(Continued from pg. 10) …assisted by his son, M. L. Lang, as deputy, who is a very capable helper.
J. A. QUINN:
The shrewd buyer always goes where he can get the best goods for the least money, no matter whether his purchases amount to $100 or $1,000,000 annually. This fact accounts for the great success of J. A. Quinn, one of the largest dealers in the line of agricultural implements in this part of the state. Mr. Quinn came to Oberlin sixteen years ago and opened a blacksmith shop on the corner where his implement house now stands. He saw at once the growing demand for farm implements and began to handle them in connection. From time to time he added to his stock until now he has an establishment that would do credit to a much larger town. Mr. Quinn says that he has seen many ups and downs since coming here, but by adhering closely to business he has always managed to make both ends meet and if one can judge by his surroundings we may add he has laid up a competence for the rainy day.
E. P. GILPIN, M. D.
In the history of Oberlin and Decatur county Dr. E. P. Gilpin is a very important personage. Graduating at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis in 1876, he began to practice in northern Indiana.
In 1879 he took a hospital course in the medical department of Butler University at Indianapolis. He practiced at the city hospital of Indianapolis for one year and had charge of the prison hospital at the state penitentiary at Jeffersonville, Indiana, for two years.
He came to Jennings, Kansas, ten years ago and has been practicing here six years. While the doctor has never had any political aspirations, yet he has mixed some in politics for…
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(E.P. Gilpin, M.D. Continued) …recreation. He was twice chosen a delegate to the Republican state convention while in Indiana, once a delegate to the Republican state convention from this county and was an alternate delegate to the Republican national convention at St. Louis where President McKinley was first nominated.
Dr. Gilpin is a member of the Board of Pension Examiners and was secretary of this board for a long time.
H. A. GRIFFITH:
Elegance and taste, combined with the best horseflesh, are essential to the up-to-date livery stable keeper.
H. A. Griffith, proprietor of the Commercial livery barn, whose rigs and turnout can readily be recognized by these distinctions, demands more than a passing notice. Promptness, careful driving and low prices are his leading characteristics. The days of high prices are gone, but by careful and conservative management Mr. Griffith is enabled to place the services of his barn within the reach of every person. The barn is headquarters for all horse buyers and sales take place here very frequently. Mr. Griffith owns a farm of 480 acres in this county. He came here twenty years ago and has been successful beyond his early expectations. He thinks well of the country from the standpoint of health and says there are opportunities for farming and stock growing which do not exist in the more densely populated countries.
Mr. Griffith is one of the best posted men in the county as to the topography of the country, having served as sheriff of Decatur county from 1896 to 1900.
GOODRICH BROS:
In a town surrounded as Oberlin is by one of the finest agricultural and stock growing districts, a creamery, poultry and egg depot is a most important enterprise. This enterprise affords a market for milk, poultry and eggs which is truly astonishing to those who have not given a careful thought to the subject. This plant is equipped with the latest improved machinery. It is run by steam power and has a capacity of 1,000 pounds of butter in one day, or more than 500 pounds at one churning. The separator used in separating the cream from the milk is in bulk a very small machine, but runs at the rate of 6,000 revolutions per minute and has a capacity of 2,500 pounds of milk per hour. Goodrich Bros. established this plant in 1897 and have a ready market for their entire product, which is exceptionally fine. They report shipments ranging from sixty cases to a carload of eggs in one week, and poultry in proportion. The people of Decatur county should feel proud of this industry.
DRS. WILLIAM B. AND MAUD MEAD:
Among the leading professional men and women we met in Oberlin were…
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(Drs. William B. & Maud Mead Continued)
…Dr. William B. Mead and his estimable wife, Dr. Maud Mead. Dr. William B. Mead is a native of Illinois and was educated at Plattsburg college, Plattsburg, Missouri, taking the degree of Bachelor of Science, and graduated at the Rush Medical College of Chicago in 1872. He engaged in the practice of medicine with his father, Dr. A. J. Mead, for eight years near his birthplace. In 1879 he located at Oberlin and has continued to practice here since that time. He was editor of the Oberlin Herald for three years, and has held many important positions of trust. He was postmaster for eight years under President Cleveland’s adminstration, president of the Board of Education nine years, is assistant surgeon of the Burlington Route, county health officer and county physician. He is a member of the State Medical Society, a man with literary tastes, generous and public-spirited.
His wife and associate in practice, Dr. Maude Mead, is a native of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where she was educated. With her parents she removed to Iowa. She was united in marriage in July, 1881, to Dr. William B. Meade. In September, 1893, she entered the Omaha Medical College, taking a three years’ course, graduating from that institution with high honors. Since that time she has practiced her profession with an unusual degree of success.
Dr. William B. Mead was elected to the office of mayor of Oberlin this spring on a non-partisan ticket as a reward far the high esteem in which he is held by the citizens of Oberlin.
W. T. STEVENSON:
The drug store conducted by W. T. Stevenson is essentially the headquarters for the medical fraternity of Oberlin. Here prescriptions are compounded in a scientific manner and from ingredients pure and unadulterated. The store is large and very attractively arranged. Its stock consists of a choice and well-selected stock of pure drugs and chemicals, family- medicines, books, stationery, etc. Mr. Stevenson is a registered pharmacist and has resided here for seventeen years. Like many others he came here without money, but by close attention to business and the wants of his customers he has a good trade and a competence that places him beyond the wants of dire necessity. Mr. Stevenson is one of Oberlin’s most respected citizens and has always had confidence in the future. He reports trade in a prosperous condition.
ADDLEMAN & CAMPBELL:
Among the recent additions to the mercantile interests of Oberlin is that of Addleman & Campbell. This firm succeeded Bicknell & Smith in the grocery business the 1st of January this year. Mr. Addleman is a product of Decatur county, and has been engaged in business here for three years, prior to his connection in the present enterprise. Mr. Campbell came to Kansas nine years ago from Illinois. They carry a large stock of staple and fancy groceries, gents’ furnishing goods, hats, caps, glass and queensware, etc. They are both hustling young men of good business qualities, and are bound to make a success in whatever they undertake. They report already a growing trade, and hope to increase it by giving full value, prompt service, courteous treatment and strict attention to business.
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JOHN GROSSNIKLAUS:
One of Oberlin’s early and enthusiastic business men is Mr. John Grossniklaus, who conducts the City Meat Market. He came here fifteen years ago from Nebraska without money or acquaintances and by thrift and industry has achieved success in this world’s goods far beyond his early expectations. He owns a nice farm of 400 acres adjoining town which is devoted principally to stock. He also owns the splendid building in which his market is located, and can claim the distinction of having the finest meat market in the state of Kansas. The cut here shown is no way flatters the exterior of the building, and the interior must be viewed personally in order to form an idea of its furnishings. We may add, however, that the floor is laid with mosaic tile and the other equipment and arrangement are a direct harmony. Mr. Grossniklaus planned the arrangement and convenience of this market and deserves a special compliment for the taste and convenience here displayed. He reports a good trade and the community a good place to live in.
FRED PATTON:
Among the clever young business men we had occasion to visit while in Oberlin, was Mr. Fred Patton, manager of the Chicago Lumber and Coal Company at this place. Mr. Patton is one of the members of the Oberlin Band, which took part in the contest at the Festival of Mountain and Plain at Denver, Colorado in 1899. This band had the honor to win third prize in that contest, which speaks well for their efforts and achievements in the musical arena. Aside from his business record, Mr. Patton enjoys a high social standing.
H. S. BEARDSLEY:
We are indebted to Mr. H.. S. Beardsley for useful information in regard to the cereal product of Decatur County. Mr. Beardsley is a native of New York and came to Kansas in 1857. He was on the road as a traveling salesman for twenty-five years. He came to this county seventeen years ago and has been engaged in various pursuits. He is now in the seed business and furnishes a large territory with garden seeds and seed grains. He also runs a confectionery and fruit store. He says in all his travels he has never found a better place than Oberlin and expects to make this his final resting place. He reports trade lively in his line and thinks all present indications favorable for. a good crop.
E. L. BYSTROM:
The tailoring business of Oberlin is represented by E. L. Bystrom, who makes clothing to order from samples and does general repairing in his line. Mr. Bystrom is agent for the Chicago Tailors’ Association. He is a native of Sweden and came to Kansas in 1884. He is sixty-five years old and has been working at his trade for fifty years, but hale and hearty and in the prime of life. Give him a trial. He will treat you right.
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B. M. FORTNEY:
Mr. B. M. Fortney is one of Oberlin’s well-to-do business men. He came to Oberlin fourteen years ago. He owns a nice farm of 160 acres adjoining town and conducts a blacksmith shop where he runs a general blacksmithing and woodworking repair shop. Mr. Fortney has a nice brick shop which he built for this purpose about a year ago. His reputation as a mechanic is too well known to require further comment. He thinks well of the country as a place to live and to make money. He enjoys a good trade and is well respected in the community.
W. F. STEINER:
From the farmer’s point of view, first in importance among the business interests of a town or city is the implement house. There he buys his machinery of all kinds that is used in planting, cultivating and harvesting his crops. It is of vital interest to him that he trades with a reliable firm which handles the best class of goods and sells them at reasonable prices. Among the establishments of this kind in Oberlin, Mr. W. F. Steiner deserves special mention in these columns, having a thoroughly representative establishment in this line of business. He controls a large share of the surrounding patronage and can be safely recommended to the favorable consideration of the buying public. He carries a large stock of farm implements and handles well-known makes of plows, buggies, carriages, wagons, mowers, listers; also harness, twine, oils, etc. As a business man and citizen, he is highly esteemed.
A. M. FROST:
Nothing is more conducive to the comfort and happiness of the lords of creation than the clever attention of a neat and skilled tonsorial artist. Mr. A. M. Frost is a barber who vies with the best. No place is neater or more inviting than his, and nowhere can you get a better shave, shampoo or haircut. He employs the very best help, who are quick, attentive and capable. He has three new chairs of the most approved pattern and all other appliances that go to equip a first-class shop. The agency for the Queen City Laundry is located at his shop. Mr. Frost came from Ohio fourteen years ago, and has been twelve years continuously in the barber business.
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