Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-03-14
IN BUSINESS TWO DECADES.
Hodge Brothers Complete Twenty
Years as o Hardware Firm,

VaAo ~ - Aee~AN 49, . a. $50
Twenty years is a long time iora
business house to remain unchanged
in location and proprietors in the
West and it is with considerable
credit that firm can point to two
decades Of unbroken and successful
business life. The proprietors Of the
hardware, vehicle and implement firm
of Hodge Brothers have this distinc-
ton for they began business in Abb
lene in their present location March
IS, 1S75-two decades ago.
1t was not a large establishment
that they opened at that time and the
two brothers, Charles A. Hodge and
Herbert J. Hodge, had their own way
to make in their business field. There
were other firms here some with far
more capital and which in later years
branched out into imposing concerns.
But Hodge Brothers, doing business
in the single frame building on Buck
eye, for so many years a familiar
structure to every farmer in the
county, kept on earnestly and con-
servatively and their trade grew
apace with the development Of Abb
lene and Dickinson county. The
farmers became impressed with the
idea that they could depend upon be-
ing treated fright" there, that Hodge
Brothers handled tirst-class lines Of
goods and it did not take many years
for the firms business to outgrow its
original quarters.
1t took only twelve years, in fact,
and then, eight years ago, they built
the handsome two-story, double room
Hodge Block, all the first floor and a
portion Of the upper floor Of which
they occupy, the remainder being
devoted to Offices.
The passing years since the organl-
cation OF the firm have seen many
changes in the business life Of Abb
lene. But few who were here then
remain in the list Of business houses
now. There have been booms and re-
verses, rises and falls, but through it
all Hodge Brothers as firm have
continued to increase their volume in
trade until it is not only doing bus
mess equaled by no hardware firm in
the city but ranks among the leading
hardware houses Of the state. Mr.. H.
j. Hodge has been elected and re-
elected secretary Of the Western Re-
. tail Implement, Vehicle and Hard
ware Association, the largest organl-
cation Of the kind in the world, and
, represents it in the National Manu-
iacturers' Implement and Vehicle AS
ISOLATION this year.
, While this prosperity has come to
the proprietors II has been in no
e small degree due 20 the competent
and obiging corps of assistants with
which they have been associated
The firms employees at present num-
her six as follows; +, A, Wilcox,
bookkeeper; j. ?. Brilliant, Samuel
Cowan, Ira Rogers, statesmen; William
k Driscoe, timer. Some Of these have
been with the firm for more than Q
decadc-Mr Brilliant twelve years
n and Mr.. Cowan ten--and all MAXI
friends for the firm by their alablll'y
: and competency,
The REFLECTOR congrallllale'
Messrs. Hodge on reaching 50 happily
their goth anniversary in business
: The history Of the firm is an eloquent
h commentary upon what honesty
energy, accommodation and upright
II ness can accomplish in business NE
They have right to be proud Other
&c success and the fluctuations oI thel
, hundreds Of friends and customers II
: this county which will be extended a
this time are not only hearty ant
sincere but are eminenlly deserved
, It is not to be wondered at tina
Ayers Pills are in such universal dc
mand. For the cure Of constipation
~ biliousness, or any other complain
needing a laxative these pills ar
At unsurpassed. They are sugar-coa'e'
easy to take, and every dose
y effective.
y Shifting Soil.
u IReaI Estate Transfers Reported by ueor'
Merrill Abstractcrl
-. Fred Rulz to A Ormer, e Sw f'io-4
$3.50.
Oh Abilene Nat bank to Hattie Nichols
lis 2l-22 blk 10 u Abilene I Go i
b, add. S529,
II southworth to } Sherman IL
Lebold's add Abilene, $500
~ Anna B Miller to Harshman Bros I
no al, NV l5-ll-l, $500,
OIL John .Johnlz assignee to Abilene con
mandcry No % K !, Its lS-ii-l
Cd n 9Th st Abilene, $3.50.
.Jobn Watt to Thos lliiI, sw az