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1. Chas. BLOCK, pioneer clothier, Atlantic, Iowa, was born in Alsacem Germany, June 7, 1852, and came to America in 1871, locating at New York and staying there one year. Then he came to Iowa and lived in Johnson county two years and in Iowa county for two years. He came to Atlantic in March, 1877, and engaged in the clothing business in the old Vrendenburg building where the Commercial Bank now stands. In 1881 he moved to the corner now occupied by Whipple & Shrock, and to his present location in 1896. He is the pioneer clothing man in Atlantic, having been continuously in the business longer than any other Encampment. He is the father of four children, three daughters and one son. In all things he is a progressive citizen and has made a success of his business. He is one of the directors of the Atlantic National Bank.

2. Theodore G. STEINKE, clothier, Atlantic, Iowa, was born in Prussia, March 1, 1842, and came to America when 18 years of age, going to Chicago. He remained in that city until he came to Atlantic in December of 1876. He had previously learned the clothing business, having been employed by such establishments as the Putnam Clothing House, and he naturally engaged in the clothing business here. There was but one exclusive clothing house here then and he bought that out. He remained in business until one year ago when he sold out to Nellis & Young. Some months ago he re-engaged in business under the title of the Steinke Clothing Co., taking his son Fred, who had grown into the business, into company with him. He is the oldest clothing man in point of service in Cass county. He is a member of the Masonic bodies is a 32nd degree Mason, and also an Elk. He has always been public spirited and has held a number of offices at the hands of his fellow citizens.

Fred STIENKE [sic STEINKE] was born in Illinois in 1875 but grew to manhood in this county. He is a clothing man by education and intitution, and is ably assisting his father in reestablishing the trade the house had enjoyed for years.

WHIPPLE & SHROCK. This well-known and up-to-date clothing firm is composed of Frank E. WHIPPLE and Jonas A. SHROCK.

3. Frank E. WHIPPLE, was born in West Concord, Vermont, in May of 1857, and lived in that country until he was 22 years old. He received his education in Vermont and in Beloit, Wisconsin. He went to New Hampshire in 1874 and came from there to Atlantic in 1879. He was a base ball crank and played ball all that summer. That hall he began clerking for Henry MOELLER in the latter's grocery store and then worked in the mill until 1882. He then was in the employ of F.H. WHITNEY and secured employment with T. G. STEINKE in the latter's clothing store, remaining with him until April, 1903, when he and Mr. SHROCK engaged in business for themselves. He is a member of the K. P. and Elks lodges and has been Secretary of the Atlantic School Board for years.

4. Jonas A. SHROCK, was born in Newark, Ohio, January 10, 1859, and lived there until he was through school and had learned the tailoring trade when he went to Chicago. He took his first job as cutter at Keota, Iowa, in 1889, and then went to New York and graduated from the John H. MITCHELL Cutting School, the best of its kind in the country. He was then employed at Des Moines and Washington, Iowa, and came to Atlantic in April, 1891, engaging at once with T. G. STIENKE [sic T. G STEINKE], and taking charge of the tailoring department. He remained with him until he and Mr. WHIPPLE formed their partnership in 1903. He belongs to the K.P. Masonic and Woodmen of the World organizations.

In addition to the clothing store WHIPLE & SHROCK [sic WHIPPLE & SHROCK] operate a large tailoring establishment, employing a dozen people in the busy season and paying out a goodly sum for salaries . They have a large and discriminating trade and enjoy a splendid reputation for the excellence of their work.

5. Albert JOHNSON, clothier, Atlantic, Iowa, was born in Denmark, August 10, 1861, and came to America April 10, 1870, coming direct to Atlantic. He went to school in the East Side building the first day that building was used and remained here until 1874, when he went to Audubon county and farmed until 1882. Returning here he clerked for Charlie BLOCK for six years, then for STIENKE [sic STEINKE] for nine years, and on October 30, 1897, embarked in the clothing business for himself in the room now occupied by him. He is a member of the M. B. A. , Danish Brotherhood and the Elks and is also a member of the City Council from the Third Ward. He has built up a good business by his perserverance and fair dealing and is listed among the progressive business men and citizens of the county.

The firm of NEFF & KOLB, Clothiers, Atlantic, Iowa, is composed of Louis NEFF (6) and Chas. E. KOLB (7). On September 1, 1904, Messrs. NEFF & KOLB succeeded to the business of HENDRICKSON & NEFF. Mr. NEFF has for seven years been in the store now occupied by himself and partner, having worked for John JOHNSON for a number of years and for A. P. HENDRICKSON for about six months, at which time Mr. HENDRICKSON took him as a partner.

Mr. KOLB is from Walnut, and although his residence here has been short, he has made a host of friends. Both of these young men are clean-cut business men of the best type and in all their dealings are eminently fiar and reliable. Their store is headquarters for all that is good in clothing and furnishing goods.


Transcribed by Brenda Magee, July, 2012 from: Exposition Souvenir Album, published by Democrat Publishing Company, Atlantic, Iowa, 1904.