street and Iowa avenue, is three stories high, with plenty of room for the transaction of business, and is an elegant structure. The officers remain the same as at the beginning.

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The Union Bank was organized in February, 1870, under the State laws, "Union Savings Bank," but changed to the present name in 1875. Hon. George Greene has been the President since the first organization. C. B. Rowley was the first Cashier. At the end of the first year, Mr. H. B. Stibbs was elected Cashier, and yet retains the position. Five years ago, Mr. Peter Martel was appointed Assistant Cashier, and still holds the place. The bank owns its building at the corner of Washington street and Iowa avenue. It has a large paid-up capital, and has always transacted a large business.

Mr. G. F. Van Vetchtin established a banking house in the city in 1876, and is at present located on Washington street, in post office block. He has ample banking capital, with a long experience in the business. It is understood that he intends to erect a banking house that will be an ornament to the city. This addition to the business interests is one of the most valuable that have located here for some time.

The following banking firms did business in the city at one time, but are not now in existence. Some of the parties are connected with other institutions, and others have retired from business entirely.

Greene & Weare, bankers, commenced business in 1855. The firm did a very large business, and at one time had a number of branch banks in other portions of the State.

From 1854 to 1857 a phenomenal state of affairs existed in money matters in the West. Owing to a vicious system of legislation in many of the States, a large brood of irresponsible banks sprang into existence, and money, or at least what purported to be such, became very plenty. Many of these well-executed promises to pay had no intrinsic value beyond the implied indorsement of the local bankers who paid them out. Thus it came about that bills which passed current in one part of the State, because they were received by the local bankers, were utterly worthless as currency in other parts of the State.

Messrs. Greene & Weare, through their numerous branch banks in the State, floated a good deal of Nebraska money, but they protected it, and people suffered no loss, such as occurred in many parts of the West.

The banking house of Carpenter, Stibbs & Co. commenced business in 1857, and continued until 1869. During the twelve years of its existence, it did a large business, retaining a large hold on the confidence of the public.

Ward, Bryan & Co. did a banking and exchange business on Commercial street, from 1855 to 1857.

Carpenter, Lehman & Co. did business for about a year, from 1856 to 1857. Dodge, Carr & Co. was a banking firm that flourished about the same time, from 1856 to 1857.

Elihu Baker & Co. were successors to Carpenter, Lehman & Co., and conducted a banking business from 1858 to 1860. Mr. Baker became identified with the State Bank of Iowa after the establishment of that institution, being appointed by the State authorities, and the banking house was discontinued.

BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS.

There are two building and loan associations in Cedar Rapids. These organizations are of great benefit to stockholders in encouraging savings of small amounts monthly, which are easily paid, swelling in a few years to a handsome The shareholders pay $1 a month for eight years, at the end of which

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time the shares, it is expected, will be worth $200. The amount paid in being only $96 in that time, the profit is large, all arising from small payments at such intervals as cannot distress even the poorest person in the community.

The Valley City Building and Loan Association was organized in June, 1876. The first Board of Officers was: S. C. Bever, President; C. J. Ives, Vice President; George W. Bever, Treasurer; Charles E. Heath, Secretary; James Morton, G. W. Bettesworth, Auditors; Blake & Hormell, Attorneys. All subscribed for in a single year constitute a separate series, which will be wound up and the profits divided in eight years. After eight years from the date of organization, there will be a series wound up and another one commenced each year. The officers remain as at the beginning, except that, A. H. Spangler is Secretary, vice C. E. Heath, resigned. G. W. Bettesworth has retired as one of the Auditors, which place is filled temporarily by George W. Bever. The organization is in good hands and cannot fail to be successful.

Cedar Rapids Building and Loan Association. Organized and began business May 1, 1874. The first officers were: W. W. Walker, President; P. Mullaly, Vice President; Peter Martel, Treasurer; Charles E. Heath, Secretary. The association has been quite successful since the organization, with a large list of shareholders pretty equally divided between the two classes necessary to the prosperity of such associations, viz., borrowers and lenders. Many persons depending on their daily labor for support have been enabled by their connection with this association to secure a homestead for their families. The shareholders have made their fifty-first monthly payment. At the end of eight years from 1874, the assets will be divided pro rata among the shareholders. At that time it is expected that the shares will be worth $200, $96 only having been paid in per share.

The funds have been well managed so far, and there is no reason to doubt the ultimate realization of the plans of the founders. The officers remain the same as at the beginning, except that E. F. Pomeroy was elected Secretary in 1876, and continues in that capacity.

INSURANCE COMPANIES.

There are two insurance companies in the city. The Farmers' Insurance Company is the oldest, and has been in operation since 1860. In insurance circles it is considered one of the safest and best managed companies in the State. The first officers of the company were: S. C. Bever, President; L. Daniels, Vice President; O. V. Munn, Secretary; A. C. Churchill, Treasurer. The Company has always paid its losses promptly without unnecessary delay in adjustments. It insures only farm property and detached dwellings, and hence is not liable to extraordinary losses through extensive conflagrations. The capital stock of the Company is $100,000.

The present officers are: J. H. Smith, President; Adam Perry, Vice President; J. B. Henderson, Secretary; J. W. Henderson, Treasurer.

The Cedar Rapids Insurance Company was organized May 18, 1878. The Directors are: E. L. Mansfield, President; D. A. Bradley, Vice President; W. D. Watrous, F. J. Upton, J. R. Kinney, George A. Lincoln and Anthony Sulek. A. H. Spangler is Treasurer; J. A. Perkins, Secretary, and E. S. Hill, General Agent. W. D. Watrous, C. W. Burton and G. A. Lincoln constitute the Executive Committee. The paid-up capital is $25,000. Farm property and detached dwellings only are insured. The Company is composed of thoroughgoing business men, representing a large aggregate capital. In such hands the success of the enterprise is assured.

IOWA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

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The first Annual Fair of the State Agricultural Society held in Cedar Rapids took place in September, 1871. The State Fairs have been held here annually ever since, with the exception of the years 1874 and 1875, and it will be held here again in September of this year. The grounds are located to the northeast of the city limits, and comprise sixty acres of land inclosed with a tight board fence eight feet high. The inclosure contains all the necessary buildings, which are large, convenient and well arranged for the purposes intended. The grounds are tastily laid out with beautiful drives. rich carpet of grass prevents the radiation of the sun's rays in the hot afternoons, while numerous native forest trees cast their grateful shadows and afford protection from the sunshine and storm. Ample provision is made for the many hundred domestic animals, of the highest and best breeds, which are annually on exhibition here. The race track is half a mile around, and is the best one in the West, according to the testimony of horsemen. The amphitheater will seat eight thousand people. The grounds as a whole are not exceeded anywhere in the West. It is not improbable that the fairs of the State Society will be held here for many years to come, as it is not probable that any other locality will be willing to prepare grounds and buildings which would compete with these for the accommodation of the State Society. A local society owns the buildings, being entitled to a certain percentage of the annual receipts.

When the State Society first decided to hold the fair there, it was in debt considerably. Three fairs were held here, at the end of which time the debt was cleared off, and a handsome sum graced the treasurer's box. After two years' trial elsewhere, the society came back to Cedar Rapids in 1876, with an empty treasury and in debt. Two fairs here have put the society on its feet again financially. These are strong reasons why the fair should be kept here for several years to come.

WHOLESALE INTERESTS.

Hardware. The wholesale hardware house of Jones & Eaton is one of the largest in Iowa. The business was originally established in 1859. The present proprietors succeeded H. S. Camp & Sons in 1869. They are located in Merchants' Block, 48 Iowa avenue, occupying a large building of three stories. They do a general shelf and heavy hardware business, carriage and wagon stock. iron, nails and steel, in which their sales aggregate more than $100,000 annually. Their sales are west to the Missouri River, and north to the Minnesota line.

E. K. Larimer established his hardware house in 1869, and is at present located on Commercial street, near Eagle. Mr. Larimer does a general wholesale business in wagon and carriage material and blacksmiths' goods. His sales are in Iowa, Nebraska and Southern Minnesota.

Wholesale Grocers.-The wholesale house of Cook & Frick was established in 1857. They are located at 92 and 94 Iowa avenue, adjoining the railroad depot, occupying three floors, and deal extensively in all kinds of grocers' stock. Their sales are principally in Iowa. Their business amounts to nearly $400,000 per annum.

The wholesale house of A. C. Keyes was established in 1856. It is located on Commercial street. He does a general grocery business. Their sales are in Iowa.

Wholesale Furniture.-The Chicago Furniture Company established itself in Cedar Rapids in July, 1877, and does a wholesale business in furniture and upholstering goods. The sales of the company are principally in Iowa. The company are located on Iowa avenue.

Wholesale Clothing.-The wholesale clothing house of A. Levi & Son was established in 1873. They have been doing a retail business since 1868. Their manufactory is in Philadelphia. The sales of the house are in Iowa. They are located on No. 30 South Commercial street.

Wholesale Notions.-Braum & Jones, successors to Bennett & Jones, dealers in wholesale notions, furnishing and fancy goods. The business was originally established in 1872. The present proprietors have carried on the business since 1875. Their sales are in Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. They are located at 10, 12 and 14 Eagle street.

Wholesale Hats and Caps.-The wholesale house of Lyon, Tomlinson & Co. was established in 1870. Was first located on Commercial street, under Brown's Hotel, and has since removed to 46 Iowa avenue, and are at present occupying 56 and 58 Iowa avenue. They do a wholesale business in hats, caps, gloves and mittens. The building which they now occupy was erected by Mr. Lyon. Their sales are in the States of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas and Dakota Territory. They do a business of over $100,000 per annum.

Wholesale Druggists.-The wholesale drug house of George Haman was established in 1854 or 1855, by J. P. Conkey, but the business was purchased in 1858 by Mr. Haman, who deals in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, glass, etc., his sales extending throughout Iowa. He occupies two stories of a brick building located on South Commercial street (No. 5), and is at present doing an extensive business.

Wholesale Boots and Shoes.-The wholesale house of A. B. George & Co., located 37 and 39 Eagle street, consists of A. B. George and C. B. Weeks, of Cedar Rapids, and J. Durgan & Son, of Boston. An immense stock of goods of every description in the boot and shoe line is kept on hand. Their sales are in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Dakotah Territory.

Wholesale Leather, Etc.-B. F. Howland, wholesale dealer in leather, saddlery hardware, shoe findings, horse brushes, whips, lashes, plastering hair, etc.; also manufactures collars, saddles, leather fly nets, etc. Mr. Howland also deals in hides, furs and pelts. The business is located at No. 14 North Commercial street, and was established in 1862. Mr. Howland's goods are sold in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Dakotah Territory, and the sales amount to over $125,000.

W. S. Bradley & Brother, wholesale dealers in leather and shoe findings, are doing business at No. 13 Union Block, occupying two stories and the basement. They are handling leather findings, belting, packing, hose and everything pertaining to the business. They are also doing a good business in hides and pelts. Their sales are in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Dakotah Territory, the business exceeding $100,000 per annum.

Wholesale Saddlery Hardware.-The wholesale house of John Thomas was established in 1866, and occupies a three-story brick building, owned by himself, at No. 49 Iowa avenue. The business consists of saddlery hardware, leather, saddles, horse collars, whips, nets, carriage trimmings, hides, furs and pelts. The sales are made in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Dakotah Territory, and amount to from $125,000 to $145,000 per annum.

Wholesale Tinware.-Billings & Robyn, manufacturers of and wholesale dealers in plain tinware, pressed and japanned ware and table glassware, rags

and metals. The business was established a number of years ago by Mr. Billings. William Robyn became a member of the firm March 14, 1878. The business was removed from the old quarters in October, 1877, to the present new and commodious rooms in the Waterhouse Block, adjoining the Grand Hotel, on Iowa avenue. The gentlemen are also engaged extensively in the sale of "Charter Oak" cook and " Crown Jewel" heating stoves.

Wholesale Crockery.-The wholesale crockery house of Thomas Z. Cook was established in 1861, by D. A. Bradley. Mr. Cook purchased the business July 1, 1864. A. S. Lawrence was admitted as a partner in March, 1878. They import China and crockery direct from England and France, and deal largely in table, glass ware, cutlery, silver and plated ware, lamps, chandeliers and house-furnishing goods generally. The sales extend to the Nebraska line on the west, into Minnesota on the north, and some distance south and east. Mr. Cook occupies the first floor and basement of No. 42 Iowa avenue, and keeps an immense stock on hand.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

The natural advantages of Cedar Rapids are not excelled by any interior city of this State. Situated upon a stream whose capacity as a water-power is practically limitless, it affords opportunity for manufacturing establishments on the most gigantic scale. The rapids are the first encountered on ascending the river. The nature of the factories must be in consonance with the products of the region or the demands of the local or Western trade; but these are requirements incident to every profitable investment. The section within the natural area of supply-calling Cedar Rapids the center-is vast, and can be furnished with manufactured products more cheaply from this point than from a city more removed. So far, the money expended has been judiciously placed.

Railroad connections are made with all localities, and shipping facilities are of the best character.

Schools and churches are conducted on so liberal a plan as to afford every advantage in an educational and denominational sense.

The country, for miles around, in every direction, is fertile, and is capable of producing vast quantities of such raw materials as are needed in successful manufacturing enterprises in a prairie country. The future of Cedar Rapids is solely measurable by the spirit of the citizens.

T. M. Sinclair & Co., Pork Packers.-The most important business interest in Cedar Rapids, and the largest interest of the kind west of Chicago, is the pork packing house of T. M. Sinclair & Co. It is acknowledged to be the fourth largest packing house in the world. The business was established in 1870 by John and T. M. Sinclair, the former residing in New York City. The establishment was removed to its present position in 1871. The main building, or curing house, is 132x250 feet, a portion of it three stories and a portion four stories high. By use of refrigerators, or, perhaps, more properly speaking, the conversion of the immense structure into an ice house, the curing process is conducted during the entire Summer months with the same facility as in Winter. Additions have been made yearly during the several years that the company have occupied their present site, until it gives that locality the appearance of a village of no mean pretensions. Everything is most perfectly systematized. The buildings are all substantial structures, either of brick, stone or wood, and the machinery of the best and latest-improved kind. A Corliss engine is used. The boilers, etc., were purchased from the Clinton Boiler Works, Clinton, Iowa. The institution covers an area of sixteen acres. Side tracks and switches of