A. A. CARGILL, merchant, Mason City; firm of Cargill & Swing, general merchants; Mr. Cargill is probably the oldest continuous resident and merchant of Mason City. He was born in Norfolk Co., Mass., Dec. 9, 1827; at 21 years of age he came to Chicago, where he located in 1849, at which time the above city contained a population of about 29,000. Here he was engaged in the millinery jobbing trade for three years, and in the spring of 1853, he went to Australia, returning in 1856. In the spring of 1857, he came to Mason Co., locating at Cherry Grove, and in June, 1858 he located in Mason City, and engaged in the merchandise trade, under the firm name of Woodward & Cargill, opening the first stock of goods brought to Mason City, and continuing under the above style some eighteen months.  Un 1864. Mr. Cargill associated with David Powell, in the above business, under the firm name of D. Powell & Co., this firm existed some seven years, during which time they purchased the corner and erected the building upon the corner now occupied by Cargill & Swing, which firm was formed in 1871, by the admission of F. M. Swing, in the firm under the above name. They carry a full and complete stock of dry goods, hats and caps, gents' furnishing goods, groceries, notions, etc. His marriage with Mary A. Phipps was celebrated in January. 1859. They were the parents of three children by this union, of whom two now survive—Chauncy W. and Harry C.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer