Stillwater began in reality with
J. R. Brown's town of Dahkotah, which
consisted in 1841 of the old Tamarack house only, and that partly
completed, but, for all that, Dahkotah was the county seat of St. Croix
county, Wisconsin.
By act of legislature, January, 1846, Stillwater became the county
seat. September, 1849, it became the county seat of Washington county,
on the organization of the territory of Minnesota.
In 1844, Stillwater consisted of a few cabins and shanties rudely
constructed. For many years the business of the town exceeded the
buildings to do it in. Everything indicated a temporary camp for lumber
business. Before many years it became evident that an active town was
to spring up here. In 1853, a demand for building lots arose, which
developed in 1855 into a regular boom, lasting two years, and quite a
village was the result. In 1855, the population did not exceed one
thousand, accommodated, it is said, by about ninety houses. In 1857,
the dwellings numbered three hundred and forty eight, and forty-five
buildmgs were occupied by stores, hotels, etc. The population was
estimated at about 2,500.
In 1855, business was conducted in seventeen stores and shops; in 1857,
the number was increased to thirty-eight. In 1855, two churches
existed, but no sidewalks; in 1857, we find six churches and sidewalks
along the principal streets. At the latter year, five large mills were
running day and night, cutting an aggregate of 200,000 feet of lumber
every twenty-four hours. During this year a large flouring mill was
begun and several stores were erected.
The effect of the large crop of grain and the increased logging
business stimulated trade in all directions and increased the number of
settlers, which, during the following year exceeded the entire amount
of ten years preceeding. A check then took place, which continued for
some time after the war closed. In 1868, another boom occurred,
building followed, unparalleled by anything in the history of the city.
Mill improvements during the year amounted to $236,000. A large and
imposing court-house added a new feature to the city, and a number of
business houses were added, as well as scores of private residences.
During 1870, eighty-eight buildings were erected at a cost of about
$256,975; in 1871, one hundred and fifteen, costing about $531,200. The
manufacturing
interests for these years increased in a corresponding proportion.
The total number of manufacturing establishments was thirty-four,
employing a capital of $199,500, producing $410,000 in manufactured
staple goods, furnishing employment to several hundred men.
For the year 1874, from a carefully compiled record of the improvements
made, we insert the following: on Main street, fourteen buildings were
erected, costing $76,000; on Second street, seven buildings, costing
111,000; on Third street, sixteen buildings, costing $19,000; on Fourth
street, nine buildings, costing $23,800; on Fifth street, two
buildings, costing $8,500, and in the additions, sixty-nine buildings,
costing $133,000. The total number of buildings erected during this
year, was one hundred and forty, costing $330,000.
Since the year 1874, no year has exhibited a proportionate increase in
the nutnber of buildings, but those erected have been of a more
substantial and better class. Some of the blocks added during the last
few years clearly show that the builders entertained a more exalted
idea of the present and future of Stillwater. Witness the opera house
elsewhere described.
The present business of Stillwater is represented by the following
departments, firms and individuals. Besides the principal business,
under which an individual or firm is classed, other minor branches are
often connected, so that the following exhibit may be said to represent
fairly the entire business interests of this busy little city.
Attorneys - J. N. and I. W. Castle, L. E. Thompson, McCluer and Marsh,
F. V. Comfort, C. P. Gregory, Thomas Lechy, Orris F. Lee, Edwin G.
Butts, Budolph Lehmicke and H. E.
Murdock. The last two connect insurance with law business.
Physicians - W. H. Caine, Christopher Carli, H. S. Hersey, W. H. Pratt,
J. C. Rhodes, O. A. Watier, A. L. Zuercher, P. H. Millard. Veterinary
surgeon, D. S. Hall.
Dentists - A. E. Knapp, M. P. Goodwin, Frank L. Eoberts and B. G. Merry.
Music teachers - J. L. Jones, Anna A. Lane, Faith A. Sabin, W. P.
Schilling and S. H. Hayner, the latter leader of orchestra, and
piano-tuner. Insurance agents - Frank E. Joy, Theodore Franks, David
Cover, A. T. Lindholm and the attorneys previously mentioned.
Banks - First National, Lumbermen's National and Stillwater Savings
bank.
Newspapers and publishers - Stillwater
Gazette; Stillwater Lumberman,
the company are also book-binders and wood-engravers; St. Croix Post, the company also
are insurance agents and conduct a store with stationery and toys; Stillwater Messenger.
Manufacturers - Lumber: McKusick, Anderson and Company, St. Joe; J. S.
Anderson and Company; Bronson and Folsom; Durant, Wheeler and Company;
Gillespie and Harper; the two last named operate tow-boats; Ellison and
Company, South Stillwater; Hersey, Bean and Brown; St. Croix Lumber
Company; Schulenburg and Boeckeler; C N. Nelson Lumber Company; the
four last named carry on stores with general merchandise and clothing;
Isaac Staples, who also operates tow-boats, stores with general
merchandise, hardware, harness, boots and shoes, a foundry and a
meat-market. Flouring-mills: Stillwater mills; Staples' mill and
Townshend Roller Mill.
Foundries - George Swain and others, mentioned elsewhere.
Boilers - Daniel A. Stombs.
Boat builders - Durant, Wheeler and Company, who also run tow-boats and
have a shipyard at South Stillwater; and Miiller Brothers.
Carriages and wagons - Daw and Connors; L. Keene, W. Muller, D. J.
Sullivan; the two last are painters, and the last trimmer.
Carriage trimmer - Andrew Ohlsen.
Breweries - Herman Tepass; and Joseph Wolf.
Dye works - J. M. Burbridge and son.
Bricks - Fred Steinacker.
Cooper - W. G. Carley, with carriages.
General
merchandise - Joseph Schupp, Bronson and Folsom, J. Lowell; the two
first carry crockery and glassware; the mill companies elsewhere
noticed.
Dry goods - Louis Albenberg, Ludwig Kahn, W. E. Thorne; all carry
carpets; the first hair goods, and the last curtains and draperies.
Ladies furnishing goods - Shuttinger and Company.
Clothing - John F. Burke, Conhaim and Company, A. Rohrback, also the
mill companies.
Groceries - Dahm and Son, Thomas Haggerty, Alex. McMillan, St. Joe,
Wheeler Brothers, J. N. Darms; the two last named carry glassware; Mrs.
M. Hebenstreit, James McCoy, Kilty Brothers, in connection with a meat
market.
Boots and shoes - August Buth, Ferguson Brothers, F. W. Kern, A.
Ilankinson, W. Hanitsch, J. O'Shaughnessy, with sewing machines, N. F.
Schwarz, P. J. Stenstrom, who keeps
tobacco and cigars; W. Linhoff, Peter Gilbert; the two last named are
makers. The mill stores and general merchandise stores also carry boots
and shoes.
Hardware - E. L. Hospes and Company, with sportsman's goods; J. Karst,
with guns, rifles, etc; L. E. Torinus, W. M. Capron, stoves, tinware,
house furnishing goods and roofing; Sawyer, Wallace and Company, stoves
and tinware.
Agricultural implements - H. L. Foster, with wagons and carriages;
Seymour, Sabin and Company, with a foundry.
Book sellers - George N. Culver, with fancy goods; A. Eldridge, with
news depot; A. C. Lull, Duel and Schermuly, in connection with their
publishing and other business.
Drugs - King and Seymour, Henning and Millard, Scott and Opsahl, Albert
Wilkinson, H. M. Crandall, wholesale and retail.
Pianos and organs - H. W. Hitchcock.
Sewing machines - George Blake, with celluloid goods; others, with
other business.
Commission merchants - Samuel C. Norton, with fire and building brick,
cement, hair, lime, etc.; Kilty Brothers & Company.
Wines and liquors, wholesale - Phillip Potts,Joseph Wolf.
Ice - E. Rhiner, Owen Mower.
Meat-markets - Fee and Sons, Charles Le Comp, Hanson and Company, Isaac
Staples, with his other extensive business.
Livery - A. J. Orff, C. A. Bromley, P. W. McKusick, H. C. Farmer, Web
McKusick, Rahr and Hanson.
Eeal estate - R. M. Coles, V. C. Seward, Myron Shepard, also surveyor.
Confectionery
and fruit - Frank Bronson, Charles L. Clegg, Henry Desowtelle, T. J.
Dunn, Thomas Francis, Daniel Fry, John Kenny, Jr., Charles Lindbloom,
John Olson; N. Patwell, Peter Patwell, Julia Starker, Robert Welch.
Florist - Marcel Gagnon.
News stand - D. D. L. Burlingham.
Railroads and express companies - Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis
and Omaha railway, G. M. Brush, agent; St. Paul and Duluth railroad, S.
W. Kelley, agent; United States Express company, Frank E. Netzer agent;
Northwestern Telegraph company, C. E. White, manager; Telephone
Exchange, Miss A. McCausley, manager.
Contractors - George Lown, Stephen and Spindle, John Green, William
Willim, William M. May, Thomas Rooney, John Rooney , Jake Fisher,
George M. Seymour, A. E. Jordan, Michael McHale.
Machinist - D. M. Swain.
Stencil cutter - A. A. Capron.
Marble works - P. N. Peterson.
Gas and steam fitters - Joseph Kelso, John Quinlan.
Painters - W. Muller, D. J. Sullivan, James Keefe, Wright and Webster,
J. Van Buskirk, H. W. Smith, Stanley and Mosier.
Carpet weaver - Adam Schoenberger.
Blacksmiths - James Casey, James P. Fitzgerald, William Muller, Staples
and Kearney, D. J. Sullivan.
Harnesses - George Borrowman, Louis Rothman, B. F. Rice, Simmons and
Company, Isaac Staples, in connection with his other business.
Tailors - W. R. Daimond, Hospes and Cutter, Louis Gross, Thon Brothers,
Samuel Lamphear.
Upholsterers - J. S. Fassett, and the furniture dealers.
Watches - C. Henningson, John Calesar; W. J. Stein, Joseph Taenhauser.
Bakers - Heitman and Becker, with confectionery and groceries; Charles
Neuendorf, with feed store and groceries.
Dress and cloak makers - Mary Phillips, Miss G. C. Morgan, M. Malcomb,
Josephine Lamay, Anna Christanson, D. B. Glass, Mrs. E. Risley, Mrs. J.
H. Shannon, hair dealer and worker; M. J. Scanlerm.
Milliners - Fanny H.Tield, D. B. Glass, F. E. Jordan, Johanna Siebold,
Mrs. E. P. Smith.
Photographers - F. E. Loomis, James Sinclair, Mr. Kuehn.
Steam rendering and soap factory - McKenzie Brothers, South Stillwater.
Barbers - Hadley and Jackson, B. McSweeney, L. E. Nolen, Mrs. J.
Simpson,
George Rogentine.
Laundries - Samuel Lung, Mrs. Westerhouse.
Billiards - Samuel Bloomer, P. S. Deragisch, Bernhardt Thelan, Emil
Krueger.
Boarding houses - Mrs. H. Mead, Mrs. T. Dunn, Daniel Elliott,
Charles Boo, Patrick Barrett, Mrs. F. Mercier, J. H. Morgan, Thomas
Shattuck, Mrs. L. Tanner.
Hotels - Sawyer house, Farmers Home, Lakeside house, Wexio, Central,
Keystone, Stillwater, Williams.
Restaurants - Octave Willett, P. Willett and Company, Herveux and
Shepherd, A. Mellin.
Bands - Schillings, Hayner's, Stillwater Cornet.
Saloons - Twenty-six in number, of the various grades and classes
usually found in cities of the size of Stillwater.
We give below the names and business of a few of the leading merchants
of Stillwater.
S. Simonet, dealer in furniture, began his business in this city in
I867, in partnership with P. H. Muller, in the present location, in a
building 40x45 feet. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Muller withdrew and the business has since been conducted by Mr. Simonet. His
sales-room is 20x55 feet, and the workshop 16x55 feet. It is located on
lower Main street.
Joseph Dahm's grocery store is located on lower Main street. It is a
triangular but commodious store, built on the face of and partially
beneath the bluff. It was erected in 1860, by S. Demler, who soon after died; his widow married the present proprietor.
In the rear of the store are two cellars, each 35x45 feet, hewn out of
the solid rock, where fruits, syrups, etc., are stored. In the center
of one is a living spring of pure water, and through the roof is a
ventilator, cut perpendicularly through the solid rock to the surface.
Since 1870, Mr. Dahm has devoted his entire attention to the grocery
business.
James Fowler, Jr.'s furniture business was established in 1854, by S.
Willard, and by him conducted till November 15th, 1880, when he was
succeeded by Mr. Fowler. The building has a frontage of thirty feet,
one hundred and twenty feet deep, three stories high, and has a large
basement room. Mr. Fowler is rapidly placing himself among the foremost
businessmen of the city. He is located on Main street.
Louis Albenberg came to Stillwater in 1871 and with only a few
hundred dollars commenced what has since grown to be one of the most
extensive dry goods stores in the city. He opened his present store in
1876, and is now doing an annual business of $60,000. His location is
on Main street.
Joseph Schupp became identified with the mercantile interests of
Stillwater in 1856, when he started a general store in Socrates
Nelson's block, opposite where the Grand Opera house stands, in a room
20x40 feet, with a $400 stock of goods. His business rapidly increased
until in 1869 he purchased the grounds and erected his present place of
business. It is substantially built of stone, twenty-five feet front,
with a depth of seventy-four feet and two stories high. He employs
three clerks and does an exclusive cash business of $60,000 annually.
John Karst, hardware. This business was established in 1877 under the
firm name of Karst and Kennemann, and so continued till August, 1878,
when the company dissolved. Mr. Karst then conducted the business alone
for about a year, when he took as partners Joseph Deiring and his son
Charles Karst, under the firm name of John Karst and Company. This
continued until March, 1880, when Mr. Karst purchased the entire
business and has since been sole owner. He is located on Main street,
in a building 25x140 feet, and does a business of $30,000 annually in
stoves and tinware, roofing and sheet-iron work, wood and iron pumps,
shelf and heavy hardware, carpenter's tools, etc.
A. G. Shuttinger opened a ladies' bazaar in September, 1880, on
Main street. He deals in notions and ladies' ready-made clothing,
corsets, ribbons, hosiery, etc. Although of recent origin, this bazaar
is doing a large business, keeping almost constantly employed three
ladies and two gentlemen. Mr. Shuttinger has done a proportionate
amount of an annual business of $20,000 since commencing.
In 1873, Nicholas F. Schwarz, began business in boots and shoes in
a small frame building on Lower Main street; here he continued until
1876, when he removed to his present location on Main street near
Nelson. His building is 20x40 feet, and four men are employed in the
manufacture and sale of boots and shoes.
Ariel Eldridge purchased the book store kept by Martin Johnson, in
1862, and he has since conducted it. Mr. Eldridge is genial and
accommodating as a business man, and enjoys a large patronage.
J. O'Shaughnessy began business in boots and shoes in 1862, in a small
shop on Main street with one workman besides himself. In 1866, he put
in a stock of ready-made goods and increased his facilities, removing
to Nelson's block on Lower Main street, but after a few successful
years, again removed to the St. Croix building, where he was burned out
in 1873. He then occupied a room in Hospes's block until October, 1879,
when he took possession of his present place. Employs three men and
does custom and ready-made business.
August Buth made a modest beginning in boots and shoes on Chestnut
street in 1870. The first two years he had a shoemaker's shop only,
but, in 1872, opened retail boot and shoe store in connection. His
business soon out-grew his meagre accommodations in this location, and
he accordingly moved to his present commodious quarters on Main street.
His sale-room is 20x42 feet, and manufacturing department 20x30 feet.
Four men are employed, and his busmess amounts to $12,000 annually.
P. J. Stenstrom began business in boots and shoes in 1872, in a
shoemaking shop, but in 1874 added to this business a stock of
ready-made goods, in which line he still continues, also in same
building has a separate sale-room devoted to the sale of tobacco,
cigars, etc. Three men are employed in the manufacture of boots and
shoes.
Albert Wilkinson, druggist, established his business in November,
1878, at his present location on Main street. This is the outgrowth of
Dr. Carli's old drug store, the first in the city. Mr. Wilkinson commenced business with a cash capital of $2,000, which
he has since increased to $6,000. He also owns one-half interest in the
North Star Pharmacy on Main street. His store is 22x70 feet, and two
salesmen are employed.
Ferguson Brothers commenced business in boots and shoes at their
present location on Main street, March 18th, 1878, with a cash capital
of only $2,000. Their sales-room is 20x45 feet, and they do an annual
business of $22,000. This firm, though comparatively young, ranks among
the leading boot and shoe houses of the city.
W. S. Conrad, wholesale and retail dealer in
tobaccos and cigars, began business in 1869, on Chestnut street, with a
stock of $1,500, doing, the first year, a business of $4,000. He
remained there until 1871, and then removed to where Isaac Staples'
meat market is now located, but the accommodation not being
sufficiently ample to meet the requirements of his rapidly increasing
business, he, in 1874, again removed to Upper Main street, where he
remained until May, 1881, and moved to his present commodious quarters
in MoKusick's block, at the corner of Main and Myrtle streets. He has a
frontage of twenty-four feet, eighty-five feet deep, and handles
tobaccos, cigars and every variety of smoking articles. Four men are
employed in the house, and two traveling salesmen, and his goods find a
market in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Dakota and Montana. In 1880, he did a
business of $80,000.
In 1875, August Hawkenson began business in boots and shoes in this
city where Townshends and Company's mill office is located, with O. S.
Johnson as a partner. In 1877, they moved to Mr. Hawkenson's present
location. In June, 1879, Hawkenson purchased Johnson's interest and has
conducted the business alone, employing from two to four workmen.
George Borrowman, harness maker, began business in 1878 at the corner
of Stimson's alley and Chestnut street, manufacturing collars only, but
he was soon enabled, by careful industry to enlarge his business and
secure more commodious rooms; he accordingly established himself in his
present location on Main street. He now manufactures all kinds of light
and heavy harness. Three men are employed, and the business amounts to
$12,000 annually.
Kilty Brothers' grocery and meat market was opened in March, 1878, by
the Kilty Brothers on Fourth street, between Goodwood and Churchill, in
a building 14x20 feet. They remained there until 1879, when they leased
the building they now occupy on Fourth street corner Churchill. They
enlarged their stock and opened a meat market in connection with their
grocery department. Their rooms consist of a grocery department 26x33
feet, a meat market 24x26 feet, and a feed store 18x26 feet. In 1880
they also started a general commission house on Chestnut street, in
Green's block, dealing in grain, flour, feed, etc. These brothers
deserve much credit for their pluck and perseverance in business,
actually
starting with a borrowed capital of $200. They now do a business of
$20,000 annually.
W. M. Capron, dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware. The nucleus of
this business was formedin 1854, when A. A. Capron, a brother of the
above named gentleman, came to this city and bought out a man named
Putz, and established the business with a man named Morris, the firm
being Capron and Morris. This firm continued a number of years, and
sold out to Edward Capron, the father of A. A. and W. M. He conducted
it awhile and sold to the present proprietor, who afterwards sold to
his father Edward, and again re-purchased in October, 1878, since which
time he has carried on the business. He has recently moved from the old
stand on Chestnut street, and is centrally located on Main street. He
keeps four men constantly employed in the work-room and does a business
of from $15,000 to $18,000 annually.
The firm Staples and Kearney, blacksmiths, consists of Edward Staples
and Andrew Kearney. The business was begun by Mr. Staples in 1871 in a
building directly opposite their present location, but the following
spring the shop where they now do business was completed and the
business moved thereto. In 1874, Kearney purchased an interest, when
the present firm name was adopted. Their shop is 28x61 feet
two-stories, they have three forges and all the necessary appurtenances
on the first floor. The second floor is rented to, and used by Keene for wagon and repair shop, etc.
Thomas Dunn opened a confectionery, fruit, tobacco and cigar-stand, in
1876, on Main street, opposite the Stillwater flouring-mills, where he
keeps a fine assortment of the best in the market. Baskets of fruit and
refreshing, healthful cordials are furnished.
Miss Fannie E. Jordan opened a millinery and fancy goods establishment
on Chestnut street, between First and Second, where she continued until
June, 1880, when she removed to her present location on Main street,
between Nelson and Chestnut streets. Here she enjoys a liberal trade
and carries one of the most complete stocks in the city.
The manufacture of organs was commenced by C. W. Hitchcock, in the
spring of 1880, on a small basis, which admitted of the construction
0of two organs per month. At this time, about one year from the
beginning of the enterprise, the business has been increased to
manufacture ten per month. Mr. Hitchcock is sole proprietor, and his
store is located on Second street, between Chestnut and Myrtle, where
he keeps organs of his own make, pianos, and a general stock of musical
merchandise. The manufactory is on Olive between Third and Fourth
streets.
David Bronson started a dry goods and grocery store in 1859, in a store
on Myrtle and Main streets, continuing until January, 1866, when David
Cover, Wm. G. Bronson and E. A. Folsom were admitted, under the firm
name of Bronson, Cover and Company, and in the spring of that year
moved into the store now occupied by Isaac Stapies. They continued two
years, when they were succeeded by Bronson and Folsom, David Bronson
and E. A. Folsom. In 1872, Hersey and Doe were admitted, under the firm
name of Hersey, Bronson, Doe and Folsom, and the company moved into the
store now occupied by Rees' clothing-house. Two years later they sold
out to Hersey, Bean and Brown.
In 1877, David Bronson, E. A. Folsom and George O. Haskill formed a
partnership under the firm name of Bronson and Folsom, and carry a
general stock in a store on Main street.
Schulenburg and Boeckeler Lumber Company established their store at its
present location in the year 1856. The building was, at that time,
16x20 feet, and one and one-half stories high. In 1859 they enlarged it
to 16x38, and added a ware-room in the rear, 12x38. In the summer of
1871, they again enlarged it, making it this time 16x54, and increased
the ware-room to 25x64. They carry a line of general merchandise. In
1871 they built an office and vault on the south side of their store,
16x30 feet, where the business of the wliole establishment is
transacted. The one-half story above is used as a store-room.
R. J., J. L., and W. H. H. Wheeler formed a partnership April 1st,
1875, under the firm name of Wheeler Brothers, carrying a general line
of groceries, in the Bernheimer block. In January, 1881, J. L. and W.
H. H. Wheeler formed a partnership
with Durant, Wheeler and Company under the flrm name of Wlieeler
Brothers and Company, and now occupy a room in the Grand Opera House
block, 21x120 feet, with basement for storage, and have now one of the
finest stores and stocks in the city, and are doing a business of about
$100,000 per year.
Ludwig Kahn, formerly of Chicago, established his stock of dry goods
and carpets in Stillwater, in the Holcombe block, in April, 1877. In
March, 1881, he moved to a store in the Grand Opera House block, 24x120
feet, two stories and basement; basement used for carpets, second story
for manufacturing and storage. He is one of Stillwater's most
enterprising business men. He is also a member of the firm of Charles
Conhaim and Company retail clothers. This house was established
in the spring of 1880, in Wolf's block, and in the spring of 1881, moved into the Holcombe block, and
does an extensive business in the clothing line.
Phillip Potts established his wholesale liquor store September, 1874,
in a building built by him comer of Main street and Nelson Avenue,
24x70, two stories, using both stories for his business; carries a
general line of Uquors, and does a business of $30,000 per year.
John Kenny, Jr., established his confectionery store in Main street, in
a building 16x30, one story high, in the spring of 1877, and carries a
stock of about $600, doing a very fine trade.
Hardware - E. L. Hospes and W. K. Wurdeman, proprietors. This
business began November, 1874. In May, 1875, Mr. Hospes purchased Mr.
Wurdeman's interest, and conducted the business alone, employing Mr.
Wurdeman as a clerk. This continued till April, 1876, when W. McPherson
became a partner, and the concern was known as E. L. Hospes and
Company. In March, 1880, McPherson withdrew, selling his interest to
Hospes and Wurdeman, or E.L. Hospes and Company, who continue the
business to the present time. They have a sales-room 20x70 feet, and
two ware-rooms; employ three salesmen. They deal in shelf and heavy
hardware, etc.
Sawyer, Wallace and Company. This establishment began in 1876, under
the firm name of Sawyer and Company, on Bridge square, in a building
20x40 feet, with a capital of two hundred dollars. The next year they
removed to Union block on Main street, demanding more room. Here they
remained two years, when the flrm was changed, T. W. Wallace becoming
associated, and was known as Sawyer, Wallace and Company. Soon after
this they moved to their present location on Main street, near Nelson.
They occupy a room 30x100 feet and a basement, employing five men in
the shop and three salesmen, and doing a business of about $25,000 per
annum, dealing in hardware, stoves, house furnishing goods, etc.
Wm. E. Thome established a general store in 1855 on a small scale in
Nelson's block. In 1859 he moved to his present location, corner Main
and Chestnut, in a building 25x60. Since 1860 he has carried dry goods
exclusively.
Hardware - Westing and Torinus estabUshed, in 1859, a general store, on
the west side of Main street, between Chestnut and Nelson Avenues. In
1864, L. E. Torinus succeeded to the business and moved to the old
Nelson building. In 1867, the firm changed to Torinus and Staples, and
moved to the present commodious store, 25x110 feet, three stories in
height. In 1868, Wm. G Bronson was admitted under flrm name Torinus,
Staples and Company. In 1873, L. E. Torinus succeeded to the business,
and changed to exclusive hardware. From 1875 to 1878, the firm was
Torinus and Wilkinson; since then, L. E. Torinus. Carries a general
line of hardware, nails, iron, stoves, etc., and is doing a business of
180,000 per year. Mr. Doe, formerly of Hersey and Doe, has charge of
the business, and to him is due a great deal of the credit of the
prosperous condition of the enterprise.
Thomas Francis established his ice cream parlors on Main street, and
continued for some years, adding a restaurant business for a time; then
added a stock of fancy goods and toys, in connection with his ice cream
parlors. In this latter business, he has secured a fortunate business.
In 1879, he removed to the corner of Chestnut and Second streets, where
he opened his present con.fectionery and ice cream parlors, and may be
found in one of the pleasant centers of the city of Stillwater.
James K. Van Buskirk, established a paint shop on Third street, between
Myrtle and Mulberry in March, 1875. He does both house painting, ,sign
painting and
frescoing. His business increased gradually from the time of
establishing himself here to the present. At first he employed but one
helper, gradually gaining a reputation in business until in 1880-'81,
he employed four helpers. The proceeds of business has aggregated about
four thousand dollars per annum for the last two or three years. He
ranks among the prominent men in his line of trade.
E. Rhiner is the proprietor of the St. Croix ice house. He established
this business in 1863, beginning small and enlarging from time to time
as the trade demanded. The lirst building was 24x40 feet, the present
one is large enough to store away about three thousand tons and help
enough is employed to store the ice and distribute it in the summer.
Henry Staples and Company, general merchandise. This firm was
established in 1854, and consisted of Samuel F. Hersey, Isaac Staples,
D. C. Hall, J. Brooks Tenno and J. P. Whitney. They started their
business in which is known as the Columbus building. They remained one
year and went to their own building on the comer of Main and Myrtle.
About this time the firm name was changed to Staples, Bronson and
Company, by which it was known until 1858, when the old name was
adopted. In 1861, the style of the firm was changed to Hersey, Staples
and Hall. In the fall of 1866, it made another change, taking in A. K.
Doe, Chas. and Jacob Bean, and was then styled Hersey, Staples and Doe.
This continued for five years and was then changed to Staples, Doe and
Hersey, which lasted until August, 1875. Samuel F. Hersey died in 1874,
but in August, 1875, Dudley H. Hersey, a son, and A. K. Doe bought the
business. The same fall they consolidated with Bronson and Folsom, and
it was styled Hersey, Bronson, Doe and Folsom. This partnership was
dissolved in November, 1877. This firm did a business of $190,000 to
$265,000 per year from 1866 to 1877, larger than any other in the city
in the merchantile trade. They had six clerks besides A. K. Doe, who
managed; at the above mentioned time, tliey sold to Hersey, Bean and
Brown, who ran the store in the Hersey, Staples' block until the summer
of 1879. In 1878, they erected their new buildings at the mill, where
they are now located. The store room is 28x40 feet, two stories both
used for their business. To this there is an " L " on the south, 26x40 feet, and two stories. The first floor is
occupied by Hersey, Bean and Brown as an oflice for their lumber and
mill department. The second floor is occupied by Hersey and Bean as an
office for their logging and land department. Each floor is furnished
with a commodious vault 8x12 feet and fire proof. In the store are two
clerks.
Isaac Staples, general merchandise. In 1875, after Hersey and Doe
bought out the old firm, Isaac Staples began business in what is now
used for the general office. In the summer of 1876, he moved the goods
to their present location, corner of Main and Myrtle, stone block.
Their store is 30x80 feet, three stories and basement, all used for the
business. There are six clerks employed to do the business.
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