Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1886, Part 8

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Publication date: 1886
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FURNITURE.

The growth of this western country, caused by the building of rail- roads, by immigration, by the establishment of manufacturing and other

- important enterprises, creates a steady; Jemand for all classes of furniture, which can be purchased in Des Moines as cheap as from castern houses. In no branch of manufacture has there been a greater revolution than in this, until now upon entering an establishment devoted to this particular life of trade, it seems almost impossible for inventive genius to further perfect the many elegant and comfortable articles of furniture.

There are three wholesale furniture houses in Des Moines, carrying complete and extensive stocks of modern design and artistic finish,and doing a largo and increasing business.

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

VINEGAR AND PICKLE WORKS.

This industry is represented in Des Moines by one house, which does a large business in this line, supplying the wholesale trade here with these commodities, as well as various kinds of table sauces. : Large quantities.of apples, also cucumbers and other garden products, find a ready market ( here for the production of vinegar, pickles, etc. They have a large and increasing trade.

SHIRT MANUFACTURING.

The manufacture of fine dress shirts is a branch of business which when properly conducted is a great convenience to the public, There ' are three houses in Des Moines who are engaged in the manufacture of shirts, collars, cuff's and fine underwear, doing all kinds of work in their line and employing a number of traveling salesmen. . They manufacture largely for the trade and guarantee all work of excellent quality and supe- rior workmanship.

KNITTING FACTORIES.

There is no question as to the value of knitted goods as a commodity, and the goods produced by the Des Moines Knitting Factory command a ready sale. They have all the necessary appliances for manufacturing jackets, mittens, leggings, scarfs, hosfery, underwear and all descriptions of knitted goods.

CIGAR FACTORIES.

The tobacco business in this country, from its magnitude. must be considered an important interest, and the manufacture of cigars forms one of the prominent industries, of Des Moines. Eight HBuses are devoted to this branch of industry, and their annual production is an item of con- siderable magnitude. The cigars placed on the market by these houses --- are equal to any' known to the trade, comprising all the standard and re- liable brands, while their business aggregates hundreds of thousands of " dollars yearly.

COOPERAGE.

The extensive pork packing establishments and the immense distil- leries, together with numerous other factories of various kinds in the city, create a very great demand for goods of this class, and a large barrel ! factory is In operation in this city which employs one hundred men, besides !! several smaller factories, making a general line of every description of : cooperage, and their business is an important addition to the many man- facturing interests of this city.

SOAP FACTORIES. i

No article of manufacture commands a more ready sale than sdar,

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

and in this branch of industry two houses in Des Moines are engaged, having all the necessary buildings and facilities for an extensive business, and they place upon the market a superior article of soap. (The product of these two soap factories has rapidly grown in public favor, as the large ouflers they are constantly receiving, for all grades of staple and fancy soabs, fully demonstrates.

TRUNKS. 1

Des Moines has one house devoted to the manufacture of trunks, and I as-they make all grades of trunks, falises, traveling bag's, and other' arti- p cles purchased here may be relied upon as excellent and durable in quality and workmanship.

WOOLEN

MILLS.

Des Moines is rapidly gaining ja reputation as a commercial metrop- olis, and during the last few years has made immense strides in securing and, retaining the trade of this section. Not the least important branch of industry and one deserving recognition, is the Capital City Woolen Factory, which is one of the largest in the West. | They manufacture a fine quality of woolen goods, in cloths, cassimeres, blankets, yarns, etc., with which their large rooms are filled and their products are highly d teemed by the trade.

FILE WORKS.

Few persons are aware of the extreme care requisite in the manufac- ture of files, as they require the most perfect tempering and a uniformity which is a sure test of the skill of the manufacturer!|

We have but one house engaged in the manufacture of files, but they an extensive business in filling orders for jobbers). andi as they use the best Ames steel, and employ only skilled workmen, the result is that the fees manufactured by them have a, reputation second to none known to the |; trade. Their works are operated by steam power, and tlie increase in their business has necessitated a corresponding increase in their facilities for manufacturing.

CONFECTIONERY.

The manufacture of candy has assumed surprising proportions during the last few years, and thred firge manufacturing and wholesale houses are engaged exclusively in this branch of business, and their product is 'in - every respect equal to that brought from eastern factories.

SUSPENDER FACTORY

Among the new industries established in our city, we are glad to note the Northwestern Suspender Factory. The company has procured the best of machinery and all modern appliances for the manufacture of these

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DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

goods. Their factory is operated by steam and the entire outfit is of the very best known to the trade. Their capacity is one hundred and twenty- five dozen per day, and they furnish goods of the very best quality av a price as low as they can be obtained in the east, to the home trade of the jobbers and dealers in this class of goods, in the city: | Their houselis represented by traveling salesmen through whom they reach a lange trade in the Western States and Territories. This company has a patent|attach- ment for suspenders and braces of which they have the entire control, and which is valuable, as the experience of those who have worn them will at- test.

ARTIFICIAL LIMBS.

It is only within a comparatively recent period that the manufacture of artificial limbs has become a prominent industry in this country. Asa natural consequence of the late war, there are many maimed and crippled veterans scattered throughout all sections of the country, and the frequent accidents on railroads, in factories or on farms, through carelessness or from unavoidable causes, has largely increased the mumber of those whose! legs and arms have suffered amputation, hence, the inventor of perfectly constructed limbs is deserving of recognition as a benefactor of the human race. One house in Des Moines 'is engaged in the manufacture of artificial limbs, which have proven highly satisfactory, as they combine lightness. durability, case of action and simplicity. This firm has achieved a grafi- fying success in this line of manufacture. ...

LITHOGRAPHING, STEREOTYPING AND WOOD ENGRAVING.

Lithographing is done by three firms in Des Moines, and their work is executed in the most skillful and artistic manner, and will compare favorably with that of any establishment in the country. " The elegant specimens of work done by them, has gained them a wide reputation, and ; orders are constantly being received from all parts of the country. Two houses in the city are engaged in stereotyping, and, wood engraving is also done here. Two firms are doing' an extensive business in engraving and - publishing maps, keeping agents constantly at work selling their goods and doing an extensive business throughout the Northwest.

WHOLESALE BUSINESS.

GRAIN TRADE.

Des Moines is not a speculative market. Option buying and selling finds but little favor among our merchants. The' actual property finds pi ready market at fair prices. Much of the grain brought in by farmers i

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

The flouring mills take the "

goes direct to consumers or manufacturers, wheat, the pat meal mill the oats; and starch and alcohol works much of- fe corn: Even the grain bought by dealers for shipment is taken at good fieds .*

There is also a project that with the opening of another season one more. levator will be built|here for the purpose of handling grain from car's, end that our city will become in the near future a good point from which . grain will go direct to the seaboard.

The year's business has been generally satisfactory, and the grain grade is in strong hands with capital largely out of proportion to our ele -. ator capacity. | The character of the trade has Changed but little the past i fear.[ Whatever improvement has taken place lies in the growing dispo- Rion to buy everything offered, to accumulate, and have grain always on hand to sell.

FORR PACKING.

"The city possesses great advantages for the pursuit of this industry, eing) located in

the center of the second Stare in the Union in the pro- duction of hogs, and in the numerous railways converging to this point ' fron call portions of the State, giving ample transportation facilities, and ! Des Moines has become one of the most important pork packing points rest of the Mississippi river, and -acts as a gatoivay for supplies and ship- ments to-a lange territory of country. The brands, cuts and cure of our packing houses maintain their popularity, and command the highest mar- ket prices. This is one of the most important Interests of Des Moines, And four companies here transact a very heavy business in the packing of Jork. j. 1

FLOUR AND PRODUCE!

The extent of the flour and produce commission business transacted fh this city is not generally l'appreciated by the public, but there are a lumber of houses engaged in this business whose annual transactions aggregate an immense sum.

For several years the commission business has shown a large annual increase, which is due to a great degree to the unrivalled facilities for shipment enjoyed by our city. | The farmy garden, brchard and dairy products of one of the richtest agricultural regions in the world), are pouring into our city, and with the ample facilities for storage.' and shipment possessed by these firms, the quantity of these products handled by them is simply immense:

LUMBER TRADE.

Among the various branches of business which have materially con- tributed to the reputation

of Des Moines as a commercial center, and

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

added to the general progress of the city, 'are our lumber dealers, of whom there are seven firms, and the enterprise displayed by those engaged i the lumber business in Des Moines has been and lis of such an active and . aggressive character as to center at this point a very Heavy trade. Several operators in this direction are now transacting a business | which involves a large amount of capital, and results in a business of great magnitude, whose business connections extend not only throughout Iowa, but the western and southern states, and they are constantly increasing the scope of their operations, and opening new fields in various parts of the. country.

WHOLESALE GROCERS.

Among the many industries which have tended to extend and enlarge the commercial importance of Des Moines, perhaps none has had a more favorable influence upon the mercantile relations of the city than the whole sale grocery trade, and this branch of business is one of the points upor which we have, basedyour claims to rank as the commercial center of Iowa. Possessing superior advantages in her geographical position and transport ation facilities, as well as the commercial standing and enterprise of her leading merchants' in this line. Des Moines can to day furnish staple and fancy groceries at prices which/will successfully compete with any city in. the West. We have six firms engaged in this business, composed of men who are alert, active and ready for any enterprise tending fo; enhance, the interests of Des Moines, believing that whatever tends to elevate the city. exerts a beneficial influence upon their own business, and fully deserving of the success which has attended them in the past, and of further success in the future.

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

In no branch of manufacturing has there been a greater advance made in articles of practical utility than in agricultural implements. The pro- duction of this class of machinery has made wonderful revolutions in farm ing, every farm being supplied to a greater or less extent with these essen. tials. In Des Moines, the center of one of the richest agricultural regions in the world, the trade in farm machinery has assumed large proportions and six houses wholesale this'class of goods. We have reason to believe from the inquiries received, in regard to the matter, that many of the farming implements used in this section of country will be manufactured in this city, in the near future.

DRY GOODS.

The trade in this line is one of the largest and most important in the city. Two houses represent 'the wholesale interests, whose stocks are heavy, store rooms capacious, well ordered and lighted, and the complete

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY

and choice assortiment which is at all times displayed to the trade, offers. .. great inducements to purchasers. Their business is very satisfactory, and . is being extended through the vigor of western 'enterprise.

CARPETS, CURTAINS AND OIL CLOTHSE

Five firmis in the city deal in these goods, including all grades from the ingrain to the finest Brussels,, Moquette and Wilton carpets, curtain damasks, and laees, window shades, plain and fanck, and upholsterer's articles, and the trade in this line is large.

NOTIONS AND FANCY GOODS

While it would be almost impossible to enumerate the various article's which come under this designation, it includes an almost unlimited variety, which are essential in some way to every productive, enterprise and dyery household. | 1These must have their supply from our important jobbing and manufacturing centers, and we find four extensive establishments in Des Moines (engaged in supplying the demand for fancy goods and no- tions.

BOOKS AND STATIONERY.

In all the wide range of industrial pursuits here is not a more inter- esting occupation than that of the bookseller, upon which the education of the masses and the enlightenment of the public in large measure depends, And there is no better evidence of refined taste in the Household than the Presence of good books. . It is a matter of congratulation to the friends of pe cause of popular education, that, much of the literature of to day is superior to that of the past, and that a taste for good readling is being ; cul- fifated among the masses. Four houses in Des Moines do an extensive wholesale, business in this line, each employing a number of traveling salesmen, and their orders are received from all parts of the Northwest.

SEEDS.

The two firms here are known throughout Iowa as among the oldest 1 houses in this line of business in the state, and have become well known as the leading seedsmen in this section of country. Both these houses have obtained a reputation for fresh and pure farm, garden and flower seeds.

JEWELRY.

This important branch of industry is represented in our city by one house, which is the largest west of Chicago and north of St. Louis, and has an important bearing upon the commercial prosperity and mercantile thrift of Des Moines. . This is the leading jewelry establishment of the west, and will compare favorably with those of any city in the Union. The goods

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY

are imported directly from Europe, the house employs a number of tray- eling salesmen; and does a correspondingly large business.

MILLINERY.

This branch of wholesale trade has three large ropresentives in our city, who business extends not only throughout fowa, but all the adjacent States. These firms are composed of energetic, practical business men, and their business, in common with other wholesale interests of the city, is constantly enlarging. They carry in stock a complete line of all goods dealt in by the millinery trade, which they can furnish to dealers in the N'est at eastern prices; hence there is no necessity for going further east to replenish a stock in this line.

HARDWARE AND | CUTLERY. 1

As a branch of industry peculiarly successful in Des Moines, and formy ing an important factor in the commercial importance of the city, the hard- ware trade is entitled to consideration in a review of the mercantile and industrial interests of the city. The advantages which Des Moines offers as a jobbing point are rapidly becoming known, as well as the fact that retail dealers prefer to purchase goods nearer home when they can do so. at eastern prices, thus saving freight and fime, and the result is a large increase in our whofesale business. We have three. wholesale hardware houses in Des Moines, which are doing an extensive business. " The store rooms are large and admirably suited to the purpose, and the stocks car. ried by these houses are comprehensive, including all varieties of inven- tions and articles made in that especial line of manufacture.

CHINA, GLASS AND QUEENSWARE.

One house of commercial importance in our city is the largest in the state in this line of business, buying dircet from the factories and whole saling to the trade, and their system of buying enables them to enter into competition with eastern houses, duplicating their goods in quality and in price. This house is excelled by nong in the northwest for completeness of assortment and in the amount of business transacted, employing a large force of traveling salesmen, and commanding the trade of a large territory in the northwest.

DRUGGISTS.

Prominent among the wholesale interests of the city is the drug busi- ness, which is represented by five large houses. The importance of this business is scarcely recognized by those not directly connected with it, and these houses are represented by a large number of traveling salesmen, and their trade amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY!

PROPRIETARY MEDICINES.

There is but one firm who are exclusive manufacturers and pharma- çists. They are conducting a large business, theif preparations are among the most popular, and find a ready sale in almost every city, town and village in the great northwest ..

Since their removal to this city their sales have more than doubled. This might be taken as an example of what can be'accomplished by men of high qualifications, energy and enterprise.

The wholesale druggists; also a number of retail houses; are manufac; turers of standard preparations of their own, in the line of medicines, per- fumes, etc., which are highly appreciated by the trade. CIGARS AND TOBACCO.

The consumption of tobacco in this country is so great as to give prom Sinence to this branch of wholesale trade, which is represented in this city by six Houses, whose sales aggregate a large amount annually.

OILS.

There are four wholesale houses dealing exclusively in oils, and they handle all varieties of illuminating and lubricating oils! They employ a. hrge number of traveling salesmen, and their business extends through de western states and territories. Our wholesale druggists and grocers Uso deal in ofil of various kinds.

BOOTS AND SHOES.

We have two firms in the city wholesale dealers in boots and shoes, who have achieved alreputation and acquired a trade which places them in the front rank of enterprise

and success . Besides these, two. `other houses do both wholesale and retail business in this line, As a source of supply for the articles ;of boots and shoes suited to the markets, Des Moines occupies a conspicuous position and attracts dealers from all parts of Iowa and the Northwest.

BUTTER AND EGGS.

Iowa now occupies the front rank as regards the article of butter, and the business of packing and shipment of this commodity has assumed large proportions throughout the country. . We have here four houses, shippers of butter and eggs, and the business transacted by these four firms extends prer a wide territory in the northwest, aggregating hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. In addition to these houses, several of our commis- tion dealers make a specialty of butter and eggs,

LEATHER AND SADDLERY HARDWARE.

The trade of Des Moines in leather and saddlery hardware is a branch

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY

of industry which is constantly growing in importance, and is represented in our city by three firms who are among our most enterprising business" men.

Y'APER.

The amount of newspaper used by our | various newspapers and pub lishing houses is simply immense; then the trade of a large territory tribu tary to our city, has made the business in this line important. There are five houses in this branch of trade. All kinds of wrapping paper is handled by these houses also.

WALL PAPER.

Three houses, of which one is among the largest in the United States, are engaged in this branch of wholesale trade, carrying a full stock of all varieties in this line of goods, and doing a very heavy business in this and other states.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

While we have no exclusively wholesale house in the sale of this class of goods, there are three firms which sell both at wholesale and retail, and the large amount of goods sold by these houses shows the extensive busi- ness, as it also attests the excellence of the pianos and organs they handle.

INDUCEMENTS TO CAPITALISTS AND HOME SEEKERS.

The intelligent reader of the foregoing pages will see that Des Moines. has been richly endowed by Nature with all those resources that are the basis of prosperity and wealth, and that by the the enterprise of our peo- ple, the foundations of Iowa's : Metropolis have been laid and the super- structure well begun. The rapid yet substantial growth of the surrounding country has been shown, and a thriving and enterprising city has sprung into existence, the metropolis of our beautiful Iowali Thousands are locat- ing here annually for permanent homes, because of our healthful climate beauty of location, our social, moral and educational. advantages, and to all who are seeking new homes for health, wealth or pleasure, we say con- fidently that no portion of this for any other country offers greater induce- ments, and to all such we extend a hearty welcome.

The site on which Des Moines is situated is one of the most beautiful for all the purposes of a large and growing city that could have been chosen. From her central and commanding position, her intellectual and - commercial conditions, Des Moines is destined to be one of the best and. most attractive residence cities in the West. Many costly and elegant residences have been built, but let our advantages become known, and

DES MOINES CITY

DIRECTORY !!

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thousands more, annually from all parts of the world will make their hothes here, adding to our social attractions and helping thus to develope dur wonderful resources. Residence property is reasonable, though in good demand, and the number of houses erected annually is surprisingly large. ; The opportunity for persons of moderate means to : own, their hommes is the best, and we have a muunber of loan' and building associa- tions which have done much in assisting hundreds each year in securing

" Business property, although steadily advancing, has always done so on its real merits, aunid not owing to any fictitious, value, and the oppor- tunities for investment are still good. Many fine business blocks have been crected during the past few years, and many more are. contemplated in the near future, which will repay the builders well as an investment, while parties erecting suitable residences would do equally well, as the property would be in demand at a good profit.

Additional manufacturing enterprises, employing thousands of opera- fives, who must be fed and clothed by our, merchants, would be of great berefit not only to the business men, butt to every citizen. Nature has dalle her part in supplying the great desideratum, fuel and water. Our railroad facilities are already ample, and are being increased every year; our advantages in every particular are sufficient. Millions of dollars are lost annually by the people of lown by not having within her own borders the mecessary establishments for manufacturing the thousands of articles. in daily use, and the preparation of the products of her own rich soil. There is nothing which is calculated to build up a city faster, nething that gires more prominence and commercial value, or enhances the condition of Her business men more rapidly, than the operating of large manufactur- ingiestablishments.

The action of our City; Council in offering to remit the city. tax on factories for a certain length of time is appreciated, and we believe our County Board of Supervisors will also offer inducements to those who

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Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1886, Part 8

Author: Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: