Growing Beyond Their Dreams

Thomas W. Neesen was a pioneer businessman who moved to the town of Steamboat Rock because of it’s fame.

In 1868, the Neesen’s, and six month old son Walter moved from Ackley to Steamboat Rock. Neesen had been a partner in a general store in Ackley for several months. At the time many were predicting an impressive future of the town of Steamboat Rock. At this time it was thought it would be the county seat of Hardin county.

Several already prosperous business establishments were already thriving, a two story brick school was under construction, the Presbyterian Church had been dedicated two years earlier, and at least one other church was being organized.

Favorably impressed by the town and it’s people Neesen, moved his young family to the boom town.

Mr. Neesen, bought some lots from S.B. Cunningham, one of the smaller ones was facing Market Street on the north side. The others were connected to this lot and extended a full block to the north facing Sycamore Street and east on that side of the block to Fifth Street.

Though a very narrow lot faced Market Street, a store building was constructed with living quarters on the second floor. Here Neesen conducted a general merchandise business which he operated for the next 29 years. At the time the town drew business from a large area especially from the east.

Neesen’s daughter, Helen Neesen Schachtlie once recalled the nature of business done in her father’s store. “I remember that in early days all merchandise was shipped in wooden barrels and boxes. Tea came in big chests covered with matting and lined with heavy tea-lead. My father specialized in tea, selling all kinds. All the groceries had to be weighed and wrapped in heavy paper and tied with twine.”

“Dry-goods were shipped in big wooden boxes. All stores kept a large supply of dress materials as ready-made dresses were not obtainable. Trimmings for dresses consisted of lace, velvet, embroidery, fancy buttons, and braid. All dresses except those worn in hot weather were lined from neck to hem. The waist of the dresses had stays, sometimes called whalebone. Dress stays, hooks and eyes, and dress linings were indispensable.”

“I don’t remember much about what the well dressed man of that day wore, but I do remember that my father sold men’s and boy’s clothing, boots, shoes and rubber footwear. In the winter there was a brisk trade in felt boots and “arctics” as farmers needed them: and in spring when the ground thawed and rains came, there was quite a demand for rubber boots.”

As Helen grew older she occasionally was allowed to wait on her father’s customers. “I remember selling kerosene for a nickel a gallon. Some of the housewives preferred red kerosene. They said that it gave better light. Our red kerosene came from the same barrel as the colorless. If a customer preferred the red, I was told to pour it in a certain measure containing red coloring matter. It became red and remained clear, and gave the glass lamps a more attractive appearance.”

Among other early merchants was the first druggist, J.W. Tracy, who opened for business in 1867.

R. H. Waite came in 1870 and clerked in the bank for a short time and then in 1873, he began a hardware business which he later sold to F. H. Stern. Waite left to become postmaster, Stern remained until the turn of the century, when he sold the business.

Another Hardware opened in 1874, by H. B. Lawrence, which included stoves and tin ware.