Meriden Merchants of 1893

The Meriden Weekly Tribune, 4 March 1893

Below we give a short sketch of our present business men.

THE STATE BANK

Of Meriden is one of our solid institutions and is here to stay. It was established by The Schuster Hax National Bank of St. Joseph, Mo., three years ago under the laws of the State and has a clean record with the Bank Examiner. It numbers among its stockholders some of the wealthiest men of Saint Joseph, and is in a position to furnish the people of our city and vicinity with first class accommodations. Mr. C.A. Shoup the president, takes an active part in the bank’s management and is well known in business and financial circles. Mr. L.A. Sharrard has been the cashier of the bank since it was established, he is the right man in the right place, and has the esteem and good will of all the business men and others.

ARNOLD HARDWARE CO.

Our enterprising young business man Gene Arnold left the farm about a year ago, and commenced business in the capacity of Hardware dealer, during which time he has had a good share of the peoples patronage, there were two other stores here at the time but never the less, Mr. Arnold went ahead and is gaining a better foot hold right along, and deserves patronage.

W.A. GARDNER

Mr. Gardner came to Meriden in the spring of 1878. At that time a Mr. Parks had a small frame store building on that corner, and Mr. Gardner bought it of him. Just opposite on the corner north, Len H. Tripp had a small frame store building, and farther up the street where Kendall Herron Mer. Co. store now is, M. S. Peterson had a similar store building. There were no sidewalks here at that time; one can form an idea of the appearance of our city then. In 1880 they built their new store and moved the old one to where it now stands just south of Mr. Schafer’s harness shop. Today we see that they have made vast improvements, they have porches and sidewalks around their store besides having paved the street with stone in front and on the west. They have dealt with the people of Meriden for the last fourteen years and are still holding forth and have a good patronage.

ANDREW WILSON

The jeweler, came from Winchester a few weeks ago and started a jewelry store in the Star Bakery. He has a good supply of jewelry on hand and will sell at prices that beat Topeka. Remember this and give him your patronage, and in this way make it possible for him to remain in our city.

KENDALL - HERRON MER. CO.

Commenced business here in 1888 in the Frisbie building and remained there until the fall of 1891, when they moved into their new quarters where they now are. They are both shrewd business men and are well known. They are doing a good business and are here to stay.

SCHAFER AND SON

Came to Meriden just a year ago. At that time there was no harness shop here, they rented a building and commenced to make harness and do repairing. Mr. Schafer always buys the best of leather and being a skilled workman turns out better harness than you find in many larger cities. He has sold a good many sets of harness and they are giving good satisfaction. They have several set of their own hand made heavy harness in readiness and it will keep them busy to supply the spring trade. We trust that the farmers will give them their support and not go to Topeka to buy when they can get what they want at their home shop.

PEEBLER AND BARR

Started the first hardware store in Meriden, commencing business here in 1889, and are still in the same location. Mr. Peebler was not in the store during the first two or three years, but was connected with it. He has now had the post office for four years. Mr. Barr is now in the civil service work, and is not in the store very much. They are both well known here and are well patronized.

W.H. WOOD

Commenced business here in 1884 down on the corner, where the rod front building was, and did business there two years. Then built his large stone store building that he now occupies. He has done considerable business here during his eight years. He intends moving his goods to some other locality soon.

L.M. ESHOM

The oldest barber in town commenced his business here in 1879 in Smith & Gilluly store. He was absent for about two years, then opened up shop where Mr. Perkinson is. He is very well patronized.

S.H. CHACEY

Our enterprising cart manufacturer is getting ready to manufacture the best cart in the market, so as to keep a good supply on hand. As you have only to ride in one of them a short distance until you come to the conclusion that it is the easiest riding cart in the market, and will have to buy one. Have you seen them? If not, call at his shop and examine them.

Z.B. PERKINSON

The Star Bakery man moved to where he now is in December, a little over a year ago. He came from the farm and has built up a good trace in his business. He has every thing in the bakery line.

I.H. McQUILKIN & CO.

            New proprietor of the tin shop formerly with W.H. Wood for five or six years as tinner and formerly in business in North Topeka. He has just commenced in business here. Irv is a rustler and a good tinner and is so well known that it is a fore gone conclusion that he will be patronized. We need a good tinner and should keep one by giving him our patronage.

HUBER BROS.

Have been furnishing the people of our city with everything in the meat line since Jan. 1st, 1889. They are worthy of the large patronage that they now have.

W.J. WALTER

Who was formerly in Topeka, June 1891 he set up a shop in the Frazer building, Campbell and Goodwin had a blacksmith shop where Walter is now. After a few months they sold to Mr. Walter and he combined the two shops. Since then he has made vast improvements. He has built another room on the west side and has an engine to run his new emery wheel and bellows. He has dug a cistern which is to keep the engine supplied with water. Everything is fixed in perfect order and he is now prepared to do the amount of work that is coming in every day, in short notice. He is acknowledged by all to be a skilled workman.

WILLIAM CRULL

“Dad” as he is called by nearly every one came to Meriden in the fall of 1879. He farmed the first year then went into the transfer business. Three years ago Feb. 23, he bought the livery stable and is still transferring goods. He has three horses that he had before he bought the stable, Queen, Fannie and Jim, but none of the ones that he bought with the stable. He is our old reliable liveryman, and can furnish you a double seated carriage, a team and buggy, a saddle horse, a sleigh, a single driver, and in fact anything you need in the livery line.

W.G. AULTS

Started his meat market in 1880. He has had his shop in several different locations. He has sold considerable meat in Meriden, and is still at his old stand.

W.J. MILLER

Commenced business here in 1878 and is now mending and making shoes. This makes his thirteen years in business here.

F.A. TRIPP

The barber, has been in business here for a little over six years. His shop is fixed up in fine shape and will give you a good shave for ten cents. He has a splendid trade. He will hone your razor or cut your hair for a quarter.

Photo courtesy of Meriden History

A. & L.W. MOSIER

Mr. A. Mosier has been in business here since 1885. At that time they bought the store of J.D. Lynch where Huber Bros. meat market is at the present time. The firm’s name was A. & J.W. Mosier. L.W. is now one of the firm and J.W. is in business at Herrington. In 1886 they built their large building they now occupy at the same time W.H. Wood built. They have purchased W.H. Wood’s building and now own the whole store. They carry a good line of goods and are enterprising business men.

NOTE: Continued in Meriden Weekly Tribune of 11 March 1893

MR. E. SMITH

Took charge of the American House on the first of this month. He is a good man for the place. For a good square meal or a clean bed go to the American House.

JOHN McLUCAS

Is now the rushing implement man of the town. He buys grain and sells coal. He was formerly proprietor of the hotel, but he is better suited for his present business.

J.T. BROWN

Our wagon-maker came to Meriden a little over three years ago. He worked at the carpenters trade the first year. Since then has worked at his trade in the rear of the blacksmith shop. He is a number one workman.

 

Photo courtesy of Meriden History

GEORGE W. POTTS

The lumberman, owned a fine farm at Grantville, which he sold and moved to this city and has been in lumber business ever since the 16th of April, 1891. He has been Sheriff of this county and is now Police Judge of this city.

ROBERT SMITH

Robert Smith and Gillully commenced business here in 1880 or 1881, bringing their drugs etc. from Oskaloosa mostly. They were in the Frisbie building until Wm. and Robt. built their store building, and Will, who had plenty of money, became a partner. Robt. now controls the business alone. There is no other drug shop in town.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 2012.