Taken from a 1901 Supplement to The (Illiopolis) State Center Record
TRADE ADVANTAGES.
The inhabitants of Illiopolis and vicinity can find no possible excuse to buy outside of this market, for equal, and in many instances, superior advantages and opportunities provided by capital, experience and established integrity exist here, and some one or more of the foregoing requisites to satisfactory buying are usually wanting away from home The prudent have long since discovered that the great establishments of our cities, with, their large expense accounts high rents, salaries for an army of clerks, and other items of outlay, cannot, and do not as a rule, quote prices and offer values which the home merchant cannot duplicate and discount. The home merchant, knowing the tastes and desires of his customers, and with full knowledge of the in market's productions, is always in a position to secure for his patrons the article most satisfactory at honest prices. Besides, he has the advantages of cheaper rent, comparatively no outlay for clerks’ hire, and can quote prices bottom and bedrock, quality of course, being equal. Besides, the reputation of the home: merchant is his most valuable capital, this he must preserve, cost what it will. This fact alone, from a purely business standpoint, insists upon thoroughly honest methods for self protection and preservation. These facts should always be borne in mind. for no merchant of enterprise can afford and will not allow honorable competition to under sell him, especially, where he has the advantages of capital, knowledge, and experience to provide him with every known advantage and opportunity, The following sketches of some of Illiopolis’ business men have been prepared with care. No attempt has been made to either overdraw or exaggerate and credit, to where credit is due, has been given freely and ungrudgingly. The buying public will do well to consider the truths above narrated and confine their purchases to the merchants whom they know and by whom they are known and, who will, in the long run, save them money. “Hills far away look green” is an old saying but a closer view results in disappointment with nothing to compensate us for the loss of time or the fatigue of the journey to reach them.
The residence of George Ford in 1901