Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1907 — BRANCH & HAMILTON. [ARTICLE]

BRANCH & HAMILTON.

‘ In .important change in one of onr leading business firms took place . this weak. A. L. Branch, lor the past six years proprietor of the Rensselaer Coal and Feed Yard, has sold an interest in the business to L. H. Hamilton, former county superintendent, add the firm from now ou will be known as Branch & Hamilton. * Mr. Hamilton needs no introdne tion to onr readers, having been identified with the public school work of the county for the past ten years. Ho will have full charge of the office work of the firm, while Mr. Branch will have general supervision of the business. Mr. Branch started in business here six years ago atid has built up one of the largest businesses in the county. He first bought an interest in the wood and coal yard of J. H. Cox, later buying out his partner's interests and from that date the enlargement of the business has been rapid. The business was started at that time in the oldest building in the city, an old dwelling house built by Van Rensselaer, the founder of this city. The rapid growth of the business made a larger plaqt necessary and this building was moved to the rear and a new structure 52x80 feet was erected, and a grist mill, run by a 16-horse power gasoline engine was installed, to gether with all necessary machinery, and a feed store was made a part of the business. The firm now grinds all their own feed and also does enstom grinding for the public and also ships feed to all parts of Newton and*Jasper counties. The firm also carries a complete line of farming implements and to the firm has been entrusted the sale of the complete International line of binders, mowers, hay rakes, manure spreaders, wagons and gasoline engines. The sale on this line alone this year will amonnt to SIO,OOO. The firm also sells a car load a year of Oliver gang, sulky and walking plows, which have become very popular with the farmers. In order to enlarge the business Mr. Branch recently purchased the adjoining lot, which will be enclosed and used as a wood lot. • | This firm exchanges coal, feed or instruments for farm products, which is a great convenience to the farmers, and they also pay. from one to three cents a bushel above the market price for grain. Mr. Branch thanks his customers for their past patronage and the new firm solicits a continuance of the same and hope to be able to snpply the wants of many new ones. «