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C. A. MELCHER, of the firm of MELCHER & MELCHER, dry goods merchants, Atlantic, Iowa, was born in Germany in 1861 and came with his parents to this country in 1872, locating in Atlantic. He attended the Atlantic public schools and afterwards entered the employ of Dr. WILKEN in the latter's drug store, remaining with him eight years. Afterwards he engaged in the drug business for himself in Atlantic, continuing in it for three years. In Decemeber of 1886 he moved to South Omaha and engaged in the drug business there, and still owns and operates it. In Septemeber, 1904, he bought O.W. BROWN's interest in the dry goods business and formed a partnership with his sister. "Chris" as he is familiarly known, is a hustler in business and in politics, and in both fields his geniality has made him very successful. He has been a member of the city council of South Omaha and on its school board and was once his party's candidate for city treasurer.

Miss Dora MELCHER, of the dry goods firm of MELCHER & MELCHER, was born in Germany in 1869 and came with her parents to this county in 1872. She attended the public schools of Atlantic and afterwards began clerking, first with Moerschell, then with J. H. MARSHALL, with whom she remained three years, and in with the GILLETTES, with whom she remained five years, and in September, 1903, formed a partnership with O. W. BROWN in the dry goods business. This partnership continued until September, 1904, when the BROWN interest was purchased by her brother, C. A., and the firm name was changed to MELCHER & MELCHER. Miss Dora is one of the most popular women in Atlantic, in business and socially, and during her business intercourse with the public has made a long list of friends, many of whom are now her patrons. She is thoroughly versed in the business in which she is engaged, and is the resident manager of it. Under her direction the business is growing and expanding and the firm is recognized as one of the most progressive in the county.

S. J. GILLETTE, senior member of the dry goods firm of S. J. GILLETTE & Sons, has been engaged in the dry goods business since 1859. For fifteen years previous to coming here the firm was located at Stewart, coming to Atlantic and engaging in business in the present quarters six years ago. The six years the firm has been in business here have resulted in convincing the public that "it pays to trade at Gillette's," and that many have seen fit to "get the habit" is attested by the splendid patronage the firm enjoys. A. A. and Edwin GILLETTE, the junior members of the firm , are both dry goods men of experience and believe that the best is none too good for the people who spend their money with them.

J. H. MARSHALL, dealer in Dry Goods and Carpets, Atlantic, Ia., is one of the live and up to date merchants of the city. His personal sketch will be found in the list of bankers, he being president of the Citizen's Savings Bank of Atlantic, Iowa.


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