The O.K. Barber Shop was a well known early business located right at the hub of downtown Ames, the intersection of Onondaga and Douglas. Here in the basement of Wallace Greeley's Union National Bank were a number of expert barbers operating at least five chairs and three bath tubs. A kerosene lamp with a reflector can be seen mounted on the wall, and there are rows of shaving mugs on the shelves. The long stove pipe is evidence that a wood or coal stove heated the shop. The owner of the business was John Francis Kintsley, who is pictured trimming a patron's hair at right in the image above. The other barbers pictured are, from left, Roy Taylor, 1203 Wilson; Al House; and Bert Cramblit. Another barber employed at the O.K. Barber Shop was Frank Curtiss. Customers pictured from left are Elmer Sowers, an unidentified man, Jim Fowler, and Al Winter. The stylish gentleman at the extreme right is not identified.
The O.K. Barber Shop, of which J.F. Kintsley is the proprietor, occupies the basement of the Union National Bank building, Ames, Iowa. It is finely furnished and equipped up to date, five chairs and three bath tubs. J.F. embarked in the barber business, April 9, 1880, and has been in the business ever since. His motto was to do good, honest work, and it has won him a reputation as a barber, beyond reproach. He has met all kinds and colors, cut prices and envious competition; but his old motto wins. J.F. Kintsley was born at Elk Rapids, Polk County, Iowa, December 29, 1854, moved with his parents to Washington Township when eleven months old and has resided here ever since.