Demers Mercantile Company

A.L. (Alexander L.) Demers opened his first general store in Arlee in 1879. He soon left the management of the Arlee store to his brother Hector and open a second store in St. Ignatius. After Hector died in 1889, A.L. sold the Arlee store to Alex Dow. In 1902, Demers sold the St. Ignatius store to George Beckwith. Prior to that, Demers shared ownership of the store with Marion Prideaux. In 1942, Walter H. McLeod became president of the remaining Demers store in Arlee.

From the guide to the Demers Mercantile Company ledger, 1881-1883, (University of Montana-Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)