davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
POWERS DRY GOODS co.
A Business That Has Increased
Year by Year.

Away back in the seventies Messrs.
A. j. and E. F. Powers started in the
dry goods business in this city and
made success of it; and, we believe
that from that time to the present they
have been succeeding, as their business
has increased right along year after
wear. If we are not mistaken, the firm
name at the start was Powers Brothers,
but later OH Mr.. Durkee was added to
the partnership, when the firm became
Powers, Durkee d Co. The present
corporation succeeded Powers, Dur
kee & Co. in January, 1856. Mr..
Worthen came to st. Paul about
nine years ago and took his place in the
house. Since that time the business
has shown large increase every year,
without an exception. This, when we
remember that the period included
within the dates given covers two inter-
walls of bad crops and consequent dull
times, is pretty good showing. The
territory to which their trade is limited
is co-extensive with the Northwest, for
their travelling men make tours through
Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and thence
west to the Pacific, covering the whole
breadth of the states named. The bust
ness is that of general jobbing in dry
goods and notions. They also have a
factory for the manufacture of overalls,
jumpers, etc., In which they keep a
large force employed.
The officers of the company are A. J.
Powers, president; E. +. Powers, vice
president, and @. II. WOrthen. secre-
tary and treasurer. MeSsrS. Powers
have been here so many years and are
so well acquainted thatitiS. unnecessary
to say anything as to their personal
histories, but it may not be amiss to give
a brief sketch of the antecedentS of Mr..
Worthen. He was born in New
Hampshire in 1851, being the oldest of
six children, and was brought up az the
dry goods trade in the East, being for
time in business for himself. He finally
came West, making his first stop in Chi
cago, where he was engaged in the
house of Marshall Field & Co. Having
received severe injuries in a railroad
accident, he was compelled to retire for
five years. On his recovery. instead of
returning to Chicago, he came to st.
Paul and formed a connection with
the house where he still is. There is one
thing in the history of this house
which deserves MENTION A few months
ago their stock was seriously damaged
by fire, but was amply covered by in
surance in some ninety companies.
Twenty-Five of these refused to pay
their portion of the damage, because
of dispute as to the amount, and by
this conduct compelled the house to
suspend business for nearly a month in
the busy season. One of these COM
panies, the Imperial of London, was
sued by the firm, the others stipu-
lating to abide by the result of that
suit. The firm won in the end, and,
t6s e snd ngf SeVfff ra fsSeS og
their resumption of business they soon
made up for the interruption, and this
is to-day one of the most solid houses in
the pitV
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
HATS AND FURs GALORE.
Lanpher, Finch & Skinner Among
the Oldest Firms in the City.

IIanpher, Finch * Skinner Among
the Oldest Firms in the City.
LaEpher, Finch & Skinner added their
pluck. energy, enterprise and capital to
the mercantile trade of st. Paul in 1876.
They do an extensive business in manu-
featuring fur coats and robes. Their
trade extends from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. They sell furs in New Eng
land. New York and all the Middle
states, and the volume of trade is health
lily increasing every month. Then the
iObbing trade-it extends from WiScon-
sin to the Pacific.
d. B. Finch has been identified with
the firm since its inception, and Mr..
Skinner united his abilities some eight
years ago. The firm keeps twelve trav-
cling statesmen on the road, and the ag-
gregate business has increased fully %
per cent over last season.
j. II. Skinner is a most valued men,
Der of the firm. He is looked upon as a
most able business man, enterprising
full of energy and push. No small
amount of the success of the firm is due
to his business acumen and farsighted-
ness. Thoroughly engrOsSed in bust
ness, Mr.. Skinner has not taken very
prominent part in public. 1t is to be
regretted that the cares of business pre-
vent such men from giving little time
to public work. Men of the ability and
sterling integrity of Mr.. Skinner would
greatly add to the successful operation
of the city'S government and add much
to its material growth.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
THE LIGHT OF TO-DAY.
The Independent Oil Company
Cannot Be EquaIed for Energy.

Cannot Be EquaIed for Energy.
In our grandfathers' days petroleum
was unknown, but is now necessity.
Its production has become one of the
great industries of the century. The
Independent Oil company, of this city,
is one of the concerns prominent in the
Northwest i'll dispensing this necessary
commodity at the different distributing
points. Itwas established in the spring
of 1888 by Joseph BATTLES, although
ID. Richardson is now associated with
Mr.. BATTLES in the company. The lat
ter had formerly been the manager of
the Standard Oil company at Winnipeg,
and it was there that he received his
technical schooling in the trade. An
inspection of the books of the indie
pendent Oil company develops the fact
tending in volume and in ter
TitOry. 1t now reaches out from
Wisconsin through the entire
Northwest. The needs of the business
of this house compelled Mr.. Bartles and
Mr.. Richardson to establish two
branches about year ago. One was
located at La Crosse and one at Water
loo, 10. These, together with the home
Office in ST. Paul, afford great facility
for handling the immense trade con-
Quoted by the company. A resident
manager is located at each branch, as
well as a competent Office force, and
each office maintains its independent
corps Of travelling men. The firm en-
ploys something like fifty people, and
of this number ten are travelling men.
The independents career has not
been entirely peaceful one. The firm
has been compelled to do battle with
that gigantic corporation, the Standard
Oil company, that aims to crush out
every competition. But the public is
reaping a rich benefit from this compe-
t;tiOn. The oil is better, perhaps. and
it is certainly cheaper than it would be
were it sold only by a monopoly.
a GLOBE reporter met Mr.. Bartles
yesterday and was told by that gentle
man that oil is fully 81 cheaper now
than before the organization OF the In
dependent company and before this
competition became factor in the bust
ness.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
ST. PAIL Produce,

The feature of yesterdays market is the
sharp advance in eggs. The receipts are not
large, and the local demand very active. But
ter. cheese and poultry unchanged. Trade is
fairly active in all kinds of vegetables, and
large amounts are being disposed OF.
Butter-lst creamery, 16(0l1c: I'd creamery,
14015c; LIST dairy, 12Q13c; I'd dairy, 10911c
packing stock, eG1lGc.
Cheese-Full cream 9Q9l5c; Primost ca
&c: brick cheese. 909l2c; Limburger cheese,
S@9c; Young America, 9l2@10c.
Eggs-Fresh per doz, 1501l6c.
Poultry-Live turkeys, SQ19c; spring chick
ems 1906; hens, s@9c; BOOSTERS, 5G17c.
egetables-Bemudas, crate, g.. 50; onions
Egyptian, sack, 2 bu, $3.50; onions, California,
sack, 2 bu, So; onions. green, per doz, Zoe;
cabbage crate, Sl.2502. so; cucumbers, doz,
soc; beets, doz, 40c; radishes, per doz 15c;
spinach, per bu, 30c: pie plant per ID, &c; to-
matoes, crate. S101.25; peas. bu, S1.50; string
beans, box, SIPS; wax beans, blu, $3.50; as
paragus, doz, 35c; lettuce, doz. 15c
Fruits-Oranges-Sap Gabriel or mountain,
S404.50; Malta bloods. S6@6.50; Los
Angeles, seedlings, S3.50@4; Los Angeles
medium sweets, S4@5. Lemons-Extreme
fancy, $3.50; fancy. $3.50. Apricots. 4-bu
crates, Sis. Plums, 4.bu crates, Sl.75@2.25.
Peaches, 2O-lb boxes. SLID. Bananas-Port
Limons, S1.75@?.75; Bluefeld., 81 50@2;
Honduras S1:2s1l.50. Watermelons, per
100, - s2g@25; Apples - New, per
Dbl S2.75@3; do u blu box, 5007jc. Berries
-Raspberries, black, per case, S2.5C03: do
red, y case, $3.50; blackberries "a case, $50
$50; blueberries, per Blu, S3G3.5O.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
ALFRED DUFRENE.
A Moving Spirit in the p. III. Kelly
Mercantile Company.


Men in their business functions are
very like parts in an intricate and COM
prehensive machine. They fit in and
complete perfect whole. Every man
has his particular individuality and
aptitude for some especial line of
worldly service. Every man has been
designed by the Creator for some GER
tain usefulness. He is given brains and
talent, although there is a wide dis
parity in different people, and these are
designed to be employed in some GER
tain phases of business or labor. Some,
yes. a great majority, mistake their
calling; but Mr.. Alfred Dufrene is a
soldier in the great army of the minor
itv. He is the vice president of the
p. II. Kelly Mercantile company, at the
corner of East Third and Sibley streets.
He fits the requirements with that nicely
that must challenge ones INFINITE ad-
miration. 1t is one of the largest whole
sale grocery houses in the wide West,
and the responsibilities are simply i'm
mense. With a big corps of travelling
statesmen, the whole West is market
cared for by this house.
As has been truthfully recorded by
the tenchent pen of the patriarchial
Mai. Newson. "Mr. Dufrene is strik
ing character and a very important
spoke in very large wheel" He was
born at Riviere du Loup. Canada East,in
1886, and received a liberal public school
education. In 1854 he removed to st.
Paul and engaged in the mercantile
business. and many years ago he was
taken into partnership by Mr.. Kelly.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
GROWING COMPANY.
The Twin City Lime & Cement
Company's Rapid Rise.

Company's Rapid Rise.
The Twin City Lime & Cement COM
pany, 156 East Third street. was in
corporated in May. 1890, with an author
lied capital of 100000, of which $780,
900 is paid up. The officers are F. j..
Lime, of Red Wing, President; S. P.
Spates, of st. Paul, Vice President, and
Fl. l.. Braesch, of Minneapolis, Secre-
tary. 1t has three authorized places of
business, to wit: Red Wing, st. Paul
and Minneapolis, which are presided
over by the three officers above named,
each at his own place of residence. The
company is made up by the consolida-
ton of the firm of f. j. Lime d Co.,
composed of MeSSrs. Lime and Spates,
formed in 1884, and the Sheboyban Lime
company, organized in 1890.
Mr.. Lime, the president of the COM
pany, is an old and experienced lime
manufacturer, well and favorably
known i'll Red Wing, and by dealers in
and users of lime in this region gener-
ally. Mr.. Spates was born at Fond du
Lac, st. Louis county, Minnesota, in
1S4S. He resided in Red Wing for sew
eral years, then removed to st. Paul,
and was for some time engaged in the
grain business, holding the position of
superintendent of the Sterrett, Hill and
Childs elevators on the line of the Man
itOba and Northern Pacific railroads.
He is an active and energetic business
man. The st. Paul office is under his
management entirely. The secretary,
Mr.. Braesh, controls the Minneapolis
office, while the factory and Office at
Red Wing are under the management
of Mr.. Lime, the president of the COM
pany. The company is in good stand
ing, and its lime is in excellent repute.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20

the three story and basement stone
building called the Ingersoll block.
Here is always carried 9 full line of car
riages. buggies, carts, phaetons, landaus
and high-gfade vehicles the largest
stock west of New York city. Then
they have complete line of harnesses,
saddles, whips, robes, blankets and
horse goods generally. The annual
sales are somewhere between 5000, 900
and S75O.0OO, and the house gives en-
ployment to about sixty men, and they
have five statesmen on the road.
This company directly represents
some of the largest manufacturing con-
Germs in this country, and, therefore,
they have a decided advantage over
many of the competing houses. Further
more, the president is one of the largest
manufacturers of agricultural imple-
ments and bnggies in the country.
j. H. Burwell is the general manager.
He has an invaluable practical expert
ence, because. fOrsooth, he has been
actively engaged in the business for
twenty-one years; and John r. Warner,
the secretary, is also man of ripe ex-
perience in this line. Their general
reputation for reliability is proverbial.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
ANOTHER OLD 'UN.
The Firm of Rogers & Ordway,
Plumbers, Steam and Gas Fit

Inc FIRM Oh rogers az runway,
Plumbers, Steam and Gas Fit
tiers.
@. S. Rogers and Lucien P. Ordway
compose the firm of Rogers & Ordway,
wholesale dealers in plumbers and
steam and gas filters supplies, betting,
hose, hot air registers and iron and wood
pumps. They make speciality nova
days of artesian we'll outfits, of which a
great many are sold through Northern
Minnesota and North and South Da-
kota.
This firm established itself in St.
Paul in 1867, and its members are rightly
ness men: their business habits and
gentlemanly treatment of all persons
with whom they come in contact have
won for them general high esteem; and,
as consequence of these combined
causes, their trade has increased twenty
fold OF more. They now employ five
men upon the road and large force in
their store and warehouse. AS their
trade has outgrown the accommodations
afforded by the building they now oc-
cupy. they have made arrangements for
moving this fall into the large new
building which M. NJ. Flint, of Ham,
line, is now erecting on East Fourth
street. 1t is of stone, 50X130 feet, and
is to be five stories high above the base
ment. Messrs. Rogers d Ordway will
occupy the entire building.
G. S. Rogers, whose name stands first
in the firm. is an old Ohio railroad man,
having served twelve years in that bus
mess, and filled about every position
from baggageman to superintendent.
Those ooorainfod u,ith tbQ rnnutatiOOc
that railroad men usually acquire for
the promptness and accuracy with
which they discharge their duties will
not wonder at the success of this firm.
Mr.. Rogers is president of the job
berS' union,
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
ALWAYS TO THE FRONT.
The ST. Paul Rubber Company
Does a Thriving Business.

The ST. Paul Rubber Company
Does Thriving Business.
st. Paul has the reputation of hand
ling every article of human need, from
a paper of pins to modern threshing
machines. The st. Paul Rubber com
pany contributes its moiety to the COM
prehensive whole. When Jupiter Plu-
vius gets capricious and plays his pranks
by drenching everything temporal. what
a grateful relief to be equipped with
waterproof thingsl That is directly in
the line of this house, and they are
voted blessing every rainy day by the
unfOrtunateS who cannot seek cOnven-
lent shelter.
The st. Paul Rubber company, let it
be recorded for the information of those
who have taste for historical lore. was
established in 1885 and incorporated in
1887. The store was located at 80 and
So East Third street. Albert Fisher is
the president, and II. NJ. Hodgman Sec
rotary and treasurer, and they are the
northwestern agents of the American
Rubber company. Five statesmen are
kept on the road, and they drive a
thriving and constantly increasing bust
ness, traversing the whole Northwest
ern country to the Pacific. While the
ST. Paul Rubber company carries a
complete line of rubber goods, spe-
cialty is made of the American Rubber
company's boots, shoes, gosSamerS,
maekintoshes and oil clothing.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
The st. Paul White Lead and Oil
Company.

This company was organized and
commenced to manufacture painters
supplies and sell them to the trade in
the year 1884. The business has grown
beyond the expectations of the found
ers, making it necessary to very largely
increase their facilities in all depart
mentS, and the company is now having
constructed a stone and brick fac
tory 60 feet in width by l25 feet
in length, four stories high, with
ten-foot basement. This fac
tory will be fully equipped with the
best and latest improved machinery for
the manufacturing of mixed paints,
wood-fillerS, putty, colorS in oil and
Japan and all kinds of painting mate
rials. 1t will be one of the largest, best
equipped and most complete plants of
its kind in operation anywhere, and an
other demonstrated evidence of the pos
sibilities of st. Paul in the way of man.
ufacturing. The members of this firm
are John A. Willard, Eli S. Warner and
Guy w. Baker, and they have in a few
years given the st. Paul White Lead
and Oil Company an enviable reputa4
ton In business and financial circles,
and established trade that any firm
might justly be proud of. although they
have had strong competition from older
companies located East of here doing
similar business. The company
makes a specially OF furnishing the
best goods to be procured in the Paint
and Oil line, and always cheeJfully
matches samples sent and quotes
prices
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20

establishments within territory COM
monty regarded as tributary to that
city.
The leading member of the company,
Capt. c. W. Hackett. connected himself
with the business in 1871, and.as is indi-
Gated above. the present style of firm
name was adopted two and half years
ago. He has for a long time been prom
lnent in all the large enterprises OF the
city, and is leading member OF the
Congregational church and also OF the
LOYAL Legion. His title of captain is no
honorary distinction, conferred upon
him through courtesy, but well earned
by hard service during the war, win
the gallant old Tenth Minnesota regl-
ment. Since his connection with this
establishment its business has multi
piled fully six times.
II. q. Walther. the Vice President, Is
well known in st. Paul, having come
hitler from Wisconsin twenty years ago.
Eighteen years ago he became an EN-
plOye in the house. taking the position
Of clerk, and has worked his way up to
The vice presidency by dillIgent atten-
lion to buSinefS. He is GeSerYedly held
in high esteem.
Mr.. Henry was born in Scotland IN
1000, anu on coming 10 AlutIlcd NiCh
he was twelve years old steered his
course directly to St. Paul. Four years
later he took a position in the house of
Strong & Hackett, where he has per-
siStently remained ever since. He has
charge of the department of guns and
and sporting goods, and may be said to
have built up the trade in fine goods of
this line in the Northwest, for it has
grown into huge proportions under his
management. He takes pride in the
character of this line of goods sold by
the house, and is constantly endeavor-
ing to introduce the best qualities of the
several articles. He is an enthusiastic
sportsman himself. He OWNS valuable
patent for a shell ejectOr for hammer
less guns, which we belieue is his own
invention.
II. B. Gates. treasurer, and NJ. l..
Merrill. secretary, are ambitious, wor-
thy young gentlemen, who by strict
attention 10 business have won their
way into prominence, and bid fair to be-
come in the early future influential
members of the st. Paul Jobbers' union.
They possess all the necessary qualitica-
tons and are not likely to neglect OPP
portunities that may offer for their ad-
VaGcement.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
PLENTY OF PUSH
Displayed by G. Seabury & Co.,
Wholesale GrOcers.

The apex of st. Paul's commerce is
personified by G. Seabury & Co.. the
wholesale grocers. This mammoth es-
Enlistment is at 1876 to 1919 East Fourth
street. Originally the style of the firm
was MaXtield, Seabury q Co. From a
modest beginning this establishment
has pushed itself to the very van by
long and rapid strides. The conduct of
a business of such vast magnitude visits
a weighty responsibility upon the man
agement. An error that is of no mo-
ment specifically may have very seri-
Gus and damaging sequel. But this
house has a reputation for making no
mistakes.
Messrs. Seabury 81 Co. keep a big
field of experienced commercial travel
ers in the field constantly, and they
cover the country to the Pacific slope.
IL is such institutions that give a city a
solid aspect. and its presence is iDval-
liable to st. Paul.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-20
THEY ARE THE OLDEST.
Noyes Bros. & Cutler Demon
strate What Perseverance Can
Accomplish.


strate What Perseverance Can
Accomplish.
The firm of NOyes Bros. & Cutler,
formed in 1871, is the oldest firm in con-
tinuous existence in st. Paul, and prob
ably in the Northwest. Previously the
the firm, in 1869, had been Noyes, Pelt
& Co., and later Moves Bros.
Succeeding to small business estab-
lished by Mr.. Vawter a few years be-
fore. the firm grew in Importance and
business, and after the present firm was
formed in 1871 the growth has been
more rapid and assured. until now, in
1891, their monthly sales far exceed the
annual sales of 1869.
Their trade never grew faster than it
is doing to-day, and never before was so
far-reaching as now. Something like $500
orders per month are filled for the coun-
try alone, to say nothing of the city sales
and the twO-mlion limit will soon be
reached, if it is not now. They have the
finest and most complete drug store in
the United States, and with one eXcep-
ton the largest. They have agents in
Paris, London, and import largely, also.
from Germany. Few have any idea of
the magnitude of the stock they carry,
but their catalogue of over 1000 pages
the most convenient and complete ever
issued-indicates something of it. In
drugs and chemicals, druggists sun
dries, dyes, paints, oils and glass, in
struments, etc.. they carry the largest
lines ever carried in the West, and as
manufacturing chemists they rank high
in the character of their products.
Their trade is rapidly increasing, and
theV are the largest pXnOrterS of ginseng
and senega roots, and they were the
first to develop this great business here.
The firm ranks "a a l." and no drug
house i'll the country stands higher in
credit. 1t is a representative st. Paul
house