Home > Records > History Main > 1904 Expo Album

Cyrus B. OSBORNE, Furniture and Undertaking, Atlantic, Iowa, is a native of the Nutmeg State, having been born at Southberg, Connecticut, October 1, 1840. In his youth he learned the trade of coach-body maker, but he never followed it. He came to Chicago in 1862 and entered the employ of the Chicago & Galena Union Ry., now the Iowa division of the C. & N. W. Ry. In 1865 after the war, in which he served, was over, he came to Des Moines, and in 1866 he moved to Lewis, then the county seat of this county, and opened the first furniture store the county had ever had. His stock was hauled by wagon from Grinnell, the end of the Rock Island at that time, to Des Moines and then to Lewis. He says it was not a mammoth stock, but it was a starter. In 1869 he came to Atlantic and opened a larger stock of the same kind and he has been in the business ever since. He enjoys the distinction of being the oldest business man in the county, not one man in business when he came to the county now being engaged in business. He is a Mason and has been frequently honored by that organization with exalted stations. He was a charter member of the Atlantic Masonic lodge, and he is an active member of the Grand Army. He has been a member of the City Council and has done time on the school board. He has always been public spirited and has kept his business along the lines of progress.

Jacon Leslie WINNE, Furniture and Undertaking, Atlantic, Iowa, was born near Elgin, Illinois, June 30, 1852. He lived there until he was 28 years of age, and in July of 1880 came to Atlantic and purchased the bakery, confectionery and restaurant conducted by BUELL Bros. At the end of two years he sold out the business, then repurchased it and again sold it to HAVER & CLAWSON. He then engaged in the grocery business, buying the Harlan grocery and going into partnership with OSTRUM. OSTRUM sold to John DAWSON and the firm became WINNE & DAWSON. They moved to the National Bank corner and continued in business together about two years. He then sold out to DAWSON and opened a new stock of groceries in the old PARKER building, ran it two years and moved it across the street to the MILNER building. He sold it afterward and then bought it back, then sold it and bought the BRADLEY stock and a bankrupt stock at Brayton and closed them out. Then he bought the grocery back and afterwards selling it to Fred WARREN he engaged in the furniture business and has been in it ever since. He carries a large and complete stock of goods, does undertaking and enjoys a thrifty and growing trade. He belongs to the three a Masonic bodies, is a member of the A.O.U.W. bodies, is a member of that A.O.U.W. and of the B.P.O.E.

Charles THURMAN, Furniture and Undertaking, Atlantic, Iowa, was born in Germany, February 17, 1842, and came to America in 1866. He landed in New York and by 1896 had worked his way as far west as Atlantic, where he located and where he has been in business ever since. He had learned the trade of cabinet maker in the old country and when he reached Des Moines found employment with HARBACH, where, also, John YAGER was employed. Together they came to Atlantic and in 1869 started into the furniture business, continuing together for three years, when Mr. THURMAN succeeded to the business and has been in it ever since. He is one of the oldest business men in Atlantic and is recognized as one of the most reliable business men in the city. He is a good citizen and always has done his part in advancement of the city's interests.

Associated in business with him is his son, Frank A. THURMAN, now 21 years of age, born and raised in Atlantic and a graduate of Highland Park College, of Des Moines. He is a bright and progressive young business man and will fittingly carry the business responsibilities he will encounter.


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