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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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HARGER AND BLISH: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:hBL.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Photographer unknown, “[Harger & Blish Inc.],” Loras College Digital Collections, accessed April 11, 2014, https://digitalcollections.loras.edu/items/show/216.]]
[[Image:hBL.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Photographer unknown, “[Harger & Blish Inc.],” Loras College Digital Collections, accessed April 11, 2014, https://digitalcollections.loras.edu/items/show/216.]]
[[File:dpiano.png|200px|thumb|left|Deckert piano]]
[[File:dpiano.png|200px|thumb|left|Deckert piano]]
[[File:columbiaad1.JPG|250px|thumb|left|Columbia advertisement]]
[[File:columbiaad1.JPG|250px|thumb|right|Columbia advertisement]]
[[Image:imp711.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Advertisement from leather pouch. Photo courtesy: Jim Massey]]
[[Image:imp711.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Advertisement from leather pouch. Photo courtesy: Jim Massey]]
[[Image:hargerblish.jpg|left|thumb|200px| Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
[[Image:hargerblish.jpg|left|thumb|200px| Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
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[[Image:hargerblish1.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
[[Image:hargerblish1.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
[[File:harger.jpg|250px|thumb|right|]]
[[File:harger.jpg|250px|thumb|right|]]
HARGER AND BLISH. In 1892 an interest in bicycling led to the formation of the [[DUBUQUE CYCLING CLUB]]. Taking advantage of the business opportunity, Harger and Blish became the local agent for the Pope Manufacturing Company, makers of Columbia bicycles. (1) In April of 1892 the company announced that it had sold fifteen "safeties" which "entirely removed the element of danger" present in the older "high" bikes. The company also announced the order of the city's first "tandem," a bicycle with two seats. (2)
[[Image:hargerb.png|left|thumb|250px|]]
HARGER AND BLISH. In 1861 Benton M. Harger, a resident of Rochester, New York settled in Dubuque. He established a book and stationary store in a building formerly used by the Adams Express Company. The building became too small for the business and in 1880 he moved the company to the Levi Building and then the Hoffman Building.


In 1910 Harger and Blish was the largest jobbers of "talking machines" between Chicago and the Pacific Coast handling their lines of pianos, cameras, office supplies, and music. The company was the exclusive representative of the Deckert piano and maintained the largest piano department in Iowa. It was also the state agent for the A. B. Dick line of multiplying and copying machines and the eastern Iowa agency for the Globe-Wernike style of bookcase and the Eastman Kodak Company.
Ill health forced Mr. Harger into retirement in 1886. His partner G. B. Grosvenor operated the firm while Harger traveled to regain his health. Upon his return in 1887, the firm of Harger & Blish was organized. With the addition of pianos and other musical instruments to their line, and business needed even more space. In 1904, when it incorporated, the company was incorporated with Mr. Harger and president and treasurer, Mr. Blish as secretary, and A. A. Deckert as vice president. With the completion of the Security Building, the company relocated and leased three floors. (1)
 
The growth of their "talking machine" business led the company to establish wholesale headquarters in Des Moines. Mr. Blish moved there as the manager of the department. (2) By 1910 Harger and Blish was the largest jobber of "talking machines" between Chicago and the Pacific Coast in addition to handling their lines of pianos, cameras, office supplies, and music. The company was the exclusive representative of the Deckert piano and maintained the largest piano department in Iowa. It was also the state agent for the A. B. Dick line of multiplying and copying machines and the eastern Iowa agency for the Globe-Wernike style of bookcase and the Eastman Kodak Company.


In 1910 Harger and Blish was the oldest firm of stationers and music dealers in Iowa. A branch office was maintained in Des Moines. Locally the firm employed thirty-four people in addition to traveling salesmen.
In 1910 Harger and Blish was the oldest firm of stationers and music dealers in Iowa. A branch office was maintained in Des Moines. Locally the firm employed thirty-four people in addition to traveling salesmen.


The 1890-91 ''Dubuque City Directory'' located this business at 902-910 Main.
The 1890-91 '''Dubuque City Directory''' located this business at 902-910 Main.


The 1899-1900 ''Dubuque City Directory'' and 1903 ''Dubuque County Rural Route Directory'' listed 904-910 Main.
The 1899-1900 '''Dubuque City Directory''' and 1903 '''Dubuque County Rural Route Directory''' listed 904-910 Main.


The 1904-05 ''Dubuque City Directory'' located this business at 902-910 Main.
The 1904-05 '''Dubuque City Directory''' located this business at 902-910 Main.


The 1909 ''Dubuque City Directory'' gave the address of this business as the [[SECURITY BUILDING]].
The 1909 '''Dubuque City Directory''' gave the address of this business as the [[SECURITY BUILDING]].


The 1911-1912 ''Dubuque City Directory'' listed 844 Main.
The 1911-1912 '''Dubuque City Directory''' listed 844 Main.


The 1916-1917 ''White's Dubuque County Directory'' listed 159 Main as the address.
The 1916-1917 '''White's Dubuque County Directory''' listed 159 Main.


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Source:
Source:


1. "Municipal Molecules," ''Dubuque Daily Herald'', March 19, 1892, p. 4
1. "52nd Anniversary of Harger & Blish," ''Telegraph-Herald'', November 12, 1913, p. 14


2. "Bicycling Takes a Spurt," ''Dubuque Daily Herald'', April 12, 1892, p. 4
2. Ibid


"The Largest Jobber of Talking Machines in Iowa is Here," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 13, 1910, p. 1
"The Largest Jobber of Talking Machines in Iowa is Here," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 13, 1910, p. 1
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[[Category: Engravers]]
[[Category: Engravers]]
[[Category: Piano Tuner]]
[[Category: Piano Tuner]]
[[Category: Athletics-Biking]]

Latest revision as of 16:24, 20 March 2024

Telegraph Herald cartoon series depicting prominent business leaders in Dubuque c. 1906. Shown is A. A. Deckert, vice-president of the company. Photo courtesy: Neal Sprengelmeyer
Photographer unknown, “[Harger & Blish Inc.],” Loras College Digital Collections, accessed April 11, 2014, https://digitalcollections.loras.edu/items/show/216.
Deckert piano
Columbia advertisement
Advertisement from leather pouch. Photo courtesy: Jim Massey
Photo courtesy: Bob Reding
Hargerblisha.jpg
Photo courtesy: Bob Reding
Harger.jpg
Hargerb.png

HARGER AND BLISH. In 1861 Benton M. Harger, a resident of Rochester, New York settled in Dubuque. He established a book and stationary store in a building formerly used by the Adams Express Company. The building became too small for the business and in 1880 he moved the company to the Levi Building and then the Hoffman Building.

Ill health forced Mr. Harger into retirement in 1886. His partner G. B. Grosvenor operated the firm while Harger traveled to regain his health. Upon his return in 1887, the firm of Harger & Blish was organized. With the addition of pianos and other musical instruments to their line, and business needed even more space. In 1904, when it incorporated, the company was incorporated with Mr. Harger and president and treasurer, Mr. Blish as secretary, and A. A. Deckert as vice president. With the completion of the Security Building, the company relocated and leased three floors. (1)

The growth of their "talking machine" business led the company to establish wholesale headquarters in Des Moines. Mr. Blish moved there as the manager of the department. (2) By 1910 Harger and Blish was the largest jobber of "talking machines" between Chicago and the Pacific Coast in addition to handling their lines of pianos, cameras, office supplies, and music. The company was the exclusive representative of the Deckert piano and maintained the largest piano department in Iowa. It was also the state agent for the A. B. Dick line of multiplying and copying machines and the eastern Iowa agency for the Globe-Wernike style of bookcase and the Eastman Kodak Company.

In 1910 Harger and Blish was the oldest firm of stationers and music dealers in Iowa. A branch office was maintained in Des Moines. Locally the firm employed thirty-four people in addition to traveling salesmen.

The 1890-91 Dubuque City Directory located this business at 902-910 Main.

The 1899-1900 Dubuque City Directory and 1903 Dubuque County Rural Route Directory listed 904-910 Main.

The 1904-05 Dubuque City Directory located this business at 902-910 Main.

The 1909 Dubuque City Directory gave the address of this business as the SECURITY BUILDING.

The 1911-1912 Dubuque City Directory listed 844 Main.

The 1916-1917 White's Dubuque County Directory listed 159 Main.

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Source:

1. "52nd Anniversary of Harger & Blish," Telegraph-Herald, November 12, 1913, p. 14

2. Ibid

"The Largest Jobber of Talking Machines in Iowa is Here," Telegraph Herald, March 13, 1910, p. 1