Editorial Rambles

EDITORIAL RAMBLES- THE MUSKEGON JOURNAL, AUGUST 12, 1879


RAVENNA PIONEER BUSINESS COMMUNITY

(Originally Transcribed & Submitted by Sharon L. Miller to the Ravenna Area Historical Society)

We made a hurried visit to Ravenna and Casnovia last week and were much pleased by the signs of thrift everywhere
manifest at these villages. They are both situated in the midst of a fine farm county from which they seem to draw a good trade.

DR. HENRY HULL
The gentlemanly Postmaster, we found at his post of duty, as we understand, giving general satisfaction to the people in that capacity. The Dr. is quite a man of business, for besides attending to the U.S. Mail, he attends upon a numerous
lot of male and female patients relieving their physical ailments and at the same time is a dispenser of drugs and medicines and dealer in books and stationary.

J.P. HERMAN
Horse clothier, gets up in good style harness ordered. He also does a general repairing business. All work warrented.

E. YOUNG
Manufactures and deals in boots and shoes. The peoples soles are his peculiar care. He seems to do a good business and is generally esteemed as an honest son of St. Crispin. He makes work to order and does repairing with neatness
and dispatch.

S.L. ALBERTS & CO.
Dealers in General Merchandise, are also purchases of farmers produce. They have a good store, filled with a well assorted stock. They are agreeable to deal with and seem to be doing a fine business. They are well known not only in and about Ravenna but throught the county as men who understand business and do it on the square.

CONKLIN BROS.
who run the People’s Store, commenced business here about eleven years ago. Previous to going into this business they had been farmers and had been in the habit of making their purchases at Grand Rapids. They saw there was an opening here which ought to be filled by a good business firm . The wants of the place demanded it and they stepped in and we have no hesitation in saying that they have fitted it with profit to themselves an d satisfaction to the community. They keep a good stock of general merchandise, and their store building is the finest in the place. Wm. P. Conklin on of the brothers, is the oldest resident but the other O.F. is perhaps the best known. He is now Supervisor of the Town and,during the previous term, he served as a Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of this county in a most creditable
manner.

ROGERS BROTHERS
have a very neat looking store. They are dealers in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, &c. and compound prescriptions carefully. They are young men who have grown up at this place, known and respected by all; careful and thrifty, we
can see no reason why a bright future may not be predicted for them and that, with the developement of the country their fortunes will surely advance.

H.E. SCOTT & CO.
Dealer in hardware, stoves, tinware, & c. They also manufacture and repair work in their line. This business is of great benefit to the village and deserves encouragement, and we trust, as we believe it is, that this is recognized by the
citizens of Ravenna.

JOHN FERGUSON
Dealer in groceries, dry goods, millinery and boots and shoes, keeps a good assortment of goods and seems to be doing a satisfactory business.

FIDGETT AND MULL
are manufacturer s of carriages, wagons, &c. They also do a general blacksmithing an d horse shoeing business, besides repairing all work in their line. They have a good shop and are not afraid to take hold of work with their own hands.

JOHN HENDERSON
Another son o vulcan, is also in the blacksmithing and horse shoeing business. He is prepared to do repairing in iron and hardwood work.

O.P. REED & CO.
are the jolly millers of the place. They have a well appointed mill of two run of stones; one being for flour and the other for feed grinding. They have a good run of custom grinding, and keep everything in trim shape. Under their management the reputation of this mill, for good, honest custom work, has greatly improved and they now receive almost all of that class of trade from the surrounding country, besides drawing trade from other distant neighborhoods.

MISS L. SMITH
has pleasant rooms over the store of S.L. A,berts & Co., where she attends to the wants of the ladies in the millinery and dressmaking lines. She keeps an assortment of fancy articles for ladies’ use.

JAMES F. TIBBETS
is the lumberman. He has a well arranged sawmill with one upright and one circular saw and also planing machinery.
He supplies a want much needed and notwithstanding the general depression in the lumber trade seems to make things pay. Last we would seem to come to the hotel, although in fact it was the first place we reached. The is under the able
management of

L.E. HIESTAND
It is named the Ravenna House, it is the only one in town, and as it is amply sufficient under its present management to supply in a satisfactory manner, all calls made upon it, its being the only one is no cause of regret. Mr. Hiestand
has a way of making his guests feel at home. We hope before long to make this village a more lengthened visit