Butler county Missouri, "A View of A Growing Town" PAGE 3
Transcribed © BY: Susan (Sauerwein)  Opalka.    mopalka@alaska.net
contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives  
Rules for coping this work in on the first page of "A View of A Growing Town"


FERGUSON & CO.

In the year 1879 Thos. D., William and Martin Ferguson entered the
mercantile business on the southeast corner of Main and Vine streets in a
little one-story frame house.

In the year 1880 Oscar R. Albro purchased the interest of Martin Ferguson
in the establishment and the members of the firm took steps to erect a
building such as would accommodate their fast-growing trade.

In the spring of 1881 under the architecture of James. A. Kennedy the work
began and in a short time a commodious brick house had taken the place of
the small frame. In the fall of 1882 Thos. D. Ferguson sold his interest
in the establishment to his partners, leaving William Ferguson and Oscar B.
Albro sole proprietors. Their establishment today would be a credit to
any town. The house is two stories high having a front of 44 feet and
extending back a distance of 90 feet. It is built of brick, made on the
new pressed brick system, and is a substantial business house, one that
adds greatly to this, as it would to any other city; and the firm of
Ferguson & Company has done much to hold the good feeling and gratitude of
all in interested citizens.

The firm deals in Dry Good, Boots and Shoes, Hats and Caps, Groceries, and
all staple and fancy articles. They carry an average stock which could
safely be estimated at $12,000.00, and the shelves and counters are
literally laden with goods. They have as a consequence a splendid trade
and the attention of two clerks in addition to the amiable attentiveness of
the manager, Mr. Wm. Ferguson, is hardly able to supply the needs of their
many customers. Their new building was erected at the cost of not less
than $10,000.00, and is one of the monuments in this city of what industry
and business energy, when exerted in a prosperous country may accomplish
upon a start of a small capital.

Mr. Wm. Ferguson, one of the firm, was born and raised in Butler County and
his commercial success today is due simply and alone to his strict
integrity and his ability as a business man. A young man yet he will no
doubt live and prosper many years longer in the place which has done so
much to make him what he is, one of our most wealthy men. 

Oscar R. Albro, of the firm, came to this county several years ago as an
extremely poor man. He worked in a saw mill three miles east of Poplar
Bluff, and by means of his continuous industry saved a sufficient amount to
purchase an interest in the mill. In a few years he had reached a position
where he could purchase the entire interest of his partners and after
making the payment on his purchase was left "quite short," but went to work
with a vim. In the year 1880 he purchased a third interest in the firm of
Ferguson & Co. and now has one-half interest in the same.

The success of Mr. Albro is most wonderful and he himself is often wont to
refer to his past life with commendable pride. He owes his success to no
"chance" or "good luck" but to the sweat of his brow. His profits came to
him, not as he reclined in an easy chair, but while he stood in "proper
person" so to speak, at the saw, and with his own hands decreased his
expenses and increased his profits. His reward is deserved and aside from
being one of Poplar Bluff's moneyed men he is esteemed by all who know him
for his jovial disposition and his many commendable traits of character.

WM. F. NEAL & CO.

February , 1870, was the time when John F. Lane and William F. Neal, both
from the state of Georgia, opened up a stock of goods in a little shanty
near the court house square in Poplar Bluff.  The firm did quite a good
business in a small way and continued until the winter of 1873 when Dr.
J.A. Ford purchased the interest of Mr. Lane, and Neal & Ford continued the
business of dealers in Dry Goods and Groceries until the year 1875 when Mr.
Neal became sole proprietor and pursued the same business on Vine street,
opposite the Court House until the summer of 1881, when recognizing the
needs of his increased trade he erected a mammoth brick house on the
southeast corner of Fourth and Vine street which he filled from top to
bottom with Dry Goods, Boots and Shoes, Hats and Caps, Groceries and
Queensware.

In the month of March, 1883, Thomas H. Moore, a young man formerly of Iron
County, Mo., became partner in the firm and the name of Wm. F. Neal & Co.
was adopted.  These gentlemen are doing a splendid business at their stand.
The house was built under the architecture of Mr. James Randle and has a
front of 54 feet and a depth of 80 feet.  It is a two-story building and
presents a splendid appearance.   The establishment is divided into two
departments.  The dry good, clothing and boot and shoe division is under
the personal supervision of Messrs. Neal and Moore while the wants for the
patrons at the Groceries and Provision counters are supplied by the
superintendent of that department, Mr. Edward Ford, a young man with many
friends.  Thomas H. Moore is a gentleman well known and like by every man
woman and child with whom he has come in contact.  His personal popularity
and genial manners have done much to build up a trade which insures
prosperity, and his connection with the firm has added greatly to its profits.

Wm. F. Neal has long been identified with the business of the town, has
grown with it, and is now one of the leading merchants.  He first commenced
business in the spring of 1870 when with Jon.(?) F. Lane he opened a
general store in the firm name of Lane & Neal.  Doing business on a liberal
plan, he, with others, suffered heavy losses from the hard times, yet the
success with which he overcame obstacles and maintained his credit through
a period when the larger number of business men "went to the wall,"  proved
his judgement, ability and integrity as a man of business, and gained him a
reputation in mercantile circles more valuable than money.

In the coming spring this firm will build an addition to their already
commodious house which will add much to the convenience of their
establishment.

R. P. LILES.

In the spring of 1877 Messrs. R.P. Liles, formerly of Dexter, and E.E.
Carter, of St. Louis, rented a central store house and opened a very small
stock of groceries.  As usual, many predicted slow starvation and failure,
yet the gentlemen went to work with a will and soon showed that they knew
what they were doing.

Before two months had elapsed the farmers discovered that it was far more
profitable to dispose of their produce to them than to attempt to haul it
about the streets; and the citizens learning with pleasure the benefits of
a provision store where they could always find the articles of daily
necessity, gave their patronage accordingly.  Mr. Carter joined his family
at Prescott several years ago, since which time Mr. Liles has been sole
manager.  Out of the profits of his trade he has purchased and refitted a
new business house on Vine Street, between Second and Man, to which he has
added a handsome and convenient residence, and is now enjoying a trade
which requires constant additions to supply.

The house of Mr. Liles to-day presents a magnificent appearance and is
fitted up to combine business and home in a most ingenious manner.  His
house is a two-story frame, the entire lower floor being used as a store
room with ware houses in the rear.  Beautifully decorated shelves and other
fixtures greet the eye of the customer and no other city can boast of a
more delightfully arranged business house than is this.  A door to the
right leads into a commodious hall from which the visitor emerges to the
second story which is used exclusively as a residence and which is fitted
up in a manner proving to the visitor the good taste of the genial host and
hostess.

As the profits on groceries are necessarily small, the success of Mr. Liles
is due to the large amount of groceries he sells, the quantity of flour
alone required to meet the demands of his customers being nearly as much as
one run of buhrs can turn out.

DERRY & TYNER.

In the month of September, 1881, Louis Derry opened up a grain store on
Fifth street, near Henderson avenue, in Poplar Bluff.  In a few months a
small stock of groceries was added to the establishment, which was
conducted in a small one-story frame house.

In the summer of 1883 Mr. Wm. H. Tyner purchased an interest in the store
and under the name of Derry & Tyner the firm started upon the commercial
sea with circumstances against them, but energy and industry at their back.
Finding their house too small to accommodate the goods necessary for the
use of their fast-growing trade, the firm purchased a lot on the northeast
corner of Fifth and Henderson avenue and erected a handsome two-story frame
house having a front of 24 feet and a depth of 75 feet at a cost of about
$2,500.00.  On the third of November, 1883, they moved into their new
building and extended their trade to include Dry Goods, Boot and Shoes,
Hats and Caps, Groceries, Queensware, and all staple and fancy goods.  They
carry a stock reaching in value the sum of $7,000.00 and are constantly
adding to the same in order to meet the demands of their trade.  The
members of the firm are both young men and started on quite a small capital
but by honest dealing and business principles have succeeded in drawing and
holding a trade which has compelled them to increase their facilities, and
which insures them success in the future.

WALKER & MOORE.

It is a fact not to be disputed that evidences of a growing town can be no
stronger than when each line of goods is gradually made a speciality.  It
was the mercantile house of the "cross roads" which carried every line that
can be mentioned and as a town strides to metropolitan airs the business of
the different business houses of that town are almost certain to gradually
drop all but a certain line of goods which their taste may favor.

Walker & Moore was the name of a firm which had the hardihood to venture
into one special line in Poplar Bluff and accordingly in August, 1881, this
firm, composed of Benjamin T. Walker and John I. Moore launched their craft
upon the commercial waters and located on Maple street in this city.  After
a time it was recognized by the public that a store which carried a special
line was the store at which to obtain the best articles in that line and in
accordance with this view the firm of Walker & Moore built up a good trade
which compelled them in a short time to move to more commodious quarters.
They secured a two-story brick on the southwest corner of Main and Vine
streets where they now are.  The house has a front of 26 feet and a depth
of 60 feet, makes comfortable quarters and excellent facilities for the
exhibition of the mammoth stock they carry.  The counters and shelves are
laden with goods of the latest style and of all descriptions, and  the firm
has secured a hold upon a magnificent trade.  The members of the firm are
both young men who are recognized as thorough business men.  Aside from
business admirers the gentlemen both have a large following of personal
friends throughout the country as well as the city who are at all times
ready in their expressions of esteem and regard.  A peculiarity which the
firm have and one which will insure them perpetual success is their firm
belief in the virtue of printer's ink.  To them mainly is due the credit of
awakening others from "Rip Van Winkle Sleeps,"  and apprising them of the
danger of obscuring themselves and their business behind the bulwark of
fogyism.

C.O. FISHER & CO.

C.O. Fisher and Daniel Morris compose this firm which is located just west
of the Morris House on Maple street.  The house is well stocked with
Groceries and Provisions and Queensware, Tobacco and Cigars, and their
house is fitted in the neatest of manner.  The junior member of the firm is
proprietor of the Morris House.  The senior member, Mr. C.O. Fisher, is a
young man who has been identified with the business interest of our city
for many years and who is justly regarded as a thorough business man.  The
firm is doing an excellent business and always keep a full stock on hand.



A.J. BABCOCK.

A.J. Babcock is the firm which was established in the present year on
Fourth street, near the depot.  Mr. Babcock deals in Groceries and
Provisions and being well known to the citizens of Poplar Bluff has already
drawn a large patronage to his counters where those who know him best will
testify as to the fair and honest dealing to be received at his hands.

Mr. Babcock moved to this city from Kremlin Mills, Missouri, and his store
is fitted up in a neat manner though crowded with the goods of his line.

M.D. TREECE & BRO.

On the corner of Fifth and Henderson avenue is the store of M. D. Treece &
Brother.  M.D. & John P. Treece are the members of the firm.  In the year
1881 they established themselves in the grocery business and have, by their
fair and honest dealing, won a trade which will no doubt in a short time
compel them to enlarge their building .  All articles such as are usually
found in a well regulated Grocery and Provision store may be found in this
house where accommodating and polite salesmen will be found to attend the
wants of all customers.

SCHWARZKOPF & CO.

B. Schwarzkopf, B. Weil and Philip Loebner are  the members of this firm
which deals in Dry Goods and Groceries.  They are located in a neat
two-story frame building on Vine street near Second and do a good business
in their line.

A.J. HARVIELL.

In 1882 there was erected a neat two-story frame building on the north-east
corner of Fourth and Vine streets for the Grocery trade.  In a small way
Mr. F.M. Kittrell began to do business in this house on a safe plan until
he built up a most excellent trade in his line.

In the fall of 1883 Mr. Kittrell sold out to Andrew J. Harviell who is now
conducting the business and has added a well-selected stock of Groceries
and Provisions to the establishment.  Mr. Harviell is a native of this
county, a wide-awake gentleman and will no doubt prosper.

MRS. L.J. SPEARS.

Established in 1880 this lady has built up a paying trade in the Millinery
line.  Her rooms are on Main street, near the Post Office where a select
stock of Millinery, Dress Goods and ladies and children's Hats can be found
to suit the most fastidious.  Mrs. Spears is a lady well versed in the
business which she conducts and her patrons can depend upon choice goods
purchased over her counter.

GEISE & COLE.

In January, 1882, Frank Gierse and Charles Giese, both young men, came to
this city and established themselves as Merchant Tailors.  This was the
first establishment of the kind in the city and the firm did a good
business, but in the month of May, 1883, Gierse's interest was purchased by
Henry C. Cole, a young man from Iron County, Missouri, and under the name
of Giese & Cole the young firm started in the business of Merchant Tailors
making many improvement, furnishing shops at the northeast corner of Fourth
and Maple streets and adding to their already paying business that of
Gent's Furnishing Goods.  The firm now employs seven journeymen tailors and
are constantly crowded with work.  Their shops and store room is a
tow-story building on Maple street, and the interior is fitted up in a most
convenient manner.

They carry an extensive stock of Gents Furnishing Goods, and the shelves of
their store room is filled with articles in that line.  The tailoring
department and shops are in the rear of the establishment and conducted
under the supervision of Mr. Giese, who is an excellent tailor, having been
reared, as the saying goes, "with a pair of shears and the needle in his
hand."  The very latest styles in business and dress suits and overcoats
are turned out in this department and all repairing in that line is
executed in a good manner.  Mr. Cole presides at the books and attends to
the wants of those in search of the articles his establishment represents.
Both are popular young men.  Mr. Giese is a young German which his
conversation clearly proves.  He is a thorough tailor, a "jolly
good-hail-fellow well met," and has hosts of personal friends.  Mr. Cole
though young, is  business man "out and out."  He is a practical
bookkeeper, a pleasant gentleman,  a warm friend, and one who is but to be
known to be respected and liked.  Their work gives entire satisfaction as
is evidenced by the manner in which they hold their custom and the energy
and industry of the young proprietors is being justly rewarded by a crown
of prosperity.

HENRY SCHWANER.

In April, 1876, a young man rented a room in the lower part of the city and
established a shoe shop therein, at the same time hanging out a shingle
bearing these words:  "Henry Schwaner, Shoemaker."  Thus Mr. Schwaner began
and on a very small capital.  To-day, on Maple street, between Main and
Fourth, may be noticed a sign, "City Shoe Store--Henry Schwaner,
Proprietor."  The visitor passes through a neat store room to the shops of
the establishment where the sound of the pegging of shoes and rattle of
machinery assures him that business is being done there.  Mr. Schwaner
keeps on hand a full and complete stock of Boots and Shoes of all
descriptions, or makes foot wear to order in a manner to please any taste.
His long acquaintance with the business has made him an adept at the trade
and as a judge of leather he has no superior.  Like many other of our
merchants he is a young man, but by his honest dealing, his strict
attention to business, and his genial ways he has secured friends
throughout the country who take pleasure in recommending him to their
neighbors.  For goods in this line the strangest or the citizen can do no
better than to call at the City Shoe Store.

FERGUSON & MILLS.

Recognizing the demands for articles in this line Lemuel Mills and Martin
Ferguson have opened up a Harness and Saddle Shop and store rooms on Vine
street, opposite the Court House, and are doing a good business.

Gustave Schonaue(?) has charge of the shops and his reputation as a workman
insures favor among their customers.  All descriptions of harness can be
found at this establishment as well as fair and honest dealing at the hands
of the proprietors.

GEORGE BEGLEY.

"Geo. Begley, Blacksmith and Wagonmaker" is the way a sign read which in
the year 1878 was attached to a small blacksmith shop in the western part
of Poplar Bluff.  The proprietor and one assistant might each have been
seen hammering bread out of a horse shoe or blowing up a living at the
bellows.

It is needless to say the young blacksmith prospered as his business to-day
is sufficient proof of his prosperity.  From the shoeing of horses the
proprietor extended his business to that of Furniture and Manufacturer of
Wagons, and finally reached out and included the Hardware and Agricultural
line in his trade.

To-day on the southwest corner of Fourth and Vine streets is located the
Furniture and Hardware store rooms of George Begley in a neat two-story
frame house 28x60 feet which is crowded with the good of that line.  Just
across the street in the spot where five years ago was erected the little
blacksmith shop herein before mentioned, stands a neat two-story brick
house the lower floor of which is used as a blacksmith shop, while the
second floor is used as a wagon factory.  This building has a front of 30
feet and a depth of 60 feet and presents a splendid appearance.  Adjacent
to this is a two-story frame ware house in which this firm stores its
agricultural implements, wagons, and other goods in its line.  This
building has about 28 feet front and depth of 50 feet, and is crowded with
goods.  Across the street from this building stands an additional warehouse
belonging to the same firm which is used to store away stoves and hardware.

From a little frame shop of several years ago this firm has now under its
control four buildings each used for business purposes.  The firm is doing
an excellent business and owes its success to a start of a very small
capital with the cap sheaf of industry and enterprise. 

Mr. Begley, the sole proprietor, is quite a young man and has lived in such
a manner as to win hosts of social friends and business admirers who are
proud to see him prosper.  And his great success has been steady and
somewhat wonderful, but it is simply one of the many examples of what may
be done by hands not afraid to work.