Sheboygan Press April 29, 1927 Sheboygan Falls Business Men 1 Sheboygan Falls Businesses PROGRESSIVE BUSINESS MEN OF FALLS BUILDING UP A PROSPEROUS CITY The steady and substantial growth of Sheboygan Falls during the last decade is due, in no small degree, to the progressive merchants and professional men who have kept pace with modern times, and co-operated in an aggressive movement to increase the prosperity of the community. Among the most prominent of these are those whose names appear in the following review of the business and professional section of the city. BRICKNER WOOLEN MILLS In point of continuous years of operation no other manufacturing industry is more intimately connected with the early history and development of Sheboygan Falls than is the BRICKNER Woolen Mills, ideal successor to one of the oldest manufacturing concerns in this region. The name of BRICKNER became associated with this enterprise in 186? when George H. BRICKNER bought a half interest in what was then known as the Falls Woolen Mills from William PRENTICE, and formed a partnership with B. F. HEALD, under the firm name of BRICKNER & HEALD. Four years later Mr. BRICKNER bought Mr. HEALD's interest and thus became the sole owner of the property. George H BRICKNER carried on the business alone until 1887, when the increased volume of business made it necessary to expand the facilities for manufacturing. Accordingly, in May, 1887, the BRICKNER Woolen Mills was incorporated with a capital stock of $?????. FACTORY BUILT IN 1879 In the summer of 1879, the (????) section of the present factory building was constructed. It is a one-story brick, 200 feet long and ?? feet wide, known as a six-set (???) and is operated by water power owned by the company. The building was completed during the (????) of 1880 and the machinery was moved from the original building on the east side of the river into the newly erected brick structure. The business continued to increase until it was deemed necessary to add to the floor space. In 1884 the north addition was built and in 1920 another large addition was attached to the south end of the main building. In 1882 a new warehouse was constructed on the west side of the river adjacent to the railroad tracks. This was made necessary by the increased volume of business and the resultant congestion in the main building. This warehouse was used for the storing of wool and finished cloth, but since the present office building was completed, wool has been stored in this section of the plant. The building in which the office is now located was erected in 1883. Prior to that time the office was located in a portion of the main (???) building, but the noise produced by the machinery compelled the company to erect a building removed from the confusion. During the (???) of 1883-1884, while building was in progress, for several weeks the temperature did not rise above twenty-five degrees below zero. Four box stoves were kept going in order that the men employed might finish the interior of the building. STARTED AS A CUSTOM MILL This was originally a custom mill and farmers brought wool which was exchanged for finished cloth, cash or other commodities. (???) however, the demand for woolen cloth having increased, Mr. BRICKNER added a wholesale department to the business. He made regular trips to ports on the west side of Lake Michigan, selling finished cloth and also buying wool from the centers located in the various towns. During the recent years William BRICKNER, son of the late George BRICKNER, founder of the present company owning an operating the mill, has been guiding head of the industry which manufactures and deals, both wholesale and retail, in a general line of woolen goods, particularly suiting the overcoat cloths for men's wear. In addition to the main building located on the west side of the river, the BRICKNER Woolen Mills own the old foundry building which is on the north side of the street near the west approach to the bridge, which is utilized as a warehouse, and also the original mill building which stands on the east side of the river opposite the present mill. The latter building is classified as Warehouse No. 1. FALLS BANK The Falls Bank was established in 1874, originally as a branch of the former German bank of Sheboygan. In 1902, to conform with the state law governing banking institutions, the bank was taken over by local stockholders and the name changed to that of the German Bank of Sheboygan Falls. Later there was a re-organization and the name was again changed, and since then has been known as the Falls Bank Abner O. HEALD, now president of the bank, has been identified with the institution since 1886. Other officers are W. C. BRICKNER, vice-president; A. L. LEAVENS, cashier; E. G. ROEHL, assistant cashier. H. F. MALLMANN The leading hardware dealer in Sheboygan Falls is H. F. MALLMANN, who started in this business during the year 1913. He soon won the confidence of the people residing in that section of the county, which resulted in a steady increase in the volume of business. This increase called for expansion and also for more modern conveniences. Accordingly, in 1920, extensive alterations were made to the building which he occupies, including a very attractive store front having ample window room for the display of merchandise. In addition to a general line of hardware, Mr. MALLMANN installs heating systems, plumbing, electrical work, tinning and sheet metal work. Five competent men are employed at this work. KEHL CIGAR CO. The KEHL Cigar company was started in 1881 by Jacob KEHL. One year later he moved from the city and the business was purchased by his brother, Frank, who has carried on the business ever since. The KEHL Cigar company occupies the building located on the east side of Broadway directly north of the railroad tracks. Among the leading brands of cigars made by this company are La Carma, Marguerite, Frogs, Mascot and Casper Dane. WILLIAM C. KUTZBACK The name of KUTZBACK has been identified with the custom tailoring business in Sheboygan Falls for three-quarters of a century. William C. KUTZBACK followed the trade of his father, beginning to learn the trade on February 7, 1879. In 1888, under the firm name of KUTZBACK and THOMAS, he started in business in a small building located on Pine street. Since that time he has moved on two different occasions, the last time in November, 1923, to the building he now occupies on the east side of Broadway, a few doors north of the railroad tracks. Besides custom tailoring and taking of special orders for garments, Mr. KUTZBACK specializes in cleaning and general repairing of men's and women's clothing. THE STROUB PHARMACY Frank A. STROUB, sole owner of the STROUB Pharmacy, served his apprenticeship, in the store he now owns, with W. H. BARRAGER, from 1908 to 1911. Later he entered Marquette University, graduating from the pharmacy department of that institution with a Ph. G. degree on June 1, 1913. Immediately he accepted a position as prescription clerk in a drug store at Kenosha where he remained until April 1, 1916, when he returned to Sheboygan Falls and purchased the drug store of his former employer. When he took possession, he had the store remodeled and many improvements made to the interior, including electric lights, a steam heating system, and a modern plate glass front. In 1918 new fixtures were installed, adding greatly to the appearance and convenience of the store. The business has steadily increased and to provide for further expansion, in the fall of 1924, an addition fifteen by twenty feet was built on the rear and fitted up as a music room for the proper display and handling of phonographs and radio sets. This drug store had been equipped so as to compare favorably with similar stores in much larger cities, when on February 9, of this year, a fire almost completely destroyed the building. While rebuilding is in progress, Mr. STROUB occupied temporary quarters in the DEAN building, but is now back at his original store. FESSLER'S STORE, INC. FESSLER's Store, Inc., was established in Sheboygan Falls in November, 1917, as a branch of the B. A. FESSLER store at Sheboygan. The building occupied is located on the west side of Broadway directly south of the railroad tracks, and is one of the few buildings on the west side of the river which is linked with the earliest history of the community, dating back almost to the first settlement of the village. This store deals extensively in dry goods and groceries, the energetic business spirit of the FESSLER store in Sheboygan being carried on at the Falls store by Ernst WUESTENHAGEN, the aggressive manager of FESSLER's Store, Inc. FALLS BEAUTY SHOPPE While this is a new enterprise, it fills a long-felt want in Sheboygan Falls. The "shoppe" was established and opened on September 1, 1926, and has enjoyed a liberal patronage from the start. Competent operators are in charge and give painstaking service in all things connected with a place of this kind. NEVER THE TAILOR In 1866 John NEVER opened a custom tailoring shop in a small frame building which formerly stood on the site now occupied by the MALLMANN hardware store on the east side of Broadway. A few years later he moved to another building near where the office of the BRICKNER Woolen Mills now stands. After a fire in 1879 destroyed two buildings on Pine street, Mr. NEVER erected the two-story brick building located at the southwest corner of Pine street and Broadway, where he opened a gent's furnishing and tailor shop. After his death, Mrs. NEVER continued the business with her son, Henry, managing the establishment up to the present time. The fact that this business has been successful for more than sixty years, while competitors have come and gone, Mr. NEVERS attributes to the policy of giving dollar for dollar in all business dealings with customers. Fair and square dealing was the motto of John NEVER and this has ever been the motto of his son, Henry, who now has the management of the business. HERBER'S CONFECTIONERY This business was started by Louis J. HERBER in July. 1917, and has enjoyed the liberal patronage of the community since it was first established. The building in which this place is located stands on the west side of Broadway near Pine street, in the heart of the downtown business district. Mr. HERBER was born in Sheboygan Falls and has resided there all his life. In addition to an excellent line of confectionery, ice cream and sodas, inviting lunches are served.