The Shelby Democrat
February 13, 1879
VOL. 1; No. 37
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from the article, SMILING
SHELBYVILLE!
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This firm is composed of John P. C.[?] Michelsen, Jr. and
Thomas A. H. Maholm.
Mr. Michelsen was born in 1853 in New York City. His parents moved to
Cincinnati, where John learned the barber's trade under the direction of his
father. When fourteen years old he went to New York and was in the employ of
Duhme & Co., jewelry dealers, for five years. He came to Shelbyville in
November, 1872, and commenced work for Mike Posz in the latter's barber
shop, on Harrison street, next door to John Leefers' drug store.
At the end
of one year he bought the shop of Mr. Posz. Soon after, his father came from
Cincinnati, and in a short time purchased the shop of his son, who then
opened a shop immediately across the street from his old location. He
continued for himself until February 18, 1869, when a partnership was formed
with Mr. Maholm.
Thomas A. H. Maholm was born in the city of Shelbyville, in the year 1854.
When eleven years old he worked two years for Jasper Sprague in the stave
factory. He then learned the barber's trade under Mike Posz, in whose
employee he was for four years. In 1872 he went to Richmond, Indiana, and in
the early part of the year following returned to this city. He again worked
for Mr. Posz until the fall, when he went to the State of Michigan. From
there he went to Kenton, Ohio, and in December, 1873, opened a shop in that
place. In April, 1876, he went to Philadelphia, and in November of the same
year returned to this city. He purchased the shop owned by Richard Thrall,
and has been in the business ever since. On Feb. 18, 1879 the partnership
between Messrs. Michelsen and Maholm was formed, and the shops owned by each
consolidated. They pride themselves on their tonsorial skill, and claim that
they can "trim" a man's head up in better style than any other artist
in
this city. They keep everything in the best of order, their razors are of
the sharpest and towels the cleanest in the city. If you want a good, easy
shave, a scientific hair cut or a clean shampoo, give the boys a call. Remember the location, east side of Harrison street, three doors north of
the Public Square.
Next biography in the "Smiling
Shelbyville" newspaper article, Dr. Rice's Dental
Office.
Contributed by Jeanne Surber
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
John Michelson
was born in New York City, July 8, 1853. Removing to Cincinnati at the age
of eight, he secured a good education in the schools of that city.
Choosing the calling of tonsorial artist, and coming to Shelbyville in November,
1872, he has since been proprietor of one of the best equipped barber shops in
the city. It is worthy of remark, that his father was at the time of his
death at the age of 74, one of the oldest barbers of this country, having
pursued that calling for 64 years. Mr. Michelsen was married to Miss
Mellissa Little in 1879. They have two children, both boys. He
is a Knight of Pythias.
From an unidentified page in the Family Files of the Shelbyville-Shelby County
Public Library.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
Biography Index