Death calls Harry Hargis

The death of Harry R. Hargis, on April 1, at the home of his son, Harry R. Hargis, Jr., 142 Washington avenue, marked the passing of one of Chicago's most famous pioneer merchants.

Perhaps no Chicago business man of the seventies, eighties and nineties enjoyed a wider acquaintance among the "traveling public" than did Harry Hargis, for many years the best known Chicago cigar merchant and partner in the firm of Kantzlar and Hargis, in its day the largest tobacco jobbing house west of New York.

Scores of world renowned theatrical people, hundreds of great financiers and nationally known figures who frequented downtown hotels knew Harry Hargis and chatted over his famous counter at Calhoun place, the old Board of Trade rendevous.

Mr. Hargis came to Chicago from Nebraska in 1865 after a lengthy experience as assistant to John Shaw Gregory, famous Indian Agent of those days. He was the first ticket representative of the New York Central railway in Chicago, but later embarked in the cigar business, his first store being in the old Gault House.

Following the Chicago fire he moved his business to a location at the site of the present Olympic theater building, later becoming associated with Kantzler in the firm of Kantzler and Hargis established for 18 years at 119 N. Clark street, at an intersection then known as "Calhoun Place."

It was at "Calhoun Place" that Kantzler and Harris became [a] celebrated meeting place for pol[iticia]ns, Board of Trade operatives, [missing] in the world of sports, and prominent business folk.

In recent years Mr. Hargis had been making his home alternately with his son in Wilmette and a daughter, Mrs. C. B. Hale at Park Ridge.

He is survived by three children, Harry R. Hargis, Jr., Mrs. C. B. Hale of Park Ridge, and L. M. Hargis of Hammond, Ind.

Services were held at the Wilmette home, and burial rites were conducted by the Waubansia Lodge A. F. and A. M., and the Lafayette Chapter R. A. M. of which he was a charter and life member. Burial was at Graceland.