The first undertaking parlor in Elvins was a branch business opened up about 1897 by King Williams and Sons or brothers of Flat River, who had a general merchandise store, post office and undertaking business in Flat River at 347 West Main St. Mr. Joseph Diemer was manager of the branch. In 1899 Mr. Williams sold out the business in Flat River and the branch in Elvins was sold to Henry Rinke of Flat River who had or later had an undertaking parlor in Flat River. Mr. Rinke closed the business out and Mr. Diemer opened up one. In 1923 Mr. Diemer sold the business [to] Henry Rinke and Mr. Raymond Caldwell of Flat River, a son-in-law of Mr. Rinke, who took over as Manager. Later Mr. Caldwell purchased the business.
Mr. Politte Elvins, lawyer, practiced law and was in the banking business in Elvins. Mr. Elvins was the son of Jessie M. [and?] Telmah (Politte) Elvins. He was admitted to the bar about 1899. Born at French Village, Mo., March 16, 1878, Mr. Elvins was a Republican senator and committeeman in 1904 from this county and a member of Congress, 13th District, in 1909.
Mr. Don Hillard Cameron came to Elvins in 1903 where he assumed the position of editor of the Labor Herald. In March, 1910, the paper was changed to Mining Herald with Mr. Cameron as editor and manager. He was later editor or probable owner of the Lead Belt News of Flat River, Mo. Born at Woodville, Victoria County, Province of Ontario, Canada, 1878. He came to St. Louis, Mo., in 1902 and the following year moved to Elvins, Mo. In July, 1906, he was married to Miss Kate Langdon of Elvins. One of Mr. Cameron's residences was at 10 St. Joe St. in Rivermines.
Mr. Barton Hayes Boyer, lawyer, was located a short time at Elvins. He was elected prosecuting attorney in the county in 1909-1913 on the Republican ticket. He married Rosella White of Elvins. Later he made his home in Farmington, Mo.
The Bank of Elvins was organized in 1900 and was moved to Flat River, Mo., Dec., 1934 and the name changed to American State Bank. In 1908 the bank was located in Elvins where the Standard Service Station was later built, now facing Highway 32 on East and West Main St. and Front St.
Livery stables were once in Elvins. The first was owned by Mate Simpson who sold to Geo. K. Williams and Nob. It was located on the east side of the river near the bridge. The second livery stable, owned by F. K. Silsby, was located about where Smith Moyer lives and some say was sold to Delcoxe and Faulkner and others say to Halter to Sebaugh to Delcoxe.
Doctors who have been in Elvins: Dr. Butler, Dr. Reece, Dr. Perkins, Dr. Anthony, Dr. Whiteside, and Dr. Farrar, who later moved to Flat River. Dr. Anthony Whiteside, who specialized in ear, nose and throat later located in Flat River. Dr. Jones later moved to Flat River. Dr. Morris and another Dr. (J. E.) Jones later moved to Potosi, Mo., and later ran for state senator.
The last licensed saloon to quit business after county local option went into effect was Felix Dixon of Elvins at 12 o'clock, Dec. 23, 1915. His saloon was located at 200 E. Main St. The total vote for county local option in 1915 was 6003 with a majority of 447 dry. Mr. Dixon was known as "Battle Ax" Dixon.
Drug stores in Elvins were owned by: Joe Butts, in Silsby building; Ben Miller in Knights of Pythias building; Dr. Reece; R. Woods later purchased Dr. Reece's store; and J. C. House who had a store in Elvins about 1900 and was probably a one time mayor of Elvins. Mr. Houser's store in Flat River was destroyed by fire and he moved to Elvins and later moved back to Flat River.
The building known as the Knights of Pythias at 116 Short St. was built in the year 1906, some say Carr and Thompson and others by Politte Elvins. It is a two story brick building and was owned at one time by Dr. Edward Griffin, dentist in Flat River, and F. M. Horton, real estate man in Flat River, who sold the business to Mr. Henry McLane who had a grocery store in the building. The second floor at one time was used as a lodge hall and in 1963 contained apartment rooms.
Elvins Opera House was built by Joseph Smith of Elvins in the year 1906 and was located south of rear of the Carr building now known as the Silsby building at 100 East Main St., between Highway 32 and Short St. It was torn down in 1962.
Blacksmith shops that have been in Elvins were owned by Jack Halter on Highway 32, close to what is known as Gumbo Switch, Wilson Bell Shop, Charles McCabe Shop and the Frank Sutterland Shop on the east side near the river.
The Shannon Bottling Works was located in East Elvins along the Illinois-Southern Railroad, in 1908 on Block 3, Lot 9, owned by J. N. Shannon.
Elvins Cemetery was known as Hampton Cemetery. It was started as a private cemetery by Wade Hampton and was located near the Methodist Church.
The fire in Elvins in 1909 burned all the buildings on East Main between the Mississippi River & Bonne Terre Railroad and the river.
Some of the business firms in Elvins in 1934: Geo. W. Boswell, Insurance; Dr. Paul Jones; H. A. Miller Store; Miners Lumber Company; Missouri-Illinois Railroad station, east side; L. C. Skelton Store; Tlapek Grocery and Meat Market; Vogue Beauty Shoppe; E. E. Whiteside; Woods' Drug Store; J. A. Eye & Son Store and Lindy Hat Company, Inc.
(To Be Continued.)
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