Historic Businesses

Below is a list of firms and their owners as they stood at the close of 1878. The list is reprinted from the The History of Dallas County from 1879 by the Des Moines Union  Historical Company (pages 440-442) which is in the public domain as the book is over 100 years old.

Shops

J. Risser & Son, dealers in dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, carpets, trunks, notions, etc. West side of square.

M. B. Cole, dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, notions, etc. West side of square.

D. A. Blanchard, dealer in groceries, boots and shoes, hats, caps, gloves, notions, etc. Also hardware, stoves and tinware. South side of square.

Allen & Chapman, dealers in groceries and hardware. Southwest of square.

J. M. Jolly, dealer in groceries, Yankee notions, confectionery, etc. Also furnishes warm meals at all hours. Upper end of Main street.

T. J. Boak, dealer in groceries, glassware, crockery, etc. Also agricultural implements. South of square.

L. W. Garoutte, dealer in groceries, stoves and agricultural .implements. "West side of square.

M. E. Coons, groceries and notions. Also furnishes warm meals. East side of square.

S. Sweeley, groceries and notions. South side of square.

S. T. Buckman, dealer in hardware, tinware, stoves, iron, flour, etc. East side of square.

G. "W. Loomis, dealer in all kinds of furniture. Ready-made coffins always on hand. East side of square.

Win. McMullen, wagon-maker. Shop over "Ward's blacksmith shop.

J. Perkins, dealer in books, stationery, notions, attorney's blanks, etc. "West side of square.

"W. F. Brockway, watchmaker and jeweler. Keeps a good assortment of watches, clocks, and all kinds of jewelry. "West of square, in post-office.

Attorneys

A. R. Smalley, office in old bank building, south side of square

North Gonsor & "Whitman, opposite court-house, south side of square

I. O. Varner, in Risser's block, west side of square

Baugh, Smith & Sweeley, office north of post-office; Perkins & Barr, office back of book store

Greene & Clark, in Odd Fellows' block, west of square

"White & "Wooden, in Odd Fellows' block.

Loan and Abstract

Jeremiah Perkins, office west side of square.

Land Agent

Cole Noel, office in post-office.

Physicians

J. F. Irvin, homoeopathic, in old bank building, south side of square

T. J. Caldwell, allopathic, in post-office building, west side of square

J. B. Brenton, allopathic, in drug store.

Drugs

J. B. Brenton, drugs, stationery, books, patent medicines, notions, etc.; south side of square

F. E. Houghton, drugs, patent medicines, books, etc.

Milliners

Miss. E. H. Stiles & Co., millinery and ready-made clothing, and fancy articles of all kinds; store in post-office building, west of square

Mrs. L. Holt, millinery and dressmaking; store on Main street, southeast of square.

Dressmakers

Mrs. M. E. Phillips, shop at residence on Main street

Mrs. D. McKay, shop at residence on Market street

Mrs. McAllister, shop on Main street

Miss McNees and Mrs. Coon, shop in south part of town.

Photographers

McMullen & Co., rooms over P. 0. west side of square

Newspapers

New Era, Greenback, published by the New Era publishing company; office in old bank building, south of square.

Dallas County News, Republican, published by Noel & Newton; office in P. O. building, west side of square.

Meat Markets

Royer & McKay, on Main street opposite Risser & Son's

J. "Warford, on Main street south of square

J. Paquin, on Main street.

Blacksmiths

S. L. Ward, blacksmith and plow shop, west Main street

Dack Bros., blacksmith and wagon shop, west Main street; Sam'l Witham, blacksmith and plow shop, east side of square

Marsh & Royer, blacksmith, shop at lower end of Main street.

Boot and Shoe-makers

Geo. McLaughlin, boot and shoe-maker, shop at the corner of Main and Yine streets

Dad Ely, boot and shoe-maker, shop on west side of square.

Harness Shops

M. M. George, dealer in harness and saddles, whips, blankets, etc., shop on Main street, opposite Risser's; M. C. Garoutte, dealer in harness and saddles, whips, blankets, etc., shop on east side of square.

Carpenters

Ohas. Rodenbaugh, carpenter and joiner, shop on upper Main street

E. Gallop, carpenter and joiner, shop on corner of Main and Vine streets

L. Rider, carpenter and joiner, shop on Main street; W. Hempstead, carpenter and joiner, shop opposite Christian Church

G. D. G. Rickinson, carpenter and joiner, shop on Railroad street

E. Hoey, carpenter and joiner, shop on Vine street

L. Hoey, carpenter and joiner, shop in south part of town

F. Roush, carpenter, shop in east part of town; E. P. Prontte, carpenter, shop on Main street

Mr. McAlister, carpenter, shop on Main street; H. Holt, cabinet maker and carpenter, shop at Loomis' cabinet store

L. A. Caselman, carpenter and joiner, shop in south part of town; Mr. Burch, carpenter, shop on Railroad street.

Tailors

J. Geniser, merchant tailor, shop on Main street, west side of square

G. W. Campbell, merchant tailor, shop on west Main stPeet.

Hotels

Forrester House, F. Ford, proprietor, located at east end of Main street

Hill House, Hill proprietor, located in southeast part of town.

Livery Stables

J. Carnahan, livery and feed stable, west of post-office

T. Sloan, livery and feed stable, north of post-office

T. Ashton, livery stable, east part of town

F. Ford, livery at Forrester House.

Miscellaneous

Dallas County Bank, L. Lambert, proprietor, south side of square

J. W. Russell, loan and abstract office, south side of square

D. "W. Smith, loan and abstract office, west side of square

Dr. W. A. Tudor, dentist, office in Odd Fellows' block

Amos and George Welch, painters, shop at residence, northeast part of town

H. Kenerson, cooper, shop on Vine street

Rohner, bakery, store and eating room on Main street

C. W. Ingle, dealer in washing machines, corner Main and Vine streets

S. J. Garoutte, dealer in lumber and lath

B. F. Graves, barber shop, on west Main street