Mr. Pitney  is a native of Whiteside County. He came to Tampico early in life, and entered the establishment of W.H. Harrison, where he remained twelve years, gaining a thorough knowledge of the dry goods, and general merchandise business. At the end of that time he went to Blairstown, Iowa, and engaged in business, remaing there two years.

In 1901 he returned to Tampico, and purchased the stock of groceries, clothing and gents' furnishing goods owned by John Raynor.

In 1904 he added another large store room to his business equipment, and opened departments of dry goods, ladies' shoes, cloaks, suits, and furnishings, carpets, rugs, linoleums, queensware, and general home furnishings. These departments, as well as the original ones, have been gradually enlarged until they now represent most complete stocks of the various lines carried.

The business has steadily increased the patronage of the past year having been the largest in the history of the house.

During the coming season the store is to be equipped with new fixtures, such as new counters, show cases, display racks, stands, models, etc. which will make this one of the handsomest department stores in the county.

Mr. Pitney has ever been ready to do his share in promoting any enterprise which is to the benefit of the town or county, and his friends are legion.