Luther W. Leighton was the pioneer wagon maker and repairman in Dassel, opening a shop on May 1, 1874, with a horse tread power running his machine. In 1882, he started a hardware store with John M. Johnson as his partner in the same location. On January 1, 1887, he sold out his interest in the firm of Leighton and Johnson. He then went into partnership with Louis Osterlund in the general merchandise business, the store being known as Osterlund and Leighton. In 1890, this partnership was dissolved and the stock of merchandise divided into equal parts and each of them opened a store of his own. Leighton's store was destroyed by fire in 1894 and he then opened a new general merchandise store in a larger building east of his former location. In 1898, he sold out to the Murphy Brothers. In 1901, they built a two-story brick building, 40×110, on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Fourth Street. The main floor was used for their store, the second floor was used for other rooms and apartments. The building was destroyed by fire on October 11, 1919.