BUSINESS SUMMARY. (CONT'D)
CLOTHING AND GENTS' FURNISHINGS GOODS.
The title of the pioneer clothier may appropriately be given to Evan Davis, who established himself in that business in 1879, being one of the venturers who early cast his fortunes with the young town. His business has annually expanded, until today his Golden Eagle Clothing House has fame in all surrounding counties. The building he now occupies is illustrated elsewhere. Besides this business he has a thriving trade tributary to his branch house at Manilla, Crawford County. Mr. Davis is one of the eminently prosperous and enterprising business men of Audubon, who has been ever active in the upbuilding of the town, and who takes a well earned pride in its present fine proportions.
The One-Price Clothing Store, shown elsewhere, is the property of John H. Kate, who launched the business in 1880. He has a large trade and conducts a merchant tailoring shop in connection with his custom-made department. From the beginning his business has steadily increased. He is established of firm basis, and will continue to enjoy increased prosperity.
RESIDENCE OF A. H. ROBERTS, AUDUBON.
In connection with his large dry goods and grocery store B. F. Howald has built up a large trade in clothing. He has kept his entire stock in the room heretofore referred to, until last year, when it had outgrown allotted dimensions, and it became necessary to secure additional rooms. He purchased the adjoining premises which contains a room 25x60, now thoroughly and exclusively stocked with clothing and gents' furnishing goods. Mr. Howald now owns two of the best business locations the city affords.
Russell & Son also carry a good and complete stock of clothing in connection with their dry goods store.
MERCHANT TAILORING.
Messrs. John Intveen, Wm. Mehle and F. Beneke respectively conduct merchant tailoring establishments, furnishing the correct and latest styles. They are high up in the trade, do first-class work, and keep honest goods.
GROCERIES.
Frank Gleason is the veritable pioneer grocer of Audubon, having settled in the first year of Audubon's existence and established "The Pioneer Grocery," which designation his store retains to this day. In his long business career he has won the confidence of the people, and consequently enjoys a large patronage. He also carries a complete stock of queensware.
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John F. Consigny carries a large stock of groceries and queensware. He has very recently removed from his old quarters to a new and spacious building, 25x110, on the south side of Broadway, and has added largely to his already heavy stock.
The Banner Grocery, shown elsewhere, is the property of Will D. Forbes, a young man of much public enterprise, who is meeting with marked and deserved success in his business. He located here in the fall of 1883, and in the comparatively short time has won an excellent trade by fair dealing.
Emil Bilharz also conducts a large exclusive grocery and queensware house, on the south side of Broadway, with great success. His trade is of the best, and extends many miles in either direction. He has also been compelled to increase his storehouses, for which purpose he erected an addition 25x40 during the past season. He has introduced in his business every article which genius has invented, and altogether has one of the best equipped and stocked establishments in the west. The building is shown elsewhere.
Owing to the extended territory tributary to Audubon, the grocery trade is one of astonishing dimensions. All of the establishments mentioned drive a thriving business.
CHAS. STUART & SON'S RANCH, NINE MILES EAST OF AUDUBON.
The amount of capital invested in the four stocks is quite $30,000.00, while the annual trade approximates $160,000.00. A point with smaller country tributary could not show such a business; indeed it may be doubted if four similar firms, wherever located, can point to such results.
BOOTS AND SHOES.
Messrs. Forbes & Son have the only exclusive line of boots and shoes in the city, but they are none the less diligent in furnishing all styles of the best quality it is possible to secure. They have a large and finely arranged and displayed stock. They are thoroughly reliable, and gentlement with whom it is a pleasure to do business.
Transcribed February, 2025 by Cheryl Siebrass from History of Audubon and Audubon County, Iowa, The Eden of the West, 1887, pp. 39-40.
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