Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-12-23
Town OF STRAIT
FORD IN 1885
A Descriptive Write-Up That Ap-
peared in the Freeman
G. H. Hicks First Post
master.
OPERA HOUSE BUILT IN 1881.
Town was incorporated in 1885,
Grand Army Post Mustered
In 1884.

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following descriptive write-up O
Stratford appeared in the Freeman
January IA, 1885:
THE BUSINESS OF STAFFORD
at the present time is we'll repre-.
scented and established. The hotels
of the town are the Stratford House
and the Central House. The former
was built by w. A. Dawson, in 1881
1t is well built, good sized and
amply furnished hotel, now operated
by it's owner, Mr.. Dawson, who is a
natural landlord. 1t has recently
been refitted and refurnished
throughout. and is equal to and far
superior to most hotels in western
Iowa. 1t is strictly commercial
house, and no travelling man need
shun Stratford because of its hotel
accommodations, as they will find an
obliging host and hostess. whose ev-
cry endeavor is to please their
guests. Under the new management
of this house it has gained a large
patronage. 1t has come to be a re-
treat for the weary traveller, who
feels quite at home at "The STRAIT
ford House."
The Central House was removed
from Hooks Point, in 1881, and is
now operated by William Hook: and
while it is not so large a house as
the Stratford House, yet it has the
share of patronage which it de-
serves. 1t is a cheaper class house
and serves well it's purpose.
The dry-goods business is in the
hands of D. NJ. Blaine, T. H. Shaffer
and A. c. Aaronson. These dealers
all carry a we'll selected variety of
goods belonging to the line includ-
ing staple and fancy articles.
The grocery trade is at the pres
ent represented by George Hook,
John Linchrist. Isaac Hyatt and
Neese Bros. These firms do a gen.
eral grocery business and buy all
kinds of country produce, including
poultry, butter and eggs.
The drug dealers are Peterson &
Company and Robert Norton, both
of whom carry full lines of drugs,
patent medicines, paints, oils, etc,
such as is demanded by the town
and surrounding country.
Those engaged in the hardware
business are John Peterson and
Crazy & Rodine. These firms both
carry large stocks of both shelf and
heavy hardware: they also deal in
farm machinery. One firm sold TWEEN
ty self-binders last season. These
stocks are fully up to any in the
county as to quality, price and var
iety. The long. tedious trips to dis
tant towns for farm supplies and
hardware have become thing Of
the past to the community surround
ing Stratford.
The meat market is kept by Rob-
ert Neese, in a very satisfactory
manner to patrons, who find in this
market all that they need in the
meat line, including game and fish
in their season.
The livery business of the town
is carried on by William Hook and
John Lundell. Each barn furnishes
good turn-outs at reasonable prices,
The grain business of Stratford
has come to be one of much import
ance. 1t is now operated by Carr &
Anderson, who have large elevator
near the depot.
Lumber and coal are handled by
Gardner. Bachelor e Company.
The dealers in live stock are B.
McCabe and Carr & Anderson, WHO
pay the highest market price for
produce. and are doing a thriving
business.
Blacksmithing, an essential fact
or in any community, is carried on
at Stratford by ]. Barton and Olof.
Rosengreen, both of whom are
thorough masters of their trades.
The wagon and carriage business
is conducted by Mr. Berggren, who
runs a good repair shop, doing ex-
cellent work
The largest plow shop in Hamil-
ton county is at this point, and is
operated by a master workman
Olof Rosengreen-who has all the
modern appliances for doing plow
work. He is doing an immense bust
ness.
Another important enterprise is