1890 Wamego, Wabaunsee Co. Business Directory

Kansas Historical and Descriptive Review, 1890
Wamego, Wabaunsee County Directory

transcribed by Sheryl McClure

WAMEGO is a town of about two thousand in habitants, pleasantly situated on a slight eminence; comfortable and elegant dwellings rest snugly among many green trees; handsome business houses, having fine carved stone and plate glass fronts, ornament the streets. There is a fine $15,000 opera house, and, to crown all, a splendid school house, several churches, and good society. It is a railroad town, being the end of the first division west of Kansas City, on the Union Pacific Railroad. It is not built by Eastern capital, but amply supported by the rich farming country by which it is surrounded. A six-span iron bridge, crossing the Kansas River, brings to Wamego the trade of Wabaunsee County. There are first class hotels, all kinds of, stores, and two newspapers.

RESENTATIVE BUSINESS FIRMS AND MEN OF WAMEGO.

First National Bank.—The prosperity of the banking concerns of any city is indicative of an era of commercial progress. The City, of Wamego has reason to feel proud of the First National Bank, established in 1876, by J. C. Rogers & Go., and incorporated in 1886. The capital is $75,000; surplus, $17,500. The officers are: J. O. Rogers, president, who has been well known in in our midst for twenty years as a capitalist, and as head of the lumber, hardware and implement house of J. C. Rogers & Co. The vice president, Mr. L. C. Primly, is also one of our oldest residents. Mr. Robert Scott, cashier, was born in Scotland, and has been fifteen years here in the banking business. Mr. A. W. Cox, assistant cashier, was born in Illinois, and has been banking seven years. With such officers it is no wonder the bank has had a successful record, and that it is the main support of Wamego's financial standing.

The Twin Stores of Jacob Hecker, Jr., & Co., Grocers and Bottlers. — The popular "'Twin Stores" of Jacob Hecker, Jr. & Co. were established by the present proprietors six years ago, their father having built and occupied the premises ten years before that time. The stores are appointed with the most modern fixtures, being 48x60 feet, and 105 feet in the rear are bakery, kitchen and wareroom. They have facilities for putting up their own ice, occupying six lots for houses and barns. During busy season twelve to fifteen hands are required. They are extensive dealers in staple and fancy groceries, table luxuries, flour, feed, oils, etc.; also are bakers, bottlers, and fine confectioners, having all the facilities for manufacturing fine candies. In addition, they have a handsome restaurant and lunch-room. They are bottlers of mineral and soda water goods, which have justly become celebrated. They have greatly enlarged their capacity in this department, owing to the increase of traffic. They make a specialty of fine and new drinks, and are the original manufacturers of the new drink, called "Ginty," a nutritive tonic and non-alcoholic stimulant. fountains charged; beverages in quarts a specialty They also manufacture and import fine extracts. Mr. Jacob Hecker, Jr., was born in Kentucky, and Mr. P. Henry Hecker in Cincinnati, Ohio, the latter being a Freemason.

Dr. A. Morrall, Physician.— The name of Morrall is the most influential in Wamego in the medical profession. Dr. A. Morrall has been a resident for twenty-five years, during which time he has practiced with eminent success. He studied medicine with James Adams, of Chicago, graduating from the Chicago Medical College m the class of '66-'67. He is an active member of the Kansas State Medical Society, and is prominently identified with the Masonic order, he enjoys one of the most paying practices in me State.

Dr. H. W. Parsons, Dentist - Among those in this State who stand high m their profession, is Dr. H. W. Parsons, of Wamego, the president of the Kansas Dental Society. Dr. Parsons was born in New York. The superior class of his work, and his genial manner, nave made him a general favorite. He is ever prompt in all professional engagements. He is also largely engaged in the manufacture of dental goods, among these being silver alloy and oxi-phosphate of zinc, for filling teeth, and some other appliances of his own inventing.

W. R. Johnson & Co., Groceries and Queensware.— "The food we eat" is a vitally important question. The well-known grocery firm of W. R. Johnson & Co. was established on the 7th May, '89, successor to C. N. Baker, who was established in 1869. The store, 88x90 feet, is a model of system and convenience. The store embraces everything in the line of fine and fancy groceries, provisions, teas, coffees. Two experienced hands are employed. Besides groceries, a large line of queensware is kept. Mr. Johnson was born in Indiana. His partner, M. D. Smith, was born in New Hampshire; they are both Masons. They are men well respected while their experience and general reputation entitle them to be regarded as one of the representative firms of Wamego.

L. M. Schnaare. The merchants of Wamego are live, wide-awake, enterprising, and, as a class, no city in the State can boast of better business men. A leading grocery store is that of Mr. L. M. Schnaare, the Wamego Cash Grocery. The store is 35x40 feet, and is headquarters for Wamego for groceries, produce, canned goods, etc. Mr. Henry Schnaare, nephew to the proprietor, is the enterprising manager. He was born in Illinois, and is a young man of fine business ability, and as a manager has been highly successful.

H. Hesse, General Merchandise.- The well-known establishment of H. Hesse was founded on November 1, 1866. He does a lucrative business in dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, groceries, butter, eggs, chickens, and produce.