Knox County TN Archives History - Books .....Commercial Matters - Chapter XII 1900
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Book Title: Standard History Of Knoxville
CHAPTER XII.
COMMERCIAL MATTERS.
First Stores EstablishedGrowth as a Commercial CenterUnusually Large Jobbing
BusinessSome of the Largest Establishments in the SouthThe Territory
CoveredWholesale Trade Amounting to More Than $50,000,000 AnnuallyThe Coal
Trade, its Growth-Chamber of CommerceGreat Fire.
IT WAS not long after the establishment of a town where Knoxville is now
situated when several stores were started. The merchants obtained their goods in
the great trade centers in the North and East, as in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
These goods were transported in wagons to all the frontier towns. There was but
little coin in the country and but few bank notes. Often the advertisements of
these frontier merchants specified the kind of goods that would be taken for
their merchandise, and also the different values at which these goods would be
received. For instance, at the salt works located at Washington. Va., salt was
sold at seven shillings six pence per bushel if paid for in cash or prime furs;
at ten shillings per bushel if paid for in bear or deer skins, beeswax, hemp,
bacon, butter or beef cattle; and at twelve shillings per bushel if paid for in
country trade or in produce, as was usually the case. Stores advertised that
they would take for such articles as were theirs for salecash, beeswax and
country produce, tallow, hogs' lard, butter, pork, new feathers, corn, rye,
oats, good horses, flax and "old Continental money," that issued by the
Continental Congress, which had by that time depreciated wonderfully in value,
and they also took certificates of indebtedness either of the state or the
nation because of services performed against the Indians, and land warrants.
It would be impracticable to present a. full list of all the
various kinds of business men located in Knoxville, even down to the breaking
out of the war; but a few of them, whose names are yet well remembered, are here
given. The first merchants in this city were Samuel and Nathaniel Cowan, who
were two of the five inhabitants of the place when it was laid out and named in
1792. Hugh Dunlap was another of the very early merchants, and Humes Fryar arid
Campbell Others.
In the year 1820 James H. Cowan, a nephew of Samuel and Nathaniel Cowan, the
first merchants to do business in Knoxville, opened a store at the corner of
Main and Gay streets, with a capital of $500. Mr. Cowan had not at that time
attained his majority. In 1825 he formed a partnership with Hugh A. M. White.
This partnership continued for five years. From 1830 to 1832 Mr. Cowan continued
the business until 1832, when he entered into partnership with Mr. Perez
Dickinson, his brother-in-law, who is yet living. Mr. Dickinson had come to>
Knoxville in 1830 from Massachusetts, to take charge of Hampden-Sidney academy.
This firm continued in business for forty-three years, until about the year
1875, when it sold out to Alvin Burton, who had been with the firm for many
years. Cowan and Dickinson built the two-story double brick storehouse which
still stands at the northeast corner of Gay and Main streets. Out of this firm
grew the large wholesale house of Cowan, McClung & Co., established in 1858 by
James H. Cowan. Perez Dickinson, Charles J. McClung and Frank H. McClung. This
is still one of the leading wholesale houses in Tennessee, its members being
Charles J. McClung, Matthew McClung, Robert M. Rhea and Jacob L. Thomas.
The first exclusively wholesale house in Knoxville was that of McClung,
Wallace & Co., who began here in 1837, and carried on a comparatively large
business, selling goods in East Tennessee, North Georgia and North Alabama. They
continued in business until about 1850.
C. H. & D. L. Coffin began business in Knoxville about 1847, as wholesale and
retail dealers and continued until some time previous to the war.
C. Morgan & Son began business in Knoxville in 1818, continuing until about
1835, at which time Franklin Morgan the junior member of the firm, established a
wholesale business in Nashville, which he carried on for about eighteen years.
C. Morgan continued his business in Knoxville for some years after the son
removed to Nashville.
C. J. McClung began business in Knoxville in 1849, as a retail dealer in
merchandise, continuing until 1855, when he removed to St. Louis and there, with
his brother, Frank H. McClung, became a member of the wholesale house of C. M.
McClung & Co., remaining in St. Louis for three years, when he returned to
Knoxville to become a member of the house of Cowan, McClung & Co.
James & Wallace Park were well-known business men in Knoxville before the war,
successful, high-toned, and honorable in all respects. Their store was on the
site of the present Flanders Hotel.
Col. John Crosier was likewise a well-known and highly-esteemed business man
of the clays before the war. He was the father of John H. Crozier and the
grandfather of E. W. Crozier. publisher of the Knoxville Directory.
Walker, O'Keefe & Co. are also worthy of mention as wholesale and retail
dealers in merchandise before the war, carrying on a profitable business for
several years, closing out about 1855. Abner G. Jackson was also for many years
a prominent retail merchant in the city.
Dr. James King was a dealer in groceries early in the history of the place. He
owned a couple of steamboats, one of which was named the "Guide," with which
boats he brought groceries to Knoxville from New Orleans. The "Guide" is
remembered as a very pretty little boat. Dr. King's place of business was
located on the southwest corner of Gay and Church streets, and there he built up
a very prosperous trade. At the time of his death Henry Ault, father of the
present cashier of the Merchants' Bank, purchased the stock of goods, and
carried on the wholesale grocery business until his death, in 1875.
About 1840 Matthew McClung, Hugh L. McClung and William B. French went to
Pittsburg for the purpose of building a steamboat, which they built at a cost of
Si5.000, and named her the "Harkaway." This boat they loaded with groceries,
and
came up the Tennessee river to the Mussel Shoals, where they had to wait for a
rise of water, after which they came on up to Knoxville. Their warehouse was on
the river bank, and they continued in business for some eight or ten years.
Later came James and William Williams, mentioned in the chapter on
"Transportation," who carried on a large wholesale grocery business, and
carried
the United States mail on their steamboats between Knoxville and Decatur and
also carried many passengers.
The wholesale grocery business in Knoxville is very extensive, especially when
the aggregate amount of it is taken into account. Among the principal firms
engaged in the business in the past and in the present may be mentioned the
following: Borches & Co.; Dick, McMillan & Co.; Hazen & Lotspiech: Kaiser
Bros.:
Knaffl & Locke; W. B. Lockett & Co.: H. P. McMillan; McNulty Grocery Company,
and M. L. Ross &Co.
McNulty & Borches was formerly one of the largest wholesale grocery firms in
Knoxville. But besides groceries they carried also lines of dry goods, notions,
boots and shoes, and carpets. The individual members of this firm were F.
McNulty and Jacob W. Borches. They, however, at length dissolved partnership,
and at the present time F. McNulty is proprietor of the McNulty Grocery Company,
which carries on business at 402 Gay street. 226 Grand avenue, 801 Central
avenue, and 802 North Broad street. The manager of the business is Howard
O'Neal. Jacob W. Borches & Co., the "Co." being Ben N. Donahue, carry on
a large
wholesale grocery business at No. 103 Jackson street.
Coffin, Martin & Co. established themselves in business as wholesale grocers
in Knoxville in 1867, the business afterward passing into- the hands of Cone,
Shields & Co. This firm earned a large stock of staple and fancy groceries and
their trade extended to large distances in all directions from the city. J. S.
Shields, once a member of the firm, which has passed cut of existence, is now at
the head of a firm which is engaged in the wholesale hat trade and is composed
of J. S. Shields and Robert R. Swepson. This firm is located at 314 Gay street.
H. B. Carhart & Co., formerly carried on a wholesale grocery business which
had been established in 1877 by Lewis & Carhart, this firm giving place in 1884
to the former firm, which was composed of H. B., W. B. and W. E. Carhart. This
firm has been dissolved and now none of its members remain in Knoxville.
Williams & Zimmerman began business in Knoxville as wholesale grocers in 1870,
and in 1880 were succeeded by Condon Bros., both of whom are still living in
Knoxville Michael J., who is now a railroad contractor, and Stephen P., who
served a term as United States Marshal, under President Cleveland.
W. B. Lockett & Co., established themselves in business in Knoxville as
wholesale grocers in 1883, at which time the firm consisted of W. B. Lockett,
Sr.; W. B. Lockett, Jr.: R. S. Hazen and J. O. Lotspeich. At the present time
the firm is composed of William B. Lockett, Edward Lockett and A. Percy Lockett.
Their business is located at 107 Jackson street.
M. L. Ross & Co., wholesale grocers, began business as Carpenter, Ross & Co.,
in 1870. In 1879 they were succeeded by M. L. Ross and W. B. Lockett, the latter
retiring in 1883. and being succeeded by S. B. Dow, so that at the present time
the firm (January, 1899) is composed of Martin L. Ross* and Samuel B. Dow, under
the firm name at the head of this paragraph. They carry on a very large business
and are located at No. 422 Gay street.
*The death of Martin L. Ross occurred May 30, 1899.
Knaffl & Locke (Rudolph Knaffl and E. C. Locke) engaged in business as
wholesale grocers in 1881, in which year they succeeded Anderson & McNulty, who
began business in 1876. Their extensive business is located at No. 125 Jackson
street.
The Knoxville Provision and Sugar Company was established January 1, 1892, by
Hazen £ Lotspeich, Shields Bros., M. L. Ross & Co., H. B. Carhart & Co., W. B.
Lockett & Co., Knaffl £ Locke, and Smith & Bondurant, for the purpose of selling
meats, lard and sugar at wholesale. Shields Bros, and H. B. Carhart & Co. have
since withdrawn, the company otherwise remaining as at first. Their goods are
sold mainly in Tennessee. Kentucky, North Carolina and Georgia, and their sales
have amounted in one year to as much as $850,000. The location of the business
is at 127-129 Jackson street.
Hazen & Lotspeich began business as wholesale grocers in 1888 and for a number
of years were located at 206 Gay street. In 1895 they removed to their present
location, 125 Jackson street, and their business is very extensive, covering
Tennessee and the states adjoining on all sides. The firm is composed of R. S.
Hazen and J. O. Lotspeich.
R. Knaffl, wholesale grocer and successor to Knaffl & Locke, a firm
established in 1883, began by himself in June, 1897. Knaffl & Locke succeeded
McNulty & Knaffl, a firm which was in business from 1880 to 1883. Mr. Knaffl's
business extends throughout East Tennessee and the surrounding adjacent states
and is very extensive.
The Knoxville Storage Company was established in 1895 in a building owned by
B. L. Smith, by James A. Hensley and Mr. Smith, Mr. Hensley being the manager of
the business. In the basement of this building, located on Jackson street, and
in the first two stories above the basement, the company stores commercial
goods, and in the third story furniture and other household goods.
The business now conducted by the Sanford, Chamberlain & Albers Company was
established in 1864 by E. J. Sanford & Co., the firm consisting of E. J. Sanford
and Dr. O. F. Hill, located where the gas office is at the present time, and the
business being both wholesale and retail. In 1865 this firm was succeeded by
that of Chamberlain Bros. & Van Gilder, composed of H. S. Chamberlain, W. P.
Chamberlain and T. I. Van Gilder. In 1866 this firm changed to Chamberlain &
Albers (A. J.), the latter succeeding to the interest of Mr. Van Gilder. During
this same year the old firm of E. J. Sanford & Co. resumed business in the
building now occupied by S. B. Luttrell & Co. and in 1872 the two firms
consolidated under the firm name of Sanford, Chamberlain £ Albers. Dr. O. F.
Hill and H. S. Chamberlain retiring. On January 1, 1897, the firm was
incorporated under the name of The Sanford, Chamberlain & Albers Company, with
E. J. Sanford, president; A. J. Albers, vice-president and general manager, and
W. P. Chamberlain, secretary and treasurer, the stock in the company all being
held by the parties mentioned. The annual amount of business, which consists in
the wholesaling of drugs, amounts to from $200,000 to $300,000.
Chapman-White-Lyons & Company, wholesale druggists, were established in 1881
and incorporated under the above name in 1892. Mr. Chapman, the head of the
company, was formerly in the wholesale grocery business, as a member of the firm
of Carpenter, Ross & Co., the predecessors of M. L. Ross & Co.; Mr. Lyons was
formerly a retail druggist, for several years in company with Judge D. K. Young
of Clinton, Tenn., and Mr. White was formerly for several years in the wholesale
tin and stove business. The company was incorporated with John E. Chapman,
president; W. L. Lyons, vice-president, and W. C. Everett, secretary and
treasurer. At the present time the officers remain the same except that John C.
Hickman is secretary and treasurer. From four to six traveling men are employed
by this company.
The house of Daniel Briscoe, Bros. & Co. was established in 1882 by George &
Briscoe. In 1886 the firm was composed of Daniel and P. J. Briscoe, R. R.
Swepson, M. D. Arnold and S. C. Roney. At the present time the members of the
firm, are Daniel, Philip J., Philip J., Jr., and J. Earnest Briscoe, and Ralph
H. Mountcastle. The business transacted by this firm aggregates about $1,000,000
per year, and they keep seven traveling salesmen on the road. Their stock is
very extensive and well selected and consists of dry goods, boots and shoes and
notions.
W. W. Woodruff & Co. is the oldest hardware house in Knoxville, the business
having been established in 1865 by W. W. Woodruff, and on quite a small scale.
At the present time the business aggregates about $500,000 per year. The firm is
composed of Mr. Woodruff and William E. Gibbins, and the store, one of the
finest in the state, is located at 424-426 Gay street.
S. B. Luttrell & Co. located at 613 Gay street, began business in Knoxville in
1871, and is one of the most substantial firms in the city. Without employing
traveling salesmen they have a trade aggregating upward of $200,000 per year.
The firm is now composed of Samuel B. Luttrell and James C. Luttrell.
In 1880 the firm of McClung, Powell & Co. succeeded to the hardware line of
Cowan, McClung & Co., the new firm being composed of Calvin McClung, C. Powell,
W. J. McNutt and A. Gredig. In 1884 this firm was succeeded by C. M. McClung &
Co., consisting of C. M. McClung, W. B. Smith and W. B. Keener. They largely
increased the business in the original line and also added thereto agricultural
implements. The firm is now composed of Calvin M. McClung, Bruce Keener and
Charles J. McClung, Jr., their business being located at 503-507 Jackson street.
The firm of McCorkle & Brown began business in 1869 and continued in existence
about ten months, when George Brown become sole proprietor. The business
consisted in wholesale dealing in hardware, seeds, implements and fertilizers.
Judge Brown carried it on alone until his death, in 1892. when it passed into
the hands of his children, John S. Brown, Mrs. L. B. Prosser and Mrs. M. L.
Montgomery, who still carry it on under the name of George Brown.
The business now- conducted by McClung, Buffat & Buckwell had its origin about
1875, when Mr. A. Gredig established a retail hardware business on Gay street.
Continuing alone for three years he, in 1878, sold a half interest to J. H.
Cruze, the style of the firm becoming Gredig & Cruze, as it remained until 1880,
when Mr. Gredig sold out to Mr. Cruze, who carried on the business alone until
1886. At this time Mr. E. Buffat of Rogersville purchased half the business, the
style of the firm then becoming Cruze & Buffat, and so continuing one year, when
E. G. Buckwell was admitted to partnership and the firm became Cruze, Buffat &
Buckwell. In 1894 Mr. Cruze sold his interest to C. M. McClung & Co., the firm
then becoming McClung, Buffat & Buckwell, being incorporated under this name in
1897, with E. G. Buckwell, president; E. Buffat, vice-president, and J. C. Beck,
secretary and treasurer. The present officers are E. Buffat, president: C. C.
Cruze, vice-president, and J. C. Beck, secretary and treasurer. The business is
now both wholesale and retail, hardware, agricultural implements and machinery
and house furnishings, and amounts to about $100,000 per year.
McMillan, Hazen & Co. are the successors of R. S. Payne & Co. (F. McNulty),
which firm began business in 1867 as wholesale and retail dealers in hats, but
in 1869 boots and shoes were added. In 1875 Mr. McNulty bought the interest of
R. S. Payne, and in 1876 Mr. Payne opened an exclusively wholesale boot and shoe
house and a few years later admitted to partnership E. E. McMillan and Asa
Hazen, and in 1883 the latter two gentlemen, together with M. S. McClellan,
purchased the interest of Mr. Payne, the firm at this time becoming McMillan,
Hazen & Co. Since 1897 this firm has been located at 122 Gay street, employing
nine traveling salesmen and selling goods throughout Tennessee and the states
adjoining. The present firm consists of the gentlemen named above and Reuben N.
Payne.
Powers, Little & Co., wholesale clothing, established in 1892, are successors
to Powers, Little & McCormick, who in 1888 succeeded Smith, Huddleston, Powers &
Co.. which latter firm succeeded Brock, Huddleston & Co., who began business in
1884 as retail dealers in clothing, continuing one year. Since January, 1896,
Powers, Little & Co. have been located at 124 Jackson street. The business of
this firm is very extensive, extending throughout Tennessee and the states
adjoining and amounting to more than $250,000 per annum, seven traveling men
being employed.
McTeers, Hood & Co., wholesale clothing, was established in 1884 by J. C. and
C E. McTeer, R. S. Payne, Charles Berger, and W. M. Hood. The first location of
this firm was on Gay street, but later they erected their present large
five-story brick building on the southwest corner of Commerce and State streets,
at a cost of $60,000, and have been carrying on their business from this
location since 1889. At different times J. T. McTeer and W. M. Hood purchased
the interests of the other partners, and now are the sole proprietors. They keep
on the road fourteen traveling salesmen, covering fifteen of the states of the
Union, and their average sales amount to $750,000. The most prosperous year they
have had brought their aggregate sales up to nearly $900.000.
The firm of Cullen & Newman began business in 1872. engaging in the wholesale
china, glass and queensware business, and continued under this name until 1897.
when they were incorporated under the name of Cullen & Newman Company. Their
business consists in wholesale dealing in notions, millinery, houseware, table
and pocket cutlery, jewelry, stationery, clocks, and all goods kept in a well
stocked department store, no traveling salesmen being employed, but instead,
catalogues to the number of 4,000 or 5,000 being sent out every sixty days.
Sterchi Bros, began business in 1889 on Vine street as retail dealers in
furniture and carpets. In 1893 they removed to the Lawson-McGhee Library
building, and afterward to the McNulty building, and in 1896 bought out the
furniture business of King, Gates & Co-., who were located in the McNulty
building at Nos. 412-414 Gay street, where they are now located. At this time
they became engaged in the wholesale trade and are still so engaged, selling
wholly by catalogue, their trade extending throughout Tennessee, Kentucky.
Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia. The firm now consists of J. C. and J. G.
Sterchi.
Davis, Chumbley & Co., began business in 1890, under the firm name of J. T.
Brownlee & Co., in 1893 the firm becoming Brownlee. Chumbley & Co., and in 1895
the firm became as it is now, Davis, Chumbley & Co. They deal exclusively in
wholesale boots and shoes. The firm consists of J. L. Davis and J. F. Chumbley,
the "Co." being merely nominal. Mr. Davis had previously been for twenty-five
years engaged in the wholesale hat trade, as the head of the firm of J. L. Davis
& Co.
Arnold, Henegar, Doyle & Co. began business in October, 1896, the firm
consisting of M. D. Arnold, Edward Henegar, James S. Doyle, R. R. Swepson and I.
E. Dooley, all of whom still remain in the firm. They are wholesale dealers in
boots and shoes, employ from ten to twelve traveling salesmen, and have a
business of nearly half a million dollars per annum. Their trade extends
throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama and Mississippi, and they are located at No. 428 Gay street.
Brown, Payne, Deavers & Co. began business as wholesale dealers in dry goods,
notions and furnishings, June 1, 1898, the members of the firm being T. G.
Brown, R. S. Payne. Jr., J. L. Deavers, W. T. Kennedy, and N. W. Hale. They are
all voung men with the energy necessary to make their business a success, are
located at Nos. 318-320 Gay street, and are selling goods throughout Tennessee.
Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and North Alabama, to the extent
during the first year of their existence as a firm of about $350,000. The
building in which they are located, a five-story structure, is exclusively
occupied by them.
Cowan, George & Co. began business December 15, 1897, the members of the firm
being James H. Cowan. S. H. George and Edgar and Albert George. Their business
consists in the manufacture and sale of clothing, their trade extending
throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and
Alabama. They are located at 316 Gay street, occupying a four-story and basement
building and also a building in the rear of this, extending back to State
street, a three-story building, the two buildings having a floor space of about
30.000 square feet. This firm employs about 100 hands and carries on a very
extensive business.
McArthur, Sons & Co., wholesale dealers in musical instruments, began business
in Knoxville in 1889, Mr. F. E. McArthur being then the sole proprietor. He was
then located on Gay street between Commerce and Vine streets. The house under
its present name was incorporated July I. 1898, with a capital stock of $25,000,
and with F. E. McArthur. president; W. R. McArthur. vice-president, and A. M.
King, secretary and treasurer. In August, 1896, they moved to their present
location, 510-512 Gay street, where they have a fine large building, 50x150 feet
in size and two stories high. They employ six salesmen on the road, and cover
East Tennessee and the parts of states adjoining on all sides. The instruments
sold by this firm are pianos and organs exclusively.
Samuel C. Roney began the shoe business in 1860, and for twenty years, 1866 to
1886, traveled throughout the South in the interest of a large shoe and leather
company of New York city. In the latter year he came to Knoxville and became
connected with the wholesale house of Briscoe, Swepson & Co., afterward Daniel,
Briscoe & Co., remaining with them until 1894, when he organized the firm of
Roney, Arnold & Co. From this firm he withdrew October 1, 1896, and soon
afterward organized the Sam C. Roney Shoe Company, which is located on Gay
street between Commerce and Vine streets, and which by means of about eight
traveling salesmen covers the territory of Tennessee and states adjoining on all
sides, and West Virginia.
Allen, Stephenson & Co. are successors to other firms in the same business,
which has, however, been built up gradually from the time it was established in
1876 by Samuel B. Boyd, who began as a, retail dealer in carpets. In 1880 the
firm became Boyd & Caswell, and dealt in carpets and furniture. In 1886 it
became Boyd, Allen & Co., and in 1891, Allen, Stephenson & Co. This firm now
deals in carpets, furniture and house furnishing goods, their trade extending
throughout East Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina. To the above
lines they have recently added the manufacture and sale of the "indestructible
bed springs."
S. H. George & Co. began business as wholesale dealers in hats in Knoxville in
1885, the pioneer house of the kind in the city. After several changes in the
firm as to members and style it became Murphy & Robinson in 1896, as it remains.
This firm now deals in hats and millinery, keeps five traveling men on the road,
and covers Tennessee and the surrounding states. It is composed of G. W. Murphy
and W. B. Robinson, the house being located at No. 420 Gay street.
Haynes, Henson & Co. composed of J. P. Haynes and J. A. Henson, established
themselves in the wholesale boot and shoe trade in 1879. They are located at 312
Gay street, sell goods by means of about twelve traveling salesmen throughout
Tennessee and the surrounding adjacent states, their business amounting to a
little more than half a million dollars per annum.
The Greer Machinery Company began business in Knoxville in 1886, under the
firm name of J. M. Greer & Co. (J. G. Duncan). Later the company was
incorporated with a capital stock of $75.000, and with the following officers:
J. M. Greer, president; John G. Duncan, vice-president; W. 0. Greer, secretary,
and O. Schmalzried. treasurer. The business transacted by this company is
unusually extensive, covering East Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and West
Virginia, and occasionally extending into other states. In 1898 it amounted to
somewhat more than $225,000, one item alone being eighty-five complete threshing
outfits, some of them steam and others horse-power. On February 14, 1899, their
building on Jackson street west of Gay street was consumed by fire, but they
immediately resumed business at 111 Jackson street, near Central avenue. The
officers of the company at the present time are the same as above and with the
addition of G. R. Moore, assistant treasurer. The surplus and undivided profits
of this company for 1898 amounted to $ 16,000.
The Davies Furniture Company began business in Knoxville April 2, 1898, the
company being composed of D. J. Davies, J. O. White and J. H. Spreen. They are
located at 304 Gay street and deal in furniture, carpets, baby carriages and a
general line of household goods, both at retail and at wholesale. Mr. Davies was
formerly attorney-at-law, Mr. White connected with the Sun Life Insurance
Company of Louisville, Ky., and Mr. Spreen a stock and grain broker of
Cincinnati, Ohio. All are young and energetic men.
In 1889 the firm of Hooker, Littlefield & Steere was formed for the
manufacture of confectionery. In 1892 Mr. Hooker withdrew and the firm became
Anderson. Littlefield & Steere till 1895, when the present firm of Littlefield.
Steere & Sanders was formed. Their factory and offices are located at 120 Gay
street. They employ about 100 hands in the factory and keep four salesmen on the
road. Their trade extends throughout the states of Tennessee, Kentucky,
Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama,
and amounts to over $1,000,000 annually. The members of the firm are H. E.
Littlefield, A. H. Steere and W. C. Sanders, Jr.
Knoxville is a great center for the distribution of all kinds of goods, its
trade extending to- most parts of the Southern states, including Virginia,
Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Mississippi and
Alabama. By the year 1892 Knoxville's wholesale trade had reached the grand
total of $50,000,000, having increased to this amount from about $10,000,000 in
1880. During those twelve years the manufacturing carried on in Knoxville had
most rapidly increased, having been in fact almost wholly created during that
time. At the present time both the wholesale trade and the manufacturing
business within the city and its immediate suburbs are much more extensive than
they were in 1892. But in 1892 the grocery business amounted to about
$5,000,000, the flour and provision business to about $1,000,000 and the
manufacturing business amounted to about $10,000,000. The trade in these lines
had increased about in the same proportion as the coal and iron business. The
dry goods business then amounted to about $4,000,000, including the millinery
and notion business. The agricultural implement trade, the clothing, boot and
shoe trade, live stock, liquor business, marble and other numerous branches all
had been unusually and gratifyingly prosperous during the twelve years before
1892. The number of wholesale houses in Knoxville was then about 100, this
number including coal, marble and lumber dealers. Some of these also carried on
a retail trade, and the number of exclusively retail houses numbered about 200.
And there were in the aggregate about 225 manufacturing establishments in the city.
The coal business of Knoxville has become very extensive and important. Among
the principal companies and firms at the present time engaged therein may be
mentioned the following: The Black Diamond Coal Company, The Buckeye Coke
Company, The Coal Creek Coal Company, The East Tennessee Coal Company. The
Jellico Coal Mining Company, The Middle Ridge Coal Company, The Mingo Coal and
Coke Company, The Whistle Coal and Coke Company, The Tennessee Coal Company and
the Workingmen's Co-operative Coal Company.
It is believed that the first coal mining company organized in this city was
the Knoxville Iron Company, in 1855, the members of which were John S. Moffett,
John Shields, M. W. Williams, and A. L. Maxwell. This company brought coal from
points down the Tennessee river from Knoxville in a small steamboat called the
"Holston," but its operations were on a small scale and not of long duration.
In May, 1858, the Cumberland Mountain Coal and Land Company was organized with
a capital stock of $1,200,000, the officers of which were at the time of
organization G. B. Lamar, president; Thomas H. Calloway, treasurer: a Mr.
Jackson, secretary, and the other members, Samuel Congdon, Thomas C. Lyons, C.
M. McGhee, A. L. Maxwell, Robert Morrow, M. B. Prichard, Campbell Wallace, and
Euclid Waterhouse. This company was reorganized in 1867 as the East Tennessee
Iron and Coal Company, with C. M. McGhee, president. It had previously purchased
large quantities of land in Anderson, Campbell and Scott counties, and now, as
the East Tennessee Coal Company, the name being changed in 1876, owns 50,000
acres of land lying for thirteen miles along the Knoxville & Ohio railroad,
containing the finest coal and the most accessible of any in this part of the
state. The officers of this company at the present time are as follows: Evan J.
Davis, president and treasurer; Frank C. Richmond, secretary, and W. T. Lewis,
general manager. The office of the company is at 306 Union street, and the yard
at the corner of Depot and Jacksboro streets, and the amount of coal handled
each year amounts to about 100,000 tons.
The Coal Creek Mining and Manufacturing Company was organized in 1868, with
officers as follows: Henry H. Wiley, president, and Charles H. Bulkier,
secretary. The capital stock at that time was $500,000, but before 1886 it was
increased to $2,500,000, about three-fourths of which was owned in New York. The
coal lands of this company consist of 240,000 acres, and are some of the finest
coal lands anywhere to be found. In 1887 the officers were: E. J. Sanford,
president; E. R. Chapman of New York, secretary and assistant treasurer, and W.
P. Chamberlain of Knoxville, treasurer and assistant secretary. At the present
time (1899) the ofcers are: E. J. Sanford, president; C. H. Eicks of New York,
secretary and assistant treasurer, and W. P. Chamberlain of Knoxville, treasurer
and assistant secretary.
The Poplar Creek Coal and Iron Company was organized with a capital stock of
$1,000,000. It owns a large tract of land, which it leases on royalty to
operating companies. In 1887 its officers were E. R. Chapman of New York,
president, and Thomas H. Heald of Knoxville, secretary. At the present time its
officers are as follows: E. J. Sanford, president, and W. P. Chamberlain,
secretary and treasurer.
The Coal Creek Coal Company was established in 1868 by E. C. Camp, M. C. and
C. C. Wilcox, E. A. Reed., P. A. Mannier and S. S. Tuttle. The company is
capitalized at $200,000 and operates two mines at Coal Creek, Tenn., from which
it derives its name. At first the annual output of the company's mines was
30,000 tons of coal, but this has been gradually increased until at the present
time it is shipping in the neighborhood of 200,000 tons per year. Major E. C.
Camp, who is president of the company, has controlled its business since its
organization, and H. N. Camp is secretary and treasurer of the company.
The Black Diamond Coal Company was organized in 1873, with T. H. Heald,
president: E. C. Locke, secretary and treasurer, and W. J. Hornsby, W. S. Gears,
and E. F. Wiley, directors. This company leases its mines from the Coal Creek
Mining and Manufacturing Company, the mines being located at Coal Creek, Tenn.
They have four mines equipped with steam and electric machinery, and have on
their property about 25,000,000 tons of workable coal, the annual output being
about 250,000 tons. The present officers are: T. H. Heald, president: W. F.
Searle, secretary; and directors, E. C. Locke, W. J. Hornsby, E. F. Wiley, J. M.
Andrews and T. H. Heald. The office of the company is at Knoxville.
The Proctor Coal Company was organized in 1887 by Dr. A. Gatliff, Hon. H. F.
Finley of Williamsburg, Ky.; W. E. Grinstead and others, for the purpose of
mining and shipping coal. The property of this company is in Whitley county,
Ky., adjacent to the town of Jellico, Tenn., and comprises seven thousand acres
of land, upon which is mined the famous Red Ash Jellico coal. The capacity of
the mines is 250.000 tons per year and the product of the mines is shipped to
Ohio and most of the Southern states. The Red Ash Jellico is a semi-anthracite
coal, the hardest of the bituminous coals, a high grade domestic fuel and well
adapted to storing and to the export trade. The general sales office of the
company is in the Franklin building, Knoxville, and is under the management of
J. L. Boyd. The other officers of the company are Dr. A. Gatliff, president and
general manager: J. W. Siler, vice-president, and H. F. Finley, secretary and
treasurer.
The Jellico Coal Mining Company was organized in 1888 by S. B. Luttrell, E. J.
Davies. F. C. Richmond, Charles Ducloux, David Groves, D. D. Nicholas, Hywell
Davis. Mrs. Jennie Williams, E. P. Lyman. John Morgan, R. G. Jones. Mary J.
Brown. Carrie Brown. J. L. Williams. Francis Philip. William Thomas, J. Jenkins.
D. Weiley Moore, T. R. Thomas, L. B. Welch. John Stone and W. L. Heath, and was
officered by E. J. Davis, president: and F. C. Richmond, secretary and
treasurer. Their object was to mine at and ship coal from Mountain Ash. Ky.,
where they purchased 2,500 acres of land in 1892. The capacity of their mines is
from 60,000 to 100,000 tons per annum. The officers now are E. J. Davis,
president; Arthur Grove, secretary and treasurer, and John L. Wilson, general
manager.
The Tennessee Coal Company was organized January 26, 1895, and purchased the
mining plant and equipment of the Tennessee Coal Mining Company. The officers of
the new company were S. P. Evans, president; D. B. Bean, vice-president and
treasurer, and J. J. Reed, secretary, who continued in their respective offices
until after the death of Mr. Evans, and on July 4, 1896, Mr. Bean was elected
president; A. H. Bowling, vice-president, and J. J. Reed secretary. The property
consists of about 1,000 acres of land, leased from the Coal Creek Mining and
Manufacturing Company, and the output of the mines now is about 100,000 tons per
year. It is located at Briceville, Tenn., where the plant of the company is one
of the most modern in the state.
The Hywel-Davis Coal Company was organized in 1894, by Hywel Davis, B. Du Pont
and Banner Coleman, and was incorporated in Kentucky with a capital stock of
$50,000. The company leased the property of the Main Jellico Mountain Company,
located in Whitley county, Ky., and consisting of 2,500 acres of land. From
their mines they ship coal to most of the Southern states, and to Cincinnati.
Ohio, and to Chicago, Ill., the annual output of the mines being about 85,000
tons per year. The present officers are T. C. Du Pont, president; Hywel Davis,
general manager, and R. H. Gayle, secretary, treasurer and general sales agent.
Their shipping point is Jellico, Tenn., and office in the Franklin building,
Knoxville.
The East Tennessee Coal Company was organized in 1876, by E. J. Davies, Thomas
C. Holloway, D. C. Richards, William Jenkins, Job Jones and Moses Jones, the
first officers being Thomas C. Holloway, president; Job Jones, secretary, and E.
J. Davies, general manager and treasurer. The object of this company was to mine
coal and ship it from Careyville, where they had leased about 4,000 acres of
land. In 1877 the company was incorporated with an authorized capital of
$15,000. In 1879 they transferred their business to Coal Creek, where they had
leased ten acres of good coal lands, and in 1882 they removed to Jellico,
purchasing there about 2,500 acres of land, and there they are now mining about
75,000 tons of coal per year, the amount sometimes reaching 100,000 tons. Their
vein of coal at this place is about three feet six inches thick, and the coal is
considered as good domestic coal as there is on the market.
The officers of the company at the present time are E. J. Davies, president;
F. C. Richmond, secretary and W. T, Lewis, general manager.
The Standard Coal and Coke Company was organized in 1882 by W. W. Woodruff, E.
E. McCroskey, Joseph Chandler, J. F. McClure, and Lewis Tillman. They purchased
about 5,000 acres of land in Campbell county, upon which they opened mines,
which they operated until 1887. Russell A. Clapp at length became connected with
this company in the capacity of secretary, treasurer and general manager, with
office at Knoxville and in 1895 became president and treasurer of the company,
with H. M. Wilson, secretary. On January 7, 1899, the property of this company
was sold, the purchaser being James L. Breese of New York city, and on February
10, 1899, the Whistle Creek Coal Company was formed and purchased the property
from Mr. Breese, who is now president of the company, J. G. Butterfield of New
York city being secretary, and Russell A. Clapp, vice-president and treasurer,
with his office in the Franklin building. Knoxville. The capacity of the company
is 1,000 tons per day and its capital stock is $100,000. Coal from these mines
is shipped all over the Southern states from Louisville, Ky., to Atlanta. Ga.,
to all points reached by the Louisville & Nashville and the Southern railway.
In February or March, 1870, a meeting of business men of Knoxville was held
with the view of organizing a Board of Trade, at which a committee was appointed
to report to a future meeting as to the practicability of organizing a board of
trade. March 1, 1870, this special committee reported favorably to the project
to a meeting held in Hoxie's hall, at which meeting a constitution and by-laws
were adopted in which the organization was named the Knoxville board of trade,
the object to be aimed at being the collection and recording of local and
general statistical information relating to manufactures, trade, etc., that
might pro-mote the business prosperity of the city. About seventy members joined
this board of trade, and on March 21 effected an organization by the election of
Perez Dickinson as president; H. S. Chamberlain and S. B. Boyd, vice-presidents,
and J. W. Gaut, secretary, and Henry Ault, treasurer. Among the first objects
sought by this board of trade was the establishment of a custom house in
Knoxville, and lower rates for the transportation of freight on the railroads.
To secure better facilities for the bringing in and taking out of all kinds of
goods, and passenger travel, has constantly been an object with the board.
In October, 1871. there was a reorganization of the board, forty-one members
determining to be members of the new organization. November 2 officers were
elected as follows: W. W. Woodruff, president; first vice-president, Henry Ault;
second vice-president. J. W. Gaut; secretary. E. P. Bailey, and treasurer,
Adrian Terry. September 10, 1872, W. W. Woodruff was re-elected president;
Adrian Terry, first vice-president; Harvey Clark, second vice-president; W. P.
Chamberlain, secretary, and Spencer Munson. treasurer. In 1873 J. W. Gaut was
chosen president; W. O. White, first vice-president; R. P. Gettys, second
vice-president: T. H. Heald, secretary, and A. J. Albers, treasurer. September
15, 1875, John S. Van Gilder was chosen president; L. C. Sheppard, first
vice-president: J. D. Cowan, second vice-president; R. P. Gettys, secretary, and
A. J. Albers, treasurer. In 1876 J. W. Gaut was elected president: W. J. Ramage.
secretary, and A. J. Albers. treasurer.
From November 17, 1877, to January 2, 1883, no meetings were held by the
board. On the latter date, a reorganization being determined upon, a new
constitution was adopted and the following officers elected: W. W. Woodruff,
president; S. B. Luttrell, first vice-president; M. J. Condon, second
vice-president: N. S. Woodward, secretary, and W. P. Chamberlain, treasurer. In
January, 1884, S. B. Luttrell was elected president: W. P. Chamberlain, first
vice-president: J. Allen Smith, second vice-president: M. J. Condon, secretary,
and Frank A. Moses, treasurer.
The Chamber of Commerce of Knoxville was incorporated April 21, 1887, the
incorporators being- Adrian Terry, W. R. Tuttle, M. L. Ross, J. W. Fletcher, and
H. T. Ault. The objects for which this incorporation was effected were the same
as those of similar bodies throughout the country, viz.: the promotion of the
general material interests of the city, in the extension of its commerce, the
encouragement of its manufacturers, the increase of transportation facilities,
etc., these being within the purview of subsection 3 of section 7 of an act of
the general assembly of the state of Tennessee, entitled an act to provide for
the organization of corporations, passed March 19. 1875, and approved March 23,
1875, the said subsection in part reading: "The support of boards of trade or
chambers of commerce and other objects of like nature."
Since this incorporation the officers of the chamber of commerce have been as
follows: PresidentsAdrian Terry, 1887-1888; M. L. Ross. 1889-1892: A. J.
Albers, 1895-96: M. L. Ross. 1897-99. (Note.Mr. Ross died in May, 1899, and W.
B. Lockett was chosen as his successor.)
First Yice-PresidentsW. R. Tuttle, 1887-90: J. C. Luttrell, 1891-94: T. H.
Heald, 1895-96: E. C. Camp, 1897-98; B. R. Strong. 1898-99.
Second Vice-PresidentsM. L. Ross. 1887-1889; R. L. Teasdale, 1891-94: M. L.
Ross, 1895-96; J. B. Pound, 1897: W. L. Trent. 1898-99.
SecretariesJ. W. Fletcher, 1887-89: J. W. S. Frierson, 1889-1891; W. J. Ramage,
1892-95; W. H. Kephart, 1896-97; H. M. Branson, 1897-99.
TreasurersFrank A. Moses, 1889-94; D. B. Bean, 1895-96: John Rotach, 1897-99.
An event long to be remembered in the history of Knoxville was the "Big Fire"
of April 8, 1897, in which property to the value of $1,152,250 was consumed and
at least three persons lost their lives. The location of this fire was on the
east side of Gay street between Commerce and Union streets. Not only were
several business houses destroyed, but also the Hotel Knox, the names of three
guests of this hotel who lost their lives being S. E. Williams of Springfield,
Mass.; A. E. Weeks of Rochester, N, Y.; and G. W. Roberts of Pulaski, Tenn.
Richard Hopkins of St. Louis. Mo., died of injuries received in jumping from the
hotel.
The business houses destroyed were the Briscoe block, wholesale dry goods and
notions; Sterchi Bros.' block, wholesale dealers in furniture and carpets; that
of A. P. Lahr, retail dealer in dry goods; Marble City Hat Company, retail
hatters: Murphy & Robinson, wholesale hatters; S. B. Newman & Co.,. printers and
binders: Cullen & Newman, queensware; M. L. Ross & Co., wholesale grocers; W. W.
Woodruff & Co., wholesale hardware, and Arnold, Hennegar, Doyle & Co., wholesale
boots and shoes.
Within three days after the fire was extinguished most of these houses had
secured temporary locations, and their representatives in the South and East
were buying new goods, and within a year every building that was burned down,
with one exception, was rebuilt. This exception was the building owned by Cullen
& Newman and M. L. Ross. The new buildings thus erected on the site of the fire
were all handsome ones except the McNulty building, which stands on the site of
the Hotel Knox, in which the fire originated. The finest building of the whole
is the Phoenix building, designed at first as a seven-story structure, but
finally carried up only six stories. This is the highest building on Gay street,
and, in fact, in the city of Knoxville.
For some time after the advent of railroads in the city its growth went on
slowly. At the time when they appeared the principal busniess houses were on Gay
street between Main and Church, and most of the dwellings were between the same
two streets and the two creeks. First and Second. Coal has for many years been
the base of business and industrial civilization, and when the coal mines were
opened up by means of the railroads reaching to Knoxville then business began to
improve and to expand; but when the railroad was carried through the Cumberland
mountains, and thus through a number of coal fields, the business interests of
Knoxville, feeling the impulse, began to show signs of an activity theretofore
unknown to them. Manufacturing establishments then in existence became enlarged,
and new establishments came in, and the area covered by the wholesale trade of
the city was very greatly extended. Not only the whole of East Tennessee was
reached, but also many of the surrounding states, especially those immediately
adjoining the state of Tennessee, and even many of the Western and Southern
states farther away.
Additional Comments:
From:
STANDARD HISTORY
OF
KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE
WITH FULL OUTLINE OF THE NATURAL ADVANTAGES, EARLY SETTLEMENT, TERRITORIAL
GOVERNMENT, INDIAN TROUBLES, AND GENERAL AND PARTICULAR HISTORY OF THE CITY DOWN
TO THE PRESENT TIME
EDITED BY
WILLIAM RULE
GEORGE F. MELLEN, PH. D., AND J. WOOLDRIDGE COLLABORATORS
PUBLISHED BY
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO 1900
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http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/tn/knox/history/1900/standard/commer...
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