Mustached Men Set All Type By Hand Fifty Years Ago
Fifty years ago The Gazette composing room showed a transition from hand setting to linotypes. Henry Hromek, longtime superintendent, recalls start in 1891 and the shift to linotype by 1927. The piece contrasts wages, workflow, and machinery with current practices and notes a steam engine powered operations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Linotypes
New
Evening Gazette
Henry J. Hromek
Gazette
All Gazette
Hromek
Harry N. Marshall
Marshall
A. C. Shireman
G Alley
Gazette composing room era and leadership details
The article recounts the Gazette composing room past from steam powered lifts to linotype upgrades in the 1890s, highlighting Hromek as chief operator and later machinist. It notes wages, staff, and the shift from flatbed to modern typesetting, with Marshall and Huson timelines and long tenures of Cowden Shireman and Dingman.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hromex
Cismar
Hromek
Gazette
Gazette Ad Alley
Charles D. Huston
Marshall
Ate
Shireman
Hromeks Otter
James F. Cowden
Mr Dingman
Notipe
R J Allen
Mr Cowden
the Gazette
Mr. Dingman
Kilian and Kilian Pioneer Department Store Rise
The story tracks Edward A L Killian and James in Cedar Rapids as they convert a Lincoln Nebraska venture into a Cedar Rapids department store on Third Avenue and Second Street building into six departments with a tea room. It notes growth from 20 staff to 275, annex addition, and longtime staff including Emma Sieben, William Lawrence, and Anne Brady, highlighting trust and community ties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Msm Jones
James Edward
A. L
Nebraska
Edward
James
Cecar Rapids
John H. Taft
First Avenue
Third Street
Cedar Rapids
3Rd Ave
Third Avenue Bridge
Waterloo
Beverpark Street
Killian Corner
Third Avenue
A L Killian
Norfolk
Cedar Rapids Company
Ans
Janes Kiwan
Fiaard Ard
L. Killian
Ner Arasneg
Sears
Emma Sieben
William Lawrence
Jassine Groff
M.L. Johns
E. W Funkey
Charles Ee
Anne Brady
Misses Gott
Max Janowsky
Nor
Kilian
Ly Mer
Gazette Is Real Factor In Lives Of Thousands Says Dr Murray
Dr A L Murray reflects on his editorial career at The Gazette Cedar Rapids and the paper’s role as a lifeline for thousands. He recalls editor freedom, loyal owners, and readers who shaped local culture while praising staff, rural solicitors, and reporters who made the paper vital.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
A. L. Murray
Harry Martret
Amw
Lesputoi
Stracius
Cedar Rapids
Harry Marshall
John L. Muller
Doc
James Faulkes
Verne Marshall
Pathe
Gazete
Chicago
Canada
Mexico
Cuba
Ane
Yoacee
Freland
G& Ut
The
Gazette Company
Minneapolis
A. J. Smith Built City’s Early Constructions Over 40 Years
Since 1891 A. J. Bert Smith started as a bricklayer and founded a prominent contracting company. The A. J. Smith firm has built or completed masonry for many major city buildings and residences, including the Cedar Rapids Gazette home in 1924-25. Sons Amos Carleton and Leland joined. Leland and Amos served in World War I.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
A. J “Bert” Smith
A. J. Smith
Macsonry
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Smith Company
Smith
Amos
Carleton
Leland
Earl Granger Among Early Marion Gazette Subscribers
Earl Granger, an early Marion Gazette subscriber, paid $6 for a renewal on Nov. 11, 1886, via a receipt issued to his son A. E. Granger, Marion postmaster. The record shows Granger had been taking the paper since 1884, with a 13 month lapse and one month still in arrears upon renewal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
Marion
Earl Graneger
A. E. Granger
The
Granger
Also Mentioned on This Page
Henry Hromek
Geo. Bradley
George Bradley
Otis and Post
Bradley
Republican
Ems
W G Young
E. G Elson
M. A Oxley
J. E. Morcombe
Sylvia King
Moulton
River Bank
Montieurs
RS Jericks
Henry J. Hrosek
de James Resn
AL C. Shireman
M. F. Dingman
Hndspe
Sewa Raw
BR. Richey
Wo. OC. Meyer
Mof. Harmon
L. W. Lawrence
John Womscks
Norma Kobh
Neemmais
GS. Pradky
Lome Rutvk
Sod
J. B. Frasher
Harlow F Robinson
Renry Geabling
Jn. Gente Co
J. Hemmer
Otto R. Gustafsson
Leon W. Flack
George Peacock
Chrk Schemberges
Mad Wo Spemere
Harald Smith
Byron Abbey
Weldon Kirc
J Vl Matwans
Chivier Siuens
Ver C
Pathfinder
Killian’s
Ord Avenue
New Boundzy Fs
Earl Granger
Ealt
Tns
Abe
UR Aten
Regent
Billie
Spike
Suedes
Oxfords
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!