family to Nebraska from New York State about 1881. When he came to Battle Creek, he first served as Depot Agent for about two years. He then moved to the position of manager of the Hale Warehouse Company, "dealing in grains, feeds, and coal." This establishment was later purchased by Howard Miller in abut 1890.

The next article which deals with L. B. Baker will need no further mention as his business ventures have already been discussed, except that it should be stated that after many years of activity in the lumber, grain, and coal business, and his ranch holdings north of town, he retired in 1919, turning his business over to his sons, Bert H. and Clyde, and a son-in-law, Church Boyer. In 1925, the Baker brothers and Boyer traded their business with H. E. Reavis for the Reavis Cherry County Ranch. Clyde then bought out the Merz Hardware stock. Clyde, because of ill health sold the stock a few years later to his brother Bert. He moved the stock to the corner lately occupied by the Red Bud Hardware Store west of Esther's Store.

Another name first appearing historically in the Enterprise, is that of R. H. Maxwell. The article states that he came to Battle Creek in 1879, to engage in the hardware business. In 1884, he sold the hardware stock to the Brechler brothers and bought the interest of the Henry Chamberlain, founder of the Farmers and Drovers Bank. Mr. Maxwell's home was the house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Doering. His bank failed in the late nineties but his wife, Fannie Maxwell and daughter, Maude, resided here until about 1900. Mrs. Maxwell owned the Opera House which stood on the lot east of Pete's Cafe and to the front of Ike's Repair Shop. Old timers will remember attending Medicine Shows, hometown plays, school commencement exercises, and all other civic affairs held in this place. One "slide" show, the forerunner of silent movies, was a "first" for Battle Creek. The forepart of the show was slides on the life of Christ and was followed by scenic and comedy slides. The narrator who announced the slides as they flashed on the screen, announced when the slides of the Life of Christ were finished, "Now that is all the Jesus pictures, now we will have some funny pictures."

Then at that time are mentioned W. E. Marrow, "jeweler and watchmaker," who engaged in this business in 1885, having his office in the George S. Hurford Drug Store; Mr. Byers, who for a time had run the hotel and who in 1887, engaged in the dray business.

It should be stated that the dray business meant a team of horses hitched to an "express wagon." Principal hauling was freight and express from the Railway Station, and also coal deliveries during the winter and such other hauling that might arise.

George Peacks and Co. were engaged in lumber business near the depot. It is not known how long Mr. Marrow, Mr. Ryers or Mr. Peacks remained in Battle Creek. None of these gentlemen seem to have had a great part in the early history of the town nor are remembered by people now living or who were born

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