This business was established by J.W. Morton in March 1901, in a store in the Northern Hotel block and in July following moved to their present location in the Fairman Block at the southwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Maple Street. In October 1904 a partnership was formed with Harry Ladner and business has since been conducted under the firm name of Ladner & Morton.
These gentlemen carry a very large and complete line of up-to-date clothing, making a specialty of the celebrated W.G. & B. clothing, gent's furnishings, hats and caps, men's shoes, trunks and valises. In fact, it is frequently asserted that theirs is a store for men. Their stock is extremely well assorted, embracing al of the latest styles of everything in the lines mentioned and by courteous treatment and careful consideration of the wants of thier customers they have succeeded in building up a business which is a credit both to themselves and the city of Big Rapids.
Harry Ladner was born on a farm in Mecosta Township, November 9, 1866, receiving his elementary education in the district schools of that township. He was married in October 1891 to Miss Margaret Brack, and they continued to reside on the farm until the fall of '92 when he entered the Ferris Institute, taking a course in shorthand. After leaving the institute he entered the employ of a firm at Rhinelawnder, Wisconsin, remaining with them one year. For the next ten years he was in the employ of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, being located at Chicago, Battle Creek, Port Huron, and Durand. In the fall of 1904 he came to Big Rapids and entered into the partnership as mentioned above.
James W. Morton was born in Orleans township, Ionia county, Mich., August 6, 1859, where he lived until 17 years of age, then clerking three years at Howard City and three more at Ionia. The next ten years he spent as traveling salesman for a Rochester, H.Y. clothing manufacturer. For 14 years he has been engaged in business for himself in Hoiward City and Big Rapids. Mr. Morton was married in 1883 to Miss Hattie B. Quick of Howard City.
