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The following is a short bio/sketch of most of the businessmen in the
towns of Sterling & Rock Falls Il. who were in operation in 1896-1897. This article
was presented in "The Sterling Standard". Accompanying each sketch was a
picture of some of these men. (I've inserted NO PHOTO - where there is none available). I only have pages 25 to 52 of this article. The first 25 pages
didn't survive. They are listed in alphabetical order.
(No Photo) - Michael KANNALLY engaged in the grocery business in Sterling in 1857 and has been actively engaged in it since that time. He has built up a large trade and one of Sterling's most prosperous businessmen. He carries a line of staple and fancy groceries, crockery, glassware, provisions, country produce, and in fact, everything to be found in a grocery store. He is in business at 9 West Third street. (No Photo) - Drs. J. FRANK KEEFER (Biography) and J. R. KEEFER, 408 First avenue. Dr. J. Frank Keefer is a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, and has practiced successfully in this city since 1881. He is considered to be especially well read and able in all branches of his work. His specialty is the eye, ear, nose and throat. He is the President of the North Central Medical Association of Illinois. Dr. Jane Reid Keefer has been here since 1889, coming from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, located at Philadelphia. She is a close student and a careful practitioner. (No Photo) - W.C. KIER & Son, located at 7 E. Third street, is one of the standard business men of the city. He began business in March 1872, and has been continuously in the line of Furs and Gentlemen's FUrnishing Goods ever since. He is the pioneer fur dealer in this part of the State. He also has carried an up to date line of furnishing goods. In November 1895 he took his son, W. Glenn Kier into partnership. (No Photo) - R.L. KIMBRO, one of the oldest and most reliable grocers in the city is at 120 East Third stree. He began business in this city in the autumn ,of 1878 and has therefore a residence of eighteen years in the city.
(No Photo) - Henry KROHN, 409 Locust street, has been a marble cutter in Sterling longer than any man now in the business here. He came to this city from Clinton twenty-seven years ago, and has been engaged in business here cantinually since that time.
Pg. 27 W.F. LAWRIE, the plumber, whose place of business is located in the basement at No. 1 East Third street, was born in LaPorte, Ind., in the year 1861. He came to Sterling in 1869. Mr. Lawrie started in busienss for himself in the year 1892. Previous to that time he had worked in the capacity of clerk, first for Lawrence Bros. and afterward for Crawford Bros. He is a hustler for business and his work always gives the best of satisfaction, as he employs none but experienced workmen. Mr. Lawrie does work in plumbing, steam and hot water heating, and is considered one of our most reliable citizens.
(No Photo) U. G. LeFEVER - The Leader Grocery, owned by the above named gentleman, was opened in February of the present year. Mr. Lefever is not a new acquisition to the business circles of the city, as he has been long in the grocery business as a clerk in some of the best stores in the city. Mr. Amos Ahrens, a well known businessman of the city is also associated with this house as buyer. (No Photo) - J. Y. LEHMAN, D. V. S. is the oldest veterinarian in the city, he having been in practice here for over thirty years. His office is at Scott's feed sheds, on First avenue. The doctor holds a diploma from the Chicago College of Veterinary surgery. He is a skilled practitioner and enjoys the confidence of a large number of horse owners.
(No Photo) - Robert LYTLE, one of the most popular bakers in the city conducts his business at 107 East Third street. He is comparatively young in business here, having only began last spring. He runs one wagon which delivers his wares in all parts of the city. In connection with the bakery he conducts a well patronized restaurant.
Pg. 31 CHARLES T. MACK, the well known job printer, was born in this city in 1863. His first experience in the printing trade was as a compositor on THE STANDARD in 187. His father, C.M. Mack, started the STANDARD in 1868, an article on which can be seen in another part of this work. Mr. Mack purchased his present job office in 1884 and has successfully conducted the business ever since. He does a general busines in job printing and does good work. His office is the official job office of this city.
(No Photo) - John G. MANAHAN came to Sterling when he was but twelve years of age. He entered the practice of law about the year 1867. He served one term in the State Legislature in the early seventies and has since that time filled various positions in the municipal government. He devotes the greater portion of his time to the practice of patent law. (No Photo) - W.F. MANGAN located at 312 First avenue was established in 1879 and has been under the management of the genial W.F. Mangan. All kinds of hand made harness, well and stylishly built can be obtained here. Two men are kept busy filling the firm's orders. Mr. Mangan also is engaged in the hide business, always paying the highest market prices. (No Photo) - McCALLISTER & SNART, 304 First avenue, merchant tailors, have been in business for the past five years. Their trade extends from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts; agents solicit for them in all parts of the US.
He came to this section of the country in 1857 and settled on the territory of what now constitutes Rock Falls. Mr. McCarty was a trustee when Rock Falls was a village. He started in the coal business in Rock Falls in 1882, where he has since conducted the business very successfully. He enlisted in the 34th Illinois Infantry and served three years. He is an ex-commander of Will Enderton Post of this city.
(No Photo) - MEYERS & ESHLEMAN drug store, located at 21 East Third street, occupies one of the oldest stands in the city. In November 1892 the present firm began business and has one of the most popular stores. Both membes are registered pharmacist of many years experience. They also have a very large stock of wallpaper, glass and painters materials. During the summer months they run a fine soda fountain. (No Photo) - W. MICHELS has conducted a store at 20 West Third street for a dozen years or more, having purchased the stock from P. Unkel. He has a carefully selected line of boots and shoes, rubbers and rubber boots with an excellent repair shop. (No Photo) - J.E. McPHERRAN has practiced law in this city (Sterling) since 1863. He is a graduate of the Washington and Jefferson College of of the class of 1857. He holds a diploma from the Law Department of the Chicago University. Mr. McPherran has the distinction of having been the first minority Representative to be elected in this Senatorial district. His election took place in 1872.
(No Photo) - MILLER & PRICHARD, 202 Avenue A, have been in Sterling but five months, during which time they have painted some of the handsomest signs to be seen in the city, They came to this j city from Chicago, where for ten years Mr.Prichard was manager of the Divide Sign Company. (No Photo) - John H. MOONEY, 310 Locust street, has been in business in Sterling since 1880. In 1884, with John Mee, he opened a shoe store in the room now occupied by him. He purchased his partner's interest nearly three months' ago and is now conducting the business himself. Mr. Mooney carries a line of boots and shoes, rubbers and all articles to be found in a first class establishment. (No Photo) - Walter J. MOORE conducts one of the oldest business enterprises in the city. It was first established by H. B. Colcord, in 1855, and in 1891 Mr. Moore purchased the business of the founder, which he has conducted ever since. He carries a large stock of granites and marbles. (No Photo) - Morrison Produce Co located at the corner of First avenue and Second street, is managed by J.J. Hurlburt. The company buys and sells all kinds of poultry, paying for its good the highest market prices. The fowls are dressed here and shipped entirely to the wholesale trade. (No Photo) - MUELLER and GROVE at 108 East Third street was founded by Detweiller and Mueller in March 1889. Two years afterward m. C. Grove bought Mr. Detweilers interest and the firm name ws changed to Mueller & Grove. Cloth, boots and shoes and gentlemens' furnishign goods is their line. They have largely increased their business from time to time, until they have a splendid stock in every department. (No Photo) - C. A. MUELLER, (M.D.) has been a practitioneer in Sterling but one year, though he already enjoys a large practice. Before coming to Sterling he had an office in St. Louis, where he was engaged in his profession seven years. He was graduated from the Missouri College, St. Louis, in the class of 1888.
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