| The following is a short bio/sketch of most of the businessmen in the towns of Sterling & Rock Falls Il. who were in operation in 1896-1897. This article was presented in "The Sterling Standard". Accompanying each sketch was a picture of some of these men. (I've inserted NO PHOTO - where there is none available). They are listed in alphabetical order. I only have pages 25 to 52 of this article. The first 25 pages didn't survive. |
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(No Photo) - Louis RAINONE - A large stock of fruit, candy, cigars and tobacco can always be found in the store. He began business six years ago in a very small way at 117 East Third street.
Pg. 34 W.L. REIGER: One of the cheapest places in Sterling where you can purchase almost an entire outfit for housekeeping purpses is at the "Bargin House" of Reiger & Loux, on Locust street. W.L. Reiger was born in Henry county in the year 1863 and came to Sterling when seventeen years of age. He was for many years employed by H.W. Moses, the poultry buyer, whose main office is at Geneseo, Ill. Mr. Reiger was afterwards for two years in the grocery business at Rochelle, just before his advent in Sterling. N. F. LOUS was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1845. He came to Sterling in 1864 and for years worked at this trade of carpenter and coach maker. He has been a farmer for twenty-four years that he has been west. The firm of Reiger & Lous was formed about two years ago, when the present premises occupied by the firm were leased. The premises are large and commodious and have been arranged especially for the reception of all kinds of house furnishing goods. At the "Bargain Store" you can find anything in the line of furniture in new and second-hand, stoves new and second-hand, and many other useful things needed by the family. It is the cheapest house in Whiteside county.
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Pg. 35 LEWIS REITZEL, proprietor of the flour and feed store, corner of Third street and second avenue, was born in Pennsylvania in 1866. He came west with his parents when about one year old and the family located on a farm in this county. Eight years ago Mr. Reitzel moved to Sterling and opened a flour and feed store in a small building on the same lot he now occupies. Later he purchased the lot and erected a substantial building especially fited for his busibess. He deals in flour and feed, baled hay, etc., and grinds all kinds of feed. He does a wholesale as well as a retail business. (No Photo) - Charles H. RICHARDSON, 121-153-125 West Third street, has been engaged in the farm implement business for himself for three years; he has been eighteen years in this line of business in Sterling.
(No Photo) - W.E. ROSE, maker and repairer of boots and shoes, located above The Standard office has been here since May 1885. He makes all kinds of foot wear, giving especial attention to shoes for cripples. He began the business at eleven years of age and is thoroughly experienced.
Pg. 31 ROBERT ROSENTHAL. This well known house occupies one of the best business locations in Sterling, in a building recently entirely remodeled and handsomely equipped under Mr. Rosenthal's direct supervision, with a stock of clothing, boots and shoes and gentlemen's furnishing goods now, as always, one of the most complete in the city. The present proprietor located here in June, 1890. He has had a long experience in the trade, which he puts to good use in selecting a reliable stock of an attractive character.
(No Photo) ROURK Brothers. For the past two years have conducted a grocery store at 112 East Third street. They are both natives of the city and hold a good share of the trade in their line. A full stock of everything in their line is always to be found in their store. Prompt delivery is assured as they run two wagons for that purpose. The store room has been recently much improved and is one of the most desirable locations.
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