. Ashton, the firm was taken over in 1900 by the former's son, Glenn who is now sole owner.

W. E. Ashton died in 1912, and his brother had been out of the business about 10 years prior. The building which now houses the firm was constructed about 50 years ago. I.

W. HEERD PAINTING in 1870 by J. F. Heerd. Since a boy of 14.

Irving W. Heard has been in the oainting and decorating business, having done the work with his father, J. F. Hecrd, who established his firm in Muscatine in 1870. Irving Heerd took over the business himself at 910 Sycamore street 22 years ago.

His father died in 1929. 1871 MAIDEN 0 TII BROOM in 1871 by James Maiden, 1873 A. D. R. HOWE, in 1873 by E.

Howe. ery business his elder brother, Charles who had settled in the community during the year 1853. After several years in the grocery business, they discon- purchased the business on in the state was started by these 1 1926 following the death a building where the their father On Christmas day in 1 Y. M. C.

A. now stands. 1005 This partnership continued for several years before Mr. and Wienkcr. One the first i jjnucd and in started in the casket and furniture factories lumber business as partners, which partnership continued until the latter part of the I9lh the first on Second anj the present partner, and the ient was moved to 219 hc-ry.

where the firm moved in Ea; Second street, where it op- April 1938. The 3 The be: crated for many years. Market's slogan is "Serve) a er Mr. Wittich again went 'st and save." nlo business by himself, with William Huttig, the founder of the Manufacturing company, was a very progressive business man and citizen, having been a member of the local school board for a period of about ten years and was financially interested in many of the community projects of his day. He died on April 6, 1015.

Harry W. Huttig, the only son of William Huttig, attended the Eastman Business college at 1870 THE BARRY Established in June, 1870 by N. Barry and Sons. In 1870 Nicholas Barry rented a building at 421 East Second street from William Held and opened for business as N-, Barry and Sons. Homos were piped for burning gas for lighting, and force pumps were installed, elaborate ones to draw water from a well or cistern and force it up into a wooden tank lined with sheet lead in the attic.

Later when the water works was built, N. Barry and Sons' business grew nearly every home wanted city water, heating plants wore taking the place of stoves, and batn rooms were no longer a curiosity. The Barry company's work even extended as far east as Pittsburgh where they did work for the Heinz company. In later years H. J.

Heinz and Patrick J. Barry became close friends. The business also included frequent repair work for the saw mills in this community and later the building and improving of machines for the manufacture of pearl buttons. In 1838, N. Barry and Sons incorporated as the Barry Manu- ROACH MUSSER in 1S73 by Brent Brothers, The present Roach and Musser company is the outgrowth of a manufacturing business originally founded in 1873 by the Brent brothers.

Under their ownership tflie factory was three times burned, and the warehouse consumed twice, and as there was but little insurance their losses were heavy. In 1885 the Muscatine Man- company was incorporated. The board directors consisted of C. R. Fox, president; Z.

W. Hutchinson. vice president and secretary; S. B. Cook, treasurer; Ed J.

Brent, one of the original founders, as general manager; R. Musser. W. Hoffman, and W. A.

Xeavitt. This later developed into the present Roach and Musser company, with factory and business offices located or- Grandview avenue. The company does a general business as manufacturers rind jobbers of sash, doors, blinds, moldings, screen doors and windows, and inside hardwood finish, porch and stair work. Its principal market is Iowa. Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri, and in 1888 a branch house was established at Atchison, Kas.

Though started on a modest scale, the firm has grown to important proportions, and reflects credit upon its founders and management. (Continued On PaRC 6) A.W. MORGAN "Your Prescription DrucRist for Over 40 Years." 147 West 2nd St. Muscatine, Iowa Hahn Brothers Sand and Gravel Co. Producers anil Shippers of WASHED and SCREENED Sand, Gravel and Concrete Mixtures.

Clean, Hard Materials. Pumped From a Fresh Water Pit. Phone 142 Office. 307 W. Front St.

Hahn Brothers Company Shippers, Receivers, Growers. Commission Merchants AH kinds of Fruits, Vegetables, etc. Office Telephone No. 142 Lone Distance Xo. 143 Residence Ne.

1570 Office 207 West Front St. Post Office Box 58 ESTABLISHED 1884. The J. E. HOOPES CO.

WHOLESALE SEED GROWERS Members of American Scod Trade Aaan. Western Seeflmcn Iowa Seed DoaJers Ausn Iowa State Vegetable Growers ASBH. Contract Growers of ASPARAGUS, BHTTBA21B and ASPARAGUS, PEPPER, HORSE RADISH XOOTS, TOMATO, RHUBARB SECT SWEET POTATOES und VINE SEEDS. and VEGETABLE PLANTS, Southern Purt of Citr On Muscatine Island Muses tine, p. o..