Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-09-07
Edward Ely.


ohicsso ia rsmsrkable all .bs world o.e,
ia' the marvellous rapidity Of its growth irts
city, whi: n, in many particulars. leads all
o.hsrs. uld fosle. and cro-k.rs have call
ea y mushroom gro~th," aud from ysar
10 year have predicted that the time veula
soon come = hsn Chicago prcgress would Be
changed to decline. But still Chicago haa
gone oo. every year bringing to her : wen.
asfluliy increased populat,pa and greater
business facili.ies. This progress is 10 be
mainly attributed t. the energy and talsn,
Of her business men, without whom oil nat
ural advantages oflecation would have been
useless.
Prominent among these energetic busi.
ness men Of Chicago is Edward Ely, whose
name 10 familiar to every one who has lived
in the city or ever visited it With the pur-
pose Of learning something about its institu-
tons. Asa business man ~ . popular
gentleman as standing at the head Of his
calling as worthy member Of the church:
- an honorable man in society Mr.. Ely
10 one Of those to when Chicsgo 10 always
proud to point when she boasts Of Ter posi-
:iOn.
Edward Ely is ono OF the old residents Of
our city, albeit that he has resided here
anly fifteen years. Yet that period is abou t
half the life Of the city, and Mr.. Ely has
been identified with the best part Of Chica-
go's growth and prosperity. Beginning in
the smallest and most modest manner. he
is now known oil over the Northwest as the
most eminently fashionable leader Of gen.
tlsmen's apparel and the proprietor of the
most extensive clothing establishment oi
this city.
A brief sketch Of Mr.. Ely's life will not
be uninterssting to tho reader, and viii
serve as an illustration Of what enterprise
can accomplish. Mr.. Ely was born March
I'd. 1880, in Huntington. Connecticut. His
family is one Of the oldest Of New England.
both Of his grandfathers being distinguish
ed clcrgymsn and learned gentlemen. Mr..
Ely left school ct the ago Of sixteen years
to it himself for activs business life. He
chose to learn trade as the best stepping
blsck to future success, and hit upon that
Of the tailor, for which be developed a rs.
marksblo adaptabilty that enabled him 70
go rapidly ahead Of his apprenticeship.
Like most young men OF the day, Mr.
Ely conceived that the west would afford
him tho best isld, and, coming to Chicago,
had the foresight to determine that the des.
tiny Of this city should BE- his own. II
WAS but few months before he established
business Of his own in little frame
building opposite the fremont Hous. whore
Dicksy's Block now stands. His store
was then but l6xl8 feet he paid an an
nual rent Of only $3.50; he employed but
two men. What contrast to his present
position He now occupies two handsome
houses at Nos. Q and 4 Washington street,
10 the most fashionable part Of the city; he
pays an annual rental Of thousands of dol
lars; he employs some sixty men regular
" and he does the larges; business in
merchant tailoring of this great city.
Mr.. Ely has basn twice married, his
prsssnt wife being formerly Miss f. N.
Cnrtiss, Of Milwaukee. His family occupy
. splendid standing in society, and, - an
instance Of bis popularity, it may be stated
that, At the opening Of hi. new parlors, he
entertained more than | 300 ladies' and
gentlemen.
Mr.. Ely has achieved his great success
and present popularity, not only By his in
defatigable energy, but bv his unrivallsd
skill in his art. He is an inventor. lie
makes the fashions Of Chicago, not waiting
for them 10 find their way here from other
cities. The garments which corncs from
his establishment are known at once by
their elegant finish and splendid styles.
Not merely in the style but also in the
quality of his goods, does Mr. Ely give that
satisfaction which is daily increasing his
business. He imports all his cloths direct
from the best houses in Europe; he has
them made up BY hand work and he war
rants everything which he sells. He also
oakss . specially Of furnishing goods" for
both ladies and gentlemen, and his hosiery
and underwear, Of oil kinds and sizes, form
large part Of his business.
The success OF Mr. Edward Ely is one Of
the most distinguished examples Of business
prosperity which We promised our readers,
and Of which others will 90 furnished from
time 10 time. Chicago papr.
Mr.. Edward FL ha, the fines. set Of par
lors We ever visited, arranged and conduct
ed with tho utmost system throughout. II
will we'll pay .ny visitor to Chicago TO 20
and take observations, rs we have. Yeu
win not suly And system, but the finest
stock Of goods your eyes ever bsheld.