Two Young Parents Take Risk; Find Their Bliss
In 1948 Fritz and Marjorie Arrowsmith took their 2 children Micheal 7 years and Margo 6 months and moved half way across Iowa with no car, $100 in the bank and $6500 in debt. The printer and former high school journalism student took on the job of reviving the weekly newspaper, The Solon Economist, that served Solon and its surrounds, including little towns, bigger cities and many farms.
Note: I am the 'little Margo' of this lens. Fritz and Marjorie are my parents. This lens is a tribute to them, for being the kind of parents, the kind of business people, and the kind of risk takers who made this country great. I was so happy to make this my first lens to honor them and to anchor other lenses about small business, the passion that I inherited from them.
September 22, 2008
Contents at a Glance
- The American Dream: Fritz Arrowsmith's Story
- The Girl Next Door Finds Her Prince
- Getting Down to Business
The American Dream: Fritz Arrowsmith's Story
How a Poor Country Boy with No Money Did It
Fritz Arrowsmith was raised in Bayard, Iowa and was considered poor in a poor community. Raised by his great-grand-mother, at age 7 he began his first endeavour, picking up coal from the railroad tracks so they would have something to burn in the stove during cold Iowa winters. He worked through high school, but also played (leather helmet) football and basketball. He could have had a scholarship to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes, but didn't have the $10 to register for school.He met Marjorie when they were both 18 and it was love at first site. They married 6 months later. Her brothers laughed. At each anniversary Orval would laugh and say, "You keep this up and I will have to admit I was wrong!" They were still holding hands on their 69th, just before Marjorie died.
He was too old to be drafted for WWII, but enlisted anyway. Marjorie worked in a factory, he was a bombardier who was stationed in New Mexico and trained others.
After the War they settled in Council Bluffs, Iowa, had their second baby and settled into a nice house with the help of the GI Bill. Fritz crossed the Missouri to work at a daily newspaper in Omaha.
But Fritz was restless and Marjorie was there to help him. They found an ad for a struggling newspaper in Solon, Iowa, a town of 200 people; found a banker who liked them enough to lend two inexperienced young people with no money $6500, what was then a lot of money, and off they went to make their dream.
The Girl Next Door Finds Her Prince
and Helps Create a Kingdom
Marjorie Byrd was the middle of five children. Her father worked for the railroad, which meant that during the depression, while she only had 1 skirt and two blouses for 4 years of high school, there was food on the table every day for everyone.
It also meant that they moved a lot and she was shy. She was 'woman athlete of the year' in one high school playing basketball, track and doubles volleyball. But she was shy and typically prudish for the day.
But when she spotted a grocery clerk who had all the good looks of a Hollywood star, making orange juice at the July 4, fireworks, she did something very out of character. She went up and said, "Too bad you don't squeeze anything besides oranges"
Good thing she did because he was shyer than she and although he had his eye on her, he would have never asked her out.
They were married 6 months later. She waited five long years for Micheal, then went to New Mexico with her husband during the war. It took seven more years to get Margo. Then she and her prince settled down in a nice house in Council Bluffs.
But her man wanted his own newspaper and when they found one they could afford and a banker who liked them, she picked up stakes with him and moved into a life of long hours, but satisfying work. She loved being a housewife, but considered herself Fritz's partner in all things.
She was a very creative woman who wrote columns and was the social secretary for much of the town of Solon, Iowa. She also made the dress you see in the pictures, with a daughter dress for Margo.
Good thing, however, that she and Fritz shared the housework, very unusual for the 1950's!
Give your module a title. Titles can only be one line, so keep it short
Marjorie Byrd was the middle of five children. Her father worked for the railroad, which meant that during the depression, while she only had 1 skirt and two blouses for 4 years of high school, there was food on the table every day for everyone. It also meant that they moved a lot and she was shy. She was 'woman athlete of the year' in one high school playing basketball, track and doubles volleyball. But she was shy and typically prudish for the day. But when she spotted a grocery clerk who had all the good looks of a Hollywood star, making orange juice at the July 4, fireworks, she did something very out of character. She went up and said, "Too bad you don't squeeze anything besides oranges" Good thing she did because he was shyer than she and although he had his eye on her, he would have never asked her out. They were married 6 months later. She waited five long years for Micheal, then went to New Mexico with her husband during the war. It took seven more years to get Margo. Then she and her prince settled down in a nice house in Council Bluffs. But her man wanted his own newspaper and when they found one they could afford and a banker who liked them, she picked up stakes with him and moved into a life of long hours, but satisfying work. She loved being a housewife, but considered herself Fritz's partner in all things. She was a very creative woman who wrote columns and was the social secretary for much of the town of Solon, Iowa. She also made the dress you see in the pictures, with a daughter dress for Margo. Good thing, however, that she and Fritz shared the housework, very unusual for the 1950's!
Getting Down to Business
Dreams aren't fantasies, they are putting the pedal to the metal.
But there were 18 hour days, 6 and sometimes 7 days a week. The first year was the hardest as they learned the business. Fritz had been a apprentice printer, starting out in weeklies for $3.00 a week. It was the depression then, and he was thrilled to have a job where he could earn a trade. Marjorie made $1.50 in the local grocery. Neither had any business training or experience in publishing a paper. But Fritz always wanted to be his own boss and Marjorie was a creative and social woman who enjoyed writing and getting out to meet people.
Fritz was publisher, Marjorie editor, with a weekly column. But when the crunch came, they both did everything, including selling advertising, the life blood of the business. Selling meant walking all through the town and taking buses to Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. You should know that Iowa winter were often below zero and they didn't even count the wind chill on the flat land in those days. They were tired, but happy.
Solon was a friendly town and they also managed to make some close friends and had lots of good times. Jim and Gina Wilson, remained close long after they left Solon and Whit, the principal and his wife, and Dr. Jean and her husband were in the social circle. Pot lucks were popular and when Fritz and Marjorie got the first TV, their apartment above the shop became a gathering place. They were also able to get away, with the kids, to the Sunday gatherings at the Wilson's Cedar River cabin.
Fritz Was the Chief Linotype Operator, but Marjorie Could Run the Monster Also
Fritz and Marjorie at the Linotype
This Monster Was the Greatest Innovation Until the Computer
As Margo, the daughter in the family, what I remember about it is the oft repeated phrase: "Don't touch the linotype!" I had access to the entire shop, but knew that this machine was especially important and not for little fingers and play.
In part 7, he introduces a character who lost his arm to the machine and tells us how the man ultimately triumphed, after a fashion.
Fritz Arrowsmith, at 91 Paints a History of the Newspaper Business
The hard work, the hardware, the rewards and challenges.
Note: See below for information on the surprisingly inexpensive and easy to use camera that I used to make these videos.
The Amazing Camera That Made These Videos
Inexpensive, Easy To Use.
The videos of my father were all made with with little gem of a camera.
Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (Black)
Amazon Price: $129.99 (as of 12/03/2008) 
Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Pink)
Amazon Price: $129.00 (as of 12/03/2008)
Flip Video Mino Series Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Black)
Amazon Price: $159.00 (as of 12/03/2008)
Any Purchase Here Will Contribute to Heifer International: The Pay It Forward Entrepreneurial Charity
It Took a Village
And Solon, Iowa Was Certainly That
Fritz and Marjorie's two children Micheal and Margo settled into the small town.Margo spent a lot of time in a playpen in the shop or (believe it) on the sidewalk while her parents worked. She slept, played with toys or was entertained by the townspeople or her parents who took breaks to be with her. Sometimes someone would just come and take her to the park. No one ever dreamed there could be any danger there. And there wasn't.
Michael was able to play any where he wanted around the town. It was small and everyone kept an eye on the kids.
As the kids got older, Margo was able to walk on the Main Street and go into stores. The post master would stop his work when she entered the Post Office to play for a little while.
It got a little harder for Michael. The dark side of mid century was that tolerance and diversification were not common values. As he got older, the kids realized that he was the only Protestant in a town of Catholics. There was a lot of teasing and some bullying. But he was a good athlete and found friends.
Throughout it all, Fritz and Marjorie, being their own bosses would stop whenever one of the children needed them. The kids grew up in and around the family business much like many of the kids on the surrounding farms. The town just offered more adults to fill in.
Fritz Gives Tribute to Marjorie
She Breaks Their Rule About Controversy
The Arrowsmiths wanted a paper that was just about local news. High school sports, store openings, neighborhood parties were the fair of the Solon Economist, Wilton Advocate and Durant News. The towns people and farmers needed, loved and used it to help knit the community closer.However in 1959, something happened that got Marjorie to change the long standing policy. Wilton and Durant were going to abolish girls' basketball! Enjoy Arrowsmith Printing video #5 where Fritz proudly talks about how she went into action!
The picture is of Marjorie in the uniform she wore for Perry High School in 1932. She was so passionate about the importance of girls' sports because she was an athlete long before Title 9, when female athletes were rare! She won part of her cause because she had become a very good writer.
Note: She played 3 court ball. In 1959 girls were playing 2 court. No one thought they were strong enough to play like the men. In video #5 Fritz puts that lie to rest!
Iowa: Great Place to Grow Up
And of course, like the farm kids, they were also put to work in the business as it became age appropriate. When the family moved to Wilton, Iowa to take over the Wilton Advocate and then the Durant News, the kids became more part. Michael went to football (or basketball or track) practice and to practice for the high school play, but on Wednesday nights he was at the shop helping to get the paper 'to bed'.Margo, 7 years younger, was sent to the local movie theater with 26 cents. This covered admission, a bag of popcorn and state tax. Years later, in another town and another business, she was also given jobs and the 'salary' of 50 cents and hour.
Thank you!
Thanks to everyone who helped make this the "Lens of the Day" 9/22/08! There are so many great lenses to choose from.
Dad was tickled and Mom would have been thrilled!
On 9/25/08 this lens hit #1 in Business and #11 overall on 10/5/08! Thanks so much!
The Solon Economist Today: Still a Family Based Business!
Kudos to Them for Maintaining the Integrity of the Paper
- The Solon Economist Lives!
- So many of the weekly local papers have become give aways, but at $25 a year for a subscription, the Economist still declares that it is worth paying for. And the real local news stories are the reason.
I know the townspeople love it, and Dad was so pleased.
Creating Business Energy
A Passion for Small Business and Social Conscience
You have an open invitation to visit my blog to discuss small business issues, including books, ideas for new businesses and much more!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byThe Greatest Generation
Fritz and Marjorie Were Two of the Best Examples
And of course, there is the book about the children of the Greatest Generation.
A Long Way from Home: Growing Up in the American Heartland in the Forties and Fifties
Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 12/03/2008)
Boom!: Talking About the Sixties: What Happened, How It Shaped Today, Lessons for Tomorrow
Amazon Price: $12.24 (as of 12/03/2008)
An Album of Memories (Tom Brokaw)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Legends: The Arrowsmith/Byrd Family Tree~
Enjoy other stories about the people who preceded Fritz and Marjorie. Add some of your own family legends.-
You are Cordially Invited to Share Your Family Legends
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Years ago a guy I was dating told me the story of his uncle who had a shrunken head of a Nazi soldier that he brought back from WWII. He was very proud of his uncle, so I was gentle when I told him that that couldn't be true. In the first place even...
Fritz Would Like You All to Know About Taking Care of Your Eyes!
Enjoy my other lenses! Don't forget to leave a card!-
My Dad: The Gold Standard
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When I was little, and got sick, my Dad made me this drink with mashed bananas and milk. I remember watching him do this. He was so careful to mash the banana up so well, that it was almost liquid, mixing in the milk a little at a time making a perfe...
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"A" is for "Arrowsmith"
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I began this journey as a lens master on June 21, 2008. I started with the story of how my parents began their first small business. That first lens reached a top rank of 188 overall and 14 in business, and then started back down, getting as low as...
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Macular Degeneration: The Blindness You Can Prevent
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I go for yearly eye checkups and no one has ever suggested I get tested for Macular Degeneration. I have asked for the simple test and gotten it, but learned that while insurance companies pay for other tests, they don't pay for this one. Here is my...
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My Mother's Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
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The day may have been dark and gloomy; the cold, wet snow could be piled up to the windows, we couldn't go out, there were only 3 TV channels then. Ugh! But then Mom would decide it was time to make a chocolate mayonnaise cake and the whole day was...
Check Out These Lenses About Newspapers
One for Fun, One is Serious
- New England Newspapers
- New England Newspapers"Sitting next to a window with your feet up on the next chair, coffee cup filled with fresh steaming coffee. You bring your focus back to what you where doing, reading a newspaper."
A different time, a different part of the country. Its nice to know this world still exists in some form. - My First Business
- In 1950 Fritz and Marjorie Arrowsmith played a practical joke on a customer, who was himself a jokester. See Arrowsmith Printing #8 above.
Today, Sam Driscoll uses this theme to create a business that provides unique gifts and some jokes for his customers.
"Is This Heaven?" ..."No, Its Iowa"
Field of Dreams
Field of Dreams (Widescreen Two-Disc Anniversary Edition)
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
Fritz Would Love to Hear From You
Well, and Me Too
I share all messages with him. He is amazed by this internet thing, but also excited that he is now part of it. And truly touched that his dear wife is remembered here.
jpetals wrote...
I agree with WhitneyWells, very deserving of LOTD! Enough information to fill 20 lenses! What a wonderful way to honour your parents.
Posted November 22, 2008
Family-Legacy-Mom wrote...
What a great Family Legacy you have! I'm impressed. You did a great job.
Posted November 20, 2008
sandyspider wrote...
I read this before, but this is an awesome lens. Love the old photos. What a great tribute to your parents.
Posted October 21, 2008
Blogging On Local Newspapers
The Music Man A Colorful Picture of Old Iowa
"There is something to say, about the Iowa way we treat you....
Actually Iowans are very friendly, but this song from The Music Man still feels like home.
"We can stand touching shoulders for a week at a time and never see eye to eye....
but we'll give you our shirts and our back to go with them, if you crops should happen to die"
Now THAT'S the Iowa I remember.
The Music Man (Special Edition)
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
The Old and the New
Some Things Changed, But a Lot Stayed The Same
Fritz bought one of the first Polaroid cameras. Not having to wait for film to be developed for stories was a boon to business!
A Great Lens on How to Write a Family History
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Write Your Family Legacy
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The importance of family legacy can never be over emphasized. Do your children know their heritage? Who are your ancestors? What were their traditions? What religion were they? What beliefs did they have? Did they fight for a cause and what was it ab...
Solon, Iowa in the spring.
A currect resident shares the joys of spring with her family
Even More Amazing
Underwater videos at this price!
Belkin Flip DVI-D KVM Switch with Remote F1DG102D
Amazon Price: $124.19 (as of 12/03/2008)
FLIP VIDEO DELUXE Accessories pack for FLIP ULTRA VIDEO. Deluxe Hard Shell Case, Tripod, 2700mAh batteries/Chgr, ext cable etc. (NON OEM)
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 12/03/2008)
Flip Video Underwater Case for Flip Ultra Camcorders
Amazon Price: $31.53 (as of 12/03/2008)
Flip Action Mount for Flip Ultra and Mino Camcorders
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
Premier Mounts FLIP LCD Flip-Down Mount
Amazon Price: $31.19 (as of 12/03/2008)
Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Orange)
Amazon Price: $129.00 (as of 12/03/2008)
Flip Soft Pouch for Flip Ultra and Mino Camcorders (Orange)
Amazon Price: $13.84 (as of 12/03/2008)
Flip USB Cables for Flip Camcorders (Pink, Orange, White)
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
Fritz and Marjorie's Beloved Hawkeyes
Just Couldn't Talk About Fritz and Marjorie without the Hawkeyes
This video 'The Stand' reminds me of their spirit.
Iowa Hawkeyes upset #3 Penn State 11/8/08
The game winning FG of the Iowa upset of Penn State Nittany Lions.
Runtime: 3:55 | 18969 views | 202 Comments
All Things Arrowsmith
Its Fun to Find Things With Your Name
Arrowsmith 's Beer and Ale Black Cascading Pub Style Wall Clock
I think this is a great clock. Put it in your bar and I bet people will think that your name it 'like the band'!
Amazon Price: $23.95 (as of 12/03/2008)
Arrowsmith
Really great old movie, Ronald Coleman's voice is worse the price!
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Arrowsmith
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 12/03/2008)
ARROWSMITH Street Sign ~ Personalized Family Lastname Sign ~ Gameroom, Basement, Garage Sign ** ALUMINUM
As cool a name as Arrowsmith is, you can also get this with your own name. Get two!
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 12/03/2008)
Arrowsmith 11"x17" Framed Poster
Now, this belongs in your media room!
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
Caribbean, 1806 Maps Art Poster Print by Andrew Arrowsmith, 37x29
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
Brainerd Arrowsmith Heavy Duty Steel Gate Hinges 2-pack (model B3030)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
Now Then?
Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2008)
