Rainier Oregon Historical Museum
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Ervin M. Young
Jeweler


E. M. Young started his jewelry business in Rainier, Oregon, on Main Street (now "A" Street) in early 1909. He closed his business nearly 30 years later on March 31, 1939, due to ill health. On the advice of his physician, he decided to take time off to rest and move to Olympia to be with relatives, and if all went well, to reestablish himself into a new business. He passed away on August 19, 1941 in Olympia, WA. He was never married.

  

In early 1909 E. M. Young purchased E. L. Nutt's Jewelry business and stock. A 1911 Sanborn map shows Young occupying the west end of the McKay Building located on the southeast corner of East 1st St. and Main (now "A" Street) in a building that is now (as of 2021) occupied by the Cornerstone Cafe (102 E A St, Rainier, OR). McKay's Drug Store was located on the east end of the building. Young was there until he moved out in December 1920 allowing McKay to move into his space. The post office then moved into the space vacated by McKay.

  

After Young vacated the McKay building in December 1920, his jewelry store was temporarily located in the room adjoining the Ellis-Doumitt store. Ellis-Doumitt was in a building west of the McKay building across East 1st St. In January 1921 E. M. Young moved his jewelry business into the Poetsch building that was on the north side of Main Street. Unfortunately for Young, a fire broke out on June 28, 1924 that destroyed most of the buildings along the north side of Main, at the east end of the business district. He lost his shop that had an estimated value of $10,000, but his insurance only covered a portion of that (*). He was provided space in the Sherwood's Furniture store until the new Poetsch building (made of brick at the same location) was completed in December of the same year and he moved there. He remained in Rainier until he retired in 1939 and moved to Olympia. The building is now occupied (as of 2021) by the Rainier Appliance store (115 E A St, Rainier, OR).

(*) July 4, 1924 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review, page 2.

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Description
In the April 15, 1909, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review E. M. Young's advertisement anounced his purchasing of the Jewelry business and stock of E. L. Nutt. He would continue doing business at the same place.
The location of E. M. Young's jewelry was shown in a map issued by the Sanborn Map Co. December 1911. He occupied the west end of the McKay building. Main Street (originally Water Street) became A street. East 1st Street was originally Harrison St.
A poem by E. M. Young printed in the Morning Oregonian (Oct. 13, 1917, Page 10)
In the July 30, 1920 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review, it reported plans of the post office to move into the room occupied by the McKay Drug Store (located on the east end of the McKay Building). It was said that in case the post office was moved, Mr. McKay would occupy the west end of the building now occupied by E. M. Young's Jewelry Store.
In the December 17, 1920 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review, it reported that the post office had moved into the east end of the McKay Building that was vacated by McKay's Drug Store. McKay had moved into the west end that had been occupied by E. M. Young's Jewelry Store.
In the January 7, 1921, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review E. M. Young's advertisement announced his move one block east of his present location, next door to the Rainier Bakery.
In the January 14, 1921, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review, it was reported that E. M. Young had moved to another location.

Jewelry Store Moved

E. M. Young has moved his jewelry store into his new quarters next door to the bakery. The interior of this location will be refinished as soon as the work can be done, the most of it already having been completed. The jewelry store was temporarily located in the room adjoining the Ellis-Doumitt store.
The location of E. M. Young's jewelry as shown in a map issued by the Sanborn Map Co. July 1921. He had moved to the north side of Main Street into the Poetsch building in January 1921 next to the Rainier Bakery. The location of the jewelry store (in yellow) in relationship to the State Bank of Rainier (in blue) at that time. The former bank building still exists as of 2021. Young lost his business in a fire on June 28, 1924. Main Street (originally Water Street) became A Street. East 2nd Street was originally Quincy St.
In the July 11, 1924, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review, E. M. Young's advertisement announced that he was "Open For Business" (following the fire that destroyed his business on June 28) after obtaining space in Sherwood's store. This ad ran in the paper until the November 28 issue.
The December 5, 1924, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review, reports that businesses will be moving into new stores, including E. M. Young, following the fire last June 28.
In the December 5, 1924, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review, E. M. Young's advertisement announced his new location in the Poetsch Building.
A sharpening hone stone with E. M. Young advertisement on the reverse side. Celluloid, approx. 1 5/8" diameter, made by Brown & Bigelow.
Pocket mirror with E. M. Young advertisement on the reverse side. 2 1/4" in diameter (Mike Clark collection).
Advertisement in the December 25, 1930, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review. Though it states "Since 1907", it was actually 1909 per other references.
In the March 30, 1939, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review, E. M. Young announced the closing of his jewelry shop after being in business in Rainier for 30 years.
An obituary in the August 21, 1941, issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review, it announces the passing of E. M. Young.

Additional information:

        Ervin M. Young

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