Imperial Valley press., 1933-10-19

building on Main street was con-
structed and the businesses united.
In 1917, the company purchased
the Goodwin Hardware
store in Calipatria and Vance Will
son, who had been manager of the
Imperial store, was in charge of
the new unit. Thus the company
had complete coverage of the en-
tire trade territory of Imperial
Valley.
Since the business had grown to
such volume, it was felt necessary
to centralize more thoroughly.
Therefore in 1921, Howard Meyer
was relieved by new manager of
the Ell Centro store and took
charge of all buying, warehousing
and merchandising. George An
derson continued as general mana
ger and specialized on the selling
end of the business.
Through the development of
good roads, the company foresaw
the ultimate tying-in of the Yuma
Valley section with Imperial VAL
ley and in 1923 purchased from
the creditors, the Yuma Hardware
Co., in Yuma, Ariz. A. L. Riley
Of the Ell Centro store was placed
in charge until replaced by Norman
Hindle in 1925.
Two years later, the company
purchased the Caruthers Hard
ware company at Somerton, Ariz.,
and in 1928 purchased the Sturges
Bros. Hardware Co. located in the
Yuma Heights section OF Yuma.
Norman Hindle was made district
manager in charge of the three
stores in Arizona
In 1929, furniture department
was added and during 1880, the
implement departments in the Ari-
zona stores, which had been ac-
quired in the purchase, were dis
posed Of.
Meyer Takes Charge
In the fall of 1925 George W.
Anderson moved to Los Asgeles
and Howard P. Meyer took over the
general management of the COM
, pany in addition to the merchan-
disc work Warren Currier, who
had been manager of the Brawley
store for five years, was made gen.
eral sales manager of the COM
pany. The following year Mr.. An
derson resigned as president asd
Howard P. Meyer was made presi-
dent, Warren Currier taking his
place as secretary.
The Imperial Valley Hardware
owns eight of the buildings now
| occupied by their stores and sew
eral additional buildings which are
rented to others. The buildings at
Yuma, Somerton and Calexico are
the only ones which are not owned
by the company and these are un-
der long term leases. The building
! at, Calexico is owned by the An
| derson brothers who are all active
ly connected with the company.
Over 100 men and women are en-
! ployed by this pioneer firm, of
whom more than 25 are stockhold-
ers, A majority of these employees
own their own homes and take an
active interest in civic affairs and
are substantial citizens who may
be relied upon to carry forward
| the growth and development of
| their company, and the. communi-
ties in which they live.
In this they are following the
example of the founders and ex-
ecutives of the country. George w,
Anderson is a former mayor of El
Centro and was recognized as an
outstanding civic leader. Howard
P. Meyer is past president of the
Ell Centre Chamber of Commerce,
and also helped to organize the
Imperial Valley Building and Loan
| association. He is a director in
I several other valley enterprises and
his advice is sought by ranchers,
businessmen and patrons of the
Imperial Valley Hardware COM
pany on numerous occasions.
Present officers of the company
are: Howard P. Meyer, president;
E. e. Anderson, vice president;
Paul p Anderson. vice president;
Norman Hindle, vice. president; FL
mer Baxter, president; War
rem Currier, secretary and general
sales manager, and George W. An
derson, director