Moses Blumrosen and his brother Bernard were born in Russian occupied Suvalk, Poland in the years 1862 and 1864 respectively. The brothers immigrated to the United States in 1872 and arrived in Manistique by boat in the spring of 1880. Hardworking and ambitious, they went into business selling clothing and dry goods. The Blumrosen’s first store was located on the future site of the A. S. Putnam drug store and was little more than a shack. Old timers claimed that the original store was built with lumber costing less than two dollars. Determined to become successful, they traveled to nearby communities peddling goods from their backpacks. Gaining a reputation for quality and honesty, their business grew and prospered right along with the booming lumber town.
Monthly Archives: December 2015
Rose Bros. Christmas Day Fire – 1906
Source: Manistique Pioneer Tribune, December 28, 1906, p. 1.
Barring the fire of 1893, Manistique was visited by the most destructive fire in its history last Tuesday afternoon in the destruction of Rose Bros. magnificent business block with its entire contents as well as the possessions of the numerous tenants occupying the flats above.
The loss is roughly estimated at $75,000 of which Mr. Rose’s share is $70,000.
The fire had its inception in the furnace room, and was not discovered until 2 o’clock owing to the fact that the store was closed at noon for the day. Mr. Pease, one of the tenants in the flat above the store discovered smoke issuing from the room occupied by E. W. Angell, and notified Mr. F. W. Dowker who also lived on the same floor. The Angell apartments were opened and it was ascertained that the smoke was coming from the store room. Judge Knox, another tenant, turned in an alarm. When the department reached the scene the store room was filled with dense smoke, making it impossible for the firemen to reach the cause of the trouble.
Harry Rose Opens New Store – Oct. 1903
Source: Manistique Pioneer Tribune, October 9, 1903, p1.
SUCCESSFUL OPENING
Rose Bros. big store was formally thrown open to the public yesterday morning and the mammoth building was inspected by more than 1200 ladies and gentlemen who heartily expressed their admiration for the store and the stock it contained.
Every visitor was presented with souvenirs. The ladies received pin trays and the gentlemen match safes. The local orchestra furnished music during the evening hours. The opening sale is continued today and, as yesterday, the store is thronged.
Rose Bros. Fire – Jan. 5, 1903
Rose Bros. Store, Corner of Cedar & Oak – Opened Nov. 1, 1900 and destroyed by fire, Jan. 5, 1903
Source: Manistique Pioneer Tribune, Jan. 9, 1903, page 1.
The Rose block, one of the largest buildings in the city was totally destroyed by fire at an early hour last Sunday morning, entailing a loss with the stock it contained, of nearly $60,000.
The fire, which without question had its inception from the furnace in the basement gained great headway before it was discovered, and on account of the tardy arrival of the fire department owing to the delay in securing a team to convey the fire apparatus to the fire, the building and contents were a mass of flame before much water was thrown and as a result not a dollar’s worth of property was saved.