Maury County TN Archives History - Books .....Retail Stores 1906 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tn/tnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com September 23, 2005, 12:56 am Book Title: Century Review Retail Stores. ..Columbia is not behind cities of its size for up-to-date stores, and need not fear the results of obtaining easy access to the capital by interurban lines. Too many people, however, go away from home for trade, and often pay "higher prices for poorer goods. Every dollar spent away is a profit lost to the city or county. The home merchant .knows that he must compete, and usually gives as much, or more, for the investment; besides, he helps to keep up our schools and charities, our churches and Y. M. C. A., and, other things being equal, should always have our trade, and from a reasonable standpoint he is entitled to it rather than the distant merchant. McKennon, Anderson & Foster.— This firm stands as an illustration of commercial success, resulting from progressive mercantile ideas, enforced by the vigor of manhood. We will give a .brief word of history, but scarcely have space to detail its accomplishments. Geo. E. and W. E. McKennon opened, Feb. 12, 1887, a small store on W. side of Pub. Sq. as McKennon Bros.; and Eugene Anderson was added to the firm Jan. 1, '91. The young firm was ready to meet the growing demands of customers, and fifteen months later secured larger quarters at No. 3 W. Seventh; but stock and trade rapidly increasing, it found more room imperative; and leasing at 29 Pub. Sq., an archway was cut through, giving two entrances. W. E. McKennon retired from the firm; and U. H. Foster, who had been a trusted employee for a number of years, was added, 1896, making the present style McKennon, Anderson & Foster. Business rapidly increasing, this firm in 99 decided to put itself on a solid basis, and purchased at Nos. 22-24 W. Seventh the lot, 40x110 ft, upon which, in conjunction with W. P. Woldridge and Dobbins & Ewing, the handsome three-story block was completed in 1900. McK., A. & F. have two elegant show windows and a floor space of over 13,000 ft, exclusive of basement. The building has modern plumbing and steam-heating apparatus; is fitted with Otis passenger elevator, the basement containing boiler, engine, and storage rooms, and three upper floors being occupied by the wares of this firm, which has from time to time absorbed the stocks of less fortunate competitors and added new features, until it is properly called a Department Store-full assortments of dress goods, silks, white goods, dry goods, small notions; shoes for women and children, clothing and shoes for men and boys, gents' furnishings, ladies' cloaks, suits, and furnishings, millinery, carpets, curtains, and house furnishings. The partners are natives of this county, in the prime of manhood; and their success is due to a quick appreciation of the public needs and a disposition to give bargains for spot cash. Over half a hundred people find employment in the various departments of this house, and Columbians may feel proud of the fact that such an establishment has been founded here by the sons of Maury Co. Maury Dry Goods Co.—In 1895 S. T. Maxwell, Jno. T. Wooten, J. E. Walker, W. J. Dale, and J. E. Littlefield organized the Maury Dry Goods Co.; capital, $10,000. J. C. Wooten bought part of the stock, 1898; the store burned Jan. 22, 99; and Oct. following, with his sons, J. T. and W. B., the old company's interest was secured, leaving the firm J. C., J. T., and W. B. Wooten as the Maury Dry Goods Co. Subsequent to the fire, this business block, 48x150 ft., three stories, was erected by S. F. Mayes, and is worth $15,000. It is owned by Mrs. Norman Kirkman, of Nashville, a daughter of the former owner. J. Rosenthal was born in Poland, Feb., 1845; came to Columbia in 65; and, after peddling for two years,, opened a small store at 10 Pub. Sq. 37 years ago. He claims to have been selling goods longer than any other Columbia merchant. He removed to the present double front, 14-16 W. Seventh, in 93. The Racket Store was opened at 35 W. Seventh, 1890; removed to P. O. corner, 92; and to 17 W. Seventh, 95. Frank Swansburg was partner with his sister until her death, 1897, since which he has been sole proprietor. The room is 120 ft. deep at No. 17 and 80 ft of the rear at No. 15. The line is novelties, shoes, underwear, stationery, etc. Hardware Stores, Etc. Jim Andrews, Jr.—This is probably the oldest continuous mercantile house in Columbia, James Andrews, grandfather of the present proprietor, having opened trade here in 1837. In the eighties the firm was composed of Jas., W. J., and R. E. Andrews, together with W. A. McGregor. J. P. Street & Co.—Next in line of age is the house established in 1867 by J. M. Mayes and W. M. Street. Several changes have been made, the firm becoming Street, Embry & Co. by the addition of W. F. Embry in 1878, when it was located at the present stand. Mr. Street has been president of some of the largest industrial and financial concerns of Columbia; and his business, religious, and charitable record is too well known to need further comment. Dobbins & Ewing.—W. R. Elam, from Va., in 1875 opened a hardware house, and in 83 F. J. Swing became a partner. Later, J. D. Dobbins bought out Elam; and R. C. Ewing succeeding to his father's interest, the firm became as above. In 1900, together with two other firms, the handsome block was erected where the firm holds forth at 20 W. Seventh. The storeroom is 40x107 ft, three stories, and well filled with everything in the hardware, crockery, and house-furnishing line, the annual trade averaging $75,000 or more. A dozen persons find employment in the different departments; and the partners, both natives of this county, have, by active hustling, secured a well-merited success. Satterfield & Dodson, with the present year, moved to No. 3 W. Seventh, adding to their vehicles and implements a line of cutlery and general hardware. The firm was formed in 1894, the senior partner having priorly been in the hardware trade as Satterfield & Church, while R. P. Dodson had been in the livery and hotel business as Dodson & Mayes. Both partners are natives of Maury Co., and have been successful in business. Mitchell-Ashley Hardware Co.— This corporation occupies the three commodious storerooms at 38, 39, 40, corner of Pub. Sq. and N. Main Sts. The company was organized Jan. 1, 1904, with $10,000 capital, and at once put in a new stock in hardware, crockery, furniture, etc. Jno. Mitchell, Pres., and Sim Ashley, Sec. & Treas., had each been traveling salesmen in these lines prior to the incorporation. J. L. Mitchell, Vice Pres., as well as the President, was reared five miles east of Columbia; while Mr. Ashley is from Manchester, Tenn. Frank G. Cook, who deals in furniture, stoves, and house furnishings at 5 S. Main, has been in the trade 8 years, removing to his present stand Jan., 1905. There are other firms in this line whose names can be found in our directory. Rees & Watkins.—Closely allied to the hardware trade is the tinner, plumber, and gas fitter, in this city well represented by Rees & Watkins. They commenced the business July, 1901, Oct. 1, 1904, moving to t S. Main, where they employ several men and keep a good stock of goods. Undertaking. Oakes & Nichols.—While not a desirable business to dwell upon, undertaking is a public necessity. Jno. A. Oakes, who was barn in Columbia, July, 59, after a course at Smith Bros. High School, spent 5 years in Texas, and, returning to Columbia in 1890, bought an interest with A. Barr, who had established this business in 1856. (See page 19.) R. E. Nichols, also born in Maury Co., 1859, became junior partner Nov., 1899, after having been a grocer here for several years. The firm keep on hand a large stock of modern undertaking goods at 11-13 S. Garden St. Oakes & Nichols have three fine hearses and several carriages for attendance on funeral occasions, and are recognized among leaders in this line. Cheek & Baxter.—Jno. West opened the undertaking business at N. Main and Sixth Sts. some 15 years ago, and sold to Cheek & Baxter recently. J. O. Cheek and O. E. Baxter are both Maury Countians, in rural pursuits prior to engaging in undertaking. The firm has five hearses, and keeps a full supply of caskets and necessary undertaking goods at 16 N. Main St. J. M. Morton opened in the undertaking line at 13 E. Eighth St., 1891, continuing until his death, Sept., 99. His widow and son, Andrew J. Morton, continue the business at the old stand, where everything necessary in the line is kept. Andrew was born in Shelby County, and removed with his parents to Columbia in 1887. After a course at the colored public schools, he engaged as assistant with his father. Additional Comments: From: CENTURY REVIEW 1805 - 1905 MAURY COUNTY, TENNESSEE A Condensation of the Most Important Events of the Past One Hundred Years, and Descriptive Sketches of the Cities and Villages File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tn/maury/history/1906/centuryr/retailst28gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/tnfiles/ File size: 9.4 Kb