A Walk About Town

Warner's Business Men --  Who they are and What they are Doing

Men who have Come West and Grown Up with the Country

A Showing Creditable to Warner and also to Dakota.

In previous issues we have illustrated the foundation, growth, prosperity and natural advantages of the town of Warner, but we would fail to fulfill a most important duty did we fail telling the public something of the men who discovered these great advantages and who, by their tact and enterprise, have so fostered them as to build up the commercial center Warner now is. Generalizing a little we may say with propriety that in no other town in the great northwest can be found such a desirable class of citizens -- people who take hold upon everything calculated to be of public benefit with a determination to make it succeed if it lies in human power so to do, and who by their liberality and unselfishness have gained the confidence of the country for miles around.

A person arriving in our city for the first time is immediately struck with the bustle and activity visible upon every hand, and in order to prevent the stranger feeling neglected in the general hurry, we propose conducting him around town and introducing him to our leading business men.

Arriving at the depot on one of the four daily trains on the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, the first place of business which attracts the visitor's attention is the hardware store operated by 

L. A. Hubbard, a gentleman of great business tacit and foresight, who came to Warner on the second regular train of the Milwaukee railroad, September 22d, 1881, to fill the position of station agent. Soon the country began filling up with amazing rapidity and every new settler added one more to Mr. Hubbard's list of friends and admirers. It is not surprising, therefore that newcomers to a new country should go as they did to so popular and obliging a person for advice as to where they should order goods not then obtainable in Dakota, and even request him to order them himself. So great were the demands thus made upon Mr. Hubbard's time that he tried the more easy method of keeping a supply of stoves and such like on hand in the depot; but this device also proved too trying, and he determined to embark wholly in the hardware business. Nor has he nor the general public ever had cause to regret that determination, as is proven by the fact that his first building, 16 x 24 feet, had soon to be abandoned for his present commodious quarters, 20 x 50 feet, and even now outside storage has to be provided for a portion of his immense stock, which comprises everything usually found in a hardware store in any of the large cities. Mr. Hubbard has won the reputation of selling more goods for the same money than any other dealer in Brown county and judging by his ever increasing business this reputation must be well sustained.

Just across the street, on the south side, where you see crowds of people constantly going and coming is the establishment of

Stafford & Cole, at which you can supply your domicile with every necessity known to the housewife, not excepting your letters and papers, for Mr. Stafford is our postmaster and an obliging one he is. Mr. Stafford, the senior member of the firm, is from Edmore, Montcalm county, Michigan, in which place he did business for a number of years. Mr. Cole is from Calhoun county in the same state, and besides being a thorough business man is one of the most genial conversationalists to be met with in a day's walk. These two gentlemen were acquainted with each other in Warner, May 1st, 1883, and after joining issues purchased a small frame building which stood on the site of their present stand. This modest structure proved to possess wonderful vitality, as it has since grown to a length of 100 feet and is packed with one of the finest stocks in Dakota. To supply the country with first-class furniture at rock-bottom prices is one of the firm's principal issues. As an example of how they sell we state that the writer saw a bedroom set purchased there $6 cheaper than he himself paid for one of exactly the same quality in Michigan, the place of manufacture.

After enjoying a few moments' pleasant chat with these gentlemen, step in next door to the office of

Kennedy & Kingston, the oldest firm in Brown county, who deal in every known variety of agricultural implements and every grade of lumber. Their long standing ensures patrons that their goods are as represented, and from their extensive assortment everybody must be suited. While benefiting themselves they endeavor to benefit their customers, "Live and Let Live" being their motto, and if you contemplate purchasing anything in their line just get their figures before you go further. As citizens they are identified with every public improvement, materially assisting in making the town what it is, and as social gentlemen their equals are hard to find.

Nearly opposite to this firm you will observe another lumber yard, the property of

Fred Fisher, a typical western man, who cast his lines in Warner May 1st, 1883, coming from Alma, Wis. Farmers say they can do better dealing with him than they can with any firm in Aberdeen or neighboring towns, and what everybody says must of necessity be true. As for his stock, you can see for yourself what that is, and his prices must be low because of his large trade. Since settling in Warner, Mr. Fisher has done more, perhaps, than any other man towards securing public improvements, never missing an opportunity to promote the welfare of the town, being foremost in welcoming every newcomer, and sparing neither time nor money to effect his progressive ends.

Passing down the street on the same side we will next enter

Bidtness & Huseby's general store, whose stock comprises dry goods, groceries, hats, caps, boots and shoes, crockery, glassware, flour and feed and thousands of other articles. This firm commenced business in August, 1883, and have ever since commanded the confidence of the public, both as regards their stock and prices. Their ever-increasing trade is the best evidence of their popularity, and they, being experienced business men know and keep just exactly what the people need. They have now on hand a new importation of boots and shoes, just the thing for the approaching cold weather. Individuals, these gentlemen are courteous, affable, and attentive to customers, meriting and receiving the reputation of selling goods at the lowest living prices.

N. I. Gilbert in the name of that soldierly looking gentleman you observe so attentively waiting upon customers in the store across the way, dealing out goods from an unlimited stock of everything known to modern necessity or luxury. Cast. Gilbert is one of the genuine old veterans of the rebellion, having served with distinction for three years and four months in the 15th Wisconsin, and his name is emblazoned upon the roll of honor of the Army of the Cumberland. In the battle of Stone River, he lay upon the field severely wounded for several hours under a hot fire, courting death to relieve him from his sufferings, but although scores of bullets pierced his clothing his life was as though charmed. Observing that lead was apparently harmless to injure him, he deliberately dragged himself to the quarters of his comrades, but after reaching there he lay for two days surrounded with every misery before his wound was attended to. In one engagement he was armed with a Winchester repeating rifle, being too much exhausted from wounds to carry another weapon, and before the enemy's bugle sounded a retreat he had saluted them with eighty-five rounds. But a resume of the brave soldier's exploits would fill a volume, and our limited space compels us to desist from the pleasing task of chronicling them. Mr. Gilbert is just as good a business man as he was a soldier, and since coming here eighteen months ago from Stewart. Croix county, Wisconsin, has enjoyed a lucrative patronage. The secret of his success is an ever-constant endeavor to please his patrons, and when the bugle sounds for a charge upon the eastern markets he returns with forage sufficient to supply the country's wants for miles around.

After walking this distance and being introduced to so many business men, you will, no doubt, feel considerably fatigued, and in order to nourish the inner man with a little temporary refreshment we will cross the street to the billiard hall and small room of

G. A. Swanson, a gentleman of Scandinavian descent and great conviviality, who keeps none but the choicest brands of wet goods and cigars. Mr. Swanson is also an extensive farmer, having come to Warner by team on an exploring expedition and secured 480 acres of land before the wonderful fertility of the soil attracted much attention. This gentleman knows a good thing when he sees it and that is the reason he settled at Warner at a time when he had his choice of locations in the entire James River Valley. As a public man he is ever to the front, and takes as much interest in the welfare of the town as he does in his own immediate vocation. He is universally respected as a man of business and is a genial, whole-souled fellow.

Upstairs in the same building we find the office of

Green & Anderson, attorneys at law, real estate, loan and insurance agents. Mr. Green is a graduate of Wisconsin State University and dates his residence in Warner from some eighteen months ago. Mr. Anderson is also from Wisconsin, and together they form a pair thoroughly conversant with every branch of their business. These gentlemen are first-class, practical, reliable attorneys and just as capable of conducting the most intricate law case as they are of finding purchases of real estate, granting loans or making out your final proof. At present they have on hand some of the choicest deeded lands in the James River Valley, which are offered at terms to suit purchasers. In the loan business, they particularly excel for moderate terms, and those in this vicinity who go elsewhere to obtain money make a sad mistake. They have been "through the mill, so to speak," and any business entrusted to them will surely be transacted in the best possible manner.

Bidding adieu to these gentlemen, which you will be loath to do because of their genial manners, we will cross the hall and enter the dental parlors of

Jay Jennings, than whom no more expert manipulator to the forceps exists. Take a seat in one of his handsomely upholstered chairs and let us inform you that Mr. Jennings is from Milwaukee, in which city he successfully practiced for a number of years, and that his diplomas are from the best college of dentistry on the continent. Why, the very appearance of the room denotes that the proprietor understands his business. If your teeth need attention always remember that Warner has one of the best dentists in the west.

Let us now conduct you to an entirely different scene, to where the village smithy stands, and allow us to introduce you to

August E. Berg, one of our oldest pioneers, who came here from Baldwin, Wis., in June, 1880. Of course, at that early date, the country was nothing but a waste, naught but the luxuriant prairie grass to denote the richness of the soil. Mr. Berg secured a claim adjoining the town site and immediately erected a shanty to use as a blacksmith shop. Three boards formed the roof of this primitive abode, and many a time the pouring rain awoke the occupant from his slumbers to find himself enveloped in a sheet of water. To illustrate the trials he bore in winning for himself a home in the golden west we mention the fact that finding it necessary to ford the Moccasin to have his bread baked, his method of crossing was to secure his clothes to the top of his head and plunge in a la Captain Webb [1st person to swim the English Channel]. This trip was performed two or three times a week. For the first seven weeks, he earned the pitiful sum of three dollars, but nothing daunted he persevered until now his business frequently brings in $72 a week. From April 22d last to August 28th he repaired 915 plows, besides making 35 new ones - a good indication of the growth of the country. In connection is a carriage and repair shop operated by a first-class workman. The first season Mr. Berg sowed seven acres of wheat, harvesting therefrom 230 bushels, or about 33 bushes per acre, and this too on sod ground.

Samuel McMaster will be met with before we have gone this far upon our journey, and a stirring person he is. His business is to handle agricultural implements and farm machinery of every description, including the celebrated Hapgood Sulky Plow, which is now recognized as taking the lead for easy draft and perfect work. But there is no need of our commenting further upon the merits of his stock in trade, as any person who has dealt with him can do so as well as we.

One of the oldest inhabitants of Dakota is

Charles Cooper, who lived on the frontier and did business with the Indians when the number of white men in the country could almost be counted upon the fingers. Of course, in these early days, he encountered untold and indescribable dangers, but now he has settled down as a coal dealer to enjoy life as it can be enjoyed only in Warner which place he chose from all this broad and fertile country as his permanent home. Mr. Cooper has a valuable farm adjoining the town site and has Dakota agriculture down to a fine point. He is one of those intrepid pioneers to whom the country owes its present greatness.

If you are pleased with what you have seen of the town and surrounding country, which you must of necessity be, and have decided to erect for yourself a habitation, you will find it advisable to let the contract to

L. C. Turner, a builder of ability and experience, who will undoubtedly give you satisfaction. He is also an extensive farmer, having one of the finest farms in Brown county. He is public-spirited and just the man to win your esteem and friendship.

By this time, you will be tired out and in need of a hearty meal and food accommodation. We will, therefore, leave you in the care of

A. Tannehill, proprietor of the Warner house, who will attend to your wants in this line in the most satisfactory manner, as he sets as fine a table as any hotel in Dakota; in fact, much superior to the majority. This hostelry is always well patronized both by transient and permanent boarders, and any person who has once abated his appetite there will most assuredly wish to do so again. Mr. Tannehill is an attentive host, a genial companion, and a most enterprising and valuable citizen.

You may also obtain all comforts necessary to the traveler at the Post House presided over by

John Foster, a gentleman who thoroughly understands his business and is ever ready and willing to accommodate the guest by every means within his power or the resources of the country. The accommodations are of the best, and you are sure of careful attention.

~Brown Co. Contributor & Transcriber, Kathy Smith