Thomassen Family Shaped Pella Mercantile History
The Thomassen family, early Pella settlers from Holland in 1847, built the town’s first mercantile operation in the Sjaardema apartments on West Washington. John Thomassen founded the store, with sons Guert and Gerrit later expanding into meat trading. Gerrit remained a central figure in Pella commerce for over five decades, dying in December 1919.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sjaardema
West
Washington
John Thomassen
Holland
Pella
Guert
Gerrit
John ‘Thomassen
Washington Street
Guert Thomassen
Gertit Thomassen
H. Neyenesch
Pella Pioneers Gerrit Thomassen and associates in early commerce
Gerrit Thomassen, known as G. G. Thomassen, started in publishing and editing Pella Weekblad and Pella Blade before launching Christian Herald. He later formed a general store with meat, groceries, dry goods and shoes, retiring in 1919. Henry De Wild, his partner’s brother in law, later sold out and moved to Mitchelville.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pella
Henry de Wild
Thomassen
mEee
Central College
Neyenesch
Pella Weekblad
Pella Blade
Christian Herald
Gerrit
G. G. Thomassen
de Wild
Mitchelville
IGA store reopens in new, larger building
Harold Thomassen known as Joker praises the new IGA store after four cramped months in temporary quarters. He says the move to the larger building solves space issues, allows better display of goods, and should attract more customers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harold Thomassen
IGA
Thomassen
Joker
Slumgullion Recipe From IGA Card
Tested recipe uses 4 slices bacon 1 diced onion 1 can tomatoes 1 lb ground beef 1 tablespoon American cheese dice bacon brown drain and onions then add beef brown lightly add tomatoes simmer half an hour sprinkle American cheese over top serves with biscuits or baking powder biscuits yields hearty meal per card from IGA.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ustetary
Tested IGA Corn Sticks Recipe Summary
Corn stick recipe uses Yecup corn mean with 1 cup flour and baking powder. Mix dry ingredients, add sour milk and egg, fold in melted fat, bake in a buttered bread stick pan until crisp and golden brown.
Old Fashioned Spice Cake Recipe Note
Melted SYD 1 8 cube baking powder 44 top soda 1 2 tsp cinnamon 1 2 tsp grated nutmeg. Put all ingredients in a bowl and heat briskly for three minutes. Bake in two small layer pans for 25 minutes or in a loaf for forty minutes. Frost with confectioners frosting made with butter.
New Equipment At Thomassen's Store
Thomassen's store adds new facilities including GE commercial refrigeration to keep vegetables and fruits fresh and ice cream hard and cool. Royal Candy Kitchen and Van den Berg Electric install a modern refrigerator for Royal ice cream and soft drinks, making the store up-to-date in every respect.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
IGA
General Electric
Royal Candy Kitchen
Vanden Berg Electric Company
IGA Promoters Define Their Independent Merchant Alliance
Promoters of the IGA system describe the Independent Grocers Alliance as an association of independent merchants formed to cooperate and gain the privilege of mass buying. They argue it aids small town merchants who otherwise face unfavorable competition and that the organization has justified its existence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
IGA
Independent Grocers Alliance
Exis Organized
Local IGA Stores Operate Without Chain Oversight
The article notes that IGA stores are not chain stores as there is no central managing head. Each local owner runs their shop independently with no overarching authority. The piece emphasizes local autonomy in store management and hints at broader coverage continuing on page four.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
IGA
Fire destroys Thomassen's IGA building on Feb 13 1930
Firefighters battled a major blaze at Thomassen's IGA on February 13 1930. The stock suffered heavy losses and reconstruction became necessary though insurance covered 2000 dollars. Firemen and bystanders aided early detection and prevented spread to nearby structures.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
IGA
Independent Colonists and the IG A Forefathers Claim
An editorial fragment argues that early colonists who staged the Boston Tea Party founded the IG A and that modern Americans retain the right to spend with merchants who serve their community. The piece stresses community ownership, tax payment, and support for local businesses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Local IGA Manager Ties 1928 Alliance to Family Groceries
The manager of the IGA store recalls joining the Independent Grocers Alliance in 1928 after entering the grocery business in 1919 with his sister Miss Mae Thomassen. The family operation has experienced steady growth through the years as it built on their late father G. G. Thomassen's interests.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
IGA
Independent
Grocers Alliance
Mae ‘Thomassen
G. G. Thomassen
Minute Meals Offer Quick Dining On Warm Days
The piece promotes Minute Meals as a time saving option for housewives on hot days, promising economical and delicious foods ready to be turned into simple meals. It stresses avoiding long kitchen hours and hints at ready to use open shelf products from G. A. with a brisk, porch friendly appeal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cambridge
G. A
Magle
Esa
Minute Meals for Warm Days at IGA Stores
Prepare now for warm days with Minute Meals. Visit IGA today to stock shelves with lucious fruits, tasty vegetables, cold and potted meats, cheese, salad ingredients and sandwich spreads for quick serving on porches and picnics.
Finding A Place To Do Business After A Fire
After a fire wrecked a building in Pella, owners faced finding space. Art Van Roekel of Pella Supply offered a garage east of the burned site, which was fitted up to house the IGA store and served as a temporary business location. Mrs Thomassen and Harold Thomassen faced the loss, while the Pella Supply stepped in to help.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thomassen
IGA
Pella
Harold ‘Thomassen
Leo Vande
Pella Supply Company
G. ‘Thomassen
Harold Thomassen
Art van Roekel
Dsh
Three Thomassen Sons Lead IGA Stores Across Iowa Towns
The Thomassen brothers Harold Ed and Paul run IGA grocery stores in Pella Tracy and Harvey. Harold later acquired full ownership after buying his father's interest in 1919. The three formed and remained with the Independent Grocers Alliance since 1928, continuing a family business tradition in Harvey and Tracy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
G. G. Thomassen
Harold
Paul
IGA
Pella
Tracy
Harvey
Harold Thomassen
Miss Mae Thomassen
Harald
J. H. Thomassen
Lew” Thomassen
Paul Thomassen
Thomassen IGA Store Celebrated in Cleanest City Feature
The Chronicle extends congratulations to Thomassen's IGA Store for occupying a modern building in Pel la, Iowa, tracing mercantile history back to 1847 with John Thomassen and G. G. Thomassen. Mrs. G. G. Thomassen and Harold share best wishes for continued success and happiness of all connected with it.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pella
Iowa
Thomassen
IGA
Thom
John Thomassen
G. G. Thomassen
Harold
The
Chronicle
Thomassens Make Up Large Family
The Thomassen family lists fourteen children born to G. G. Thorin. First wife Maggie Van Wyngarden produced six children, second wife Elizabeth Denergot eight. Names include Jean, Ed, Harold, Paul, Harvey, and many others. several spouses and locations such as Blooming, Ghatoro, Sidney appear in the fragmentary record.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
G. G. Thorin
Thomassen
Maggie van Wyngarden
Elizabeth Denergot
Tnen
Chile
Chilen
Jean
Blooming
Til
Ed Thomassen
Els
Mes Melsenbach
Sidney
Thomassen's IGA Store Opens After Fire Recovery
Thomassen's IGA reopens city after fire destruction with a rebuilt one story hollow tile brick store. Harold Thomassen manages the reopening with plans set by owner Mrs G G Thomassen and contractor Veenstra and Croll, targeting June 1 completion and a week of bargains.
New IGA Store Opens In Modern Lighted Building
The front entrance features Tange windows and Pella Rose screens, with the entire building brightly lit. A test room behind the refrigeration area will be available to the public after plumbing work. the stairway to the basement and dual east and south doors provide convenient access for shoppers. The store opened last Saturday for visits ahead of a grand opening Friday and Saturday with many bargains to attract old and new customers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hild ‘Thomassen
IGA
Fire at IGA Store Sparks Local Theories
Crowds at the IGA store scene on February 13 asked what caused the blaze. Residents speculated about arson and prior robberies, while authorities investigated a possible link to earlier criminal activity and surrounding tensions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
IGA
Tomato Toast with Cheese Gut Bread Recipe IGA
The IGA recipe outlines tomato toast with cheese on gut bread, detailing simple steps for assembly. It highlights using ripe tomatoes and cheese to create a quick melted topping, offering a budget friendly snack option.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Thomassens
Syd
Thomassen’s
IG. A
Herald, Ed
Independent Grocers Group
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!