1960s cafe pays homage to building’s early occupants
MARY LOU MONTGOMERY
In 1963, Martin Bennett expanded Bennett’s Cafe to encompass two store fronts, at 322-324 N. Main, Hannibal.
The existing Bennett’s Cafe added more dining room space for customers. The cafe was operated by Mr. and Mrs. Martin Bennett, and was renamed “Bennett’s Old Barber Shop Cafe.”
Why did they choose that particular name?
Historically, the building did long serve as a barbershop, operated by a series of “tonsorial artists” throughout the early part of the 20th century.
Among the first barbers to populate 322 N. Main was William W. Ellingsworth. By April 1900, he had moved his barber shop from Market Street to North Main, and the Hannibal Morning Journal made mention that he had a new barber pole erected in front of his place of business.
To further enhance his customers’ satisfaction, in June 1901 he had two new revolving chairs installed in this shop. A month later, G.E. Palmer, a barber from Hull, Ill., accepted barbering post in Ellingsworth’s shop. Also working there that summer was George E. Farmer, from Barry, Ill.
Then in February 1903, Ellingsworth purchased the shop of William M. Barger, on Third Street, South Hannibal, and relocated there.
Smith era
That opened the door for J.F. Roland and Martin Olen Smith, barbers, to occupy the building at 322 N. Main, doing business as Roland and Smith.
Roland sold his share of the business to Smith in 1907.
Smith relocated his shop for a few years to 312 N. Main, then, in January 1910, he bought the Stephens Barber shop business at the location where he previously had a shop, 322 N. Main St.
In May 1913, Smith purchased the building at 322 N. Main from O.L. Hartley.
The Hannibal Morning Journal reported on May 16, 1913: “It is a two-story brick building, the lower floor being used for a barber shop and the second floor for residence purposes. Mr. Smith has just had his barber shop newly papered and painted, beautiful linoleum put down on the floor and his shop now looks as neat as it is possible to make it. Mr. Smith and family will probably live on the second floor and it will make them a comfortable and convenient home.”
His family, at the time, consisted of his wife, Sarah E. Smith, and their sons, Paul T. Smith, born in 1905, and Martin O. Smith Jr., born in 1906.
In 1916, Smith sold the building at 322 N. Main to Lilly J. Royalty. (Hannibal Morning Journal, Nov. 2, 1916.) She, in turn, along with Sidney D. Royalty, sold the property in June 1917 to E.F. Mangels. (Hannibal Morning Journal, June 4, 1917.)
Martin O. Smith continued his vocation as a barber in this building until at least 1923, when he advertised his barber shop at 322 N. Main. At the same time, he expanded his services to include chiropractic, which he practiced in offices upstairs, at 322 1/2 N. Main.
The Dec. 19, 1924 edition of the Hannibal Labor Press explained this transition:
“Chiropractic has won the confidence and trust of millions of persons throughout the country, and this has been the result of the wonderful results achieved through its use. One of the men who has achieved success in this profession is M.O. Smith, with office at 322A N. Main Street.”
Unionization
Hannibal’s barbers took steps in 1901 to collectively join together in the formation of Journeymen Barbers International Union of America, No. 271.
Early members included, as posted in the March 22, 1901 edition of the Hannibal Morning Journal:
E.G. Beasley, William Berger, J. Burns, Alfred L. Call, F.M. Dyke, G.M. Farmer, John Golden, J.H. Hall, J. Johnson, J.A. Lamberts, Ed Maloy, F.W. Miller, A.L. McKee, G.A. Neidermeyer, C.R. Orcutt, Robert O’Donnell, W.A. Pogue, H. Swartz and W.O. Taylor.
In March 1901, the following officers were elected:
Alfred Call, president; Ed Beasley, vice president; Will Bager, treasurer; G.M. Farmer, corresponding and financial secretary, and Fred W. Miller, recording secretary.
Move to the Avenue
In the mid 1930s, M.O. Smith was operating the Missouri Barber Shop at 1317 Mark Twain Avenue.
Directory listings for M.O. Smith’s business:
1917: 322 N. Main
1923: 322 N Main
1935-1937: 1317 Mark Twain Avenue
1938: M.O. Smith, 208 Bird Street
In 2026, the two buildings, standing at 322 and 324 North Main Street, along with the corner building at 326 N. Main, are owned by Frank and Sara Anton North. Pat Waelder occupies the three buildings, utilizing all the space for her iconic store, Hickory Stick.
Note: While it his unclear where Dr. Smith obtained his chiropractic training, W.D. Bull, a Hannibal chiropractor of the same era, studied at the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.
Note: Available resources uncovered little regarding Martin Bennett’s residency in Hannibal. It was revealed that Martin Bennett was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Hannibal in 1965. He ran against W.C. (Bill) Garnett, Henry Glascock, Harry Musgrove and Clyde G. Toalson. Harry Musgrove won the election.
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