The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-12-19


Dave Daube who comprise the firm
of Westheimer & Daube were all born
on farms in the state of Baden in
South Germany near the ssa cs Of
Alsace and Lorraine that have for
many years been in dispute between
France and Germany.
Sam Daube left his native country
and arrived in New York in 1877.
Germany requires its young people TO
attend school between the ages Of
and 1S and during this time Mr., Daube
had learned something of French and
English besides gaining a knowledge
of his native Songue. What he knew
of English was Sorth much TO him
when as strange A>,y in a strange
land he had to earn ny SWING as best
he could.
Without friends, without Sloney,
without influence and with abb t> 10
speak the language only poorly In
started out in that great city 10 earn
a living. lie had done farm work
and felt that he could do any kind
Of labor. In those days no one re-
ceived very big pay and the lonesome
boy from Germany was offered very
little for what he could do. He strip
ped tobacco, worked in a wholesale
grocery but most Of the first year he
was hired out to a dry goods house
at $3.50 a week. He was delivery
boy and walked to deliver all his
packages. In those days merchants
had not learned that horses could be
used to draw delivery wagons.
After one year in New York he
came toward the south and lived in
Texarkana. Here he worked in
wholesale grocery.
In the year 1884 Mr. Daube movea
to Bowie, Texas and established the
firm of S. Daube & Co., which hand
led dry goods. Mr.. Daube and his
partners Max and Dave still own that
store. 1t was in 1883 that Mr.. Daube
moved to Ardmore and formed a
partnership with Mr.. Munzesheimer.
They operated what was known as
the Iron store" This store was known
for many miles. 1t was a huge con-
| cern located just east Of the Santa
Fe tracks on Main street. 1t carried
almost every kind of merchandise and
sold vast quantity of goods.
In the meantime Max Westheimer
and Dave Daube had come from the
old country and had earned enough
money 10 start dry goods house in
Ardmore. 1t was known as the blue
Front" Sam Daube acquired an in
terest with them and the firm OF
Westheimer & Daube owned the Blue
Front here and the store at Bowie.
, The firm also owns an interest in the
Simon Westheimer store in Marietta.
It was not always easy sailing for
the firm. Much merchandise was
sold on credit and when the poor crop
years came the firm had 70 feel its
way the best it could. There have
been times when its frelsht bills were
not paid very promptly. But with
strict devotion to business the COM
pany began to grow. 1t purchased
propery, built a handsome store and
began TO make purchases in lands
Cattle ranches were estab ished In
Carter and in Johnston counties. Sam
has devoted much time TO the ranch
bus ness, Dave has always stuck t.
the store and after oil was discovered
Max took over that line OF business
chiefly. While he was in Germany
on visit Sam Daube attended "a
the oil division OF the business and
kept things moving.
When Healdton was discovered
Westheimer Daube owned lands in
fee in the pool. They Immediately be
gan development work and were sue
cessful. When Hewitt was opened VI
purchases We're made and the firm op'
crates in that field. Large investment:
were made In Texas in oil lands. 1t 1.
stated that 4 new field can scarcely
be opened up in any OF six counties
surrounding Carter county withou
finding that Westhoimer g. Daub,
have been there first and made lane
purchases.
In 1889 Sam Daube made the rur
at the opening OF Oklahoma. He an,
John L. Gait and others stakod lot!
in Oklahoma City but they did mo-
look very good and they were aban
doned Ardmoro looked good enough
The firm has played square game
and q safe game and has built up
| s..,s
nual income while at the same time
its expenditures In paying taxes, II
paying vast army OF mon wages
and in keeping oil leases busy. are
heavy.
During the war with Germany these
three men we're loyal 70 this country
They gave their means lavishly fol
the support OF tho different war work
movements and In addition to thcii
money Sam Daube worked on ever,
war work committed that was ever or
ganized In the city.
Mr.. Daubc IN now serving Ardmor'
az a member OF the board OF directors
OF tho Ardmoro Chamber OF Com
mcrce. Ho Ia Interested In thc wei
fare Of his adopted city and is nov
working with others to locate cottoi
mill in this city. In his business ca
rccr In this city no has done favor
Cor thousands Of men and no is toda!
rcapink whcr he has sown. Hc has
host OF warm friends that ho woul'
not give up for his fortune In ma
teriAi wealth. He also has anothc
fortune in tho wife he married am
in his two children Carol and Lcor
|, He was married In this city to Mis-
Ida schImmek who has made NJ goo
wife m Mr.. Daube has made bushes
, man. Mr.. Daubs 10 a man who love