Wednesday, October 20, 2010

OLD CD's

Not CD's with music.  How old can they be?  Mid-1980's?  No, we're talking about old Des Moines City Directories.  Then as now they were published by R. L. Polk and are stuffed with fun info.  In the 1911 edition occupations were listed alongside one's name, including occupations you don't see much anymore.  By browsing alone I found four people, including Ora B. Kinsell, who were wrappers at Younker Bros Inc.  They must have employed an army of them.  What on earth were they wrapping?  Margaret A. Corcoran's listing identifies her as a 'Corsetiere'.  At The Corset Shop, of course.  Then there's Chester L.Tish, Puncher at D M Bridge & Iron Wks. Clinton Taylor held the position of baggage man with the C R I & P Ry (Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railway)  Mrs. Emily Fike was an Osteopath!  Can't have been too many females in that profession in 1911.  It's all in the old City Directories, people.  Available at the Central Library, 1000 Grand Avenue.
Des Moines City Directories

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