The Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune from Muscatine, Iowa • Page 140

JOOBMAE, MAT aa. Chester Weed Active in Early Business Circles MR. AMP MRS. CHESTER Many prominent positions In Muscatine business circles were held by Chester Weed, who is shown above with his wife, the former Miss Cora Chaplin. The picture above was taken on their wedding tour in Paris in the year of 1873.

Chester Weed, born in Canton, March 16, 1819, came to Muscatine at the age of 22 years. He took the first daguerreotypes in the west, establishing a gallery here and in Iowa City shorty after his arrival. In 1843 he associated with his brother-in-law, Joseph Bridgman in the general mercantile business. During the 1840s he raised well bred horses on his 320 acre farm, then known as the Warfield place and represented several insurance companies in this area. He was president of the Muscatine branch of the State Bank of Iowa when it was first organized in 1858, also served as cashier for a time, and was a president of the Muscatine Gas Light Coke Co.

on its organization in 1857. In 1856 he entered the pork packing business in company with others, at one time was owner of the Commercial hotel and acquired a half interest in the Muscatine Mills, formerly Bennett's Mills. Mr. Weed lived until Dec. 7, 1874.

Mrs. Weed's death occurred here Aug. 2, 1910. HAftD OIL STATION 1, by H. 1, HERMAN COHN AGENCY 1927 by Herman Cohn has been operating a wholesale news agency in Muscatine for the past 13 years, and in March of 1938 opened his own retail department at 209 East Second street.

In May of 1939 he added a fountain and luncheonette, also continuing his wholesale business through which he supplies over 30 dealers in Muscatine with magazines and newspapers. The firm maintains a home delivery system. The fountain and luncheonette is kept open daily and evenings. Old Chautauqua Park Was Popular Gathering Spot in Former Years WIIXXAM COLUTZ MARKET--Established Nov. 12, 1927 by William Collitx and Walter CONLET SERVICE COMPANY--Established im 1927 by Herbert Conley.

One of Muscatine's most popular spots during the early years of the present century was the Citizens Railway park, otherwise known as "Chautauqua park," located on the northeastern outskirts of the city. It was there that Muscatine leld its first chautauqua" during he summer of 1906. And it was there also that citizens of the city continued to hold chautau- quas and recreational events of all kinds during those early years. The first chautauqua was the outgrowth of a movement started by a group of civic-minded kfuscatine citizens at that time. After listening to an inspiring talk by Frank J.

Sessions, founder of the Waterloo Chautauqua assembly, these Muscatine town- A. C. ECXHARDT INSURANCE--Established in December of 1927 by Albert C. Muscatine Business Directory (Continued from Page 5) Second street, offers daily express service at freight rates between Muscatine, Chicago, and eastern points; St. Paul, Minneapolis, north and northwestern points.

The firm has about 20 em- ployes, including four in the office The Chicago office of the Poole Transfer company is located at 417 South Racine street. HENRY C. REHBEHN OIL STATION ablished in March of 1926 by Henry C. Reh- behn. WARNER WARNER CHIROPRACTORS Established in May of 1926 by Dr.

R. E. Warner and Dr. Julia Warner. Drs.

R. E. and Julia Warner came to Muscatine in May of 1926 from Lenox, S. D-, their first location and bought out the practice of Dr. Fagan on East Second street Later they moved their offices to quarters over the Detthof Hardware store, and after four years in that location moved to the corner of Iowa avenue and Third street.

Three years ago they changed their place of business and residence to a large home at 216 West Fourth street. In 1938 Dr. R. E. Warner opened a practice in Webster City, Mrs.

Warner continuing the practice in Muscatine. Both are graduates of the National Chiropractic school at Chicago, where Dr. Julia Warner also took post graduate courses in physio-therapy and massage. Three years ago both she and her husband took up a special course in basic technique. 1927 E.

W. BERG GROCERY-- Es tab I i shed in March of 1927 by W. Berg-. partnership. Tom M.

then went in the wholesale grocery business in Clinton, where after bis death, the business is still being carried on by his son, Wilson. Frank Jackson then joined John M. Gobble in business and after several years the partnership was dissolved and the J. M. Gobble company incorporated was organized.

J. M. Gobble became quite a popular figure in holding the office of mayor and also serving as state senator. He died suddenly in 1914. His son, Ed had preceded him in death, ieaving Fred to carry on the business, -which he did for 13 years before selling out to the Paetz brothers and Mr.

Axel in 1927. HOEFFLIN GROCERY--Established in March of 1927 by C. F. Hoefflin. C.

F. Hoefflin, who established the Hoefflin grocery at 538 Woodlawn avenue in March of 1927, died in 1932 and the business was taken over by his widow, now Mrs. William Willhoft. Mr. and Mrs.

Willhoft now run the business together, continuing the same policy as when AMERICAN PETROLEUM COMPANY Established in Mnscatine 1927 by R. C. Smith. The American Petroleum company station at 114 Walnut street, established by R. C.

Smith in 1927, is the first station this company ever had. The No. 2 station is located at 930 Grandview avenue, and a brand new station will be opened to the public June 1, in a location across from the Muscatine high bridge approach. Marvin Blaesing, manager of the No. 1 station, is have charge of the newly-completed one.

BOOSTER'S CAFE Established in September of 1927 by John Downey. Just re-modeled and with new booths installed, the Booster's cafe presents a most attractive appearance. John Downey started the cafe in 1927 and ran it until three years ago at which time he sold out. Then in May of 1939 he bought it back again and soon began his remodeling program. The cafe has been in the same location on the corner oi 1 Iowa avenue and.

Front street since it was first opened. GOBBLE GROCERY COMPANY--Established in 1870 by J. M. Gobble and T. M.

Gobble. Hugo and Carl Paetz, present owners of the Gobble Grocery company, acquired the firm together with William Axel on Nov. 17, 1927 when they purchased; it from the J. M. Gobble Co.

In 1932 Mr. Axel left the firm, and the two brothers have since been operating it alone. The building they occupy has been a wholesale house for many years, having first been owned by Garretson and company. Tom Gobble was bookkeeper for this firm for several years. Garretsons having been in business during the Civil war and being quite well-to-do, together with other reasons, wished to quit business.

Tom Gobble persuaded his brother, John, who was in business at Fairfield, to take over the firm. Tom M. and John M. Gobble carried on the business for about the store was first opened. A complete line of fancy and staple groceries, as well as fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables, and ice cream is carried by the store.

HANKINS PLUMBING SHOP --Established in 1927 by Charles f. Hankins. Charles T. Hankins worked at the plumbing trade for nearly 25 years before his death, having been employed by Frank Ashcraft until the latter went out of business. At that time Mr.

Hankins and Bill Nesselbush formed a partnership shop -which they ran two or three years. The Hankins Plumbing shop, established by Mr. Hankins in 1927, was taken over at his death HI 1935 by his son, Leon. The latter had worked in the plumbing business with his father since the shop was first started, working after school and summers before finishing high school. The firm has always sold Crane fixtures, and carries a complete line of Crane plumbing and heating products.

It has been in the same location at 204 Cedar street through the years. W. J. KNIGHT GROCERY-Established in July of 1927 by W. J.

Knfcht. MODERN DAIRY--Established Jan. 1, 1927 by Herman Griesenbrock. MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY Established in Muscatine in October of 1927 bs Ernest Moore. PALACE BILLIARD PAR JX)R--Established in 1927 by EL Stalkfleet.

people went to work on the Muscatine county chautauqua. A guarantee fund of $3,000 was raised to start the move, and the election of officers followed. W. F. Chevalier was named as the first prseident, Z.

Hutchinson was chosen as secretary, and Henry F. Giesler, treasurer. Original stockholders were W. F. Chevalier, Z.

Hutchinson, John F. Devitt, G. Stein, G. M. Titus, E.

S. Batterson, Henry F. Giesler, J. Van Lent, and Frank D. Throop.

Many years later, chautau- quas became extinct hi Muscatine, but during the years of their existence residents of the city and community made many, enjoyable trips to the old "Electric park" to attend lectures and performances by some of the nation's finest entertainers. PHELPS BROTHERS LAUNDRY--Established in March of 1927 by Roy and Kenneth Phelps. ROACH INVESTMENT COMPANY--Established in October of 1927 by Robert L. Roach. The Roach Investment company was organized in October of 1927 by Robert L.

Roach to deal exclusively in the sale and servicing of investment securities. In 1929, through an agency contract with the Equitable Life Assurance society of the U. S. more commonly known as the Equitable of New York, a department of life insurance and annuities was added. In 1933 the Roach Investment company expanded still further into the field of insurance and began to handle all kinds of general insurance.

Today this Eirm represents a group of outstanding companies which sell every type of coverage including insurance on automobiles and property of all kinds, accident and health insurance, surety and fidelity bonds. In the past few years the Roach Investment company has discontinued the sale of stocks and bonds in order to devote Full time and effort to the sale of life insurance, annuity investments, and the other forms of general insurance mentioned above. by lona Tan Atta Davidson. SOLTWEDEL A I COMPANY--Established in 1927 by J. H.

Soltwedel. J. H. Soltwedel has been growing tomatoes continuously for the past 30 years and is an expert at the business. In 1927 he founded the Soltwedel Canning company, located just east of the city limits on highway 61.

The firm cans Home Pack products. A couple of years after Mr. Soltwedel started the business, George Hahn associated himself with the firm and continued until his death, after which Warren Baker and Mr. Soltwedel continued the business. Since Mr.

Baker's death his widow, Mrs. Marie Baker, has carried on the canning company With Mr. Soltwedel. The firm raises nearly all its own tomatoes, averaging about 60 acres a year. W.

H. ZEUG GARAGE--Established IB June of 1927 by W. H. W. H.

Zeug sold bicycles and motorcycles on Chestnut street for 11 years before opening his garage at 119 West Front street in June of 1927. Last year he added a line of bicycles and supplies to his garage business. All kinds of auto mechanic work is done by the Zeug garage, with experienced workmen employed. 192S BROWNBILT SHOE STORE --Established in November ef 1928 by William C. Ruthenber William Ruthenberg has been operating the Brownbilt Shoe store at 225 East Second street for the past 12 years.

Mr. Ruthenberg is assisted in the store by Kenneth Honts as regular clerk, and Robert Green and Clayton Schmidt as extra help. The firm carries the -well- known Airstep and Odette line of women's shoes, Robber and Jolly Stride in the men's line, and Buster Brown and Robin Hood for children. Mr. Ruthenberg had been clerking in shoe stores of Muscatine several years before opening the Brownbilt in November of 1928.

MILDRED EDWARDS SECOND STREET GROCERY--Established in 1928 by A. J. SehulU. JACOB FRIDLEY GROCERY --Established in January of 1928 by J. Fridiey.

GODFREY -Established in April of 1928 by Mrs. Naomi Godfrey. (Continued on Page 8) VAN ATTA BEAUTY SHOP --Established in January of 1927 Western Hereford Exchange vania. "A NATIONAL INSTITUTION" Furnishing choice Hereford and Angus calves and yearlings, and Feeder Lambs to good feeders from Iowa to Pennsyl- Be sure to see us when you are ready to at Muscatine. Phone 789, or call Ed Willits or George Nicola.

Office at Davenport I wish to thank my many patients for the manner in which they have received me in my 14 years of practice in this community. DOCTOR JULIA WARNER D. C. Ph. C.

West 4 Phone 466 TM NEW SPAPERfl I.