Glimpses of the Past
April 26, 1876
The Ervin building has at last reached its destination, and is snugly sandwiched between P.O. Strand’s and Rogerson’s hardware store. It is to be occupied we understand by Dr. McLean as a drug store.
March 29, 1888
Dr. H.N Rogers has secured the services of a first-class Scandinavian pharmacist, who will arrive and take charge of his drug store about the first of next month.
October 27, 1898
Fred Best is finishing his new building on Main Street for Druggist A.J. McNaughton to use as a pharmacy.
April 12, 1906
H.O. Kongsgaard has bought the Smithe & Kidder stock of drugs. The business will be continued by the Kongsgaard Drug Co., incorporated, under the personal management of Mr. Kongsgaard, who was in the employ of Smithe & Kidder from the time they purchased the stock of Mr. McNaughton until they disposed of it. They retain the building and ice cream plant. The new firm will continue the advertising space formerly used by Smithe & Kidder and have a change therein this week, to which the attention of our readers is directed.
January 20, 1916
Helmer Hough has resigned his position in the Thompson drug store to resume his studies at the Marquette college in Milwaukee. He is succeeded by G. Vaughn Brainard of Durand, a full registered druggist.
December 10, 1925
Arnold Bertelson of Alma, a registered pharmacist, is employed at Fortun’s drug store. Rudolph Larson, head clerk at the store, will go to Minneapolis early next year, where he will attend school for few months before taking the state board examination for registered pharmacists.
May 9, 1936
H. J. Elstad has purchased the stock of the Kongsgaard Store Co. and will move his merchandise from its present location in the Isaac Nelson building and opened for. business in the Kongsgaard store today. He will also carry a line of groceries with the dry goods stock. R. A. Holtan purchased Kongsgaard’s line of drugs and has engaged Mr. Kongsgaard as druggist. Mr. Holtan will operate a drug store and sporting goods department in a portion of the building.
September 8, 1949
R.A. Fortun is making improvements to his drug store here, enlarging the back room by building on a 16- by 20-foot addition, basement and first floor.
November 24, 1959
Fortun Drug Store, purchased five years ago by Mr. and Mrs. J. Arthur Johnson, has been completely remodeled, the last work just completed. A soda fountain has been removed, giving room for additional shelving. A feature of the recent remodeling is the addition of a prescription case and counter, new general counters and a new island toward the front of the store.
September 2, 1982
Kenneth Colby has purchased Whitehall’s one and only drug store from J. Arthur and Elaine Johnson, who have operated the business here for the past 33 years.