Charles Gierse

Charles Gierse was a Missouri-born tailor and cleaning businessman whose career extended from the early twentieth century into the 1960s. Born in Farmington on November 17, 1883, he entered the clothing trade at a young age and was operating a tailoring establishment in his hometown by 1907. On May 15, 1907, Gierse married Louise M. Schwaner of Fredericktown, Missouri. Their marriage was announced in the May 24 edition of The Farmington Times, which described him as the head of the Gierse tailoring establishment and a prominent young businessman in Farmington. According to his obituary, Gierse relocated to Poplar Bluff on April 1, 1914, establishing a cleaning and dyeing business at 410 Vine Street. His establishment offered garment cleaning, pressing, and related services, including the collection and delivery of customers' clothing. Early advertisements emphasized modern equipment, sanitary cleaning methods, and convenient service. Some identified the business as Gierse Brothers, although the complete partnership structure remains to be established. One of the most distinctive features of Gierse's early advertising was the phrase "The Name With the R." The slogan appeared in April 1914, when another businessman, Charles Giese, was operating a tailoring and cleaning establishment at 208 South Main Street. The two men had nearly identical surnames and offered similar services. Although the origin of the slogan has not been conclusively documented, it may have helped customers distinguish the businesses. In May 1918, a fire damaged Gierse's cleaning and pressing establishment in the Frank Building on Vine Street. Contemporary newspaper coverage reported losses of approximately $1,100, partially covered by insurance. The business subsequently resumed operations. A lighter glimpse into his working life appeared in November 1919, when a newspaper featured the aquarium at his establishment. Gierse reportedly kept approximately fifty goldfish in a large tank, prompting a discussion of whether fish sleep. In February 1924, Gierse moved into a newly constructed residence on North Main Street. The home, reportedly costing approximately $10,000, was subsequently identified as 1118 North Main Street. The 1930 census confirms Charles, Louise, and their daughters living at that address. Gierse continued operating his Vine Street cleaning establishment for several decades. His obituary reports that he sold the business in 1945, subsequently working with other cleaning and laundry establishments before retiring in 1963. His later years were marked by gardening and community interests. A 1969 newspaper profile described his efforts to grow flowers and vegetables for residents of the nearby Lucy Lee Convalescent Home. Charles and Louise celebrated their sixty-sixth wedding anniversary in May 1973. Gierse died at Doctors Hospital in Poplar Bluff on August 5, 1974, at age ninety. His funeral was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with burial in Old Calvary Cemetery in Farmington.