Brace Owings (1894-1982), a veteran news professional who had worked in both California and his native Jasper County, arrived in Chariton during January of 1939 as the newly hired editor of The Chariton Herald-Patriot. He was in his mid-40s at the time and accompanied by Mrs. Owings --- Laura.
Berry F. Halden, his predecessor, had been on a leave of absence since the previous October, when he joined the staff at Republican state headquarters in Des Moines. He then resigned to accept the position of secretary of the State Executive Council.
Twenty years later, during January of 1959, Owings looked back from behind his Chariton Newspapers desk in an editorial published on the 22nd. That piece offers a snapshot of Lucas County's county seat as it was when Owings arrived.
More than 60 years later, Chariton seems almost another country --- but many of the names are familiar. See how many you recognize.
The photo was taken during 1955 as Owings, an exemplary Rotarian, was distributing literature before supper during that organization's party at the Ilion, or Mallory's Castle --- an anniversary celebration for Rotary and a community good-bye to the grand old house, demolished later that year.
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It was in January, 1939, that your Herald-Patriot editor joined the Chariton Newspapers. After this many years, we feel privileged to do a bit of looking backward ...
The Chariton Wholesale Grocery was operated by Dan and Perry Cunningham and Spencer Williams and bore little resemblance to the great enterprise that it has become under Hyde & Vredenburg.
The former Chariton Wholesale building is now occupied by the Bob Stone Cordage Co., operated by Bob and Keith Stone, who have made the firm the leading twine importer in the nation.
There was no Ryan Cable-Layer Co., selling its products over the nation and in foreign countries; no E. & D. Vault Co.
Combs Advertising covered only a small part of the area it now services; the Johnson Machine Works was a small firm of skilled men but its national reputation was still to be achieved. There was no Gross-Galesburg Co., or All-Wear Manufacturing Co.
The Curtis Broom Co., Chariton's oldest industry, was manufacturing its products, but Curt Yocom had not begun his food distribution firm, nor had the Engebretsen Game Farm started selling its game birds throughout the United States.
the Lucas County Co-op Creamery was flourishing, but dial phones were not to reach Lucas County until 1957.
In the business field, Ellis Foster at Spurgeon's, Fred Risser and Lester Smith at the First State Bank, Elmer Gookin, Ralph Van Dyke and A.R. Hass at the National Bank, Art Schuholtz associated with Harry Thomas, Chas A. Rowe and Harold Brightwell in the jewelry stores, Hugh Brown in the shoe filed, Harold Mann at ISU (Iowa Southern Utilities), now company president.
Bob and Arch Jones, Tom Nutt and R.L. Hopkins were all in the Rexall store while J.B. Roush was associated with the Roush Drug. Floyd Patterson had just moved to Chariton to take over the Ben Franklin Store, Jerry Gerbracht was operating the Ritz Theater, Aaron Lewis owned the Chevrolet garage, Chas. A. Fluke operated "Fluke's," now Young's. Jerome Oppenheimer operated a men's clothing store and R.E. Larimer operated the Chariton Loan and Investment Co.
Of course the recently retired Charles Ensley and the Tuttles were operating hardware stores, D.L. Smith & Co. was located at Williamson. The Dunshees operated a funeral home and hardware store.
Will D. Allender was operating the newspapers; John Baldridge had moved to Chariton a few months previously. Bill Eikenberry had taken over the lumber and feed business under the eye of his father, Wm. Eikenberry, and Frank Manning.
Businessmen of today who were operating then include Joyce Klepinger, Bob Piper, Robert Crozier, Ron Levis, Harry Thomas, Earl Roush, Ralph Downs, John Miley, Mike Shragol and Mrs. Noel Cloud. Ross Stobbard was operating the Kemble Floral Co. then as now and the Central Savings & Loan had just been opened by Kenneth Threlkeld. Others were Harold Johnson, then owner of a filling station, Keith Gartin, the Threlkelds, C.E. Dunn, Verne Baughman, Renus and Luther Johnson.
A.B. and Walter Gookin were in the insurance business as was Bud Malone.
Burt Gittinger operated the west side drug store. In the professional field, Dr. A.L. Yocom, Dr. H.D. Jarvis, Dr. R.E. Anderson, Dr. Lazear Throckmorton and Dr. R.C. Gutch of today's medical doctors were practicing. Also in this field were Dr. C.L. Brittell and Dr. Delmar Sollis.
All of today's dentists were practicing 20 years ago, the only change being the late Dr. Edwin Stanton. The names of Richard Morr, Joe Kridelbaugh Jr. and William Stuart have been added in the legal profession while those of the late Steve Hickman, Joe Kridelbaugh and J.D. Threlkeld have been erased. Art Adams was manager of the telephone company.
Recollections particularly those that are rather hurried and come easily to mind, are always dangerous in that someone left out may be offended. We hope not as this list is by no means presented as a complete one.
In the civic improvement field there was no swimming pool, addition to the high school, athletic field, national guard armory, sewage disposal plant, no airport and there were far, far fewer surfaced streets and few new homes had been constructed during the depression years. Coal mining was an important county industry.
Our point has been made. Twenty years in a community sees a lot of change. To our surprise we find ourselves among the senior businessmen. There are few in the Rotary Club for example who hold a longer membership.
Most of the writer's working hours have been spent in close association with the merchants. Few communities have been fortunate enough to have such a fine, cooperative group right through the years. It's amazing how the promotional and progressive spirit of the group has been retained. It has certainly made the two decades a personal pleasure.
Father time holds the key to the number of years that this relationship will continue, but we know they will be tops, whatever the span of time.
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Owings continued as Herald-Patriot editor until 1970. He retired that year and moved with Laura soon thereafter to Anaheim, California. He died there during 1982 at the age of 88. Laura died during 1988. There were no children.
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