Bio: Blum, A. – Neillsville General Merchandise Dealer (1909)

Transcriber: Steve Roberts steve@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Blum

Source: Clark & Jackson Co. Trade Paper Sept 1909

The Fair – 1909
Mr. A. Blum, Proprietor – Dealer in General Merchandise – Neillsville, Wis.

One of the largest general stores I the city is the “Fair,” occupying the most central location in the town, being between two banks on Hewett Street, the store premises having a frontage of forty feet, extending seventy-two feet in depth: also occupies the upper floor of the Blue Front building in the rear, which is used for storage purposes. The basement extends under the entire main building, being used for storage and heavy goods.

The store throughout is lighted by gasoline from his own plant; also heated by hot air and equipped with all conveniences, including cash carriers and cash register.

The north side salesroom is devoted to general dry goods, south side to shoes, and the west side to clothing, furnishings, groceries, etc. In staple and fancy dry goods he has a complete assortment, comprising all lines of ladies’ wear in dress goods and furnishings, white wear, small wear, shirt waists, skirts, ladies’ coats and suits and fur goods in season, with fancy dry goods in connection, especially stamped linens, silk embroideries, silks, fancy yarns, laces, silks, etc. The house has the exclusive agency for the Butterick patterns and self-threading machines needles, keeping a full stock on hand. In lace curtains, table oilcloths and other household staples he carries a full assortment; also a full line of shoes for men, ladies, misses, boys and children. Some of the best makes are handled, including those of the Jung Shoe company, of Sheboygan, and the Markwell shoes of Milwaukee, while in rubbers his specialties are the La Crosse, gold seal and hood Rubber company’s goods, carrying a full line, as well as mitts, gloves and all winter goods.

In men’s furnishings he has a large stock of neckwear, underwear, hats, caps, pants, overalls and ready-made clothing for men, boys and children, which strictly high-grade, obtained from the best manufacturers and sold at reasonable prices. Special orders are also taken for tailor-made suits, keeping sample books of fine suits on hand from Chicago tailoring houses, which turn out the best work in that line, with prices from $15 to $35.

The grocery stock is well assorted in all lines of table supplies, teas, coffees, fancy biscuits and cookies, dried California fruits, flour in several brands from mills in Neillsville; also the Gold Medal of Minneapolis, while hams, bacon and other cured meats are from the leading packing firms. Fresh eggs are purchased from farmers for cash or in trade, paying the best market prices, with shipments made to Chicago markets. His country trade covers a radius of twenty miles in all directions with a good trade in the city and from neighboring villages, mail and phone orders in some lines being often received from people on rural routes.

The business was established by Mr. A. Blum ten years ago, while he has had thirty years’ experience in general merchandise, being widely acquainted with the wholesale trade as well as the custom trade all through the surrounding district and also speaks five languages – English, Polish, Bohemian, Russian, Low and High German and Jewish, being often called upon as interpreter of those languages in the local courts. He has been a resident of Neillsville for ten years and is now filling his first term as alderman for the second ward.