For 33 years this residence was the home of Louis Charon, prominent Fort
Dodge merchant and his family. Built in 1905 at 1332 2nd Ave. N. it was
occupied by the Charons until 1938.
[Illustration: The Charon home
1332 2nd Avenue North]
Charon headed the Boston Store here from the time it was established in
1898 until his death in 1940 at age 69. He acquired the lot at the
northwest corner of Second Avenue North and Fourteenth Street early in
1905 and built the home that year.
The house has living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and large
hallway on the first floor; three bedrooms and bath on the second floor
and bedroom and storage room in the attic area. A large open porch
originally extended across the front of the house.
The Charons sold the house in 1938 to E. G. Sear. Presently it is owned
by Dr. John Sear of Alden. In past years the house was remodeled. Tan
colored shingles and green shutters were applied to the exterior walls
and the front porch was cut in half.
Charon was born in Germany and learned the retail trade there. He came
to the United States in 1892, lived in Savannah, Ga., for two years and
then moved to Sioux City where he was employed by Davidson Bros. store.
In 1894 he came to Fort Dodge and opened Davidson’s store. He continued
with the company until 1898 when he bought out the store and established
the Boston Store with Adolph Tuerke as his partner. The store then moved
to Central Avenue between Seventh and Eighth Streets.
As business increased, the need for larger quarters led to erection in
1914 of the present six-story Boston Store Building at 809 Central
Avenue. A disastrous fire in 1922 destroyed the interior of the store
but it was immediately rebuilt and enlarged.
Charon was married in 1902 to Clara M. Tuerke and they were parents of
three children, two sons and a daughter. Maurice Charon was associated
with the store for many years and was president and general manager.
Another son, Louis, was secretary of the corporation. Both were with the
store until it was sold in 1974. The daughter, Clara Louise, a twin of
Louis, is married to Herbert Horn and resides in Webster City.
In addition to his outstanding merchandising in the retail field, Charon
was active in civic affairs—was chairman of the Associated Retailers, a
director of the Credit Bureau and a member of the Iowa Association of
Retailers. He was also a member of the Fort Dodge school board and the
Chamber of Commerce.