306 Main Street

MANNING BOOTERY - 306 Main
The origin of this store dates back to December 1881, when Henry Siem opened a shoe store on the west side of Main Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets. Siem became a partner of Henry Rohr in 1886.
Chris Johnson, a native of Denmark, came to Manning in 1885 to work as a laborer on the Chicago Great Western Railroad. Johnson boarded with Henry Rohr. When Rohr discovered that Johnson was a shoemaker by trade, he suggested that Johnson work for Siem, as Manning was in great need of a shoemaker. Johnson continued there for two years, but then returned to Council Bluffs, where he had originally landed when coming to this country.
In 1888, C. Wehrmann purchased Rohr's interest in the business, and the name was changed to Siem & Co. Wehrmann became sole owner of the stock in 1890, and the firm's name was changed to Wehrmann's Shoe Store. Wehrmann retired in 1893, and his son William took over the store. William had served as manager and chief salesman for a number of years previously.
Henry Heckmann had a shoe shop in the rear of the store for a time.
In 1908, Johnson decided to come back to Manning, citing his fond memories of his two year stay earlier. He traded his Harrison County farm for Wehrmann's store and residence at 703 Third Street, and Wehrmann moved to the farm.
Johnson continued the store until 1939, when his son Clifford bought the business. He operated it until April 7, 1953, when it was sold to Emmett Mullen, W.G. Hallett, and M.B. Christiansen, all of Denison. Mullen managed the store for the new owners, and the name was changed to the Manning Bootery.
Mullen purchased the interests of his partners and became sole owner April 20, 1960. He and his wife Donna have three children, Thea, Marty and Rourke. They are members of the Manning Sacred Heart Church, and Emmett is a member of the Manning Chamber of Commerce.
The store is located at 306 Main Street.

1947 Johnson Shoes (Chris)

December 2, 1926


September 8, 1938


Clifford Manning Johnson - MHS 1926


709 Third Street 1916


Manning 50th Anniversary 1931


Letha (Boysen) Johnson - wife of Clifford "Bud" Johnson


Esther Johnson - sister of Bud


Bud at his home 709 Third Street


"Kit Tannish" Lillian Johnson


Juanita Johnson - sister of Bud


Emmett Mullen (left) in Spitter's Place


"Krazy Days" in front of Manning Bootery 1960

Emmett Mullen's greetings to Manning boys serving in Viet Nam.
In September 1969 our daughter, Kimberly, was born while I was stationed in Omaha finishing my bachelor's degree at UNO. Because we were living so close we were able to visit both my folks, Clara and John Kasperbauer, and Kathy's mom, Isbelle Meiers and her brother, Eddie, quite often. We would usually stop into the Manning Bootery to say Hi to Emmett.
I returned to Viet Nam in April 1970, and Kathy and Kimberly moved back to Manning to stay with her mother and brother.
I maintained my subscription to the Monitor when I was in Viet Nam to keep with the news. It was a real surprise to see the greetings from Emmett in his ‘"Manning Bootery Ads."’ It was through Emmett's note in his ad that I found out that Kathy had bought a pair of shoes for Kimberly, her first pair!
Later in 1969-70 when Allen Rowedder was stationed in Viet Nam, Emmett added a "Hi Allen" to his ads.
I will always remember the greetings from a hometown merchant and friend, to a couple of Manning kids involved in a war.
Pat Kasperbauer

"Hi Pat" upper left


"Shoes for Pat's girl" on top - August 13, 1970 Manning Monitor ad