Denison Daily News
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TEMPLE OF TASTE
The Reward of Industry and Energy Seven years ago, in the month of December 1872, a young man stepped off the M.K. & T. train at Colbert Station, I.T., at that time the southern terminus of the great pioneer line. He carried a “grip” and was bound for Denison. The Infant Wonder in 1872 was still unborn, but “coming events were casting their shadows before.” The iron horse was heading for Denison from the south, as well as from the north, and there were millions in the “probabilities” of the future. The young man “footed” his way to Red River, crossed on the ferry boat and reached Denison in the “go as you please” fashion. The town presented a very uninviting appearance to one who had come to trade in the luxuries of life. There was nothing but labor needed in the new town. The necessaries of life were bringing fabulous prices, and there seemed to be no opening for the jewelry business. In 1872 a sack of flour was worth more in Denison than a diamond pin. A sugar-cured ham was better than a gold watch for an empty stomach. If a man could find a good bed he never asked for an alarm clock. A tin wash-basin worth more than a silver ice pitcher. These days were devoted to hard practical life, and not to luxuries or vanities. The young man who walked into the Infant Wonder, when it was a village in the prairie, and still isolated from the world, was Joseph Linz. He came to Texas as the representative of M. Goldsoll, a shrewd and practical merchant in St. Louis. Mr. Linz immediately opened up a small stock of goods on Main street, and met with flourishing success from the very start. The enlargement of his business rendered necessary several removals for increased accommodations, and he finally settled down in the commodious store under Nolan Hall, a part of which was occupied by A. Jacobs' dry goods establishment Early in 1879, when Mr. Goldsoll became involved in financial difficulties with the Broadway Bank, Mr. Linz, with characteristic enterprise, purchased the entire stock fro, the assignees, and launched forth with redoubled activity into business for himself. He dissolved partnership with the dry goods firm and removed to his present commodious quarters in the Muller block. His subsequent career is a matter of public notoriety. The opening days of his business met his highest expectations. By assiduous attention and fair dealing, by increasing energy and industry, he soon placed himself at the head of the jewelry business of the city. The firm of Jos. Linz & Bros. is now as well known as the city itself, and is synonymous with enterprise and success. Joe is an indefatigable worker, and it is to his own unwearied perserverance that he owes his good fortune. “Work like virtue brings its own reward.” His establishment in the Muller block is a credit to the city. It is filled with a beautiful assortment of the innumerable articles that go to make up a first-class jewelry establishment. He carries an extensive collection of artistic and useful goods in every style and quality, including watches in every style and quality, from the lowest price that a fair watch can be made for, to the most elegant and costly that are produced by the best manufacturers. His stock of diamonds is complete with ear rings, lace pins, finger rings, shells and lockets in endless variety. Rich jewelry necklaces and pendants, sets, Roman and enameled bracelets. Cameo rings and sleeve buttons. Sterling silverware and a large assortment of table cutlery. Fine French and American clocks and bronzes. Also a fine selection of gold-headed canes. Mr. Linz is assisted in the store by his two brothers, two agreeable le and courteous young gentlemen. Mr. Ferdinand Wilhelm, a gentleman of European reputation, superintends the repairing department. The electric clock displayed in the window is his handiwork. Mr. Linz enjoys an extensive patronage among the Indians in the Territory, who live along the line of the M.K.&T. He has also a contract with the M.K.&T. railway company to keep time pieces and speed indicators in running order, between Denison and Parsons. The motto of Mr. Linz is duty first, pleasure second. Many a young man fails in business by inverting the above simple maxim. No one grudges Joe his good fortune, because he has earned it legitimately, by his unwavering and steady attention to business. His establishment is now the leading one in North Texas, for diamonds, watches and jewelry, and is growing in favor every year. Biography Index Denison History Copyright © 2024, TXGenWeb. Grayson County TXGenWeb |