The Schools of Whiteside County IL


Browns Business College

Sterling, Illinois



(I think the Sterling Business College mentioned in this article, and Brown Business College in the Postcard Photo above, were the same thing.) - From the Sterling Standard December 11, 1896.

Prof. William Luders (pictured) is the proprietor of the Sterling Business College and is ably assisted in the teaching by Miss Lou Ely, who is considered one of the best short-hand teachers in the northwest.

The Sterling Business College is located in the brick building at the corner of Avenue A and West Third street, occupying the two upper floors.

This excellent school has benefited a large number of young people in the last few years. Hardly a month has passed under the present management without several of the pupils stepping from the school room into lucrative positions. Its aim is to give such instruction as will be servicable in all vocations, and it is a mistaken idea that only bookeeping or shorthand are taught. The business department is a minature business world, where not only bookeeping, but all those branches necessary in every day life, are given proper attention. A young man or woman cannot fail to be benefited ten times the cost of the tuition.

Arithmetic, Spelling, Penmanship, Letter Writing, Common Lw, Grammar and a general knowledge of the subjects used in business life are here taught. To have even a slight idea of the excellent work done in this matchless institution, one must see the school in session.

The shorthand department is especially the place for such young people, who are not satisfied with their present occupation, for hundreds of young men and women have graduated from this department and now have responsible and paying positions. We hope that many more may soon avail themselves of the unlimited opportunities in store for those fitted for shorthand work, and we are sure that no better school can be selected. During the past year notwithstanding the business depression, every one of its graduates have found ready employment.

No inducements are held out which are not fulfilled, hence all its pupils leave fully satisfied. We sometimes wish the proprietor would advertise more extensively,t hus giving the people an opportunity to avail themselves of seeing the advantages of attending this school.