South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-16
Ward Purchases
Interest OF His
Junior Partner
Transaction Involves Chain of
IA StOres-tO Continue
Same Policy.

came GOllcy.
Announcement was made Satur-
day Of the purchase OF the interests
Of A. C. Lewis. junior member OF
the firm OF Ward & Lewis. 232 S.
Michigan ST.. by S. II. Ward his
partner
The transaction involves a chain
% IA stores. four n Chicago. two
in Rockford, III, two IN Hammond.
Ind two in Racine, Wis. one IN
kenosha. Wis. one in Madison.
Wis, one in Grand Rapids. Mich
and the South Bend store.
The rise OF Mr. Ward in the
mercantile business has been most
rapid HIS entire life has been de-
voted 10 merchandising. However,
throughout his entire career. one
thought has been uprermost in his
mind. While travelling the country
representing various lines Mr. Ward
entertained a chain store idea.
Stores that would be OF sufficient
size 70 permit the purchasing OF the
best makes OF merchandise IN such
quantities that this merchandise
could be retailed at a very low cost
20 the consumer.
Opens Store I'm Chicago
Having sheltered this germ OF an
idea for some few years Mr.. Ward
made II a realization on March g.,
1917, when the first store was
opened I'm Chicago. This store en-
joyed no little prosperity and addi-
tional stores were opened at the
rate OF two a year January l, 1919,
Mr.. Lewis and Mr.. Ward formed a
partnership. With Mr. Lewis as
slsting Mr.. Ward in the manage
ment Of the business additional
stores were opened and consider
able prosperity enjoyed.
However. a few weeks ago Mr.
Lewis decided TO retire from the
business and the transaction was
cOnsumated July 1st, at which time
all OF Mr. Lewis Interests were TAX
en- over by Mr.. Ward. The local
store was opened a year ago this
spring. The site now occupied by
the Ward store was foremrly Warn
er's farm implement sales room.
The building was entirely gone
over and remodeled at a great ex-
pense. Elaborate fixtures were in
stalled, making Wards one Of the
finest exclusive women's stores in
the middle west.
The local store carries a complete
line Of ladies' ready-to-wear, mill
linery, hosiery, waists, underwear
and shoes for women and children.
and is under the personal manage
ment Of Mansfield p. Rose, Mr.
Rose Joined the organization five
years ago coming to the Ward &
Lewis stores from George Bernards,
So S. State ST., Chicago.
After leaving the military service
the Hammond store was opened for
Mr.. Rose. Here he met with ex-
ceptional success which resulted in
his being placed in charge Of the
local store Mr.. Rose is a buyer
Of wide experience and has charge
Of the buying in the millinery,
waist, hosiery and underwear de-
partments He is assisted In the
millinery department by Miss Olive
/ Schock.
The cloak and suit department is
under the personal supervision OF
/ Francis J. Vogt, who for nine years
was buyer for Carson, Prize G. Scott.
Mr. Vogt has had wide experience
+ I'm the cloak and suit business and
/ has earned an enviable reputation
as a buyer OF fine merchandise. He
I Joined the Ward & Lewis Organiza-
/ ton three years ago and came 20
+ South Bend from Grand Rapids.
/ Mich, where he made a big success
OF the ladies ready-to-wear depart
ment in that city.
Continue Same Policy
Being experienced not only in the
/ selling OF shoes but In their making
as well Benjamin Sosin was placed
/ in charge OF the buying for the local
shoe man who has been engaged in
the business for the past IL years.
\ Like Mr. Rose. Mr.. Sosin first
/ Joined the Ward & Lewis organ
/ ization az Hammond. His ability 20
serve the customers as we'll as his
knowledge OF buying good footwear
/ brought him 70 the attention of Mr..
\ Ward and in company with Mr..
Rose and Mr.. Nogt came 20 South
Bend with the opening OF the local
/ store.
Mr. Ward stated that the same
/ policies VIII be carried throughout
\ his chain Of stores as have been IN
/ effect In the past and that he Is
/ particularly pleased with the man
ner IN which the local buying pub
I lie has received the Ward & Lewis
/ store Plans are now being made
+ for the opening or additional stores
I'M this community.