The Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune from Muscatine, Iowa • Page 24

12 Muscatine, Journal Sept. 28, 1965 Many Business Firms Have Long History in Muscatine A number of Muscatine business firms are approaching the 100 year old mark or have already passed that milestone. STEIN FURNITURE S. G. Stein Furniture Company was established by S.

G. Stein I and Phillip Stein in 1854. The store had to order its wares six months or a year ahead of time, since the goods were shipped by boat down the Ohio and then up the Mississippi to Muscatine. The firm opened for business at Pine and Second streets, and manufactured some of the furniture it sold. business now is located at 399 311 Iowa avenue.

WILSON SHOE STORE Wilson's Shoe store was established Aug. 5, 1854, by William H. Stewart in the only two story building on that side of Second street. Stewart came to Muscatine from Marietta, Ohio, and built his shoe stoye on the site the business occupies still. Shoes were all handmade in those days and 20 shoemakers were kept busy on the second floor.

Women tried on the shoes themselves while the clerks waited at a discreet distance. John C. Wilson came to Muscatine about 1879 and was associated with the store when Stewart died in 1896. RAILWAY EXPRESS Railway Express agency opened for business in 1855 when the first rail service was provided for the community. GRAHAM DRUG Graham Drug store was begun in 1856 by the Graham brothers, I.

L. and James. They were natives of Connecticut and I. L. was a doctor.

The firm's name at first was Apothecaries' Hall, which was later changed to Graham The drug store moved to Second and Cedar streets in 1867. James E. Graham left the business in 1872. D. A.

Bauerbach purchased the business in 1933. G. M. WITTICH FUNERAL HOME George M. Wittich funeral home was established in 1867.

Partners, W. Wittich and Christen Kegel opened an embalming establishment in the 100 block of Iowa avenue. Another partner was added and the firm became Wittich, Kegel and Wienker. They started one of the first casket and furniture factories in Iowa where the YMCA is now located. W.

Wittich left the firm and set up shop on East Second street and was later joined by his son, George, who assumed ownership on the death of his father. MULL AND SON C. L. Mull Sons, Wholesale Grocers came into being in 1864. Charles L.

Mull opened shop in the 100 block of East Second street selling both wholesale and retail. The firm's home shifted to Pine and West Second streets in 1891. In 1963 the company moved to the industrial park southwest of the city. BRIDGE GROCERY The Bridge grocery began business in 1867, when it was established by Frederick Gies enhaus at 224 Walnut street. The name derives from its nearness to the High bridge.

HUTTIG MANUFACTURING Huttig Manufacturing Company was the business venture of William Huttig, who became the partner in a lumber business in 1866 with his elder brother, Charles F. Huttig. The brothers earlier had tried their hands in the grocery business, then switched to lumber. William Huttig founded the Huttig Manufacturing company. ST.

CLAIR BOTTLING J. B. St. Clair began the soft drink concern, which still bears his name, back in 1860. Clarence Christofferson is the present owner.

The St. Clair bottling works started and grew in the days of the horse and wagon. Wagons carried the St. Clair products to neighboring towns. The plant is located at 219 Mulberry avenue.

BEACH LUMBER CO. Beach Lumber and Supply 1030 Hershey avenue, has its roots in the lumber industry that blossomed in the upper Mississippi valley. At the same location was the Benjamin Hershey sawmill. which functioned from 1857 to 1902. The firm became the Mira Hershey Lumber Co.

and operated under that name until 1919, when new ownership made it the Beach Stortz Lumber Co. In 1928 the name was changed again to Beach Lumber Supply Co. and continues under that name mw. CRY FOR RELIEF When it rains, Front street at the depot is in a delectable condition of knee deep mud; and when it doesn't rain Front street at the depot is enveloped in a cloud of inpenetrable dust kicked up by horses hoofs and whirled away by giant zephyers. The latter phase presents itself just now.

Will not the property owners of that locality will not our benign city fathers will not somebody anybody go down there with a sprinkling can and give relief to a suffering public who want to loaf comfortably around the depot when the trains come in. (Re printed from the Sept. 2, 1878, edition of the Journal) It. is a distinct pleasure and privilege for us to be a part of Muscatine's incredible century and especially to be a participant in the celebration of THE MUSCATINE JOURNAL'S 125TH ANNIVERSARY. Even though we continue to keep our eye on the future to keep abreast of modern trends and bring you, our customers, all that's new in styling and advancement in Color TV, we like to look back to be certain that the traditions of ever maintaining the highest standards of quality, styling at the right price is never out of focus.

Hunter's TV Sales and Service Today Growth remodeling and expansion marked vour acceptance of HUNTER'S. Our store has more than doubled its size. Ovcir 26 years of experience Wcs started in 1939 and has advanced from a small garage known as Crow Hunter to the modern show room from 1954 to the modern show room of today. Hunter's TV Sales and Service in 1950 Wes Hunter Authorized Dealer For ADMIRAL ZENITH CURTIS MATHIS I TH Elf ISIOM Phone AM 3 35M 1424 Park Av. Wilson Store in 1898 Open gas lights suspended from the ceiling are visible in this 1898 view of the Wilson Shoe Store at 127 East Second.

Tom Cherry, front left, and John C. Wilson, front right, were partners in the store. Seated in the front center is Thomas P. Wilson, son of John. The store, which is at the same location today, was founded by William H.

and Theodore Stewart in 1854. It is the oldest shoe store west of the Mississippi. Old Trinity Still Stands Cornerstone of Trinity Episcopal church (above) was laid Nov. 11, 1851, but the structure was three years in the building. Members of the parish subscribed $1,250 and a similar amount cama from other sources.

The parish was organized in 1839 and the stone church, built from th designs of a famous New York architect, was dedicated on May 25, 1854. (Journal Photo). JT CHRISTIAN SUPPLY CENTER llll Serving Muscatine and our surround WjL llll ing communities for 4 years, with 3 TO llll services in one store for your shop llll PMg convenience. 11 1 II Christian Supply Center jjjj Gold Bond Stamp Gift jjjj Center Sub Station Post Office With pride in the past and faith in the future. We salute The Muscatine Journal on its 125th Anniversary.

May we serve you, the fine people of our communities, with the finest in service and products. Paetz Gift Christian Supply Center RHINEHART INEZ PAETZ G23 East 2nd St. Dial 263 5552 Congratulations to The Journal A Store For Men And Boys A Store For Men And Boys Mom and Daughter, Tool 76 years ago we opened our doors in Muscatine for Men and Boys. As the years have gone by, our reputation for handling the finest lines of clothing for men, won for us the coveted "Retailer of the Year" award. TODAY, Sterneman's have been privileged to offer many fine lines of fashions for women and young ladies.

As the years go by, more and more people of this community are becoming STERNE MAN customers and friends. We look to the future with great anticipation. On The Avenue Since 1889.