USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Hyman's handbook of Indianapolis : an outline history and description of the capital of Indiana, with over three hundred illustrations from photographs made expressly for this work (1907) > Part 15
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
railroad and the Indianapolis, New Castle & Toledo Electric Railway Company. This firm occupies commodious quarters in the Union Trust building, 126 East Market street.
John M. Todd, established in 1861, is the oldest real estate broker now engaged in the real estate business in this city. Todd's first sub- division, at the corner of Gregg and East streets, one of the original subdivisions to the city, was made in 1864. This property at that time was in the suburbs. Mr. Todd has been identified with many other subdivisions during the growth of the city, and has also been promi- nently identified with the promotion and building of our railroads and manufacturing enterprises, and in later days took an active interest in establishing our present park system. Mr. Todd and his son, Newton Todd, occupy rooms in Fletcher's National Bank building.
DAM ON WHITE RIVER AT RIVERSIDE PARK.
NOTABLE WHOLESALE ESTABLISHMENTS
CONCERNS WHOSE TRANSACTIONS INVOLVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
Situated at the center of a fertile, extensive and cultivated territory of densely populated area, with which her means of communication keep her in the closest touch, Indianapolis possesses advantages surpassed by no other city in the country for carrying on exten- sive interests in wholesale distribution. The home demand in all prin- cipal lines of merchandise is a large and active one, and Indianapolis enjoys a position of special prominence as a supply point for the entire state of which it is the center and capital. Beyond this, the trade of Indianapolis as a distributing point has extended into portions of Illi- nois, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and in numerous lines as far south as Tennessee, while in a number of specialties the business of the city extends to all parts of this country.
Early Wholesale Trade-In the early days of Indianapolis there was not much expectation that it would ever become important as a dis- tributing center in wholesale trade. Even when the Madison railroad came into the city, in 1847, it was regarded as more important for the shipment of agricultural products to a river port and for the receipt of outside products for local consumption than as a means of establish- ing a business interest for supplying at wholesale the merchants of outside communities. It was only after railroads began to multiply, and the city was placed in communication with many of the surrounding towns through Indiana, that the idea of a possibility of success in wholesaling began to be entertained by local merchants. In the decade between 1850 and 1860 the first regular wholesale houses made their appearance, although it is probable that some of the larger retailers had before that sold occasional bills at wholesale. In 1857 A. & H. Schnull had become regular wholesale dealers in groceries, and in 1879 the dry goods jobbing business was established in the city. During the war a few other wholesale houses appeared, and after the war was over Indianapolis began to take a position as an important jobbing center, which she has ever since retained, and in which today this city ranks as one of the leading cities in the country, there being, perhaps, no city anywhere in the United States not on a navigable waterway which is at all equal to Indianapolis in the volume of its jobbing business.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Hibben, Hollweg & Co., Importers and Jobbers: Dry Goods, No- tions, Woolens, etc. (at wholesale only), 131 to 141 South Meridian Street-This, the oldest and largest jobbing dry goods and notion house in the state, had as founders in the early "sixties" J. S. Hibhen and C. B. Pattison, through whose untiring energy and aggressive, upright business methods a leading place in the esteem and confidence of the trade tributary to this market was quickly assured. Since their retire- ment from the business and subsequent decease, a period of approxi- mately thirty years, the active management has developed upon H. B. and T. E. Ilibben, who, together with Louis Hollweg, constitute the pres- ent firm of Hibben, Hollweg & Co. Under their efficient management, aided by employes long associated in the conduct of the business, the position early acquired has been strengthened and continuously main- tained throughout the various changes of firm title and partnership in- terests occurring in this interval. The wide acquaintance of the house and its established reputation for solidity and fair dealing place it as representative of the best elements of commercial character and activity, and the firm is conceded to stand at the head of its own line and among the foremost of the strictly jobbing interests of the state. The members of the firm are prominently identified with all movements tending to the city's welfare and advancement and have investment interests in several lines other than those to which they devote their personal time and attention. Mr. Hollweg is one of the pioneer Indiana glass manufac- turers and is largely interested in this and other enterprises located both in this city and elsewhere in the state.
Hibben, Hollweg & Co. occupy the building at the corner of Meridian and Georgia streets, which they have recently enlarged by addition of building adjoining on the north, affording a frontage of 100 feet on Meridian street by 205 feet on Georgia street, which, together with the premises of 26 to 30 East Georgia street, annexed by bridges and tunnels, affords the firm in excess of 125,000 square feet of floor space in their salesrooms, exclusive of the premises at 211 to 215 South Meridian street, a building 35x205 feet, six floors, which is used for storage. In their entirety, the buildings occupied comprise approximately 200,- 000 square feet of floor space, being larger than is employed in any similar jobbing business in the state. The merchandise offered in vari- ous departments includes all desirable lines required in a first-class, modern store, and covers a wide range of foreign and domestic "Dry Goods," "Notions," "Hosiery," "White Goods," "Linens," "Woolens," "House Furnishings," "Floor Oil Cloths," "Linoleums," "Mattings," "Rugs," "Curtains," "Window Shades," "Knit Woolens," "Men's . Fur- nishings," etc., also a very extended line of "Overalls," "Work Shirts," "Laundered" and "Soft Shirts," "Lined Coats," etc., largely_of their own manufacture.
HIBBEN, HOLLCHEG & CO.
IEFONTERS, JOBBERS.
-
LLƯỢT LÀ LẠI
DRY GOODS NOTIONS.
HIBBEN, HOLLWEG & CO.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Liberal use has been made by this firm of the facilities for direct importation. Especial attention has been given to products of Western and Southern mills with most encouraging results, as both the trade and consumer hold this class of goods in constantly increasing favor to the extent that many of the larger mills have found it advantageous to make Messrs. Hibben, Hollweg & Co. their agents in this territory for general and special lines, including certain favorably known brands of Brown and Colored Cottons, Plaids and Warps manufactured to their order. Griffith Brothers, 24 to 32 West Maryland street, manufac- turers, importers and wholesale dealers in millinery, began busi- ness at Dayton, Ohio, in 1863, and established themselves in this city in 1876. The market in millinery from this point at that time was very limited and did not extend beyond a radius of one hundred miles. Their en- terprise and ability has contrib- uted to make Indianapolis one of the most conspicuous mil- linery markets in the country to- day. The growth of this husi- ness has demonstrated that this city is specially favored in its location, for the firm finds it natural and easy to do business with all the trade in the central. western and southern states. GRIFFITH BROTHERS. The stock carried by this firm comprehends everything in millinery, and no concern in the country has a better understanding of the wants of the trade nor has better facili- ties to meet them. Griffith Brothers' store rooms, which comprise two large, adjoining buildings, six and seven stories each, handsomely ap- pointed throughout for the accommodation of their large business, is located in the heart of the wholesale district. They are the largest manufacturers of ladies' and children's straw and felt hats in the state.
Hollweg & Reese, wholesale china and glassware. A recognized leader in the wholesale china and glassware trade is the firm of Holl- weg & Reese, who are located at 130-136 South Meridian street. The business was established in 1868 and the present firm name is still con- tinued, although Mr. Louis Hollweg is now and has been sole proprietor since the death of Chas E. Reese in ISSS. The business of the firm
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
WHOLESALE GROCER
HOLLWEG & REESE.
is that of direct importers and jobbers, the trade reaching out through Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and the South. The most favorable and direct relations are maintained with manufacturing centers in Europe and America, and the stock carried is constantly complete in the finest grades and qualities of china, including the best productions of Limoges, Sevres and other art centers in fine ware, as well as queensware and all standard grades of crockery, cut, pressed and blown glassware, lamps and lamp goods, fancy goods, bric-a-brac, etc., and a prominent specialty is made of fruit jars, of which the firm are large mannfac- turers, having a factory located at Greenfield, Ind. The premises in the city comprise two four-story and basement buildings, 100x180 feet in dimensions, and is stocked heavily at all seasons with the best and finest goods in the line.
Fahnley & McCrea Millinery Company-This house was founded in 1865 and was the first to engage in the wholesale millinery trade in this city. In January, 189S, the firm changed to a corporation by taking in old employes who had been with the concern from boyhood. Since the establishment of this house this branch of trade has become one of the most important and largest in the wholesale business of Indian-
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
apolis, and the prestige it secured as pioneers has been maintained and it is recognized today as one of the leading and most important millinery houses in the west. The buildings occupied are located at 240 and 242 South Meridian street, 237 and 239 McCrea street, and S West Louisiana street. The stock is one of the heaviest in the country and as complete as can be found in New York or Chicago, and is ex- celled by none in either city. Sixteen travelers are employed and the
MILLINERY
237 MCCREA STREET.
8 LOUISIANA ST.
240-242 S. MERIDIAN ST.
FAHNLEY & MCCREA MILLINERY COMPANY.
territory covered embraces Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. About fifty hands are employed in the store and from 150 to 200 in the manufacturing department. The officers of the company are: Fred. Fahnley, president; William H. Cook, vice-president; A. E. Dietrichs, secretary, and A. A. Barnes, treasurer.
Mooney=Mueller Drug Co., 101 and 103 S. Meridian St .- Among the important branches of the jobbing business this city is better repre- sented in the drug line than, perhaps, in any other, and no city in the United States of the size of Indianapolis affords as good a market or is as well represented, The Mooney-Mueller Drug Co. was established in September, 1902, by W. J. Mooney and J. George Mueller, succeeding
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
255
the Indianapolis Drug Co., and both gentlemen have been prominently identified with the wholesale drug trade of Indianapolis for many years. The firm does a general wholesale drug business and in addition con- ducts an extensive cigar department, being the state distributing agents for the Yocum Bros.' famons "Y. B." brand and Davis's "El Sidello"
Mocnuy: Munter Druge.
MOONEY-MUELLER DRUG COMPANY
cigars; also state distributers for the famous "Green River" brand of whisky. The firm is represented by fifteen men on the road, who cover all of Indiana and central Ohio and Illinois. Mr. Mooney is the presi- dent of Indianapolis Board of Trade and Mr. Mueller is an active mem- ber of the prominent German organizations of this city, and both have always been associated with all movements looking to the extension of the city's welfare.
256
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Kipp Brothers Company, wholesale fancy goods, druggists' and sta- tioners' sundries, etc. The jobbing interests of Indianapolis cover all departments of wholesale trade with much completeness, and in certain lines the city is a par- ticularly important center, with sales covering the West and South. A particularly note- worthy business enterprise is that conducted by the Kipp Brothers Company, importers and jobbers, at 37 to 41 South Meridian street. The business was established in 1880 by Al- brecht and Robert Kipp, under the style of Kipp Brothers, al- though Albrecht Kipp had been carter sul FFFFFF E identified with the line since 1867, and so continued until 1893, when the entire business was incorporated with a capital stock of $160,000, with A. Kipp, president ; Chas. F. Giel, vice- president, and Robert Kipp, sec- retary and treasurer. The of- fice and warerooms occupy two five-story and basement build- ings, 45x202 feet in dimensions, affording every advantage and facility for the storage and handling of their large, com- plete and diversified stock, di- vided into eighteen separate de- partments. In these depart- ments are included all kinds of KIPP BROTHERS COMPANY. fancy goods, druggists' and sta- tioners' sundries, toys, musical instruments, cutlery, smokers' articles, sporting goods, notions, leather goods, chinaware and pottery, fireworks, etc. The trade of this house embraces Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Nebraska, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Alabama and Georgia. The company operates branches at Louisville, Ky., and Dallas, Tex.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The Standard Metal Company-In the metal lines Indianapolis has shown marked improvement in the jobbing and manufacturing de- partments in recent years and it extends a market to buyers that is as complete and attractive as any in the Central West. A notable and extensive addition to this particular branch of the city's manufacturing and jobbing business is the Standard Metal Company.
The Standard Metal Company, incorporated, began business in March, 1906, as jobbers of tin plate, sheet iron, metals and all kinds of inners' and sheet metal workers' supplies and manufacturers of pieced
THE STANDARDMETALCO
THE STANDARD . METAL CO.
THE STANDARD METAL COMPANY.
inware. The concern carries in addition to the above au extensive ne of stamped and japanned tinware, enameled wares and kitchen urnishings. The trade of the house extends throughout Indiana and Ilinois. The company occupies a commodious three-story brick struc- ire at the southeast corner of Illinois and South streets. The mem- ers of the company are all of long experience in the metal lines, having een actively identified with the trade in this territory for periods anging from fifteen to thirty years. The officers and directors of the ompany are: Wm. J. Elder, president and general manager ; Wm. M. usbands, vice-president; F. A. Wilkening, secretary and treasurer; os. F. Jewar and A. L. Henry.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Crescent Paper Co .- Prominent among the large and growing in- dustries of the city is the wholesale paper business. Only fifteen or twenty years ago there was not a wholesale paper house in the city, all goods of this nature being shipped in here from Chicago, St. Louis, or Cincinnati. Today we have six jobbing houses selling paper exclu- sively and covering with their salesmen not only the local field but spreading over all the states surrounding us, and even into Missouri, Iowa and Texas. Of these six concerns the Crescent Paper Company is the only one that carries both coarse and fine papers, meaning papers for wrapping purposes and those for printing purposes. In connection
-
CRESCENT PAPEN CO
CRESCENT PAPER COMPANY.
with their wrapping paper business they have a very large sale on such lines as building and roofing papers, paper bags, and cordage of every description, while the fine-grade department carries a complete line of printers' supplies and is well equipped for paper ruling, punch- ing, padding, perforating, etc. The ahove is a cut of the building now occupied by the Crescent Paper Company, located on West Georgia street, and gives an idea of their storage capacity. One of the great advantages this concern enjoys is the fact that the rear of the build- ing backs right up to the union tracks and into the building is a pri- vate switch accommodating six cars at a time. It can be readily seen they are well equipped with modern and up-to-date facilities for handling their large and increasing business.
259
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Standard Paper Co., 111 to 117 East South street, manufacturers and manufacturers' agents, was incorporated in November, 1903, and from its inception has been a notable factor in the paper trade of the city, and is one of the recognized leaders in the wrapping paper, paper bags and roofing paper lines. A spirit of progressiveness has marked the administration of its business from the beginning and its trade ex- tends wherever paper is used in the United States. Here will be found one of the largest and most complete lines of wrapping papers and paper bags of all kinds and one of the largest stocks of roofing paper;
STANDARD PAPER COMPANY.
in the Central West. The promptness with which this house has on this account been able to fill all demands made upon it has been one of the leading elements in its rapid growth and the extension of its vast business. The building occupied by this concern was built especially for it and is the largest in the state devoted to their line. The location, alongside the Pennsylvania tracks and in close proximity to all freight houses, affords especial facilities for the convenient handling of large shipments, which are made direct from the building to the cars. The officers of the company are A. M. Rosenthal, president, and Chas. W. Neisou, secretary.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The E. C. Dolmetsch Co., incorporated, importers and jobbers of druggists' and stationers' sundries, toys and fancy goods, 122 Sonth Meridian street-For nearly a half of a century this city has been famed as a center and as a notable market for the class of wares handled by this concern, and no other line has done as much to extend the reputation of Indianapolis as a jobbing center throughout the territory tributary to it. The E. C. Dolmetsch Co. was established in April, 1003, and while the house is of comparatively recent origin, yet all of the members that comprise it have been identi- fied with the line for over thirty years, having been formerly connected with the old established firm of Chas. Mayer & Co., which retired from the wholesale trade in E. C. DOLMETSCH COMPANY. 1903, and who were the rec- ognized leaders up to that period. The firm occupies a four-story and basement building at 122 Sonth Meridian street, in the center of the wholesale district. The stock is an extensive one and embraces everything in druggists' sundries, sta- tionery, toys (of which they make direct importations), athletic goods, fishing tackle, fireworks, flags, leather goods (such as ladies' purses and pocketbooks), pipes, pocket cutlery, fancy goods, holiday goods, etc. The territory covered by this house extends throughout Indiana, Ohio, Illi- nois. Missouri and Iowa. The officers and members of the company are: Engene C. Dolmetsch, president; Herman H. Sielken, vice-president; John G. Ohleyer, secretary and treasurer ; Otto Keller and George Hof- mann.
Indianapolis Book and Stationery Company-A house which operates upon an extensive scale and under most favorable conditions is that of the Indianapolis Book and Stationery Company, which is en- gaged in exclusively wholesale business in the line of books and sta- tionery. The company was incorporated in 1896 with a capital stock
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
of $40.000, as successors to the wholesale department of the Bowen-Merrill Company, booksellers, publishers, etc. The office and salesrooms oc- cupy a three-story and base- JOLIEE ment building, 25x200 feet in dimensions, at 121 South Me- ridian street, and there the company carries a complete and well assorted stock of standard publications and the latest and most popular issues of books of every kind. They also handle full lines of of- COUNTRY'S fice and fancy stationery, with an especially complete line of supplies for office use, the products of the leading mills and factories of the country. School supplies and holiday goods are specially INDIANAPDL'S BOOK AND STATIONERY COMPANY. prominent in their lines. The trade of the company is very large through Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky. The president is W. H. Elviu; Thos. Duun, vice-president, and James H. Wilson, secretary.
VIEW ON FALL CREEK.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Tanner & Co., wholesale tinplate, sheet-iron metal, etc. One of the prominent branches of trade in Indianapolis is that of tinplate, sheet metals and tinners' supplies, and in connection with this trade there is also an extensive manufacturing tin- ware industry. A leading house in the tinplate and tinners' supply trade is that of Tanner & Co., who are also manufacturers of tinware, and conduct business at 216-218 South Meridian street. The business was established in 1878 by George G. Tanner, who has since conducted it with marked success. They utilize for salesrooms and fac- tory purposes a four-story and base- ment building, 50x125 feet in dimen- . sions, and in addition they have ample warehouse facilities. They carry a very large wholesale stock of tinplate, sheet iron and metals, and full lines of tin- ners' supplies, and they manufacture TANNER & COMPANY. high-grade tinware and carry these goods in large quantities to meet the demands of a heavy trade covering all of the central and western states.
SHELTER HOUSE IN BROOKSIDE PARK.
NOTABLE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS
INTERESTING AND PROMINENT RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE HOOSIER - CAPITAL.
The beginnings of trade in Indianapolis were entirely retail. Dan- iel Shaffer, the first merchant of the city, did not carry a very large stock. The wants of the earlier settlers were as modest as their purses. They needed gunpowder and shot, iron and nails, salt and some dye- stuffs to color the homespun fabrics which furnished the material for their wardrobes, and a few other articles of prime necessity-among which they included whisky and tobacco. After the first winter there was competition in the store business. Mr. Shaffer, the pioneer store- keeper, was the first of the settlers to die. The merchants who fol- lowed him carried stocks which were a little more diversified, and sold coffee, tea, muslin and other staple goods. Most of their freight came by pack-horse, though some was brought up by keelboat. After roads were built, supplies were brought by wagon. The stores were all of the general variety, keeping a little of everything, until 1847, when the Madison railroad was completed to the city, but after that lines were divided and there were stores for dry goods and stores for groceries. It was four or five years later before there was any closer division. The grocery store sold articles of hardware and many miscellaneous lines, and the dry goods stores handled shoes, hats, caps and all kinds of wearing apparel. In a few years special stores devoted to other lines of trade were established, and quite a number of the successfu. stores of today are the successors of enterprises inaugurated in the. early fifties.
The Shopping District-The shopping district of Indianapolis to- day shows that the people of the city have cultured and artistic tastes. The jewelry displays indicate a demand for a distinctively high grade of articles for personal adornment. The wall-paper and other displays of decorative goods indicate an elevated artistic standard in the homes of Indianapolis and contiguous territory. Music stores show instru- ments and publications which give indisputable evidence that musical culture in the city and its surroundings has reached an advanced stage. So it is in all lines of retail business. The tastes to which they cater are those of a metropolitan, a progressive and a prosperous people.
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HYMAN'S HANDBO
OF EN . LANAPOLIS.
Charles Mayer & Cr 5-8 Wes. Washington Street, Importers and Dealers in Art War. . Chius. . ass, Silver, Jewelry, Toys, etc .- A 3 .: devoted exclusively to gift things. .nis business was established by the late WHOLESALE & RET. IE. Mr. Charles Mayer, Sr., in 1840. He was FANCY GOODS a pioneer citizen who contributed much to the city's advancement. In 1865 Mr. William Haueisen was admitted to an in- terest. In 1888 the last-named gentle- TOYS & NOTIONS man retired, and four new members were taken into partnership and the firm thus continued, consisting of Charles Mayer, Sr., his two sons, Ferdinand L. Mayer and Charles Mayer, Jr .. Fred Berger and Louis [CHARLES MAYER Murr. In 1891 the worthy founder of the house died, and in January of the current year, Messrs Berger and Murr retiring, the business has since been conducted by Messrs. F. L. and Charles Mayer under the original firm style. The premises oc- cupied at that time consisted of a spacious CHAS. MAYER, 1840. and commodius five-story and basement building, with frontage and depth of 34x 195 feet, also a warehouse in rear of the above, on Pearl street, five stories and basement, 34x80 feet.
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