Autumnal Styles of 1924

Autumn is officially here! With cooler weather, people of the Quad Cities prepare to partake in festive autumnal activities such as visiting fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards. When we think of this seasonal change, we think of warmer clothing such as scarves and coats to keep us cozy while we enjoy autumn.

We are taking some time to look back to the fall of 1924 to see what types of clothing the women were shopping for. The Daily Times has a host of advertisements for the stylish ladies of the mid-1920s to peruse while updating their wardrobes.

We found some interesting advertisements to share with you in this blog. Our 1924 Polk’s Davenport City Directory listed these businesses under “Ladies’ Ready-to-Wear” or “Milliners and Millinery Goods”.

The Bee Hive was located on the southwest corner of Second and Brady Streets. Its proprietor was Joseph Deutsch. They had ladies’ ready-to-wear, cloaks, suits, and millinery. “Ready-to-Wear” clothing came in standard sizes and did not require alterations. This is the type of clothing most modern people wear.

Joseph Deutsch was born on November 23, 1876 in Davenport. In 1924, he lived at 2116 Main Street. He married Ida Edith Rothschild on January 4, 1904 in Davenport. He passed away on June 14, 1947.

The Bon Ton Expert Milliners is located at 101-107 East Second Street or the corner of Second and Brady Streets. It was owned by S. Langbein.

Grossman’s or Grossman Brothers Cloak Company was at 122 West Second Street. Its manager was W. A. Wilson.

Scharff’s was located at 207-209 West Second Street. It was formerly known as Newman’s. Its proprietor was Herbert E. Scharff. It was labeled as “‘A Shop for Ladies.'”

Herbert lived at 2502 Ripley Street with his wife, Carrie. Herbert was born on December 15, 1886, in St. Louis, Missouri. Herbert married Carrie Mayer on January 26, 1913. They had two daughters named Madelyn and Carolyn. He passed away on May 11, 1959.

Klein’s was located at 119 West Second Street. They were touted as ladies’ and men’s outfitters. Its manager was Mark A. Klein.

Mark Adolph Klein was born on March 15, 1886. He was married to Hermine and they had three children, Marvin, Herbert, and Evelyn. He passed away on September 8, 1962 in Los Angeles, California.

Abraham’s was located at 111-113 West Second Street. It was owned by brothers, Hervin S. and Bernard M. Abrahams. Hervin lived at 2503 Fulton Avenue with his wife Marguerite. Hervin was born on March 4, 1894 in Campbellsburg, Indiana. Hervin and Marguerite had one daughter named, Janet M. Bernard lived at 2429 1/2 Brady Street with his wife Grace. He was born on July 7, 1891 in Campbellsburg, Indiana.

The M. L. Parker Company was located at the northwest corner of Second and Brady. It was known as “‘Parker’s Corner'”. It was listed as a department store in the 1924 Davenport City Directory. M. L. Parker was president, F. J. Schroeder was vice-president and A. E. Simmons was the secretary-treasurer.

M. L. Parker lived at 116 Hillcrest Avenue with his wife Christine. Martin Lavette Parker was born on April 17, 1856, in Fennimore, Wisconsin. On November 5, 1879, he married his first wife, Cora Jane Clark. She passed away in 1907. They had two daughters named Hazel and Marjorie. He then married Christine Kroeger Smith on June 10, 1908. He died on April 20, 1944 in Los Angeles, California.

Happy shopping this autumn!

(posted by Kathryn)