USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria of to-day with Peoria blue book directory, 1915 > Part 5
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AUGUST HOFSTETTER AND JAMES C. LEWIS, JR.
two promising young men who by their ability and devotion to their art have gained for themselves an extensive reputation. What specially stamps their work is their striking originality. Their work predominates from the point of view of design and from that of execution. As artists they completely reconstruct from the foundation any scheme or design that may be suggested to them or left to their own ingenuity. As craftsmen they combine all the processes of the goldsmith, the chaser, the enameller and the gem setter, and have departed from the narrow lines in which the art has been confined. Their work is executed with marvelous precision and vivid representation of motion reaching the highest point in design as applied to handicrafts of any kind producing most gorgeous effects with extraordinary delicacy and beauty.
They carry in stock an extensive line of precious stones and a most brilliant collection of various ornaments. A visit to their display rooms on the second floor of the Woolner Building is both instructive and pleasing and should not be overlooked.
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
1
red J. Bahni & Co. (Incorporated), occupying the entire second floor at 106 S. Adams Street are, he largest manufacturing jewelers in central Illinois. They have a rare collection of diamonds, pearls nd all other precious stones, and their exquisite work in gold and platinum, engraving and diamond etting, and the originality of their designs, which are submitted upon request, have attracted world- ide notice.
.
visit to The Sleyman Art Shop at 508 Main Street, "the only one of its kind in Illinois," is like a free rip through the Orient. Everything in oriental goods, such as rugs, hand made jewelry, vases, lamps, table overings, slippers, kimonas, silk underwear. silk hose, and things out of the ordinary in art craft is here be had.
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
THE PALACE LIVERY & TAXICAB CO.
The Palace Livery and Taxicab Co. was originally established in 1889 as the Palace Livery and Boarding Stable, and continued under that name until 1902. when the concern was incorporated with a capital stock of forty thousand dollars and the name changed to the one now used. This company is the largest exclusive livery in the state of Illinois, and makes a specialty of light and heavy hauling of all kinds. The most prompt attention is given to baggage calls. In the taxicab department they are particularly equipped to serve all with utmost dispatch and satisfaction, having a large number of five and seven passenger Packard, Premier, White and Sultan Taxicabs that are constantly at the call of the public and oper- ated by licensed, careful and courteous chauffeurs. The Palace Livery and Taxicab Company is officered by the following well known men: President, W. E. Hull,) general manager of the Clark Distilling Company; C. J. Sammis, vice president; E. L. Harris, treasurer, and M. J. Finn, secretary.
DRS. SCOTT AND BROWN
Veterinary Surgeons
Peoria boasts of another new institution that is the peer of any like institution in Illinois. Feeling that the animal when suffering from sickness or injury is entitled to and should be provided with the best care and attention, both from the standpoint of humanity and economy, Doctors Scott and Brown
DR. SCOTT
have erected a veterinary hospital at 234-238 Eaton Street. This is a com- modious and modern brick building, containing large, roomy, well ventilated and lighted stalls, an isolation ward for infectious diseases, an operating room equipped with the latest model oper- ating table, hot and cold water, dog kennels and everything else that is necessary for the equipment of a thor- oughly modern up-to-date veterinary hospital building. Dr. John Scott. senior member of the firm, has been engaged in practice in Peoria for the past twenty-six years, and has held the position of assistant state veterinarian during all that time. Dr. C. G. Brown,
DR. BROWN
the junior member, has practiced continuously in Peoria since his graduation in 1907, at which time he became affiliated with Dr. Scott. Both men are of unquestionable ability and character, and exhibit the true Peorian spirit of hospitality by making everybody welcome, whether a regular patron of theirs or not.
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
E. BRANSON
E. Branson, a man of enterprise, marked force and character, has been a resident of Peoria for the past twenty-five years. When but a young man he came to Peoria and was thrown upon his own resources, and after a varied career began operating a sprinkling line. This was fifteen years ago. To-day, he has the largest sprinkling line in Peoria and is also proprietor of the Eagle Custom Mills, located at the corners of Hamilton, Globe and Knoxville. This mill is devoted exclusively to the milling of feed and makes a specialty of chicken feed and chops. It is one of the largest of its kind and also carries a complete line of the best grades of hay, straw, bran, meal, oats, corn and coal. Fraternally Mr. Branson is a member of the Court of Honor, Dramatic Order Knights of Khorasson, Yoemen of America, Equitable Fraternal and American Insurance Unions, Knights of Pythias, Pythian Sisters, Mystic Workers and the Peoria Association of Commerce. He is energetic, well liked as a merchant and socially, and is meeting with excellent success in his business.
PERRY EATON & SON
Perry Eaton & Son, locksmiths, gunsmiths and general repairers, at 133 South Monroe Street, is the best equipped and largest shop of its kind in Peoria. This business was established by Cabel Whittemore in 1840. Mr. Wm. Perry Eaton, a native of Boone, County Missouri, who came to Peoria in 1874, shortly thereafter entered the employ of Mr. Whittemore, and three years ago succeeded him. They are not a heavy machine shop, but if anything has to be repaired or the services of an expert locksmith are required, they are equipped to give unexcelled service. Grinding knives, scissors, razors, skates, lawn mowers, etc., repairing wringers, washing machines, umbrellas, all kinds of bells, locks and making any kind of a key to order, door checks, and many other things too numerous to mention, come within their line. In the forty years that Mr. Eaton has dealt with Peorians, by his honesty, uprightness and ability he has made many friends and built up an institution worthy of every man's effort. He has associated with him his son, Edward P., who promises to follow his father's footsteps and maintain the reputation established by him both for the family and business.
ELECTRICAL TESTING CO.
The Electrical Testing Company is one of the unique organizations that Peoria boasts of and bears the same relationship to the electrical business that the physician does to the human body and the lawyer to the business man. It is an electrical doctor. In addition to the manufacturing of Ecto electric plants and automatic and manual switchboards, they make a specialty of their service and repair department, which includes the repairing of magnetos, spark coils, instruments, meters, electric starting systems, storage batteries and fine apparatus. If it is electrical and needs attention they are equipped to repair it. The members of the firm are H. W. Sayles and H. J. Waggoner and are located at 350-352 Knoxville Avenue. Mr. Sayles is a native of Hartford, Wisconsin; a graduate of the Iowa State College; a resident of Peoria for the past fourteen years, and is a member of the Peoria Association of Commerce and the Peoria Electric Club. Mr. Waggoner who was born in Pringhar, Iowa, is a resident of Peoria for the past ten years. He is a graduate of the Iowa State College, and is a member of the Peoria Electric Club.
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
MRS. L. B. MOKLER
Mrs. L. B. Mokler, who for the past twenty years has been engaged in the dressmaking business is a native of Peoria County. Obtaining her primary edu- cation in the place of her nativity, after leaving school she entered as an apprentice in a dressmaking establishment, and by striet application to her work aided by her natural instinct for beauty and art, she to-day is the owner of one of the finest dressmaking institutions in the city, occupying a commodious suite of rooms on the seventh floor of the Observatory Building, and employing a number of dress- makers. Mrs. Mokler is more than a mere dressmaker, her ability to design a garment and drape it over the body so as to make it look artistie and distinctive rather than artificial has won for her a large patronage. She is a Rebekha and a member of the Court of Honor, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and is one of the most progressive women in Peoria.
MRS. JULIA FOLEY
Mrs. Julia Foley, who is a native of Peoria, has been engaged in the dress- making business for more than thirty-five years, and has occupied her present quarters at 430-433 Woolner Building for the past twenty-three years. Her primary education was obtained in the public schools of Peoria and following her inclina- tions, took up dressmaking. She soon developed into more than a mere seamstress. Her ability to transform an inexpensive piece of material into a most strikingly fashionable garment soon won her many admirers and when she engaged in busi- ness for herself, had a successful following almost from the start. This success attended her ever since and to-day she is one of the most popular dressmakers in Peoria. Recently she was prevailed upon to impart her knowledge to others, and in connection with her dressmaking establishment conducts a school, teaching not only sewing, but cutting, designing and the art of draping. She keeps abreast with the times by going to Chicago very frequently and is in touch with the latest Parisian styles. Fraternally she is a member in the Women's Catholic Order of Foresters and is highly esteemed because of her personal traits of charcater, com- manding confidence and warm regard.
MRS. MARY STEPHENS
In strong contrast with the dressmakers stands out Mrs. Mary Stephens, ladies' tailor at 417 Hamilton Street. After studying and serving her apprenticeship at New York and St. Louis, and thoroughly mastering the art of cutting and tailoring of ladies' garments, Mrs. Mary Stephens came to Peoria and engaged in the ladies' tailoring business. This was seventeen years ago. Ten years ago she moved to her present quarters where success has always attended her. All of the garments made by her are cut and designed in the latest fashions, distinct in appearance, with origin- ality and tailored effects predominating. She carries a complete line of the latest patterns and weaves and when occasion demands goes east for her suggestions of styles and materials. She is a member of the Eastern Star and by conscientious work, honesty and ability has built up a very remunerative business, commanding the respect of the entire community.
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
N. C. ANDERSON
Among the leading business men of Peoria whose success is due entirely to his own efforts, is N. C. Anderson, Born in Denmark in 1866, he left school at the age of fourteen and was forced into the commercial world. Acting upon the suggestion of a friend of the family, who was a leading ladies' tailor in the town of his nativity, he engaged to him as an apprentice, and served for four years without compensation. After mastering the art of cutting and tailoring, Mr. Anderson engaged in business for himself, and in 1887 came to this country to seek his fortune. Weathering the difficulties that attend the average foreigner, and with thirty-four years continuous experience in every branch of cutting and tailoring, Mr. Anderson came to Peoria in 1914 and engaged in the ladies' tailoring business. His mastery and knowledge of the business soon attracted to him many patrons and his business grew to such proportions that a few months ago he was forced to seek larger quarters and moved to 317 South Jefferson Avenue, where he conducts a most modern and up-to-date ladies' tailoring establishment, specializing in coats, suits and skirts. Every convenience and comfort that can be afforded his patrons is provided for, and Mr. Anderson counts among his customers some of the most stylish and strikingly gowned women in Peoria. Con- tinuously keepiug in touch with the latest fashions and closely studying the artistic lines and designs in ladies' tailored garments, he has earned for himself an enviable reputation, a large patronage and is known for his prompt and honorable methods.
MAX ERLER
An analization of the business career of Max Erler shows that no especial favor- able circumstances aided him at the outset of his career, but that persistent effort and intelligently directed labor are responsible for his success. Born in Peoria, Illinois, he attended the German free school and at an early age was compelled to make his own way. By hard work and study he saved enough money and acquired sufficient knowledge of the photography business to engage therein and in 1881 opened a small studio at 1216 South Adams Street. Diligent study, honesty and conscientious work is always rewarded by success, and Mr. Erler's business increased rapidly; likewise did his experience and knowledge. In 1909 his business grew to such proportions that it became necessary to have larger quarters and he erected the building now occupied. This is a two story modern brick building, containing more than 8000 square feet of floor space devoted exclusively to photography in all its branches; it has the largest operating room in Illinois outside of Chicago, and a feature of its construction is that a portion of one side of the building is constructed entirely of glass, being inclined at an angle of twenty-five degrees, thus insuring proper light to permit photography at any hour of the day regardless of the weather conditions, without the aid of artificial light. Mr. Erler has associated with him his brother Edward, and gives special at- tention to commercial photography. All of the photographs taken for this publication were done so by Mr. Erler. Fraternally he is a Mason and a Shriner, and has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, and in his dealing is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won for him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellow men.
320-I.N.MARTIN DRY GOODS CO .- 322
The New Home of the I. N. Martin Dry Goods Co., 320-322 South Adams Street
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
RETAIL BUSINESS SECTION
The natural sequence to a manufacturing center is an extensive retail district. For just the same as good transportation facilities invite large factories, so do these factories in turn increase the population, thereby creating the demand for retail stores. The subject of transportation has already been dealt with as well as that of the fac- tories. From the excellence of the former and the magnitude of the latter, Peoria must naturally have and boasts of a retail trade equal in proportion to its manufactur- ing business. Every variety and known form of merchandise is to be had. No matter how exclusive, advanced in style, expensive or inexpensive an article may be; whether manufactured locally, in the country or is imported, Peoria stores have it. It is es- timated that there are approximately over two thousand stores in Peoria; that the annual business for the year 1914 was $47,000,000; that fifteen thousand people were employed and $7,500,000 was paid out in wages. Space will not permit the enumer- ation and description of all. A few of the more representative firms have been selected and views of these establishments with a modified description are herewith submitted as a suggestion of the magnitude of Peoria's retail business section.
I. N. MARTIN DRY GOODS CO.
The I. N. Martin Dry Goods Store is a monument to Peoria's progress and advancement in retail merchandising and in its new home at 320 and 322 South Adams Street will be the pride of Peoria. Based on principles of honest merchan- dise at honest prices, this store, in its thirteen years of existence has had a con- tinuous and phenomenal growth and vividly portrays the ability, honesty, integrity and expanding powers of its founder and manager, I. N. Martin.
Seventeen years ago Mr. Martin came to Peoria to become managing partner of the Fitzgerald Dry Goods Co. Four years later he organized the I. N. Martin Dry Goods Co., and within eighteen months bought out his former associate. The beginning was small-a little store at 119 South Adams Street-but the principles and policy pursued, led to the continuous growth and prosperity of the business, until to-day, it has outgrown all the available space at the original location. The illustration on the opposite page shows the new home of the I. N. Martin Dry Goods Co .- three large beautiful floors and a big daylight basement, where the public is not only assured of the same courteousness and honesty, but larger stocks, better values and better service. There are few men in Peoria who command greater recognition and respect than Mr. Martin. To build up rather than to destroy has ever been his broad policy, and in the conduct of his mercantile interests he has pursued constructive methods which have never encroached upon the rights of others. Peoria is as proud of him as of his store.
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
G. R. KINNEY & CO.
413
GOOD VALUES 98¢
G. R. KINNEY & CO."
HIGHEST PRICE 198 413
CO'S BIG 99FEIL 196 SHOE STORE
NOTHING IN THIS STORE OVER 198
GREATEST VALUES EVER KNOWN 98+
DE TALLES
413
This store, at 413 South Adams Street, is one of a chain of forty-six stores operated by G. R. Kinney & Co. This company has done a business of nearly $4,000,000 in 1914, and it is estimated that one 250th part of all the shoes sold at retail in the United States pass through this company's stores. It is beyond a doubt the largest exclusive retail shoe business in the United States. The Peoria store located at 413 South Adams Street, is under the management of W. E. Seeling, and makes a specialty of foot wear at ninety-eight cents, one dollar and forty-nine cents, and one dollar and ninety-eight cents a pair. This is one of the several merchandise stores that have helped to make Peoria a popular and desirable residence city by reducing the high cost of living.
ALBERS' WALK-OVER BOOT SHOP
Albers' Walk-Over Boot Shop, located at 107 S. Adams Street, was estab- lished in 1906, and the following year passed into the hands of John H. Albers, the present owner, who is a resident of Peoria for more than twenty-three years. This is one of the most exclusive stores in Peoria and the Walk-Over Shoes for ladies and men are handled exclusively. This shoe is known everywhere as being the best fitting, most comfortable and advanced style. It is manufactured by Geo. E. Keith Co., Campello, Mass., which is the largest shoe factory in the United States, manufacturing over 7,300,000 pair of shoes annually to supply the demand of its extensive trade in this country as well as Europe and South America, and is therefore able to sell a better shoe for less money. Mr. Albers has established a reputation and made many friends by the handling of this shoe and his strict sense of honor, unimpeachable integrity and honest policy. Fraternally he is a Mason, being a Knight Templar and a Shriner, and is a member of the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorasson and the Knights of Pythias.
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
RED CROSS PHARMACY
The Red Cross Pharmacy, located at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Fulton Street, was established eleven years ago by Mr. William D. Lacey, the present proprietor. Born and educated in Laceyville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Lacey came to Peoria in 1904 and opened a drug store. By strict application to his work and a thorough knowledge of compounding prescriptions his business developed, and to-day it is one of the leading drug stores in Peoria. The Red Cross Pharmacy is a general dealer in a full and complete line of drugs, druggists' sundries, rubber and toilet goods, candies, cigars, stationery, etc. A specialty is made of the pre- scription department, being under the personal supervision of Mr. Lacey and in charge of registered pharmacists. The firm also features a foot powder, toilet cream and headache and cold tablets of its own manufacture. Fraternally Mr. Lacey is a member of the Fraternal Aid Association, and also the Modern Wood- men of America, Ancient Order United Workmen, Travelers' Protective Association and the Peoria Association of Commerce. A man without pretense, absorbed in his work and bent on doing the best he can for everybody, Mr. Lacey has made many friends and is counted among the good substantial residents of Peoria.
FRITSCHE'S DRUG STORE
Fritsche's Drug Store at suite 401-402 Jefferson Building, is the only exclusive prescription pharmacy in Peoria. Mr. Paul R. Fritsche, the proprietor, conceived the idea when he engaged in the drug business fifteen years ago, that the best way to serve the public as an apothecary is to do so exclusively, and developing that idea he has to-day an institution that is unexcelled in filling and compounding prescriptions. So extensive is his reputation that from all parts of the city people want their pres- criptions filled at his store, and as a result he established a system whereby he calls for and delivers prescriptions to all parts of Peoria, also by mail or express to all parts of the United States. For the further accommodation of his patrons he has Post Office Station No. 21. Mr. Fritsche is a resident of Peoria for the past twenty years. Frat- ernally he is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner. By strict application to business, honest dealings and good service he built up a very large patronage and has many friends commercially and socially.
BERT C. POWERS' CAMERA SHOP
Located at 523 Main Street, opposite the Post Office, is Bert C. Powers' Camera Shop. Everything in cameras, films, dry plates, photo paper, card mounts, chemicals, sundries, etc., can be found there and the stock is complete to the smallest detail.
Mr. Powers is a native of Peoria and has studied photography in all its branches. He makes a specialty of developing and finishing for amateurs, and commercial photo- graphy of all kinds; also bromide enlargements in which work a glance at his mag- nificent window display will convince one of the very high quality of this particular branch of photography.
By his ability and strict application to work his business has grown to large proportions and demand for his services is made not only in Peoria but for many miles around.
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
CHARLES KNETZGER
-
Coeur Club, and the Peoria Association of Commerce.
Charles Knetzger, the proprietor of one of the largest lumber yards in Peoria and well known in financial circles as one of the directors of the Illinois National Bank, is a native of Germantown, Wis- consin, being born in 1862. He spent his youth in Naperville, Illinois, and there attended the parochial schools. At an early age he entered the business world, but realizing the advantage of a good educa- tion, he supplemented his studies by attending the St. Joseph's college, and later followed for a short time the profession of teaching. After a varied career, during which time he was in the grocery business, cigar store, bookkeeper, bank cashier, and finally in the lumber business, he came to Peoria in 1900, buying out the old Rogers' lumber yard. He deals in all kinds of building materials, handling oak, maple, and beech hardwood flooring, white pine, redwood, cypress, and other finishing material. He has a large yard that covers one and one-half acres of ground, and a shed with a capacity for two million feet of lumber. On April 8, 1891, Mr. Knetzger was married to Miss Anna M. Reis of Bellville, Illinois. They are very prominent mem- bers of the Catholic church, and Mr. Knetzger is also well known in connection with the Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph's Benevolent Society; Creve
UNION BREWING COMPANY
MÍNIO
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5
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Home of the Bohemian Export. Established 1885. Capacity 200,000 Barrels
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
HOME BUILDING IN PEORIA
No question concerns us more than the accumulation of money and the building of homes. These are the predominant features of life. To own a home is the ambition of everyone. To do so however, presents a different problem. It takes money prim- arily, and for this reason alone many inhabitants in the various cities go on paying out rent, and at old age have nothing to show not even the shelter of their own roof. All because the proper opportunity has not been afforded them to make a start. To Peorians this is no more a problem. It is solved by the Home Savings Fund System operated by
THE NATIONAL HOME BUILDING COMPANY
This Company is not a Loan and Homestead or Building Association. Its object is to bring together those people who have money to invest and those who want to borrow, and is intended for the average man who wants to obtain a home. To those who have a higher aim in life and realize the necessity of owning their own home, upon proper application, The National Home Building Company will issue a Home Savings Fund Contraet in even multiples from $300 to $5,000.00 in any one series, payable in monthly installments of from $3.00 to $50.00 for a period of One Hundred months and matures in one hundred and twenty months, or ten years from date of issue, and guarantees four per cent on the investment and profit sharing in addition. This is the Investor's Contract and affords the opportunity to accumulate a down payment on property either in part or whole. The holder of the contract can borrow any time after he has paid the Company ten per cent of the face value of his contract. The Company loans the funds as they accumulate monthly. The borrower pays eighty cents per hundred on principal and twenty-five cents per hundred on interest, being six per cent, total,-one dollar and five cents per hundred or ten dollars and fifty cents per thousand, being eight dollars on principal and two dollars and fifty cents on interest. At these terms it takes one hundred and twenty months to repay one thos- sand dollars. Lesser and greater amounts in proportion. This Home Savings Fund System makes it possible for every ambitious man or woman to own their own home. This Company not only furnishes their own contraet holders the money to build with, but aids them in making the first savings for a start. It is worth one's while to carefully study and familiarize yourself with all the details of their wonderful system. They have established general agencies throughout Illinois, and Peoria is fortunate in having been selected as the place for the principal business office, which is located at 315 Central National Bank Building.
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