(No Photo) - H.W. AGNEW is a dealer in confectionery, cigars, tobacco, pipes and Chicago daily papers. At his place 106 West Third street, can be found the latest issues and a large list of periodicals.

(No Photo) Ed. F. AHRENS, 14 East Third street, Photo of Store is the proprietor of the Globe Clothing House which was established in this city in September last. This does not argue however, that he is unknown, as he spent many years here as salesman in the best clothing houses in the town. Four years ago he went to Iowa, where he opened a store for himself. His doing an excellent business and within a short time expects to add a complete stock of boots and shoes.

Pg. 31 JOHN H. AHRENS. About two years ago (1895?) John H. and Edward Ahrens organized the Cash Department Store in this city, with a new and extensive stock. A year later John H. Ahrens purchased the interest of his brother. Mr. Ahrens is one of Sterling's most enterprising and hustling merchant. The stock carried is full and complete and thoroughly up-to-date in every department, of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, staple and fancy groceries, fine choice crockery, glassware, carpets and men's furnishing goods.

Everything incident to a metropolitan department stock can be found. Mr. Ahrens has also the sole agency for the sale of the Washburn, Crosby & Co.'s celebrated Gold Medal flour. Everything in this store is strictly guaranteed as represented.

Pg. 37 HIRAM ALDRICH, the musical dealer, was born in the State of New York in 1855. The family came west in 1857 and settled in Wisconsin. After a residence of twenty years in that State the family moved to Iowa.

Mr. Aldrich came to Sterling in 1886 and for eight years had charge of the music house of J.L. Mahan. Two years ago he purchased the stock of Mr. Mahan and has since conducted the busienss. He handles all kinds of musical merchandise and makes a specialty of Story & Clark pianos and organs.

(No Photo) - Edward V. H. ALEXANDER, (Biography) 7 East Third street, is one of Sterling's well known dentists. He does all kinds of work, and his long experience gives him the confidence of the people. The doctor is at present making an extended visit in the East.

Pg. 27 John W. ALEXANDER, the old and well-known justice of the peace, was born in Ohio in the year 1839. He came west and settled near Sterling when quite young. Mr. Alexander is a graduate of the Ann Arbor, Mich., Law School, where he graduated in 1866. He established himself in the practice in Sterling in 1871.

One year later he was elected Justice of the peace and has occupied that office ever since with the exception of one term. Mr. Alexander is a member of the high-school board, of which he is secretary, and he enjoys the further distinction of being the first school director elected in Sterling

(No Photo) Andrews Clothing Company occupies one of the best stands in the city. The manager, J.M. McGee is a man of many years experience in his line and always keeps a well selected stock. The store occupies two floors of No. 102 East Third street and is

Pg. 32 Frances E. ANDREWS, one of Sterling's ablest lawyers and most eloquent orators, was born and raised on a a farm in Sterling township, and is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. After finishing his education he taught school two years. He had charge of a part of government surveyors in the Indian Territory for three years and was inspector of United States surveys for eighteen months, then read law and was admitted to practice in 1876. It was through his efforts as an engineer that secured the location of the Hennepin canal at Sterling. He has held several public offices with credit to himself; his law practice, extends into several adjoining counties of the State, and is one of the best enjoyed by any member of the Whiteside county bar.

Pg. 25 FRANK ANTHONY, the well known physician, was born in this city in the year of 1858. After attending the public schools of Sterling he took a collegiate course in Beloit College. Mr. Anthony attended Rush Medical College and graduated there-from in 1881.

As soon as his medical studies were completed he opened an office in this city and for nearly seventeen years he has followed his adopted profession with great success. Dr. Anthony is surgeon for the C. & N.W.R.R. and also for the Sixth Regiment, I.N.G. He makes a specialty of surgery. Dr. Frank Anthony began practice; in this city in 1881 with his father, Dr. J. B. Anthony, with whom he studied. His father died in '91. Dr. Anthony has been eminently successful in his work and he is well known throughout this part of the State.

(No Photo) - C. H. ATWOOD conducts a finely appointed grocery store at 102 West Third street. The business has been under his management nearly three years. His stock is fresh, consisting of a line of staple and fancy groceries, all kinds of country produce, family flour and cereal food products, crockery, glassware, shelf goods, etc.

(No Photo) - Mrs. M. M. BARNETT. This lady man­ufactures hair goods in great variety. She is the only dealer in hair in the city. Her business consists largely of order work. She has been in business in the city for the past ten years. she now conducts her business at the home on the second floor of 116 East Third Street.

Pg. 33 CURTIS BATES, the enterprising book dealer, was born in Wisconsin in the year 1857. He came to Sterling in the year 1890. He purchased the business of O.A. Oliver, dealer in books, stationery, wallpaper, pictures and picture frames.

In holiday goods he has a very fine line of toilet cases, traveling cases, photo albums and photo boxes, etc . - everything pertaining to his line of trade.

(No Photo) - The Bazaar Store at 318 Locust street was founded four years ago by John G. Koberstine and David H. Lingel in the Facey Building, West Third street. Mr. Koberstine later assumed entire control of the business and March 1, 1896, moved the stock to the present location in the Academy of Music Block. He carries a line of crockery, glassware, china, fine imported goods, besides a large assortment of toys and holiday goods. Pictures and picture framing are also a feature of this business.

(No Photo) - Bear & Carter established their meat market at 410 East Third street. They slaughter all thier own meats and are particular in the selection of their stock. They run two wagons for delivery and have a large counter trade. They also handle game and poultry in season.

Pg. 30 Thomas W. BECKWITH, the dentist, was born in Sycamore, DeKalb county, Ill., in the year 1857. He came to Sterling in 1880 and established himself in his chosen profession, that of dentistry.

Mr. Beckwith is a graduate of the dental department of the University of Michigan. He is considered one of the best dentists in this part of the country.

Mr. Beckwith is a member of the Masonic fraternity and past commander of the Sterling commandery.

(No Photo) - BEDAL Gold Cure Institute. This institute for the treatment of the liquor, opium, morphine and tobacco habits was established in Polo about five years ago. In June, 1893, it was moved to Sterling. M. P. Graham be­came assoclatea in the management in December, 1893, and within the past year has assumed entire control. The BelIal Guld Cure has not been a disappointment. At the present location in the Wallace Block, 109 West 'l'hird Street, it has a suite of rooms admirarably fitted for the Institute's purposes.

Pg. 31 Bell & Son - The oldest, as it is one of the most substantial, mercantile firms of the two cities is the clothing boot and shoe house of J.R. Bell (Biography) & Son, which was founded by the senior partner in the spring of 1857.
(W.J. Bell photo on left - James R. Bell on the right)
Their stock of goods, which includes also a fine line of gentlemen's furnishing, has also been like their trade, one of the largest in the city. There is much about this enterprising firm that is intimately connected with the history of Sterling. The building, erected for its own uses, in which it has conducted its business since 1869, was built in the same year in which W.J. Bell became a partner in the firm with his father. The store is stocked with a most excellent line of goods, and enjoys a magnificent trade throughout a large section of the country contiguous to this city. J.R. Bell, the senior member of the firm, is president of the Sterling National Bank, and is prominent in all the interests of the city. He was at one time mayor of Sterling.
Click here to see the   Residence of J.R. and W.J. Bell

Pg. 35 F.A. BELT. Sterling's greenhouses, located on Eighteenth avenue, consist of about 10,000 square feet of glass. A general greenhouse business is conducted, though a specialty is made of cut flowers and floral work. Designs of any size or shape put up on short notice at loowest rates. Particular attention paid to floral emblems for societies. A full assortment of the best varieties of rose bushes, bedding and house plants and flower seeds. Mr. Belt's place is headquarters for vegetable plants and seeds in there season.

Pg. 48 J. M. BICKFORD, Rock Falls leading druggist was born in Wisconsin in the year 1856. The family came to Rock Falls in 1868 and as soon as young Bickford had completed his education at the Chicago College of Pharmacy he secured a position in a drug store at Geneseo, Ill., where he remained for several years. From there he went to Chicago where he also clerked in a drug store for some time. Mr. Bickford returned to Rock Falls and in 1879 established his present business. He has the largest drug store and stock in Rock Falls. He carries a full line of drugs, medicines, paints and oils, wallpaper, curtains, school books and a nice line of holiday goods. His stock is up-to-date.

(No Photo) - Henry BIRDSALL (Biography) has conducted a large poultry depot at 312 East Third street for the past three years. The greater proportion of his business being in dressed poultry which he ships to the Philadelphia and Boston markets.

(No Photo) - J. A. BISHOP, opened his office over Brown's Drug Store in July last (1896) and engaged in a general practice of medicine. He is a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago. Dr. Bishop is a specialist in the treatment of the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He enjoys a constantly increasing practice.

Pg. 33 E. W. BLOSSOM, the jeweler -
Was born in the State of NY in the year 1839. He came west and first located at Lyons, IA. From there he moved to Woodstock, Illinois, where he conducted a jewelry store.

Twelve years ago he located in Sterling and opened a jewelry establishment in the same location where he now does business.

Mr. Blossom has a very attractive store and a stock that embraces everything to be found in a first-class jewelry establishment.

A fine new line of holiday novelties just in.

(No Photo) - William D. BOEHM is a practical electrical wireman, who has learned his business under some of the most competent electricians in the country. He spent two years in the Columbian Exposition in the electrical department. Since then he has worked in many of the large cities on complicated and delicate work. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Electrical Mechanics.

(No Photo) - Frank J. BOWMAN attorney at law, was graduated from Harvard College in 1885. He studied law in Sterling and was admiitted to practice in 1887. In December 1894 he was elected City Attorney of the City of Sterling. He has also a wide practice in general law.

Pg. 25 DENNIS P. BOYERS, the harness manufacturer, was born in this city in the year 1865. He thoroughly understands the business of harness making, having served a full apprenticeship at the trade before embarking in business for himself. His location, at No. 407 Locust street, is a central one, and while he has been in business only a few months he has secured a fair share of the trade. He not only makes all kinds of harness but he is prepared to clean and oil old harness.

Pg. 27 H.J. BRESSLER, the well known bicycle dealer and repairer, was born in this city in the year 1859. In connection with his bicycle industry he has owned and operated a grocery store next to his shop. He opened a bicycle store and shop in 1893, where he not only sells all kinds of bicycles but does all kinds of repairing and furnishes all kinds of supplies for that trade. Mr. Bressler makes a specialty of the sale of the Heaton bicycle, which will be right in the lead for 1898.

(No Photo) - I. N. BRESSLER & Son. This is one of the oldest grocery houses in the city, having been established by I. N. Bres­sler nearly twenty years ago. A full line of fancy and staple groceries is al­ways kept in stock. Prompt and cour­teous service is the basis upon which they hold their large trade. The store is located at 406 East Third street.

Pg. 48 HARLAN L. BREWER, (Biography) deputy sheriff of Whiteside County, was born in the State of New York in the year 1845. He came west and settled in this county in 1876. Mr. Brewer has served Rock Falls in the capacity of constable, city marshal, alderman and as a member of the school board. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Company B, 12th Illinois Infantry at Amboy, Ill., on September 12, 1861, and was mustered out July 10, 1865. At the close of the war he engaged in railroad building which he followed until 1880 when he opened a hotel at Rock Falls and conducted that business until appointed deputy sheriff when he moved to Morrison. Mr. Brewer is a pleasant gentleman and an active candidate for the Republican nomination for the office of sheriff of Whiteside County.

(No Photo) - Henry BREIDING & Son, opened their business in June last and immediately drew a good trade. They have a well equipped machine shop for the repairing of iron machinery. They have done a large business during the past season on repairs of traction engines and other varieties of agricultural machinery.

Pg. 32 LOUIS EDWIN BROOKFIELD, (Biography) the well known manufacturer, was born in Genesee township, Whiteside county, in the year 1860. He moved to Sterling in 1874 and three years later organized the Rock Falls Manufacturing Company. Mr. Brookfield is president, secretary and treasurer of this successful establishment, which has grown to be one of the largest hearse and casket manufacturies in this country and which does a business of $250,000 annually.

(No Photo) - Mrs. Ida C. BROOKS has for a number of years conducted a successful millinery establishment in Sterling. She has been located in the Galt House block until within the past two months. She now has a fine store room in the Randolph House block, 25 West Third street. Mrs. Brooks is an expert trimmer and her store is a model in its arrangement.

(No Photo) - Mrs. K.B. BROWN, Locust & Third streets, has been the owner of the Corner Pharmacy since January 15, 1894 when she purchased the stock from H. Keefer & Co. Especial attention is given to the compounding of physicians prescriptions.

Pg. 26 E.C. BROWN, the well known photographic artist, was born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1864. He lived in that county until he was sixteen years of age when the family moved to Iowa. Mr. Brown learned the profession at Jefferson, Iowa, and afterwards for two years worked at his trade at Mendota, Illinois. He came to Sterling in the spring of 1888. Mr. Brown opened a gallery shortly after and his success has been good as he does good work. A large part of the engravings in this work are from photos taken by him.

Pg. 32 J.A. BRUBAKER, secretary and manager of the Chain-Stay Fence Company, was born and raised on a farm in Macoupin county, Ill. He attended the Mt. Morris college at Mt. Morris, Ill. After a course there he engaged in the manufacture of wire fence at the same place to 1897, when he removed to this city. A description of their fence appears in another part of this work. (Couldn't find this description).

Pg. 36 CHRISTIAN BURKHOLDER, (Biography) dealer in agricultural implements, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1848. The family m oved to Ohio in 1858 and eleven years later they came to Sterling. Since 1877 Mr. Burkholder has been engaged in agricultural iimplement business. Mr. Burkholder was Mayor of Sterling for four years, from 1893 to 1897. He had previously served three terms as alderman from the Second ward. He is also a member of the Sterling school board. He is a thoroughly progressive citizen.

(No Photo) - William M. BUZZARD has been in the livery business for the past tweve years. He runs a good hack line in the city and has a government contract to carry daily mail on his stage route between this city and Milledgeville. His livery stock is large and his vehicles are kept in the best condition. He is very successful in holding a large patronage.