Miles & Strevell

Miles & Strevell was founded in the winter of 1879. Earlier that year a young man named [[Charles Nettleton Strevell]] arrived with his family from Pontiac, Illinois, seeking a healthier climate. Charley's father was [[Jason W. Strevell]] who had been a lawyer, farmer and a hardware store owner in Illinois. Jason came from near Albany, NY home of the biggest hardware wholesaler in the 1850s, and he used these ties in the family hardware selling ventures. Charley's future brother-in-law, [[George M. Miles]], was already established there, and held a position as paymaster's clerk at old Fort Keogh after serving in the quartermaster company of his uncle [[Nelson A. Miles]]'s military campaigns in the aftermath of the [[Battle of the Little Bighorn]].  

Miles & Strevell was founded in the winter of 1879. Earlier that year a young man named [[Charles Nettleton Strevell]] arrived with his family from Pontiac, Illinois, seeking a healthier climate. Charley's father was [[Jason W. Strevell]] who had been a lawyer, farmer and a hardware store owner in Illinois. Jason came from near Albany, NY home of the biggest hardware wholesaler in the 1850s, and he used these ties in the family hardware selling ventures. Charley's future brother-in-law, [[George M. Miles]], was already established there, and held a position as paymaster's clerk at old Fort Keogh after serving in the quartermaster company of his uncle [[Nelson A. Miles]]'s military campaigns in the aftermath of the [[Battle of the Little Bighorn]].  

George and Charley decided to enter the hardware business, and to that end built a log store with a front of lumber and glass. On the roof was a large sign reading "Hardware and Stoves." Partner Strevell later acknowledged that the two young men had been rather "nervy" to set up in competition with such well-established firms as [[Broadwater, Hubbell & Co.]] and [[A. R. Ninninger Co.]], each of which was capitalized at about a quarter of a million dollars. All stock in trade arrived either by ox team, or by river steamer up the Yellowstone. On occasion, a curious potential customer would watch a delivery being made to the new hardware store, spot something he wanted, and buy it before it had even been unpacked. The Northern Pacific Railroad arrived in 1881, in the second year of the firm's existence. There were early adversities in the form of a flood (1880) and a fire (1884). In the fire, the building and stock of good were a complete loss, but the building was insured.  

George and Charley decided to enter the hardware business, and to that end built a log store with a front of lumber and glass. On the roof was a large sign reading "Hardware and Stoves." Partner Strevell later acknowledged that the two young men had been rather "nervy" to set up in competition with such well-established firms as [[Broadwater, Hubbell & Co.]] and [[A. R. Ninninger Co.]], each of which was capitalized at about a quarter of a million dollars. All stock in trade arrived either by ox team, or by river steamer up the Yellowstone. On occasion, a curious potential customer would watch a delivery being made to the new hardware store, spot something he wanted, and buy it before it had even been unpacked. The Northern Pacific Railroad arrived in 1881, in the second year of the firm's existence. There were early adversities in the form of a flood (1880) and a fire (1884). In the fire, the building and stock of good were a complete loss, but the building was insured.