davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18

gather a very complete knowledge OF
what the trade demanded. and what il
was necessary to furnish in order to sue
ce-sfully sell goods. Thus by practical
experience he secured a very complete
knowledge Of the entire business.
few years later the firm became s.
M Fargo & Co, the S, M Fargo being a
cousin Of w. H. Fargo and the latter be-
ing the company" At that time W. n.
Fargo assumed the management of a
jobbing house established by the firm in
Chicago, and here he remained until he
assumed entire management of the con-
Germ and the firm name became the w. H.
Fargo Shoe Co.
Their factory was located on the west
SIDE, in the city Of Chicago and here it is
that they have for years been manufac-
turing line Of shoes for which they have
been able to build up very large trade.
The Fargo shoes have the name Of being
one of the most reliable lines on the mar
ket today, and are sold exclusively to
jobbers. their principal field being in the
territory northwest Of Chicago.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18

manufacturing enterprises already oca-
ted here Early in the fall the buildings
which had formerly been occupied by the
Belding Shoe Co. were purchased. and
additions made and a complete over
hauling given them After the buildings
we're placed in shape. new and up-to-
date machinery was installed, and on the
third day Of the present year the first
manufacture Of shoes by the Fargo Shoe
Co was commenced.
Aside from Mr. G M p. Kellogg. the sup
erintendent. who is also member of the
firm and one of its directors very few Of
the Chicago employees were brought to
Beldiag, the total probably not exceeding
a dozen. For various reasons it was
considered desirable to educate help
which lived in this section of the country,
was used to the conditions surrounding
life in the smaller cities, and more likely
to prove permanent. These conditions
made their work in getting the factory
fully in operation a slow one. Only
certain percentage of green help can be
utilized in manufacturing concern at
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18

This is one of the institutions Of this city
which has gained statewide reputation
and one which in quite a number Of in
stances reaches far outside of Michigan.
That this isone ofthe very best hotels to be
found in any city of its size in Michigan is
fact which will be vouched for by every
travelling salesman who visits Belding to-
day, and by thousands Of people who have
simply had occasion to visit this city a
few times
This building was constructed and is
now owned by the Bedding Land & Inn
provement Co, and was opened to the
public little over IL years ago, this city
Then having a population of less than
500 The building is of itself very fine
one, constructed of red Ionla sandstone,
with an interior finish in keeping with its
outward appearance. The furnishings Of
the house are Of the very best, and the
writer has frequently heard travellers as
sert that no city in the state, no matte
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18
FARGO SHOE co.

The Fargo Shoe Co is the latest addi-
ton TO Belongs list of manufacturing
enterprises, having commenced opera
lions in TINS city on the Sd of January
last Notwithstanding all this the COM
pany IS by no means new one. having
been in business in Chicago for years. and
bringing with il TO Beldng an old and al
ready firmly established trade for the
goods of its manufacture. This concern
is one OF the many which have left Chi
cage because Of the labor troubles which
beset manufacturers on every hand. and
t was landed by BeIdng because Of the
many advantages which this city has to
offer to those seeking desirable locations.
While speaking Of labor troubles in
Chicago it is but simple justice to Mr..
Fargo to mention the fact that the diff
cultIes which he experienced through la
Dor troubles were not with his own en-
ployes. With those directly under his
own management he always succeeded
in so adjusting matters as 10 keep his
factory in operation, but=the troubles
which led to the removal of this factory
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18

tracted the attention of strangers visit
ing this city, and it is nothing uncommon
to hear travelling statesmen who visit him
remark that his is one of the best appor-
toned hardware stores in the state
Mr.. ireland carries very large and
complete line of shelf and heavy hard
ware, stoves, ranges, paints, oils, glass
and sporting goods, and his close atten-
tio1 to business and the wants Of those
from whom he solicited trade has won
for him steadily increasing patronage,
With Mr. ireland it has never been an
effort to see how cheap he could sell
goods. but rather how he might be able
to furnish the very best goods at reasons
able prices. Mr.. Ireland believed that
first class article at a rea sonabe price
would give more lasting satisfaction than
cheap John goods which could be SOLD
for almost nothing. That his IDEAS are
correct in this respect is shown by the
fact that his trade has steadily increased
from the day he first opened his store, in
1889.
While Mr.. Ireland has abored hard, it
Is only just to give at least a portion Of
the credit for his success to the help he
has had. For many years Chas. Ireland,
MS brother now located at Ionia, was in
his employ, and for the past few years no
las had the assistance Of his son. Fred
Both Of these gentlemen have taken as
much interest in the business as though
hey we're partners, and when combined
With the hustng OFT Frank it is little
o be wondered at that the yellow
front has come to be acknowledged as
me OF the most successful hardware
torres in Michigan.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18

nelghborlng cities and villages. The,
lind that they have got to get up in the
morning If they keep pace with The Hub
and that even then they must devote al
OF their energies to looking after the de-
tails of their business. Mr.. Divine is
eyerlastingly at it, always trying to se-
cure some new article which viii prove
pleasing to his customers, we'll knowing
that there is disposition among al class
es OF people to again tread the paths
which have furnished them with pleasure,
and that the satisfied customer IS one Of
the surest patrons and best advertise
ments for his store. Mr. Divine is also a
firm believer in advertising, and has
adopted many novel methods to attract
the attention Of the public to The Hub, all
with very large degree Of success.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18
4 ~ -. FRIEDMAN.

Dry Goods. Cnrpets. CIothinR
+, Indies aUd Gents Furnish
in1-.
This firm occupies the "Belding Block
at the southeast corner Of Main and
Bridge streets. The west store is filled
with clothing, hats, caps. gents furnish
ings. trunks. and yaIises, while the east
store is devoted 10 very large line Of dry
goods, dress goods, carpets. lace curtains,
ladies' cloaks. jackets ard skirts, and
ladies' furnishings
I his firm is among the newer Of the
mercantile concerns Of this city, having
first opened its doors for business Dec.
TO- 1899. At that time they occupied
only the west store Of this block and their
stock consisted exclusively Of clothing and
gents furnishings. At the same time this
firm was conducting ANOTHER store at
HUDSON, Mich. Abe friedman being in
charge of the Beldng store, and David
Friedman looking after the ilrm.c inter
ests at Hudson I he Beldng store proved
. very successful venture from the start
and two years later they decided to close
the Hudson store and devote their entire
attention to their interests in this city
Then they rented the second store in this
block. and on March ! B, eo2 opened
with complete line Of dry goods.
Their success with the enlarged line
was but repetition Of that which had
been won for the clothing store, and to-
day this firm is regarded as one Of the
most firmly established business houses
Of the city, doing business the volume Of
which is seldom exceeded by any enter
prise Of this kind in city Of equal size
with Belding.
The Hart. Schaffner & Marx tailor
made clothing and the Schoss Bros
clothing are two lines which this firm
handles, and which give such unqualified |
s abstraction as to be large advertisers for
the business Of the firm. The Monarch ,
and Wachussett shirts are also articles
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18
- &, SHELDON,
holdings HusfIing and Socs-csSr,,y
Attorney.

holdings HustIing and Soc<-csSfur
Attorney.
D. c. Sheldon is another Of the Young
er men who are contributing their share
toward giving this city the name Of be-
ing hustling and wide-a-wake place
Mr.. Sheldon located here in 889, open
ing law office in rooms on the second
floor OF the Wallace block. a year later
securing more commodious quarters over
Q. J. Kuhn's hardware store and where
he has since remained.
AS an attorney Mr. Sheldon has beer
more than commonly successful, and to-
day is recognized as one Of the leading
young attorneys Of western Michigan
having established for himself a practice
which is proving very profitable.
Mr.. Sheldon is Republican in politics
and has always been very active. He
has served four years as president of the
Belding YJung Mems Republican club.
one term as secretary and another as
president Of the Grldley Club. the Repub-
lcan organization of lonia county.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18
CITY SHOR STakh,
Exclusive Shoe Store, Earl Wilson
~ Ga, nraprfetars

Exclusive shoe Store, RarI Wiser
~ Ga, Hraprieturs
The oCtY Shoe Store" is nam,
which has very familiar sound within
the city OF 6eloing. 1t is among the old
est and most firmly established Of Beld-
ing s mercantile establishments ard there
are few people within the city, and in
fact the territory for some miles around
the city who have not at one time or an
other worn pair Of shoes which came
from this store and always with entire
satisfaction.
This store was originally started by r.
l, Hale, in the building now occupied by
DR.. Dutt, and later moved to the store
occupied by NE. Peck Then the stock
was purchased by E r. Spencer and
moved to its present location.
In July, l9o2. Earl Wilson became a
partner with Mr. Spencer in the opera
ton OF this store and year later June
/, 9o5) Mr.. Wilson purchased Mr.. Spen-
GERS interest, since which time the store
has been the property Of Earl Wilson 4
60. and managed bY Mr. Wilson.
The stock carried by this firm is con-
sderably larger than is usually found in
cities Of this size, very finely assorted. and
while the prices will meet competition at
all points, Mr. Wilson's endeayor has
rather been tow AID securing goods whic h
would give entire satisfaction through
good service, rather than hunting for
goods which could be sold for less than
the customary prices.
The queen Quality shoe for the ladies
the Walk-0yer shoe fer gents, and the
Rndge in ladies', gents and ohildrens
shoes are three lines which always give
and are trade winners be.
cause Of the excellence OF their wearing
qualities
In shoes, like almost any other article.
ia very seldom indeed that the cheap
'st in price is the cheapest in fact Shoes
which can be sold at an extremely low
price, but which will also stand wear but
IN extremely few days. are a very ex-
'ensive article to the wearer. Mr.. Will
on's efforts have been directed toward
occurring line which would not alone be
tyllsh and up-to-date in appearance at
he time Of their purchase. but which
would retain their shape, wear we'll, and
hus prove themselves to be the most
shoe on the market. and his
lrge and constantly increasing trade is
ne best possible evidence Of his success a
long these lines. I
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18

OF what size could show a So 90 per da,
house with finer furnished office. lobby
writing room. parlors. and sleeping rooms
and supplied with all modern conyeniences
From the day this house first opened
its doors to the public it has been under
the management Of w. p. Hetherington
and wife. ably assisted by Thos. Bracken
as clerk. and the travelling public, as well
as the citizens Of this and surrounding
cities and villages, all stand ready to saw
a word about the manner in which these
gentlemen have catered to the wants Of
the public.
Their table has the reputation Of being
unsurpassed by any house charging the
same rates. and the general tasty and
neat appearance Of the house from
cellar to garnet, together with the cour-
teous treatment accorded by Landlord
Hetherngton, Clerk Bracken, and eyery
empoye Of the house, have given it a
name which is one Of the things that
residents of this city point to with pride.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18
VEIN &. DIVINE.

Proprietor of"The Hub" Distinct.
i've Clothing store.
w. F. Bricker opened this store in
March GOA. placing Vern c. Divine in
charge as manager 1t not take long
to convince Mr.. Divine that this store
could be made paying venture and in
June following he purchased il from Mr..
Bricker, and has since conducted the
same.
The store IS FIJI ed with vel assorted
stock Of clothing, gents furnishings hats.
caps, trunks and yalses, and it may very
trqthfully be SAID that it is indeed seld m
that 50 many late styles and strictly up
to- date goods are found in one store,
WHICH include the celebrated Kirschbsum
ard Washington clothing, Lien brand col
lars and shirts, and the popular Kings
bury hats.
The above condition is only made pos
sble by the rule adopted by Mr.. Divine.
As each Of the seasons Of the year draws
TO close all surplus stock, or any styles
which are liable to become stale before
another season, are disposed Of at special
sale This method aceompllshes two
purposes; 1t furnishes the cash with
which to purchase new goods and the
store space in which to show them. and
has the effect Of keeping the stock fully
abreast Of the times on all occasions.
Mr.. Divine is himself a young man.
imbued with that American |
spirit Of hustle, and the trade which he
has been able TO build up for this store
n little over one year has opened the
ayes Of some Of the older and more con-
'ervatlye business houses Of this and
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18

Shortly before coming to Belding Mr.
Fargo associated with himself Mr.. G. NJ P
Kellogg, who has entire charge of the fac
tory at this point and one trip through
the building will convince any person that
Mr. Kellogg is man thoroughly posted
in his line of work. Every little detail is
looked after with that care which shows
that the product of the factory must of
necessity be first class. while the meth
DDS adopted in performing the work in
sures the production Of shoes at price
which ensbles the firm to go onto the
markets and compete with any and all
of the other manufacturers.
Mr.. Fargo has secured the services of
J.HaDarrow. as trave ing representative.
and Beding people who know the latter
gentleman feel that Mr. Fargo has Just
reason TO congratulate himself in being so
fortunate
Taken all in all. the Fargo Shoe Co. and
It's factory are one of the things of which
Bedding is proud. and which we expect to
see grow to poin. considerably beyond
Is present proportions
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18
a. -. mt

,JeweIrv. Watches. Sul.erwnre
Musical and OpricnI Goods.
Nine years ago A. B. Hull arrived in
this city and started in the employ Of G.
W. French. as ieweler Six months later
Mr. Hull decided to engage in business
for himself and rented part Of store
then occupied by Fish Bangs as drug
store, In'l8a8 he moved to the east store
OF the Wallace block, now occupied by
+. D. Lincoln, remaining there one year.
and then removing to his present loca-
ton,
Mr.. Hull came here young man, and
as he puts It, with very little capital, but
by close application to business and an
untiring effort to please his customers
has built UP business which in less than
nine years enables him to carry the Iarg-
est stock in his line to be found within the
borders Of Ionia county. That Mr. Hull
has worked hard is shown by the fact
that it is often remarked among the bust
ness men Of this city that Bert" Hull
puts in more hours at his business than
any other man in the city OF Belding. Il
IS the persstency Of the gentleman which
has won success for him. and his thous-
ands Of friends in this section all con-
graduate him.
Mr. Hull's line is not alone large one,
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18
w. y. BRICKER.

Try 'oods Merchant, RanI Estate
Aaeht 'ind Mayor.
w. r. brIcker came to Belding in 1874
and Tor the next five years was EMPLOYED
IN the saw mill Of Wilson. Luther g. vii
SON His first business venture was n
9<s' when he opened a meat market n
a building then standing where his present
ufy GOODS store stands. Two years later
ne formed partnership with his father
unoer the trm name Of j. & W. +. Brick
er' and added stock Of groceries in an
aololnlng store. a year later adding dry
goods and making ii general stock
Since that time Mr.. Bricker has been
continuously in the mercantile line. few,
years ago dlsposlng Of the grocery ano
other lines with the exception Of dry
goods and clothing. and year ago selling,
MS Clothing stock using the entire space
OF MS large double stores for his drv
goods business.
During these years Mr.. Bricker has
been very largely interested in real estate
and aside from Bedding Bros. & Co. has
probably erected greater number Of
buildings within he city Of Beldng than
any 5her person. A block Of five stores.
and the Brlcker hotel, all on Bridge street
were erected by him. These were oriei-#
nally OF brick, but were destroyed by fire
IN 892. and rebuilt by him Of Ionia sand
stone the same year. Across the street.
On the west SIDE Of Bridge street. he
erected the fine block now owned by Mr.
Avery Of Benton Harbor. In 1898 he
erected the two stores now occupied bv
himself
Besides the erection Of the business
places mentioned above Mr.. Bncker has
quilt about twenty-five dwelling houses
within the city and IS at the present time
he owner of a considerable amount Of
his class Of property,
Mr.. Broker has always been cutie ac-
I've IN politics. and at the present time IS
CRYING his fourth term as mayor. net
outstanding that he IS politically affiliat-
with the Democrats and that this CITY
very heavily Republican. Mr. Bricker
'as also postmaster under CleveIands
rst administration, and was elected
preventative in the state legislature
urlng the PinRree administration.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18
r. M. WILSON s. co.

r M Wilson & Co conduct a lumber
yard and sash. door and blind factory
and planning mill at the corner of Main
and Front streets.
Mr.. Wilson came to this city in 1879.
as member of the firm of Wilson. Lu-
Their & Wilson, they having purchased
the water power and dam later owned by
the Richardson Silk Co. and being about
to engage in the lum boring business
The first mill erected by them stood on
the present site of the Richardson silk
MILL but after few years operation this
was destroyed by fire. A second mill
was then erected. little farther to the
north and on the opposite side Of the mill
race. In these mills were sawed many
OF the logs taken from the lands of this
section, the Ia ter mill continuing opera.
tons until 88l. when it was taken down
and removed to Luther. to which point
the firm then transferred its lumber in
terests
In 1872 the firm Of Wilson. Luther &
Wilson erected the mill now operated by
Wilson & Co The mill was built as
planning mill by them for Gooding Bros.
& Son. but four years later was purchas-
ed by Wilson, Luther g. Wilson. and con
Quoted by them up to the time Of their re-
moyal to Luther. In 1884 The property
covering this mill the site of the Richard
son silk MILL together with the dam and
water power was sold by Wilson. Luther
& Wilson to Belding Bros. and by them
sold tothe Richardson Silk Co. early in
1887
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18
IL. IL. EDWARDS.
Indies. Gems and ChiI,bFensS zine
Footwear.

Indies. Gents'nnd ChiI,tFenNS fefne
Footwear.
r. r. Edwards has for several years
past been considered one Of the young
and progressive business men Of this
city. In March Of 1901 Mr.. Edwards
purchased the shoe store of Chas Eddy
and since that time has conducted the
business.
Mr.. Edwards first move was 10 large
y Increase the stock OF goods. giving the
customer much more complete line to
select from and by close application to
business and carefully studying the wants
OF his customers he has succeeded in
very largely increasing the business. His
first effort has always been to learp she
character of goods most likely 10 please
the people Of this CITY, and then TO en-
deayor to purchase them at prices which
would enable him To sell at very moder-
ate figures.
IN the Douglas shoes for men. the
FIorsheim mems fine shoes, the Irving
Drew shoes for ladies' and the Faultess
and Ideal shoes for children he has four
lines which always give satisfaction. and
cause the customer to make second trip
.a mis- store,
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18

one time, and this necessitated commenc-
ing operations with comparative small
force, and gradually increasing it as fast
as the help became experienced
At the present time the company has on
their pay roll 65 persons but this is being
constantly increased, and it is expected
that by July lst, or Whereabouts. they will
be able to have their factory fully in op-
GRAFTON. and employing fully double as
many hands, il not more.
Mr. Fargo IS himself a thorough shoe
manufacture and the Fargo Shoe CO. is
the direct successor Of factory estab-
lished over fifty years ago Attic age Of
IL w. H. Fargo entered the employ Of his
uncle then manager Of the C. n Fargo
Shoe Co. and there commenced. to learn
the business of manufacturing shoes At
that time the business was an old and
firmly established one and after a num-
her of years in the factory where he
learned fully all Of the details OF the bust
ness. W. n. Fargo went on the road as
representative Of the c. t. Far
go Shoe Co. and here he was able to
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-05-18
CONNI:LL BROTIII.RS.
Drugs, books. Stationery. Paints.
oils, Wall Paper.

Drugs. hooks. Stationery. Paints
oils. Wall Paper.
The drug store of Cornell Brothers Is
The oldest store Of its kind within the CITY
having been established by L. L. Holmes
in 895. In | 888 n. j. Council became
partner with Mr. Holmes. the store then
being located in a building which STOOD
where the store of Robinson & Hudson
now does In ! 892 the stock was moved
TO store standing where their present
store now does, Frank Cornell then being
admitted as member of the firm At
the time of the fire, in May 1898. their
store was destroyed oy fire, but was i'm
medately rebuilt and the firm resumed
business. In 1913 H. j. and Frank Con-
nell purchased the interest Of Mr.. Holmes.
and since that time the business has been
conducted under the firm name OF Cornell
Bros.
The firm has one Of the most comp lete
lines Of goods Of this class to be found in
any store in a city of its size in Michigan.
and by close application to business and
a careful consideration OF the wants Of
their customers they have built up very
large and paying business. Especial at
tenton IS given by Conneu Bros to the
wall paper trade, and we venture the as
sertton, and without fear Of successful
centrad'c ton, that they carry more rolls
Of wall paper, and sell more rolls Of wall
paper, than any firm in Ionia or Montcam
h. ], ConneIl served the city Of Belding
as postmaster during the second admins
ration OF Grover Cleveland; is now serv-
ne his second term as member o. the
board Of education. and IS its president
Frank Cornell is at present serving his
second year as alderman from the third
ward