Traer Men’s Clothing Firm Chronicle Through Generations
A historical account traces Traer’s men’s clothing business from 1878 start by John Steffen Sr. through Steffen & Bro. and McCutcheon partnership, to Reuman family leadership. It details retirements, World War II service, reorganizations, intermarriage, and ongoing family involvement in McCutcheon Reuman and Reumans’ Clothing, reflecting decades of local enterprise and community service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Grossell
Steffen & Grossell
Traer
John Steffen
John
Peter
Reuman
Steffen & Bro
John F. Steffen
Arthur J. McCutcheon
McCutcheon
Goldfield
Steffen & McCutcheon
Louise Steffen
Arthur McCutcheon
Peter Steffen
John Reuman
McCutcheon and Reiman
McCutcheon & Reuman
Reginald
A. J. McCutcheon
Reumans
Butchers Keep Meat on Table in Local Market History
When Merle and Marie Stoakes opened their meat market in 1966 they continued a line of local butchers dating back to Henry and F. C. Sieh and including Charles Vanicek Roy Hotzel Emil Chekal Jack Rowe and Joe Kutin who sold to the Stoakes. Merle’s experience spans Kutin’s shop a Dy-Sart meat dept and area farming since 1935. The pair lead a busy shop with groceries and a courteous staff earning praise for meat quality and friendly service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Merle
Marie Stoakes
Henry
F. C. Sieh
Stoates
Charles Vanicek
Roy Hotzel
Emil Chekal
Jack Rowe
Joe Kutin
Dy- Sart
Marie
Drive In Is New Traer Dairy Sweet Change Hands
Mike Rickard and wife Nancy purchased the Dairy Sweet Drive-In in Traer in April 1971 from the Dairy Sweet Company. Former managers Leslie Lawrence family operated the business here for years. They installed a new ice cream machine grill and fan and added a 16 by 30 foot addition on the north side seating about 40 people. Nancy Rickard teaches at North Tama Elementary and helps in the business.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mike Rickard
Nancy
Dairy Sweet Drive
Mike
Nancy Rickard
Rickard
North Tama
Farmers Mutual 96 Years Old in 1973
The Farmers Mutual Insurance Association, founded in 1877 by Crystal Township farmers, marks 96 years since its 1963 Traer office establishment. Once German language dominated, English became standard after World War I. Current officers include Merle Cavanaugh president and G Edward Wilson vice president, with Gerald Howard secretary treasurer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Farmers Mutual Insurance Association
Traer J
Crystal Township
Henry Thiel
Mr. Green
J. F. Lundt
Henry Voege
Charles Paustian
William Wiese
Eldon Wiese
Dysart
A J. Danker
Merle Olson
Irvin Moeller
David Martin
Martin
Farmers Savings Bank
Merle Cavanaugh
Reinbeck
G. Edward Wilson
Gerald Howard
Traer
Ivan Stansberg
Tama County
Crafts Shop Opens in Traer 1972
Mrs. Bonnie Elbert owns and teaches at Bon El Crafts, offering hobby and decorative materials for amateurs and pros. Grand opening occurred in September 1972 in Traer. The Elberts moved from Waterloo to run the shop in the former Gordon Smith building. Elbert is a retired Deere machinist and his wife is a former Artex instructor and hairdresser.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bonnie Elbert
Traer
Elbert
Waterloo
Gordon Smith
John Deere
Tracr Super Valu Keeps 18 Busy In New Building
Keith Cold bought the Dean-Wilson grocery in 1959 and remodeled the building to open a modern Tracr store. Ray Mundt joined as manager in 1962, became partner, then bought Keith Cold’s interests in 1972. The 1969 move to a larger site added a big parking lot and room for 18 workers now.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tracr
Keith Cold
Dean-Wilson Company
Dean
Keith
Robert
Dysart
Robert Cold
Ray Mundt
Tracer
Cedar Rapids
Cold
Super Markets Corporation
Ray
Consolidated Foods
Traer
Mundt
Super Value
Also Mentioned on This Page
Men’s Clothing Store
Myrna Reuman
Rey
Mary Reuman
Renee
Joan Dinsdale Reuman
Wolfecreek
John Mowery
Mowery
Mawery
Farmers Mutual
Mutual ‘How
Suc
Central Iowa
PCA
Elwood Larson
Marshalltown
Toledo
Arshalltown
Newton
Vinton
Iowa
Central
Credit Assn
Agnes Pusteoska Crandall
Joanne Finzen
Katherine
Judy Munat Burghart
Shelley Mundt Kucera
Doug
Steve
Paul and
Gert Altenhein
Second Street
Traer, Iowa
Traek
Whannel Truck Lines
Pete Whannel
Whannel
Peter Whannel
North Tama County
Murray
Mera Eee
Brie
Ostiv Bog
Astati
Avis Seus
Agus
Banetta
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!