125 Main – Prairie Floral and Gifts / Stout Abstract / Ellendale Dry Cleaners

125 Main – Prairie Floral and Gifts / Stout Abstract / Ellendale Dry Cleaners

A photograph from about 1930 (see above) shows this building occupied by G.D. Stout Abstract Company and a law office. When Stout died in 1940 or 1941, his abstract business went into the hands of W.L. and Mebel Beggs Briley, who operated Dickey County Abstract out of the courthouse. Bob and Toni Bettings bought the business in 1961. In 1981 they bought the Baldwin building and their abstract company returned to Main Street.

The building was home to Ellendale Dry Cleaners in 1942 and was operated by John and Stella Ackerson. They ran the business for 17 years. Upon their retirement, they sold it to their daughter and son-in-law Betty and Erv Raymond. It continued under their ownership until 1975. Several other owners operated the dry-cleaning business there until it was closed.

Ray and Betty Schlenker purchased the building and started the Prairie Floral business. It continues today under the direction of Nola (Schlenker) Schweitz.