Excerpt of the book "Writer and Engraver's Picture of Graham County's Progress Since Its Organization" (1906)

Newton Wetzel

(pages 41-42)

One of the most reliable and progressive business houses in Hill City today, is the hardware and implement house belonging to Newton Wetzel.

Reliable and progressive are excellent watchwords and denote many things-ambition, desire to please and energy. This establishment is built upon such a foundation and is bound to prosper. One thing certain, there is no mercantile house in Hill City of more direct importance from a commercial point of view to the farmer. It has been the policy of this house to handle good articles and to avoid selling inferior goods.

This store is one of the largest in town, having three store rooms, and a fifty by twenty storage shed for implements.

Mr. Wetzel bought this stock from Mr. Rowe two years ago in February, for a consideration of $10,000. The store may be divided into four departments, implements, wagon and buggies, harness and hardware. A tin shop is maintained in connection with the store. Four men are employed regularly, with extra help during the implement season.

This store is enjoying increasing trade which goes to show what a man of energy nerve and industry is capable of doing.

Newton Wetzel is a native of Pennsylvania, it was in that state that he received his education grew to manhood and was married. Some sixteen years ago Mrs. Wetzel died, leaving Mr. Wetzel with four children, the youngest a boy only a few months old.

In 1896 Mr. Wetzel brought his family to Graham county and for eight years lived on his farm near Bogue.

In February, 1904 when he bought the hardware store he moved with his family to Hill City where they have since resided. The youngest son, a boy of fifteen met a tragic death last November, leaving but three children, two at home and the other married and living on a farm near Bogue.