T. E. Yerxa Dry Goods

Goodman & Yerxa Groceries and Dry Goods

TE Yerxa Department Store

The store was founded in 1875 and was one of the first businesses on the block. The dry goods store was vital to the growth of Fargo, supplying groceries, crockery, textiles, boots, dry goods, and carpets. The name changed in 1882 when Goodman left Fargo. The brothers T. E and W. A. Yerxa ran the business together.[i]

W. A. Yerxa was one the first mayors of Fargo and held office from 1883-1885. He also served as the city's Treasurer for a time. In 1890 W. A. Yerxa moved to Mineapolis and his brother T. E Yerxa continued the business in Fargo. Unfortunately, the building the business was located in burned down in 1893.[ii]

Following W. A. Yerxa's move to Minneapolis his home was purchased his home and opened it in September 1897 as Sacred Heart Academy.[iii]

[i]NDSU Archives. “Yerxa Mercantile Store."https://library.ndsu.edu/fargo-history/.

[ii]NDSU Archives. “Woodford A. Yerxa."https://library.ndsu.edu/fargo-history/.

[iii]Helm, Merry. "Presentation Sisters." Prairie Public Broadcast.