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Live towns and
Jacksonville: Times-Union
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Live towns and progratslTe men of Florida. •• Jacksonville, Florida, Times-Union printing and publishing house, I887.
230 p, il.
10587
F. M. Perry 3-27-I42 2.80
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Published by C. A. Rohrabacher,
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
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PREFACE.
In giving this work to the public, we do not claim to have done the best, nor even as well as most other people would have done. No doubt mistakes may be found, and those disposed to criticise will find an ample field for the exercise of that univer- sal talent. All we have to say to them is, that there is no spe- cial statute restraining them from getting out a better book if they are able to do so.
Our patrons, and the general public, will recognize that we have endeavored to do, in a measure, what all should be ready to do, that is, help to publish to the world the fact that Florida is the Winter Sanitarium of North America, and the Orange Grove of the World; that we have Live Towns and Progressive Men, and are fully abreast of the times in this age of progress.
THE PUBLISHER.
1058?
plorida.
[From the Jacksonville Board of Trade Journal (or 1886.]
,> HE State of Florida presents to the capitalist and the laborer, ^ the merchant iand the sportsman, the professional man and
the mechanic, the farmer and the artist, the manufacturer and the hotel-keeper, alike, unequalled opportunities for profit- able investment, employment, enjoyment and trade^
It lies nearer the Equator than any other State of the Union ; yet it is cooler in summer than Montana, or Oregon, or Colorado, or California, because of the influence of the Sea.
It has the most Equable Climate in the world.
It is a Health .Resort of thousands.
It has 34,713,600 acres of solid land, and 4,440 square miles of water. |1.
It has 1,200 miles of sea coast.
It has nineteen large rivers, with a total inland navigation of more than one thousand miles.
It has 2,000 miles of railway.
It produces a million bushels of oranges per annum.
It produces more than one-half of the Sea Island cotton crop of the United States.
It raises the finest oranges, pine-apples, cocoanuts and other semi-tropical fruit that grow anywhere in the world.
It exports annually immense quantities of early garden veg- etables.
It possesses millions of acres of timber trees.
Its naval stores are exhaustless.
It has extensive herds of cattle and millions of acres of pas- turage.
It is the best country on the globe for raising sugar-cane and rice.
It produces 200 different varieties of woods — more than any other State.
Its fisheries are extensive, and their possibilities are without limit.
It exports more than half a million dollars worth of sponges per annum.
It abounds in natural fertilizers.
Its mineral springs are fountains of healing.
Its population has increased 82 per cent, within the last fifteen years.
It has doubled its assessable propert}^ within the last four years.
It had doubled the number of its common schools and its common school attendance within the past eight years.
It has doubled its common school fund within the past four years.
The State debt is only half a million dollars.
POPULATION.
Florida enjoys, in the excellent character and variety of her population, assurances of future prosperity, felicity and import- ance.
The population of Florida is made up of people from nearly every country in the world. The census of 1880, enumerating the countries from which came the various foreign-born citizens of the United States, shows that Florida has received accessions, to her population from every country thus enumerated, except Japan, Greenland, Turkey and the Pacific Islands. Among the people of Florida are natives of every State of the Union, of every Territory except Alaska, of every Province of British America, and of Mexico, Central and South America. The vast tide of tourists and winter residents that flood the State every autumn, to ebb again in early summer, comes from sources almost as various.
INCREASE OF POPULATION.
The total population of Florida in 1885, according to the State census of that year, was 342,551. The population of Florida, in 1830, and at the close of each decade since, was as follows :
1830. .... .34.730 i860 140,424
1840 54,477 1870 187,748
1850 87,445 1880 269,493 /
The percentage of increase of population from 1830 to 1840 was ^6.8; from 1840 to 1850, 60.5; from 1850 to 1860,60.5; from i860 to 1870, 33.7'; 1870 to 1880.43.5.
[From " Facts About Florida . "]
Jeffreys, speaking more than a century ago, says : " Not- withstanding the climate of Florida is, as we said, warm, it is not for that reason less pure and wholesome, the best testimony of which that can be given is the size, firmness, and strength of constitution and longevity of the Floridian Indians ; in all these particulars they far exceed the Mexican." This is Florida's first recommendation. as a health resort on record. Jeffreys' mention of the animals, customs and productions of the country are in- teresting, but cannot be produced here. He speaks of chestnut trees in abundance, and of limes, but not of oranges, save once,. where one Capt. Thomas Robinson, in writing to Geo. Lookup,. Esq., says the vegetables here are innumerable ; for 'all that grow in Europe are in perfection, and many that cannot stand the inclemency of our winters thrive here. It has excellent tim- ber and shrubs of various kinds, viz: oak, pine, cedar, mulberry,, apple, ORANGE, peach, cocoa, grape, olive, vanilla, moho cabbage,, lightwood, and mangrove trees, besides many European fruits- which are introduced. Mulberries, grapes and olives grow spontaneously. In many places Jeffreys refers to grapes exceed- ing the muscadine and from which wine can be made. He no- doubt referred to the scuppernong. He says cotton grows wild^ and hemp, flax, and cochineal abound, "but above all, sassafras is found in great plenty." All the other productions, fruits^ birds, and animals we are familiar with are m.entioned.
STATE GOVERNMENT.
Tallahassee is the seat of government. The State officers are elected on Tuesday after the first Monday in November, for four years.
EXECUTIVE.
Edward A. Perry, of Pensacola, is Governor, and M. H. Mabry, of Eeesburg, Lieutenant-Governor.
DEPARTMENT OFFICERS.
Adjutant-General, David Lang, of Cedar Key; Attorney- General, C. M. Cooper, of St. Augustine; Comptroller, William D. Barnes ; Comptroller's Clerk, William M. Mcintosh, of Tal- lahassee; Comptroller's Deputy Clerk, William M. Mcintosh,, Jr., of Tallahassee; Secretary of State, John L. Crawford, of
,s
Crawfordsville; Superintendent of Public Instruction, A. J. Rus- sell, of Jacksonville; Treasurer, E. S. Crill, Palatka ; Treasurer's Clerk, C. Munroe, of Tallahassee ; Auditor — the Comptroller is ex-officio Auditor of the State, and the duties of this office are conducted by him ; Commissioner of Lands and Immigration, C. L. Mitchell, of Fort Meade; Clerks, C. B. Gwynn and J. B. Collins, of Tallahassee.
CABINET OFFICERS.
Secretary of State, Attorney-Genera4, Comptroller, State Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Adjutant-Gen- eral and Commissioner of Lands and Immigration.
SUPREME COURT.
Meets semi-annually in the Supreme Court room in the State Capitol at Tallahassee. Chief Justice, G. W. McWhorter, of Milton ; Associate Justices, R. B. Van Valkenburg. of St. Nicholas ; George P. Raney, of Tallahassee. Clerk, D. C. Wil- son, of Tallahassee; Deputy Clerk, B. B. Wilson, of Tallahassee.
Circuit Judges, First Circuit, J. F. McClellan, residence, Marianna ; Second Circuit. David S. Walker, residence, Talla- hassee; Third Circuit, E. J. Vann, residence, Madison; Fourth Circuit, James M. Baker, residence, Jacksonville ; Fifth Circuit, Thomas F. King, residence, Gainesville ; Sixth Circuit. H. L. Mitchell, residence, Tampa; Seventh Circuit, ¥.. K. Foster, resi- dence, Sanford.
Ja(;l^so9uill^.
,. HIS beautiful Southern city has long been the Mecca of health-seekers, and within the last decade has become quite as interesting to those in search of pleasure and recreation. It is not too much to say that Florida has become the winter sanitarium of North America, and is to be the orange grove of the world.
The immense number of visitors who come here every year, not only from every State in the Union, but from Europe, in search of health, recreation, or pleasure, indicate a general desire to obtain reliable information relative to its past history in order to predicate successfully its probable career for the future. If the same rapid increase in her population, her wealth and her architectural beauty should, characterize the future advancement of Jacksonville, that has existed in the past, it must be readily conceded that the city will soon be recognized as one of the finest on this continent.
Prior to the year 1816, no such thing as a dwelling house of any description, however humble, had ever been erected on the spot this beautiful city now occupies. In the month of Sep- tember of that year, Lewis Z. Hogans and wife, accompanied by a few slaves, took possession of a tract of land located near the present site of the Duval Hotel, on Forsyth street, by virtue of a grant from the Spanish Government to Mrs. Maria Taylor — widow of Vurnal Taylor — who married Mr. Hogans. The granted two hundred acres of land to Mrs. Taylor formed the nucleus of what has since been the foundation of this thriving city. Mr. Hogans at once commenced clearing up the land, and the house he erected for the shelter of himself and family was undeniably the first ever built here. Mr. Hogans never removed from this locality, but with his family lived and died here. A life like this was not calculated to produce much enjoyment, but all pioneers have to " rough it" until subsequent arrivals render the locality more attractive.
John Masters, having obtained a grant from the Spanish Government, of land lying and being east of the Taylor grant,
10
became the next settler, and built a house near the centre of what is now called square No. i. He planted a crop, but before he could gather it, sold his interests to John Brady, who moved on to the place, made further improvements, and started a ferry on the north side of the river for the convenience of horse-back travelers constantly arriving from St. Augustine and other points. He also started a hotel, if such it might be called, for the accommodation of travelers, which made him extremely popular.
William G. Dawson and Stephen Buckles, from Middle Georgia, the first suffering from a pulmonary complaint, and the latter accompanying him as his friend and companion, next ap- pear upon the scene. They purchased a stock of general mer- chandise from New York and commenced business under the firm name of Dawson & Buckles. Building a large log house on what is now the middle lot of square No. 3. on the south side of Adams street, between Market and Newnan streets, they com- menced a business that proved very lucrative, as nearly all the settlers became constant patrons.
About this time Mr. I. D. Hart, impressed with the glow- ing reports of the success of those people who were located on Cow's Ford, as the place was then called, determined to locate there at once. Mr. Hart was then residing on St. Mary's River, with his family, near King's Ferry. He thought money might be made by keeping a boarding house, and on the 12th day of May, 1 82 1, he purchased from Mr. Hogans eighteen acres of land on the southeast corner of the Taylor grant, for which he paid, in cattle, the sum of seventy- two dollars. He then built a large log house on what is now the middle lot of square No. 2, on the south side of Forsyth street, between Market and New- nan streets, into which he moved his family. Afterwards he in- duced his brother, Daniel Hart, to come and settle near him. These gentlemen were', both of them, brim full of energy and admirably calculated to advance the interests of the infant set- tlement.
On the 22d day of February, 18 19, Florida was ceded by Spain to the United States, and the natural result was an in- crease of immigration from every conceivable direction. Among others, John Bellamy, Benjamin Chaires and Francis J. Ross, from South Carolina, with their families, were among the most important. When Jacksonville was laid out as a town, in the month of June, 1822, the above named gentlemen acted as com- missioners, Mr. D. H. S. Miller being appointed as the surveyor..
II
After being duly surveyed, lots were sold rapidly, but at prices far different from those demanded at the present day. For an example, water lot No. 5, on the west side of Market street lot No. I m square No. 2, where the Carleton House now stands and the lot north of it, were all sold for twenty-five dollars' A few days after the sale, the deed to the above property was duly made out, signed, sealed and delivered to the purchaser.
The city was duly incorporated in 1833, and named Jack- sonville, in honor of General Andrew Jackson, the hero of New Orleans and the first territorial Governor of Florida ; but what- ever expectations may have been entertained by property owners and others, as to the future prospects of the city, they all seemed to be scattered by the devastating influences of the late civil war At its close everything seemed to represent desolation and ruin The city was literally abandoned by all who could get away • they went into the interior, where they struggled for years for a bare existence. The United States troops, who held possession had burned down all buildings in the suburbs, and thrown up fortifications in all directions. They had also burned the Catholic and Episcopal churches, located in the very heart of the city. Several valuable houses, however, that had been occupied by the enemy, had been .spared, but upon the return of the owners, the houses were generally found occupied by vagabond negroes who had followed in the wake of the army of occupation, and made themselves as much at home as though they had the title deeds to the property in their own possession. Business of any kind existed only in name ; the only railroad was that between Jack- sonville and Tallahassee, and, as the rails had been torn up in many places and the rolling stock nearly all destroyed, the road \yas practically useless. Steamers had ceased to ply upon the St. Johns River, and transportation of goods or passengers to any desired point was indeed difificult to obtain. These were bitter times indeed.
Slowly, but gradually, however, business was resumed. Tourists, generally completely enervated by disease, sought the balmy climate of Florida in the hope of regaining their health. The orange cultivators strained every nerve to obtain transpor- tation ; hotels and boarding houses sprang up as if by magic; Northern capitalists, with a keen eye to future advantages, began to invest liberally ; the large amount of cotton which had been carefully stored away for years, to prevent its falling into the hands of tlie enemy, gradually found a market, and, in brief, Jacksonville at last began to improve, entering upon a course of
12
prosperity that seemed almost phenomenal. The debris, caused by the devastations of war, have been entirely removed. Mag- nificent buildings, comparing favorably with those of larger cities, have been erected; the St. Johns River is alive with steamers; railroads have been built in all directions; education and religion have rapidly advanced side by side ; commerce has asserted^'her rights triumphantly, and. in the great metropolis of Florida, there exists not even a trace of the wretchedness and misery that followed in the wake of civil war. {
What Jacksonville has been in the past, has been briefly de- scribed. What is it to-day? , c ti
The city is beautifully situated upon a bend in the bt. Johns River; its exact locality being, latitude 30° 24', longitude 8(f 40' its streets are laid out almost exactly north and south, these streets being intersected by others that run with equal precision due east and west. The principal thoroughfare, which is completely taken up for business purposes, runs parallel with and next to the St. Johns River, and is known as Bay street. It is paved its entire length with what is known as the WyckoH pavement— six inch blocks of cypress and red cedar packed closely together side by side, properly graded.
[From tlH> Descriptive and Statistical Report of the Jacksonville Board ' of Trade for 1886.]
The city of Jacksonville stands upon the great St. Johns River of Florida at a point where the carrying trade of the Ocean, the river and the railways meet.
It is the entrepot and commercial capital of Florida.
It is the leading winter resort of the United States.
It is the centre of the wholesale trade of Florida.
It is a centre for. fruit-packing and shipping.
It has lumber, cigar and other manufactories.
It has an ocean port and a foreign and a .coastwise com- merce.
It has an extensive river commerce.
It is the railway centre of the State.
It is the termini of seven railways.
Its hotels are the finest and most comfortable in the South.
It has twenty hotels that during the recent season registered more than 65, OCX) persons.
It has nearly 22,000 population.
13
• ■
It has two National and three private banks, and two insti- tutions for savings.
It has seven lumber mills, twenty-one cigar factories and other manufacturing establishments.
It has ninety-three wholesale and 432 retail houses.
It is beautifully and healthfully located.
It has an elaborate system of sanitation.
It is one of the cleanest of Southern cities.
It has an abundant water supply from artesian wells, and a sewerage system.
Its death rate is only 13.6 in each thousand of population, per annum.
It is, by rail, nearer San Francisco than is New York.
It is, by rail, only thirty-six hours from New York City, twenty hours from New Orleans, thirty-six hours from Cincin- nati, and forty-nine hours from Chicago.
It is a city of Churches.
It has the best public schools in the State.
It has High, Grammar, Primary, Private, Drawing and Music schools.
It is lighted both by gas and electricity, has a fire alarm telegraph and an efficient paid fire department.
It has telegraph and telephones.
It has, the best newspapers in the State.
Its city debt has never been scaled or repudiated.
Its people are intelligent, liberal and cosmopolitan, and they cordially welcome new residents.
The streets of Jacksonville are from seventy to eighty feet in width, most of them shaded by live-oak and water-oak trees, that have been planted at regular intervals, along the outer edge of the sidewalks. In many instances the boughs meet in the centre of the street, and from them hang heavy festoons of Span- ish moss, that are universally admired by tourists upon their arrival.
THE HOTELS.
Travellers and commercial men readily admit that the hotels of the city of Jacksonville are in all points equal to any found in the United States. Among them, the most prominent may be
mentioned :
The Everett.— This truly palatial structure, owned by Nathaniel Webster, Esq., of Massachusetts, has been leased for
14
a term of years by J. M. Lee, and receives more guests than any other in the city. It has a frontage on Bay street of two hun- dred feet, and extends as far back as Forsyth street. Five stories in height, it is surmounted by a lofty tower, from which a bird's eye view is obtained of the whole city, and of the St.
I John's River, up and down, as far as the eye can reach. The dining room of this hotel has a seating capacity for over two
- hundred guests. The parlors and reception rooms are really elegant, and the sleeping apartments, single and e?i sidte, are over one hundred and fifty in number. More than an hundred em- ployes are in attendance at all hours, day and night. The cuisine could not well be improved upon, and a well-trained orchestra, under superior leadership, furnishes music at intervals during the day, and at night they fill the parlors with sweet melody for those visitors fond of dancing. Heated by steam throughout, furnished with electric lights and bells, gas lights, bath-rooms and water-closets on'fevery floor, billiard and pool tables, a fine laundry and elevator, the Everett leaves nothing to be desired for the comfort of its guests. It bears a world-wide reputation.
The St. James. — This is the pioneer tourist's hotel of the State of Florida, which was first opened on the first day of Janu- ary, 1869, and is admirably conducted by Mr. J. R. Campbell, the present proprietor. It occupies a whole square, and is bounded by Duval, Laura, Church and Hogan streets. The ho- tel is 105x150 feet, being directly in front of the city park, and overlooking the elegant bronze fountain in its centre, recently erected by joint subscription of citizens. An artesian well has recently been dug upon the hotel grounds, that furnishes an inexhaustible supply of water. Mr. Campbell is a gentleman of enlarged experience, and personally superintends even the most minute details of his immense establishment, that contains all the modern improvements, and is most liberally patronized by the traveling public.
The Carleton — Named in honor of Hon. James H. Carleton, a prominent citizen of Haverhill, Iviass., is located on the corner of West Bay and Market streets, and is one hundred and thirty- seven feet front by 105 feet deep. It is four stories in height, and a spacious piazza, which leads out from the office, dining room and parlor, that ornaments the entire front, is one hundred and thirty-seven feet in length. In the rear may be found a billiard-room, barber's shop, coat-room, closets, etc. The land.
15
upon which the hotel was built cost $8,600, and the subsequent investments amounted to $125,000. On November 20th, i87''>, the house was completed and opened to the public, and has ever since been conducted upon the American plan. English, Ger- man and French waiters are employed, and the guests of what- ever nationality have every reason to be satisfied with the atten- tion shown them. New investments have been made in furni- ture, carpets, etc., from time to time, until the Carleton places itself in the front rank among the hotels in Jacksonville. One great peculiarity of this hotel may be found in the fact, that it has immediate connection with the St. Johns River ; and in the event of a fire on the premises, the whole building could be submerged before the fire department could put in an appear- ance.
ToGNi's Hotel. — This house, formerly known as St. Marks, is a handsome, three story brick edifice, on Newnan street, near Bay, located in convenient proximity to the post-office, and to all the railway and steamboat depots, and is thoroughly furnished in first-class style. The dining room has a seating capacity for one hundred and fifty guests, and there are over fifty sleeping apartments, with accomodations for double the number of guests. The cuisi?ie is not to be excelled by any hotel in the city, and the attendance is first class. Mr. John B. Togni, the present owner and proprietor, built the hotel in 1870, from brick, imported from France at a cost of $144,000, and from the time of its opening until now, it has always maintained a high reputation as one of the leading hotels in the State of Florida.
The Tremont House, located on Pine street, corner of Forsyth street, is successfully managed by F. T. Cullins & Co.- Extending across the front of the house are five hundred feet of wide verandas, that offer a cool and inviting retreat from the heat of mid-day. A large hall passes through the building at each story, by which ventilation is secured.
The Grand View. — This popular House is located on For- syth, corner of Clay street, and is owned and conducted by Mr. G. W. Smith, whose abilities as a hotel-keeper are undeniable. The hotel has spacious v^erandas on both stories, is handsomely furnished, and has all the modern conveniences, including gas, hot and cold water, bath-rooms and closets. It has tele- phonic communication with all parts of the city, and a livery
.6 '
stable directly connected with the house. The vegetable garden and dairy connected with the establishment produce additional features of attraction. An excellent table and well-drilled and competent waiters leave nothing to be desired.
The Oxford — A very popular hotel, is situated at the corner of Laura and Duval streets, and is celebrated for the ex- cellence of its cuisine. It is a three story building, 52x84 feet, and has thirty-five furnished rooms for the convenience of its patrons. Convenient and elegant in all its appointments, and well patronized.
The Duval-;— This hotel, located at the corner of Hogan and Forsyth streets, is under the control of Messrs. Baker & Mc- Alpin, and is a three-story brick edifice, having fifty-eight sleep- ing apartments, with accommodations for double that number of guests. The house has all of the modern improvements, includ- ing electric lights and bells, hot and cold water apparatus, etc., and receives a large share of public patronage.
The Windsor — This hotel, at the. corner of Monroe and Hogan streets, was erected in 1875. and is a three-story wooden structure, with spacious balconies and piazzas, with entrances from both streets. Mr. F. H. Orvis, the lessee, has had over thirty years experience in the business and is a general favorite with the traveling public. The house has accommodations for over two hundred guests, is elegantly furnished, has superior sleeping accommodations, and sets a table that cannot be dis- counted by any other establishment in the State of Florida. The reputation of this hotel is well established, and it is generally
• crowded with guests.
CHURCHES.
Church ok the Immaculate Conception (Catholic) — At the corner of Newnan and Church streets, is a fine building, the foundation being coquina from St. Augustine, Fla., and the building of brick imported from France by the Right Rev. Dr. Verot, then Bishop of St. Augustine. It will seat about eight hundred people. The corner-stone was laid in Au- gust, 1 87 1, and two years thereafter the church was solemnly dedicated to Almighty God by the Right Rev. Dr. \'erot. Father Gaboury was its first pastor, and when in 1872 he was
17
transferred to Palatka, the Very Rev. Peter Dufau, Vicar Gen- eral of the Diocese, was put in his place. Upon the death of Very Rev. Father Dufau, in May, 18S1, the Rev. Bernard O'Reilly was placed in charge of the parish, and in July, 1884, he was succeeded by Father William J. Kenney, the present in- cumbent. The Church embraces within its membership many of the leading citizens of Jacksonville, and i^ always well at- tended.
St. John's Episcopal Church.— The edifice owned by the^ I^piscopahans of Jacksonville, is, beyond a doubt the finest ec- clesiastical building in the State of Florida. It was first occu- pied for Divine service on Easter Sunday, 1877. The number of communicants is over four hundred, while the Sabbath-school numbers over five hundred children. Rev. R. H. Weller D D the rector, is a profound theologian, and universally beloved by all who know him.
Tabernacle Baptist Church— Situated on the north side of West Church street, east of Julia. Rev. S. K. Leavitt, Pastor; hben Bean and Whitfield Walker, Deacons. Trustees • Whit-
?wn-^^^^i^c'.^- ^^- Cleveland, H. R Green, L. Stein, Eben Bean. vVilliam 1. Simmons, Clerk and Treasurer.
Christian Church— Situated on Beaver street southwest corner of Pine. Rev. T. H. Blenus, Pastor. Elders ' George F Lampkin, J. R. Challen, L. W. Haskins. Deacons- M Burt I* W. Miller, Church Anderson and Dr. C. Williams. W. W Smith clerk. " '
Church of St. John— (Lutheran)— Situated on Ashley • street, northeast corner of Laura. Services alternately in Ger- man and English. Rev. C. F. Bansemer, Pastor; John D Wits- chen. President; H. Lilienthal, Secretary; John D. Wedding Treasurer. Elders : George Heins, H. W. Arpen and H Lil- ienthal. Trustees: C. Brickwedel, J. D. Witschen and John R Kornahrens.
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church (South)— Situ- ated on East Duval street, northeast corner of Newnan Rev H. H. Kennedy, Pastor. Stewards : T. Hartridge, A J Russell' ^l ^Y; f/n^'^'' ^.' 5- l^^^^"gston, D. A. Cook, W. B. Clarkson' A. VV. Whittle, J. C. Cooper and F. W. Conrad. Trustees: W.
1^
A. McLean, T. Hartridge. G. \V. Frazier, T. H. Livingston \V S. Dunklee, A. J. Russell. W. S. Whistler, G. M. Washington, 3. A. Winter. G. W. Frazier, Recording Steward and Treas- urer; A. J. Russell, Superintendent Sunday school.
Tkinitv M. E. Church.— This beautiful edifice is located on Monroe street an^j faces the City Park. The land on which it is located was purchased March 4th, 1870, by C. L. Robinson, for SSAOO. The first pastor was Rev. S. S. Swaim. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. S. R. Darnell in 1872, and in 1874 Rev. J. F. Spence was installed as pastor. He was followed by Revs. J. T Lewton, W. W. Hicks, C. C. McLean and S. D. Paine, the last of whom is the present incumbent. The church is in a flourish- ing condition, absolutely free from debt, and owns property val- ued at nearly $30,000. It has a membership of nearly two hundred, and justly ranks as one of the leading churches of Florida.
Newnan Street Presbyterian Church.— This Church, lo- cated on Newnan street, has one hundred and fifty communicants, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. William Henry Dodge,' who was installed in January, 1875, as pastor. He'is a ripe scholar, an excelle.it preacher and universally liked by the whole community.
Ahaveth Chesed.— The Hebrew Synagogue, located at the corner of Laura and State streets, was built in 1882 at a cost of $9,000 and dedicated to Jehovah 8th September, 1882. There are at present nearly fifty members. At the age of thirteen the Israelitish children are admitted to membership. The present 0 Rabbi is Rev. Isaac Kaiser.
I
The foregoing are the leading churches of Jacksonville. There are several others, some of whom are without a regular pastor and others so sparsely attended that reliable information could not be obtained respecting them. \
FRATERNITY.
The Free and Accepted Masons have two Blue or Symbolic Lodges, Duval No. 18, and Solomon No. 20; Jacksonville Royal Arch Chapter, No. 12 (No Council of Royal and Select Masters are at work); Damascus Commandery No. 2; Knights^
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Stish^R^ite ^^n -^^^^r^^"^^' "^ ^^^^^^^^^" ^-- ^ 0(32 degree Scottish Rite, all of whom meet at Masonic Hall corner of rL
and Pine streets, over Dr. John C. L'Engle's drug s^ore ^
ri -I^V" ^' ^- ^' '^ ^eP'*esented by Florida Lodee No i ;inH
f.W ■'^'^.'^■■^""^'''e. Council, 888, American Legion of Honor St John s Division, No. 266 B of I P • n.-H»,. <• r> •, !^'
aie vererans. Amite Lodg^e, No ^ caa Knio-htc ^f t-t t7.
kt TaTu 1 3.573^ Knightfo^f LrtfVidSrLo^dt-
Vm ' ^' , ^■- ^°"' °^ Temperance; Good Temolars- Tn effable Temple o Honor and Temperance. These a7aH whit; organ,zation.s; a large share of them are, or profess to Ldf plicated by the colored portion of the community
BANKS.
Jacksonville has seven banks, namely:
A.MBLER, Marvin & Stockton— No i6 East Bay street
Bank of JACKSONVILLE-Pine street, corner of Forsyth
Kast BaT '''^'°''' ^''' °' ^^^KinA-Oce^n street, corner of
5. W^esrCytHret"^^" ^'^" ^^^^ ^-^^■^™ Exchanch-No.,
Hay sTr'let''" "^'*' "' """^ ^'^^^ °^ Florida-No. i6 West of Pinr™ ^''''' "^ P'-°'*"'^-No. 24 West Bay street, corner
THE PARK THEATRE.
This building is located at the corner of Duval and Laur;, streets, and, during the winter season, is admirably managed by
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Mr James D. Hurbridge, who manages to bring forward all the prominent celebrities of the stage in rapid succession. It is always liberally patronized.
THE CITY LIBRARY. '
This attractive building, at the corner of Adams and Laura streets, contains an excellent stock of choice works, upon nearly every topic, all the papers published in Florida, and nearly all of the leading magazines, and most of the illustrated papers of the day, including many foreign publications. The Jacksonville Library Association was incorporated in 1883 by the State Leg- islature, with Col. J. Q. Burbridge as President. The Associa- tion owns the building and grounds, and is becoming more prosperous every year. |
NEWSPAPERS.
Times-Union, daily and weekly, independent. The great newspaper of Florida and second to none in the South. C. H. Jones & Bro., proprietors. Office, West Bay, corner of Laura street. I
Florida Herald, daily and weekly, the only evening paper in the city — Democratic. Clark & Graves, publishers. John T. Graves, editor. Office. 24 East Bay street.
Florida Dispatch, agricultural, published weekly by C. W. DaCosta. A. H. Manville. editor. Office, No. 29 Pine street, in the old Freedman's Bank Building.
Church and Home, the organ of the Protestant PLpiscopal Church in Florida, weekly ; Rev. R. H. Weller, D. D., editor': F. W. Mumby, business manager, No. 13 West Bay street.
Morning News. John P. Varnum. editor; published every morning at 24 t^ast Bay street. ¥. W. Hawthorne, business
manager. I
j
The Sunday Critique, edited and published by Lionel Jacobs and M. C. Jordan. Office, corner Bay and Ocean streets, up-stairs. First issued January, 1887.
GEORGE B. GRIFFIN. See Page 26.
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Jacksonville Price Current and Florida Trade Journal, Clias. \V. DaCosta, publisher, 213^ West Bay. Published weekly, Louis- W. Buckley, editor.
The Tropical Paradise, established 3d February, 1883, in the interests of Florida. John Frank, editor and publisher. Issued weekly from 30 East Bay.
Plorida Rural Home, devoted t?o agricultural interests, is- sued monthly from No. i West Bay street, by Walter Connelly, business manager.
Farmer and Fruit-Grower, agricultural, published weekly at 64 and 66 West Bay street, C. H. Jones & Bro., publishers; A. H. Curtis, A. M., editor.
The Semi-Tropical, devoted to Southern intere.sts and issued monthly, from 21^ West Bay street.
Daily Hotel News, published during the winter season only, by Charles L. Pleasants, 39^ West Bay street. Contains all the hotel arrivals.
THE JACKSONVILLE FIRE BRIGADt:.
There is no more efficient body of experts to be found in the South, and its arrangements for the extinguishment of fires are absolutely perfect. Ex-Mayor Peter Jones is chief of the de- partment and M. H. Hooker, formerly of Kansas City, his effi- cient assistant. There are three separate stations, having men on duty every minute, day and night, ready for instant action.
MECHANICS STEAM FIRE ENGINE COMPANY.
This is the only independent company in the city and the onl)' one that did not disband at the organization of the paid fire department. It was organized 3d of February, 1870, owns a valuable brick building of two-stories and the land upon which It stands on Adams street, between Pine and Laura, and a' first- class LaFrance steam fire engine that cost ;^5,ooo. They also own the stables in the rear, which are leased to the city author- ities. The company is ready to turn out at any moment their services may be called for, and in the suburbs, where the fire
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bricradc cannot act, their services are invaluable. Gus Muller, Foreman; W. H. West, Recording Secretary ; J. K. hUiott Cor- responding Secretary ; John F. Tyler, Engineer, and Henry Peters, Treasurer. 1
JACKSONVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
This organization was started on the 31st January, 1884; became permanently established ;th February, 1884; adopted its constitution 14th May. 1884, and exercises a general super- intendence over all the commercial mterests of the city. Iheir second annual report embraces one hundred and twenty-six pages of very valuable, reliable information, that no live business man can afford to be without. Col.J. J. Daniel. President ; Dr. J M. Fairlie. Secretary. The membership comprises one hundred and six of the leading business men of Jacksonville, and exercises a controlling and powerful interest over its business affairs.
THE SUBURBS OF JACKSONVHXE.
Among the first of these Campbell's Addition may be mentioned.'' It lies directly east of Springfield. In the year 1882 A. B. Campbell, p:sq., a prominent music dealer and publisher, on Bay street, purchased from Mrs. Mary J.O'Hearn, and Col. J. J. Daniel, sixty acres of land, located exactly one mile from the Duval county court-house. It was carefully surveyed and laid out in lots of 50x125 feet. Shortly after- ward Mr. Campbell, bv his persistent energy, succeeded in establishing the Jacksonville and Suburban Railroad, from Bay street, leading direct to the Campbell Addition, and from that time the lots have sold rapidly. Since then, Mr. Camp- bell has purchased sixty additional acres, making one hundred and twentv acres in all. More than two hundred and seventy- five persons have already purchased lots, and the cry is still they come. Mr. G. B. Griffin, a well-known real estate operator, is connected with Mr. Campbell, and by their united exertions, nearly all of the property is already disposed ot. More than forty houses have already been erected, some of them really remarkable for architectural beauty. It is certainly one of the most attractive points adjacent to the city proper ; and, after the meeting of the next Legislature, will most undoubtly become a part of the corporate limits of the city. Better in- vestments than at this point could scarcely be made. There are
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scarcely three hundred lots remaining unsold, and these will soon be taken up, beyond a doubt. The extreme healthfulness of this locality is a great point to be taken into consideration by those who are in search of a pleasant, comfortable home, and those who have already located here form a nucleus for an unexeption- able neighborhood.
«
burbridge's addition.
As may be seen by reference to another part of this work, Col. J. Q. Burbridge has ever manifested a large degree of public .spirit in everything that seemed to advance the interests of the community around him. His addition forms the suburb connec- tion with the northwe-st of Jacksonville, and almost joins Spring- field. It is very carefully and accurately laid out, and nearly all the lots are sold and many of them improved.
SPRINGFIELD.
This beautiful suburb of Jacksonville lies on the North of the central portion of the city proper. It is in the hands of a joint stock company, who, in the management of their interests, manifest a commendable public spirit. The street improvements made at the company's expense are all of the best and most complete of their kind, and the Shell Road, now being complet- ed, will add much to the pleasure of both residents and tourists.
The importance of this suburb, which covers ten square miles, can better be appreciated when its locality is properly known and understood. The principal street of Springfield is a continuation of Pine street, which is the most central cross street running north and south, and not over a half mile from Bay. The beautiful and costly block, just completed by Mr. S. B. Hubbard, is sufficient evidence that Pine is already an important business street. When the better class of business houses shall have ex- tended a few blocks on that street from Bay, Springfield will be in the very centre of the residence portion of the city. The number of beautiful and costly dwellings already erected seems to indicate that this fact is well understood by leading merchants and professional men long residents of Jacksonville. Another reason for the popularity of this locality is the fact that there is a most complete .street car service running from Bay out Pine street clear through Springfield, built by the Sprinfield Go.
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PHOTO-ENGRAVING IN JACKSONVILLE.
It may not be generally known, but there is some really superior work done in the way of Photo-engraving at the corner of Bay and Ocean streets, that compares very avorably w,th he wofk done in many of the larger cities of the Umon, •" proof « wh ch we would refer to the columns of the Mormn^ Nc-ws and t^rZlunwn, of recent date, where Rev. Dr. Cuzner has pro- duced specimens of his undoubted skill as a superior artist.
When the steamer 'Cherokee" first made her appearance in the port of Jacksonville, the proprietors of the different news- napers sent to New York for an electrotype cut of the steamci. ^Mr Clyde, her agent, telegraphed back that he could not send a cut as there was not time enough to have one engraved in season for its desired publication. Dr. Cuzner was a once called upon and, in response, he boarded the tug-steamer "Seh Low with his photographic aparatus, made two capital sketches, and The next day both^norning papers h.ad a beautiful representation of the "Cherokee," elegantly engraved, that could not have been surpassed by any establishment at the North.
ROBERT H. JONES.
Commerce has her lions. More than any other merchaiU in Florida, perhaps, Robert H. Jones merits that t'tle^ R.s ng iL a young lion in his strength, unaided and a one. Mr, Jone "tands! at the age of 29 years, head and shoulders above all
*"^ TtTboth'interesting and instructive to trace the lives of ■ successful men. And the discerning student can follow the consecutive links which form the chain we call success
There are instances, however, and the subject before us .s one where genius alone forms so large a part, that in admiration of th^t element we are apt to lose sight of the minor causes, without which genius would have proved impotent.
Mr Jones is a native of Georgia, having been born in Liberty county, of that State. He came to Florida with his father, when but a bov and settled in Jacksonville. Making the most of the best schools then obtainable in the city, the ambitious boy gave- close attention to mathematics and commercial forms, and while yet in his teens became book-keeper for Col "J .«a>^' then having one of the largest grocery houses in Jack.sonville
While with Col. Baya, Mr. Jones deeded to enter the
ROBERT H. JONES, See Page 24.
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grocery business on his own account so soon as his finances I should warrant. Accordingly, we find him, when barely of age commencing busmess, associated with W. B. Owen under the firm name of Jones & Owen. Subsequently, he bought out his partner, and became associated with Mr. D. Bowen. Within the last year he purchased Mr. Bowen's interest and is now sole owner and manager of the extensive business his talent and un- tiring energy have built up. In addition to liberal advertising he has at all seasons two or more men on the road in his in- terest, and It IS safe to say there is not a cross roads grocer that does not know the house. It is almost inconceivable that such a business could be built up in so short a time, even under the most favorable circumstances. And it is astonishing when we reflect that but ten short years ago the proprietor of this immense business was a boy with only willing hands and a ready active mind, and that this youth has in so short a time, unaided and alone, accomplished so much. We may here state, in parenthe- sis, that Mr. Jones' is the only exclusive grocery house doin^ a regular jobbing business in Florida.
Without the apparent design on his part, Mr. Jones has ac- quired large landed posessions in all parts of Florida, much of which has been obtained in settlement with interior merchants Unlike many capitalists, Mr. Jones does not put his lands into the hands of agents. Preferring to oversee all branches of his busi- ness personally, he sells his own lands, and not having boucrht them for speculation, it is fair to presume many desirable btr- L^ains are often obtained from him.
Financially, ^r. Jones stands very high, and the amount of bu^ness transacted by him aggregates half a million dollars per annum. •• ^
Socially, he is second to no gentleman, and having married m 1 88 1 the accomplished daughter of Hon. James M. Baker, his family IS of the first people of Jacksonville, and his beautiful home on Hogan street is frequented by the elite of the city and State.
The above account of the enterprise, success and standing of Mr. Jones would be incomplete without the following brief statement relative to his christian character and influence : Early in life he espoused the cause of Christ, and became a member of the Newnan Street Presbyterian Church of this city, in which church he was a zealous and active laborer and faithful officer for several years. Some three years or more ago he undertook the establishment of a mission school in one of the suburbs of
26 I
the city, which he has fostered and managed with that care and zeal so characteristic of his Hfe in all other enterprises, until he has seen the fruit of his labors in the establishment of a growing and prosperous church. He is in nature kind and sympathetic, and even generous to a fault. He not only has time to attend to all his varied mercantile and other secular interests, but de- votes much time to religious work, in which he is equally suc- cessful, i
GEORGE R. GRIFFIN.
The data before us should be in the hands of a Plutarch or a Parton. Perhaps the latter could do it nearest justice. From his pen the life of Geo. B. Griffin would appear as a charming lesson to American boys, and lend hope and courage to ambi- tious youth.
No phase of our peculiar civilization appears more astonish- ing to foreigners, or is more potent with promise and assurance of the permanency of our great republic than the number of our .self-made men, and of this class, of whom Americans are so justly proud, Mr. Griffin is a worthy example.
Mr. Griffin is a native of Jefferson county, New York, and was born April 4th, 1819. His boyhood might appear to the general reader barren of interest, but to a student of human na- ture it would afford a fine study of those multiform causes that develop the self-reliant and independent characters of our success- ful men. In this view of the subject we are led to regret that our data throws no light upon his boyhood, and we are com- pelled to commence our narrative at the twenty-first year ofiJhe life of the subject.
At this time we find him broken in health, and, by the ad- vice of his physician, seeking recovery in a trip to the banks of New Foundland. It was indicative of the strencrth of character of this boy that when no other position offered, he without a murmur, accepted that of cook of a fishing smack, and notwith- standing the expressed conditions .stated by the captain, that the "Mjffiis mjst always be light, and the meals on time." and the fact that young Griffin had never cooked a meal in his life. This defect in his culinary education was overcome by willing and obliging manners, which made him friends among the men and brought them to his aid with both advice and as- sistance.
It is of interest to .state here, and state in parenthesis, that
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Mr. Griffin has always been influenced by a most practical theory of life, to-wit, that one should never be idle, and that a man can do anything he decides and determines to do. As evidence of his thorough belief in this theory, we find him later in life, after he had been in business for years, arrived in Chicago, and being undecided whether to settle there, he was unwilling to remain idle, and accordingly, nothing else presenting itself, he worked as a carpenter on the old City Hotel, then under construction. Leaving Chicago, Mr. Griffin settled in Wisconsin, where he be- came a prosperous merchant.
The spring gf 1871 again found him in Chicago, where, see- ing the fine opening for investments, he launched forth in the real estate business. The rapid strides to fortune he made there in the following two years would be marvellous in any country but our own. And we must attribute it not alone to Mr. Griffin's sagacity, but in part to the fact that Chicago was just rising from the ashes of the great fire. But for the financial panic of 1873 he would soon have been counted a millionaire, and the fractions of his shattered fortune have since that time enriched many of his former business associates and friends.
Leaving the scenes of his financial triumph and misfortune, Mr. Griffin came, immediately following the panic, to Florida. His wealth had been swept away in the depreciation of property almost in a night; but he was still hopeful, and seeing the great opportunities here offered to enterprise and financial ability, he ciuickly placed the few hundred dollars he had been able honor- ably to save from the wreck, in real estate. Jacksonville may count it a red letter day that Mr. Griffin first took an interest in hei'. development. For no man has done more to^rd her ad- vancement and substantial interests than he. The enterprises with which he is, or has been, connected since his arrival here need only be mentioned for the reader to realize how great a factor he has been in our progress. To him we owe the first action in obtaining two of our street railways. It was he who saw, and seeing convinced others, that the cemetery should be without the city's borders, and as a result we have the Evergreen Ceme- tery, a tract of 200 acres soon to be reached by streetcars, and to be adorned and beautified as befits the cemetery of so prosperous and promising a city. Mr. Griffin was also the pioneer in platting the beautiful and thriving additions to the city proper, namely, Springfield, Campbell's Addition and Burbridge's Addition, Pablo Beach and J. & A. Railway. He conceived the idea of the Pablo Beach railroad and .seaside resort, in which enterprise he acted in
2S
imison with Mr. Hurbridge, wlio put much of his time and main- thousands of dollars into the company.
Mr. Griffin is largely interested in lands and town property in the interior of the State, having laid out several towns, nota- bly Windsor, in Alachua county, and Inverness, in Hernando county. He now resides at his beautiful town of Windsor, sur- rounded in his new home with all the comforts of modern times still retaining large interests in Jacksonville, which, in associa- tion with his son, F. W. Griffin, is under the latter's able man- agement, through the style of G. B. Griffin & Son. And, havincr many investments in other parts of the State, it.will be seen Mr. Griffin has not retired from business, but finds ample occupation in taking a general supervision of it.
JOHN O. BURBRIDGE.
Pre-eminent among the substantial men of Jacksonville, stands the name of John Q. Burbridge, and his unselfish devotion.' to what he conceives to be her interests and honor, have proved him most worthy of the position. Whenever it has been neces- sary for the public weal that private purses should contribute, his has always been open, and his time and talent freely given. '
Mr. Burbridge is a native of the State of Missouri havino- been born May 21, 1830, in Pike County, in that State. He wa"^ educated at the St. Louis University, which was under the able control of the Jesuit Fathers. Graduating just in time to catch the first flush of the gold fever, young Burbridge left the aca- demic halls for the plains, and arrived in Sacramento, California in August, j^49, he thereby being entitled a Forty-Niner, of which he is one among the youngest. Remaining about three years in California, he returned to Missouri and engaged in the general merchandise business with marked success.
The civil war breaking out in 1861, Mr. Burbridge hastily wound up his business and accepted a Military Commission from Governor C. F. Jackson, of Missouri, together with an ap- pointment as Division Inspector of the First Military District of Missouri, vice General I. B. Henderson.
While in discharge of his military duties at Camp Jackson. St. Louis, he was made prisoner of war by Gen. Lyon, May 10,' 1 86 1. Being soon exchanged, Captain Burbridge, at the call of General Jackson for troops to defend the Capital of Missouri, re- cruited fifteen hundred men, and on July 2, 1861. was elected Colonel of the First Missouri Regiment of Infantry.
JOHN Q. BURBRIDGE. See Page 28.
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At the battle of Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, Colonel Hurbridge was severely wounded by a minnie ball in the back of the head. Recovering from his wound, he again took the field, and serving through the war with marked ability, surrendered his command at Shreveport, La., he receiving the honorable dis- tinction of permission to conduct his surrendered comrades to St. Louis, where they were all furnished by the Government with transportation to their homes.
Colonel Burbridge's first engagement in business after the war was at St. Louis. Subsequently he romoved to Alton, 111., where he was largely interested in flouring mills.
In October, 1882, he came to Jack.sonville, and seeing at a glance her promising future, invested extensively in real estate in and adjacent to the city.
Among the many public enterprises with which Col. Bur- bridge's name has been connected, none perhaps are more ex- clusively the fruit of his own fertile brain than the Jacksonville and Atlantic R. R., and the beautiful sea-side resort of Pablo Beach.
He was the first President of the railroad company, and in fact most of the lands were obtained from the Government and the Disston Land Company by him and transferred to the rail- road company.
His private enterprises have been of great public impor- tance, and have done much to swell the population of Jacksonville.
We refer especially to the laying out of additions to the city, in this Col. Burbridge has been singularly successful, hav- ing laid out two additions and sold nearly or quite all of the lots.
Both additions are rapidly building up, and will doubtless soon become, under a new charter, a part of Jacksonville in law, as they are now in fact.
Aside from schemes of speculation and finance, Jackson- ville has reason to be proud of Col. Burbridge for his noble ac- tion in the interest of the public library for the city.
In 1882 he found the remains of a well-meant but feeble effort towards a library, situated on Bay street. The society was three hundred dollars in debt, with assets, aside from a few- well selected books, merely nominal. Perceiving that thought- ful attention was needed quite as much as money, Colonel Bur- bridge canvassed the matter among those most interested, and proposed a plan of procedure, which he believed would be suc- cessful in establishing a suitable and permanent library. At a called meeting of the society Col. Burbridge was elected Presi-
30
31
dent. His plan was business-like and plain. It was to purchase a large lot suitably located, hold it until the half of it would sell so as to cover the cost of the whole. This plan was acted upon by buying the lot southeast corner of Laura and Adams streets.
The purchase money was obtained from the bank, each member of the committee giving his note for the payment. Sub- sequently Col. Burbridge took up the bank notes, and waited for his pay until half of the property sold for enough to pay for all, besides going far towards paying for the beautiful structure which adorns their lot and affords ample and pleasant room for their extensive and valuable collection of books. The societ)' have purchased over one thousand dollars worth of books within the last year.
The library property, including building and lot, is now worth not far from Sio.ooo.CX). Col. Burbridge is still its Presi- dent, and while we now look upon this as one of our public in- stitutions with pride, we have reason to hope that under his able management it will keep pace with the growth of our cit>' and the advance of the age. I
Socially Col. Burbridge stands second to no gentleman in Jacksonville, and in all enterprises designed in the public interest his opinion is sought, and his advice most frequently taken.
As an additional manifestation of their confidence and esteem, the citizens of Jacksonville, regardless of party affilia- tions, elected Col. Burbridge Mayor of the City of Jacksonville at the recent election.
GEORGE F. DREW.
It is a popular American belief that we have men in abun- dance capable of filling any position of trust and responsibility'. Indeed the safety of the republic rests upon that fact, and must stand or fall by its truth or error. History so far, in our notions of life, has borne out the theory, and we have only to look about us to witness in every day life a proof of its soundness.
Perhaps there has been no more noble example than the distinguished subject of this sketch.
When, in 1876, Florida had been permitted by incompetent would-be statesmen to drift near to the brink of insolvency, the thinking conservative Democrats of Florida cast their eyes about for a man capable of saving her honor and regaining her credit. With one accord all eyes semed to rest upon George F. Drew, and when the convention met he was nominated by acclamation.
It is safe to say no Governor of Florida ever entered upon his duties under more enibarrasing circumstances than he. The State had a bonded and floating debt of nearly ;$2,ooo,coo. There was no mtMicy in the treasury; the industries of the State had not recovered from the dc])ressing effects of the panic of '73; State scrip, of which there was about ;S40,000 in the treasury, was worth only 75 cents on the dollar, and 7 per cent, interest bearing bonds sold for only 65 cents on the dollar, while 6 per cents, were w orth but 60 cents.
Such was the condition of Florida when George F. Drew put his sturdy hand to the helm of the State.
Sanguine as had been the expectations of his friends, the fruits of Governor Drew's administration far exceeded their fond- est hopes. Retiring to private life after a single term, he left the financial department so improved that our bonds were selling at a premium. The floating debt had been paid off. Taxes had been reduced each year of his administration. Public schools had been fostered, and the State had started upon a race with progress from which she has not yet lagged.
It is said, and there is much evidence to show it, that most of our great men come from the farm. Be that as it may, in this instance the mechanic's bench may share the honor with the plow. Governor Drew is a native of the State of New Hamp- shire, he having been born at Alton in that State, August 6, 1827. His father was a well-to-do farmer, who, while he ex- pected his boys to work, as did their neighbors, believed in giv- ing them everyadvantage of an education within his power. In obedience to this sentiment and to George's inclination, he was sent away to college at the age of twelve years. Unfortunately, or otherwise, unforeseen circumstances of a financial nature caused George's recall from school before his classical education had been completed. Sad as this must have been to the ambi- tious youth he did not repine, but instead took up the labors of the farm with a will to assist in retrieving his father's fortunes. After two years of hard labor in this cause, affairs were so im- l)roved that he felt justified in going for himself, and George be- sought his father for permission to learn the machinist's trade. After passing his apprenticeship he worked for some time in New York. While there he met many traders and merchants from the South, and, among others, made Uie acquaintance of Col. John G. Winter, a banker of Columbus, Ga. It was through this gentleman's influence that Mr. Drew decided to come South. Col. Winter was about to embark in manufacturing
32
machinery, and he saw in the New England youth the talent he wanted to assure the success of his venture. It was in 1848 Mr. Drew built the first stationary engine that was ever made in
Columbus, Ga.
Ambitious as the youth had been to acquire a knowledge of the use of tools, but a few years sufficed to develop the fact that his active brain was continually conceiving more than his two hands could do. In proof of this we find him in 1853, at the head of an extensive milling business in the vicinity of Albany, Ga. Gathering together the remnants of a shattered fortune, Mr. Drew left Georgia in 1865 and came to Florida. Being identified with the milling interests he was again led to invest in that industry and purchased a mill in Suwanee County. This, while a financial success in a small way, served only as a stepping-stone to the vast and successful enterpri.ses in the same line Mr. Drew has since been identified with.
The arduous executive labors of his gubernatoral term in- terrupted for a time his private enterprises; but returned to pri- vate life, none would ever know, from word or act of his, that he has ever held the highest office and honors in the gift of the people of this State. While his extensive milling interests still claim much of his attention, he is also at the head of the mo.st extensive mercantile house in the State, under the style ot George F. Drew & Co., and is also connected with many other local enterprises, and is regarded as one of the foremo.st men in mercantile and financial circles. Socially Gov. Drew is the peer of his cotemporaries, and being still in all the vigor of an able manhood, Florida has reason to hope for many years of u.seful- ness from this one of her many valued adopted citizens.
CHURCH ANDERSON & CO.
Among the most prominent of Jacksonville's leading busi- ness houses, we properly place the firm whose name appears at the head of this article. Mr. Church Anderson, the sole owner of the business, while tracing his ancestry through generations of the aristocracy of the Old South, and while doubtless feeling a pardonable pride in so doing, is a typical enterprising man of
the New South.
Having been born at Nashville, Tenn., in 1857, and resi'ding there until arrival at manhood, Mr. Anderson's minority was sur- rounded by the best of educational and social influences. His liking for the sciences, and an early habit of reading, led hirn
..-i'-'^^i
••'>.-^
GEORGE F. DREW. See Page 30.
33
to prepare himself for the practice of medicine, taking his degree as a physician at the State University. The years of patient study necessary to obtain a diploma in the healing art were, so far as they applied to his life-woVk, practically lost, as about the time of his taking his degree the death of his father, for many years one of Nashville's prominent merchants, led him to change his life-plans. Instead of writing prescriptions he turned to writing checks, and instead of reading scientific monographs he interested himself in price-currents. Judging by Mr. Ander- son's success as a merchant, the medical profession lost a prize when he decided to take up the produce and commission busi- ness inherited from his father.
After successfully winding up the estate and continuing the business for some years in Nashville, Mr. Anderson was led, for climatic reasons, to seek a home in Florida. Arriving in Jack- sonville July, 1883, his ready perceptions saw at a glance the rare opportunity then offered to merchants of tact and ability, and he at once opened correspondence with merchants in his- line, and within a very short time commenced an extensive and' successful trade. His business connections extend from Nova' Scotia, whence he brings cargoes of potatoes, to the West Indies, whose merchants ship to him consignments of tropical fruits.
As the interior of Florida developed, the trade of this well known house has extended and increased until it is safe to say there is not a cross-road's store in the State whose proprietor does not know the house in a business way and some one of their traveling representatives personally.
The annual business of the firm is about two hundred thousand dollars.
Having mentioned Mr. Anderson's advantages of scholar- ship and training, it is needless to speak of his social qualities. We may, however, be permitted to add that he stands deservedly high with his brother merchants, and that his commercial integ- rity is unquestioned.
CAPTAIN WILEY G. TOOMER.
The leaders of men in war are, when called to civil life, usu- ally the first in commerce and finance, and the writers of biog- raphies both North and South, at the present time, will see this fact abundantly exemplified. In Captain Toomer we have also an example of the reserve force of the American people. Leaving a position as clerk of a grocery house at the age of twenty-one,
3
34
:„d entering the ^^^^^^^^ l^^^f^ cS
their honor in being fi"^f'°''"^rst company from another State eracy at Montgomery and he first compa y ^^
to pitch her tents «" V'^f^^^^'^f tWar^ear Norfolk, Va.. he with his company the first V^^r ol tnc ^^^ ^^^■_
witnessed *e famous battle bet vecatK ^^^^^^ ^.^^^
tor. He participated ui the battle otur^> ^^^^ ^^^^^
FairOaks Seven Day^ Battle befoicRicl^^ ^^^ ^^^^ .^^^ ^^^^
f ^'oT'thrP 3 ^3^1 and «L Uken to the Lincoln General
S5t:[:!3vSngto.a^ rrairnet:'fh,^^^^^^^ £rtrt.s;e=rdj=^^^^^^^^
Whiting. Later Jit th^= /^^^rrpersonafstaff. Captain Toomer 5:r r^r^: tL the Ld and -ong the .a t tole^ve
''•'\\'t\rfairfruUreL*:fth1%rslis%"p^ River: Sur- was the last battle '0"g'" j j^ j,, Carolina, Captain
rendering with J°h"^°" .S,, "ageTi" the arts of peace, his! Toomer hastened to Mob le ana en ag construe- !
fi.st venture being in partner^hpw.h^h^^^^^^^ Jennie Smith, a
tion of a mill. In ^la^. '^°"' j ^ f Columbia, S. C. Busi- daughterofthelaeRev^Is^cbmi^^^ ^^ accordingly
ness calling for his residence in rNe e.xtensive
settled there -^ ^ -- J -^;-^^^^^ partnership with
commission, lumber and stone exp MaLma Coal and
^u'^ro'ln 8%'m s To^^^^^^^^^ a change
S^HIn^ate the Captarmoved to New York, where he entered a of clmiate, the ^ap» confinement soon told upon
banking house ^s bookkeef^er ^^^ accordingly went
his own health, and he deciaea lo t ,
to F..rope and re„d ab^^^^^^^^^^^ ^J
quently engaged in trading betw extensively in Brazil,
tt^Wrinrs'Lnd in"£ico:°Much of this -ing is highly
V R^^rin^c JbVrLd :i^tit rhe /ew o;;:!;:^
health R^.turnin the Caotain met his old friend and former Exposition in ' ^SS, the Captam ^ ^^.^.^^ ^^ ^^^^^, _ I
|i''S Sr f ~Ul£t:S- .,2" »rd
35
importance and future prospects of this thriving city that heat once wrote, advising the establishment of an agency here. Trust- ino" to his well known good judgment the management at once acted upon his suggestion, at the same time placing the business in the hands of Captain Toomer and making him agent for the Alabama Coal and Coke Co. for the Atlantic States, including Florida, east of Pensacola, with headquarters at Jacksonville.
Locating here, Captain Toomer in 1885 set to work intro- ducing Alabama coal, the pioneer in his line. In proof of the Captain's sound judgment he has already not only built up an important retail trade, but is selling in car-load lots throughout Florida and in Southern Georgia. . From present indications and business already controlled, it is evident this able company is destined to have a very extensive trade in our State, and thcir transactions will contribute largely to the commerce of the city. It also makes possible the establishment of factories in our city, where the thousands who seek our beautiful climate and must work may find profitable occupation. Besides being a traveled man, Captain Toomer is a gentleman of refinement and social worth, and the many friends he has made while in Jacksonville will be pleased to learn he has settled here for a permanent home. His first wife having died in 1883 he was married at New Orleans in September last to a most estimable lady, Mrs. Sue P. Welshans, a native of Louisiana, and the daughter of a prominent sugar planter.
EMERY & COMPANY.
The above well known firm is composed of William N. and George Emery, brothers. And it is not too much to say, that no two brothers, if indeed there be any two men, in Florida are better posted in their special line of trade than they.
They were both born on the Island of Nantucket ; alike, too, they received their education and business training at Fall River, Mass. Each left the school desk for the shoe counter. And each has risen from the position of clerkship to propri- etor. William N. commenced business on his own account at the early age of eighteen by buying out the firm for whom he had been clerking, at Fall River, and with whom he learned the business.
Success crowning his first undertaking, he was enabled, on coming to Florida in 1879, to open with a well assorted stock of boots and shoes at No. go West Bay street, Jacksonville.
36
George, the younger brother, followed in 1880, and bring- ing more money into the business the stock was considerably enlarged, and the house took rank as the first of its line in Flor- ida.
It is a saying, as true as trite, that goods well bought are half sold. And it is upon this theory that the Emery brothers have always conducted their business. Having grown to manhood surrounded by the largest factories and the most extensive shoe interests in the world, it is plain to be seen they have a great advantage over the average dealer.
Their success being founded upon real merit and a thorough knowledge of their business, it is nothing strange that they have gained, and maintain, so eminent a position among the merchants of Jacksonville. I
Socially both brothers occupy an enviable position. Hence they command some of the very best trade of the city.
Their present location is at 71 West Bay street, where they have an extensive, well assorted and tastefully arranged stock of goods. Strangers, and in fact all patrons, will receive courteous attention and find both goods and prices to compete with Eastern houses.
DR. J. W. PEETE.
However admirable courtesy appears, as observed between gentlemen in like professions, it is seldom one hears a profes- sional gentleman extol the surpassing merits of a rival. Hence, we deem it well worthy of note, at the beginning of this sketch, to state, that a professional rival recently remarked: *'Dr. Peete is one of the best dentists in Florida," which we regard as credit- able to Dr. Peete and most honorable in the speaker.
Dr. J. W. Peete is a native of Tifton Co., West Tenn., and was born in December, 1858. He is the son of an able ph\'sician, and received his early education from a private tutor, under the watchful eye of his father. While yet in his teens he was sent to the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College at St. Louis, Mo., where he took a full course of study and graduated.
His tastes inclining to a profession, he entered the Vander- built University, at Nashville, Tenn.. and took up the study of dentistry and dental surgery. At this celebrated institution he graduated with first honors, and was awarded the prize badge, he now wears as a watch charm, for excellence in gold work.
He married at Memphis in 1880 Miss Anna Laura Fitch, a
3;
daughter of Mr. James R. Fitch, for many years treasurer of the M. and O. R. R., and a gentleman who has been honored with many positions of trust and responsibility.
When Dr. Peete came to Florida in April, 1883, he was not only a skilled dentist, but was a practical druggist. An opening in the latter Ime appearing most promising to him, he engaged in that busmess and built up a flourishing trade. Subsequently in 1885, associating with Dr. Bostwick, he engaged in the practice of dentistry. The extensive acquaintance he had formed and the many friends he had made, gave him, from the first a substantial and lucrative practice. '
In the spring of 1886 he dissolved partnership with Dr. Bost- wick, and since that time he has carried on business alone. He has elegant apartments at 525^ West Bay street, over Drew's hardware store. While doing a very large family practice, he also controls his share of the best hotel practice, and being ac- knowledged one of the most skilled dental surgeons of the city has many difficult cases to treat.
He may be regarded as one of Jacksonville's permanent residents, as, however flattering the offer of another field might appear, it could hardly be such as to warrant the sacrifice of the valuable practice he has established here.
Dr. Peete is a thorough scholar and close student of his profession. His easy and refined manners make him a favorite \yith cultivated people, while his high moral standard commands the respect and estem of all.
LOWELL D. HOSMER.
Among the many enterprising young men who have come from the North within the last few years to make their homes in Florida, none occupy a more enviable position, or are more esteemed than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Hosmer is a na- tive of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was born October 22, 1864. Having attended the best schools there, and benefitting by the instruction of an uncle, a retired merchant of Cincinnati, Mr. Hosmer had acquired, before his majority, a thorough commer- cial education.
As an evidence of his superior training, we find him in 1882, ^yhen but eighteen years of age, occupying the important posi- tion of assistant book-keeper in the Florida Savings Bank, Jack- sonville. In December, 1885, he had risen as the head of that department. Again he goes to the front, this time to the respon-
38 I
sible position of Secretary and Treasurer and acting Cashier of the Florida Savings Bank.
There is material for a chapter full of food for thought and reflection in the facts above stated. That this youth could in so short a time rise by sheer force of merit alone to such a position of trust and responsibility, while thousands of others remain at a standstill, or, worse, retrogade from the place influence and favor has given them, reflects credit, not alone upon him, but upon those whose influence and training shaped the man in the
boy
As might be inferred, Mr. Hosmer is quite as prominent in social circles as in financial, and while his duties at the honor- able post he so fitly occupies, render the hours devoted to so- ciety but few, he is always a welcomed and honored guest at the houses of the first families of Jacksonville.
Although not a communicant, Mr. Hosmer is a regular at- tendant of the Presbyterian Church (North), and the high moral plane he occupies is both creditable to himself and his family. That he will rise still higher in the financial world goes without the saying. As a refined and cultivated gentleman, worthy of trust, he could not be more esteemed.
HON. JONATHAN C. GREELEY.
Mr. Greeley is one of our self-made men, and a perusal of even this brief sketch of his life cannot but prove helpful and in- spiring to despondent youth.
He was born a farmer's boy, in the town of Palermo, Waldo county, Maine, July 6, 1833. His father was an industrious farmer, but an indifferent manager, and young Jonathan had not only to work early and late while attending the district school, but he had also to earn money during vacations with which to pay his board and tuition at New Castle Academy.
If one was disposed to analyze the combining causes ap- parent in developing this worthy man, it is probable these hard- ships, which to the careless student of character appear a mis- fortune, v/ould be counted as a potent influence in making the independent and self-reliant mind which was to win social, financial and political honors far above his fondest dreams or hopes.
It was indicative of the coming man, that the noble and generous youth devoted his first earnings, after leaving college, to paying off a mortgage on his father's farm.
39
This sacred offering upon the parental shrine was earned in teaching school. Too close attention to study, aided by the vigorous climate of New England, threatened to undermine his health, the symptons, in the form of severe lung troubles, being unmistakable.
Young Greeley's reading and experience had taught him that he should seek a milder climate. Accordingly, he came to Florida in 1852. He was then about 20 years of age. It is un- necessary to say he quite recovered from incipient consumption and is now hale and hearty, and is physicially, as mentally, a very able man.
Arriving in Florida, the sickly but hopeful stripling settled in Palatka, and so well was he received and so justly esteemed, that but two years after his arrival he was elected an alderman of that city.
In the late war, while Mr. Greeley was outspoken for the Union, he remained a non-combatant. In 1862-63 he rep- resented Putnam county in the Legislature. Soon after .he re- moved to Duval county, and was its treasurer until 1876. In 1873 he was elected Mayor of Jacksonville, and in 1882 he was elected State Senator. In the Senate he served with dis- tinguished ability, his conservative and consistent course making him warm and valued friends, even in the ranks of his political opponents. So strong, indeed, was this element that Mr. Greeley was induced in 1884 to resign his Senatorial seat and become an independent candidate for Lieutenant-Governor. Strong as was his personal following and general popularity, they failed to break party lines and he was defeated.
Among other positions of trust and responsibility, Mr. Greeley was for several years Assistant Assessor and Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, and from 1874 to 1878 was cashier of the Florida Savings Bank. Since the latter date he has been President of that ably conducted and thriving; in- stitution.
After giving the public life of such a man, all that remains to give symmetry and perfection to the structure, is to say that his manly character in public is only surpassed by the charming and benevolent acts of his private life.
It is said of many prominent and successful men, that their friends are among the most prominent people, and this remark is intended as a compliment to them. Of Mr. Greeley we may say his friends occupy every rank and position in life, and he is quite as ready to lend a sympathetic ear to the unfortunate and
40
distressed laborer, white or colored, as he is to listen to the wealthiest and highest in the land.
IRA MOWERY.
• i
Of the many progressive and enterprising men who have left the overcrowded cities of the North to find in Florida a field for their genius and labors, none, perhaps, is more worthy of mention than the subject of this sketch ; and from the special nature of tlie enterprises he inaugurates it may readily be seen that none other is likely to prove a greater individual force in furthering our substantial interests.
Mr. Mowery was born at Blairtown, N. J., 1849, where he attended school until the age of fifteen, at which time he joined the Union army, serving till the close of the war, and being with Grant at Appomattox. He returned to Oxford, N. J., and en- tered a general merchandise house as porter, working his way up by -force of industry, probity and worth, to a partnership in the firm.
Although immersed in business, his spare time was given to a study of the mechanical sciences, and his proficiency in this branch was recognized in an offer by the well known genius, J. T. Walter, inventor of mill machinery, of the position of general manager of his widely extended interests. This position not affording an opportunity for individual effort he retained it for but a short time.
In 1884 Mr. Mowery came to Florida to take charge of the extensive hardware business of S. B. Hubbard. Private interests and speculation soon engaged so much of his attention that he was compelled to resign this position, since which Mr. Mowery's name has been connected with many of the new industries of Jacksonville, the first to engage his attention being the Florida Stone & Pipe Co., in which he controlled a large interest. Fol- lowing this, he organized the Peirce 'Patent Stone and Building Co., of which he became Superintendent, Secretary and Treas- urer. After launching this enterprise successfully, he, the first of the present year (1887), retired from the management and sold his interest.
In November of last year, Mr. Mowery had the sad misfor- tune to lose his wife, a most estimable lady, whom he married in Brooklyn, N. Y. In obedience to her wish Mr. Mowery took her remains North and buried her in the family lot in beautiful Greenwood Cemetery, of Brooklyn. Returning after his sad be-
HON. JONATHAN C. GREELEY. See Page 38.
i
41
reavement Mr. Movvery plunged into business, evidently in the hope of drowning his sorrow. His first attention to business was given to the organization of the Florida Water Gas Co., of which Hon. Geo. F. Drew is President, W. H. Harkisheimer, Vice- President ; Hon. J. C. Greeley, Treasurer ; and Mr. Mowery, Su- perintendent. This enterprise is too young to have shown a success or proven its merits. It is, however, safe to say,judging from the able capitalists associated with Mr. Mowery, coupled with his recognized business ability, that the investment will prove a paying one.
Another corporation owing its existence in a large measure to Mr. Mowery's fertile brain is the Bureau of Illustrations and Engraving, of which he is President. When it is recognized that heretofore all such work has been sent North, and the amount of it used in books, pamphlets, circulars and descriptive articles of Florida, it will be readily seen the field for an establishment of this kind is a broad and profitable one.
Socially, Mr. Mowery has won since settling here a most enviable position. He is a member of the Grand Army Post of Jacksonville, and is Captain of the Sons of Veterans, Rufus Sax- ton's Camp No. 2 ; is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, I. O. O. F.,and Royal Arcanum.
He is recognized as one of our most enterprising and useful citizens, and among his personal friends numbers our prominent and most respected people.
ZACHARIAH T. ANDERSON.
This gentleman, one of the founders of and senior partner in the firm of Anderson & Townsend, was born in Washington county, Maine, on the loth day of October, 1848.
Mr. Anderson received a common school education in the town of Steuben, Maine, and it was there he was taught the trade of ship caulker. When he became of age he left the State of Maine for Florida, and was for a long time a contractor on the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railway.
In the month of October, 1883, he formed a co-partnership with Mr. James F. Townsend, and together they commenced the manufacture of cypress shingles and established a wood yard at the same time. As the business began to increase, Mr. Townsend died, but his family still retained his interest in the plant, so that the firm name is continued as before.
The location selected embraces Nos. 140, 142 and 144 East
42
43
Bay street, and as the lots they occupied extended clear back t& the river, it gave them ample wharf room and every facility for receiving the wood they purchased from any desired point with- out much cost by way of transportation.
The sale of shingles alone amounts to over two millions per annum, while the reputation of the firm is so well established for excellence of workmanship, that they find a market as fast as they can be manufactured.
It is generally conceded by business men that, so far as shingles and their manufacture are concerned, those made from Southern lumber claim a decided preference, and will always bring a higher price in market. Hence, a well conducted shingle-yard is at once looked upon as one of the most promis- ing industries of. the day, especially in this section of country. The business gives constant employment and fair wages to a great number of men, who find it not only healthy, but com- paratively pleasant when compared with other vocations. The principal builders give a decided preference to shingles for roof- ing purposes ; they are said to be far cheaper than slate, tiles or metal, and each successive year the demand for them grows greater and greater, so that the manufacture assumes larger proportions, and, of course, greater profit accrues to the
makers.
A visit to this extensive establishment will amply repay any shrewd business man who may be directly or indi- rectly connected with building interests. The excellence of material used, of which Mr. Anderson is a most admirable judge, the great care used in their manufacture and the neat . manner in which they are packed for transportation, all serve to commend them highly to the notice of those who have an idea
of purchasing.
Mr. James F. Townsend, who was formerly junior partner of Mr. Anderson, was a Floridian by birth, a young man of excellent promise, noted for his sterling integrity, and at the time of his death occupied the responsible position of City Tax Assessor. Since his decease, his father has acted in his place to- some extent, for the benefit of the widow, who still retains one- half interest in the business.
HARRY A. BURT.
Mr. H. A. Burt, of Burt & Co., wholesale and retail manu- fdJturing jewelers, 31 West Bay street, is a native of Ohio, hav-
ing been born in Richland county, that State, 1861. He is |he son of Mr. Merrit Burt, the well known watch-maker and inven- tor, now resident of this city. Mr. Burt, the elder, was many years a resident of the city of Cleveland, Ohio, and it was there his son Harry received his education, and, under his father, learned the watch-maker's and jeweler's trade.
It was about the time Harry game to manhood that his father moved South, leaving him in the North. The son had enfja^ed in business on his own account as a commercial trav- eler, selling jewelry at wholesale and traveling throughout most of the States of the Union. The superior advantages he had received in both education and training for his special business, aided by quick perception, engaging manners and the superior tact peculiar to the typical commercial traveler, made Mr. Burt a success in that line ; so much so, indeed, that when he came to Jacksonville, about two years ago, he had accumulated enough to engage in business with his father, which he did under the .style of M. Burt & Son. The co-partnership proved both agree- able and profitable. His father had already won an enviable rep- utation as watch-maker of superior and exceptional qualifica- tions. This, when supplemented by the son's able business attainments and attentive habits of application, soon gave the firm an extensive trade. Then, too, they were the first firm in Florida to deal in jewelers' supplies at wholesale, and the jew- elers pi the State having so long suffered the inconvenience of sending to Northern cities for everything, welcomed the advent of a house in Jacksonville that could supply their wants.
In this connection, it is worthy of remark that the old drum- mer instinct has at times been so strong upon Harry A. that it has driven him to the road, and to this should be given due credit for the interior trade they have built up. We venture to predict — and the reason for our guess will be found further on — that Harry A. has made his last trip with the "grip."
In addition to the fruits of this enterprise, as seen in the increasing business of the firm, he has engaged in outside ven- tures with marked success. The elegant Acme Apartment Hotel of W. Bay street, on the European plan, was fitted up and is owned and managed under his general supervision. He has also made some fortunate investments in real estate, the most of which are situated in the famed Indian River country.
The most happy enterprise, however, and to which we call the attention of his erst-while bachelor friends, that Mr. Burt has shown was in securing the hand and heart of an accomplished
44
lac|^, whom he has within the last few weeks introduced to his Jacksonville friends. Mrs. Burt, 7iee Miss Anderson, is the daughter of Mr. Church Anderson, a prominent merchant of Nashville, Tenn,, and is a sister of Mr. Church Anderson, of this ^city. Who can blame Harry for leaving the road ? It is due to interior jewelers here to add, that competent and trustworthy representatives will call upon them in the interest of Burt & Co., which, by the way, is the style of the firm since January, 1887, and that business will not be neglected because Mr. Burt has found home more attractive than the road.
Among the novelties displayed at their sales rooms, and one, too, which attracts the attention and commands the admi- ration of thousands of tourists, are the beautifully electro-plated (gold and silver) canes upon the natural wood. Here, too, is displayed the thousand dollar watch, made entirely by hand by the elder Mr. Burt, who is the inventor of the most valuable improvement in watches of the present generation, and whose name will be found upon every Elgin watch now manufactured.
Mr. Harry A. Burt is a Master Mason and a worthy mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. He is an affable and accomplished gentleman, and is greatly esteemed for his manly integrity and real worth.
WILLIAM CLARKE.
Mr. William Clarke has certainly the most important plumbing, steam and gas fitting business in the city of Jackson- ville, and keeps by long odds the largest stock in the State. At his store, No. 3 Hazeltine Building, foot of Laura street, may be seen every variety of furnace, plumbing works, gas and steam fittings and the like. His present business, of which the most important branch is the wholesale department, has, since he started in 1883, grown to the most remarkable extent, and now is one of the most flourishing in the town. Among the most important contracts which Mr. Clarke has had entrusted to him, and which he has carried out to the entire satisfaction of his employers, may be mentioned the Windsor and Carleton Hotels, for both of which he did all the plumbing, fitting, etc. He has, besides, done a great part of the work in the large modern blocks which have been erected within the last few years, always in the most thorough and satisfactory manner.
He is by birth an Englishman, having been born at Burg St. Edmunds, in the county of Suffolk, on the 27th of March,
45
1843, and there he was raised and received his early education. When eleven years of age he came with his parents to America, settling at Albany, N. Y. In that town he served three years apprenticeship with his father and acquired a knowledge of the copper fitting business. Later he, for a time, worked with the well known house of Ridgway & Co., with whom he learned the plumbing trade. He then served for a year in the Federal army and saw active service during the Potomac campaign.
In 1866 he rejoined his father at Albany and went into part- nership with him, the style of the firm being Clarke & Son. Three years later he came to Florida for the benefit of his wife's health and settled four andahalf miles east of Jacksonville, where he started an orange grove. In the fall of 1873 he took charge of the plumbing business of S. B. Hubbard and the following year opened a shop for himself on Forsyth street, moving later to the corner of Newnan and Forsyth streets. In 1 879 he sold out to take charge of the plumbing department of Messrs. Garrett, Bowen & VanBuren's business, under a three years' contract. In 1883 he bought out Mr. McConihe's shop and run it one year, when he established himself in the rear of 50 West Bay street. His business increased so rapidly and to such an extent that he soon had to seek more commodious premises, and in Jan- uary, 1887, he moved to the magnificent store which he is now occupying, No. 3 Hazeltine Building.
As will be seen from this brief review of his career. Mr. Clarke has only attained his present prosperous position by be- coming thoroughly acquainted with the business in all its branches, and by persistent hard work. He received little or no help from relatives or friends, but has had to rely on his own intelligence and industry, and by those qualities alone he has raised himself to a level with Jacksonville's most respected citizens. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the American Legion of Honor.
MESSRS. JOHN T. AND GEO. U. WALKER,
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS, SECOND STORY FIRST NATIONAL
BANK BUILDING, JACKSONVILLE.
Among the brightest and most successful lawyers of the State, in both civil and criminal practice, and a firm which is employed either for plaintiff or defendant in most of the import- ant suits in Florida, may be mentioned Messrs. John T. and Geo. U. Walker, of this city.
46 I
The senior partner in this firm, Mr. John T. Walker, was born in Laurens District, S. C, on the ist of November, 1843, and is a son of Colonel Whitfield Walker, a large real estate owner and dealer in this city, who served during the early part of the late war in command of a company in the First South Carohna Regiment, and afterwards commanded the Third Regiment of
Alabama Reserves, C. S. A. , .\u
Mr Walker was educated in his native State, and in the year 1858 entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. He however left at the outbreak of the war and joined the Con- federate navy as midshipman, but was shortly promoted to lieutenant's rank, serving under Capt. Maury fourteen months at sea He was with Admiral Buchanan at Hampton Roads, and was aid to Capt. Farand at Drury Bluff. He had command of a torpedo boat at Mobile, and then was detailed for special duty on the staff of Gen. Dabney H. Maury, till the close of the
war
' Mr Walker then read law at Marion, and practiced success- fully at Greenboro, Alabama, till 1868. He then went to Cali- fornia and there practiced for fourteen months. Returning to his own State he went into partnership with Judge W. M. Brooks. It was in the year 1877 that he came to Jacksonville, in which city he has since carried on his business successfully.
Mr Geo U. Walker, the younger brother of the above, was also born in South Carolina. He studied and graduated at the Southern University of Alabama, and in that State read law for two years, being admitted to practice in 1872. He continued there in his profession until 1880, when he came to Jackson- ville to join his brother in the existing firm.
Messrs John T. and Geo. U. Walker, whose appropriately fitted offices are on the second story over the First National Bank have succeeded in establishing a large connection. Ihey are highly respected in their profession and in social circles.
T. V. CASHEN.
Prominent among the manufacturers of Jacksonville and among the first in enterprise and worth, stands Mr. T V. Cashen. Like many of our most successful business men, he is of the imported article, having been born in Nova Scotia in 1835, his father being a ship-builder. The lives of shipbuilders sons of those times were most practical, and it is not surprising that young Cashen had more opportunity to learn the use of tools
47
than to learn the contents of books. It will take another o-ene- ration for theorists to fully decide whether this was a misfortune or otherwise. Certain it is that most of our successful business men are those whose opportunities for an education were few and poor. Whether the rising generation, which has had a thousand advantages to their parents' one, succeed better, re- mains to be seen.
After learning the carpenter's trade, with such an education RS he could gather from the barren field of his boyhood, Mr. Cashen commenced business as a carpenter and builder in New York. After a fair success there for some years, he came to Florida in 1866 and engaged in the building business here in Jacksonville. His financial success in this line enabled him in 1872 to go into the lumber business, his associate being Mr. Alexander Wallace. This business connection proving fortunate and profitable for both parties, continued up to January 1887, when Mr. Cashen bought out his partner and now owns and conducts the immense business of the well known Alligator Mills alone.
Some conception of the magnitude of the business may be had from a statement of the out-put for last year. This aggregates ten millions six hundred and thirty thousand one hundred and eighty-one feet of lumber (10,630,181), and three million laths, besides dressed work, mouldings and turned work, altogether footing up nearly, if not quite, to two hundred thousand dollars (^200,000.00) business for the year 1886.
Besides supplying his many customers in and around this city, and making large shipments to New York, Mr. Cashen fills many of the heavy orders from neighboring towns. One of the largest now under contract is the flooring for the mam- moth Hotel DeLeon at St. Augustine. This order amounts to one million feet of the best kiln-dried flooring, and must be filled by June, 1887.
From the above it will be seen that Mr. T. V. Cashen is one of our substantial citizens. He married in this city, in 1867, the daughter of Mr. Leonard Van Degrifft, an old and highly re- spected citizen of Jacksonville. His wife still lives to enjoy his prosperity. It is significant of Mr. Cashen's character, and worthy of remark here, that he sets aside all rents received, and he has a number of houses, for his wife's pin-money. His property is mostly confined to Jacksonville, the scene of his successful labors. He is a Master Mason in good standing, and respected and esteemed by all who know him.
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Commercially he stands deservedly high, and it is recog- nized that his success means the success of the lumber indus- tries of Jacksonville, and, owing to the vast number of men in his employ, any financial misfortune affecting him would be a calamity to hundreds of families. Mr. Cashen is a most success- ful manager of laborers. His own youth having been passed at the work bench, he knows when he is well served, and not ex- pecting too much, and paying liberal wages, he is never troubled with strikes or dissatisfaction among his men.
• It is creditable, above all else, that Mr. Cashen's business success has not spoiled the man. He is, although pressed with many duties, always courteous and obliging to all callers, and the poor laborer, white or colored, is listened to with the .same attention accorded to the hundred-thousand-dollar con- tractor.
LEMUEL P. BLAIR, D. D. S.
This well-known and justly popular dental surgeon, was born in the year i86i, in the town of Richmond, Maine. His father was for many years engaged in ship-building in the city of Bath. Standing at the head of his calling, his services as an expert were constantly brought into requisition ; and, by inces- sant industry and untiring application, he enabled himself and family to realize and enjoy all the comforts of a happy home.
Determined that his children should receive ample educa- tional advantages, he neglected no opportunity of placing them under competent instructors. The subject of our sketch, leaving the grammar school in the city of Bath, spent two years in the celebrated Quaker school of Providence, Rhode Island, and two years in the Academic school at East Greenwich — then took a regular course in the Boston Commercial College, after leaving which he decided to adopt dentistry as a profession in life, to prepare for which he spent two years with the celebrated Dr. A. K. Gilmore, of Bath, Maine, and subsequently entered the New York College of Dentistry, an institution recognized all over the civilized world as being one of the best known to the profession; the course of instruction embraces every important feature known to operative or mechanical dentistry.
The previous student life of Dr. Blair admirably fitted him to grasp intuitively the more intricate features of his newly chosen profession, and become an expert by the side of others who lacked that faculty of keen application and determined in- dustry which has made him a perfect master of his profession.
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After graduating with honor, Dr. Blair commenced his pro- fessional career as a dentist in the city of Bath, Maine. Soon after he removed to the town of Wiscassett, Maine, where he practiced one year. He then removed to the city of Jackson- ville, having determined to become a permanent resident of Florida.
The dental parlors of Dr. Blair are located at No. 63 Laura street, corner St. James Square, and those who may, now or hereafter, require his attention, will find in him a courteous, ac- complished gentleman and a perfect artist in his profession. Familiar with all recent modern improvements, and having at. his command all necessary appliances for the production of the most difficult work known to mechanical dentistry, he will be found fully competent to give perfect satisfaction to all. His work speaks for itself.
Dr. Blair has been a resident of Florida since November,. 1885, and, by his correct business habits and a rigid devotion to- the absorbing duties of his arduous profession, has, during that time, gained the warm personal esteem and best wishes of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
J. H. McGINNIS.
Among the self-made men of Florida no one, perhaps, is more worthy of mention, or better known to the public generally, than Col. J. H. McGinnis, and none surely are more favorably regarded by the traveling public than he.
Mr. McGinnis was born at Charlotte, N. C, and received his education in the best schools of that favored city of the Old South. In 1845 he was married to Miss Armeta Jane Kennedy, of that city. Mrs. McGinnis' health failing in 1845, the Colonel decided to bring her to Florida. That his action was wise, the result has abundantly proved. When Mrs. McGinnis left North Carolina she weighed only 90 pounds ; she is now in fine health and weighs 150 pounds.
Col. McGinnis first settled in Micanopy, Alahcua county, where he carried on general mercantile pursuits for a period of two years. In 1857 he removed to Fernandina and engaged in the livery business, in which he remained till the breaking out of the civil war. His superior knowledge of horses and methods of interior transportation now led to his appointment in the quartermaster's department. It is of interest, as showing the Colonel's character and solicitude for the welfare and comfort
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of his family that we state here, he, before accepting service in the army, provided for his family by settling them on a farm at Madison, Fla.
Entering the service, he had control of the wagon transpor- tation for the whole State and purchased all the horses, mules and wa '•ons for Government use in Florida durin^^ the whole war. At the end of the war he returned to his farm, sold it out, and ao-ain went to Fernandina and re-engaged in the livery business.
Ten years of prosperity in Fernandina enabled him in 1875 to open a first-class livery and sale stable in Jacksonville. No stable on so large a scale had before been known here. The stable, corner of Hogan and Duval streets, measures 105x105 feet, having all the modern improvements, and is stocked with the best horses and carriages obtainable, many of the latter being made to order especially for Col. McGinnis.
In connection is a department, of no less importance, the extensive sale stables. These measure 105x1 10 feet, with ample yard-room attached. Here may be seen, in the season, the thoroughbred Kentucky roadster, the handsome carriage horse from the West, and the easy and showy saddle horse from wher- ever he may be found.
One of Col. McGinnis' projects, and one, too, about to be realized, is the possession by Jacksonville of good drives. The great necessity of this has been long seen by him, and no one has worked harder or deserves more credit for its accomplish- ment than he.
Another enterprise in which Col. McGinnis is interested, and in which he is specially well prepared to serve the public, is the undertaking business. In this he is associated with Mr. George W. Clark, a gentleman of superior information in his line, and whose biography will be found on another page of this work. In the latter business the Colonel has a silent interest, although by reason of his extensive acquaintance, his name is given the first place, the style of the firm being McGinnis & Clark.
Financially Col. McGinnis is abundantly able to carry out all enterprises he undertakes, while socially he is admired and liked for his gentlemanly courtesy and real manly worth.
SI HENRY CLARK.
Mr Henry Clark, owner of the extensive saw mills at 180 East Bay,is the true typeof a Scotchman, and the snlend id nn sition to which he has raised himself in the social and com^^^^^^^^^ world has only been attamed by the exercise of great seTfSl thrift and dogged determmation-virtues possessed to so marked a degree by many of his countrymen, by which therhav^ unaided, reached leading positions in this and all other countrTes'
Born in Fifeshire in the year 1830, he, when only a lad of eight was earning his own living-at least .(-hat was sufficient ^o keep him a matter of thirty cents a week. Later for s xtee,i months he was engaged as a working machinist under M Tom Peters, of Dundee. By dint of hard work he acq u red a knowledge of mechanics which has since stood him ?n good
When nineteen years of age he came to America possessing he v_ery slenderest of finances, but had letters of recLmenda^ tion from his late employer. He paid ;^2 los for his pasL'e" and by lending a helping hand to the sailors was rewardeSt his meals. Landing at New York, he endeavorld to T^ work, but failed. From there he started at a venture foTro" not having the faintest conception as to where thatcit m"h be. He landed ,n the town the proud possessor of one En^d penny, with which he bought bread. Things having now" 1 to their worst, fortunately took a turn, and Mr Clark C ^^ ployment at Troy, where he accidentally met a man who C 1 .m a job at filing augers. From there he went to H^nry C den s nail actory, and eventually to Patterson, N. J.,Tn whkh factory he had great experience in the manufac ure of locomo w^th^e're '" '''^ '""^ constructed during the ii^e he
In the year 1852, he came to Florida, having in the mean while saved sufficient money to send for his mother and S" For a time he worked as a machinist for George Moonev pnH while with him Mr. John Clark, the leading |Ler and .veil known citizen, saw great merit in the young" man, and by ht "e'rrnu'm'.' ''' ' ''^^'^" '' ^'^ Solee^millf at a sklary of^C^
T rM^'J • ^f ^'^ '^^"^^'^ Panama to take entire charge of Tohn T. Gilchrist's saw mills, but returned in i860 and went iVrtn partnership with the late Mr. Alsop in the saw. r^nhig mi H and lumber business. . At that time it was a comVaratifeJ mall *
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concern, but since the advent of Mr. Clark, who is now the sole surviving partner (having bought out the widow Alsop's inter- est in March. 1882), it has continued to develop with wonderful rapidity, and is now one of the most important business enter- prises in the city.
The premises cover an area of some seven acres of ground, with a frontage on East Bay street of 500 feet, a total river front- age of 1,300 feet. Seventy-five men and fifteen horses are em- ployed. Tram communication connects all the yards with the wharves, and everything that modern science could do to perfect the buildings has been done. It costs to work this immense business $150,000 a year, and the output averages from three to five million feet of lumber. In addition to his local trade, Mr. Clark exports largely to other countries, more especially the West Indies. Jacksonville alone has been and will continue to be a large market for lumber, there being no likelihood of a cessation in building, which proceeds with a rapidity only seen in the new towns of the United States of America.
Mr. Clark, fortunately, has the command of such ample capital that he will be able to increase his stock and storage room as the business continues to grow. Next to the mill is Mr. Clark's fine residence, commanding a view of the beautiful Sr. Johns River, and situated thus, it naturally is convenient for business purposes.
WILLIAM COOK.
Mr. William Cook is one of the leading tailors of Jackson- ville and a gentleman highly esteemed for his probity and worth. He is a native of Hamburg, Germany, and was born in the year 1858. Having the benefit of the best schools of his native city, he acquired a good business education before he was eighteen. After leaving school he apprenticed himself to one of the largest and most celebrated houses in Hamburg to learn the tailoring trade. He worked as an apprentice four years, rising from the bench to the cutting counter. Having completed his trade, Mr. Cook visited London and Paris, in both of which cities he worked for a time with leading firms.
i It is probable that no other skilled workman is more in uni- versal demand than the tailor, and one who can boast of having worked in the famous shops of London and Paris can be sure of a position in any city he may enter in the civilized world. Hence it is that tailors are so much prone to roaming.
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After visiting the different capitals of Europe, Mr. Cook came to America, arriving in New York in 1881. His first engagement was at Saratoga Springs. Subsequently he super- intended a ladies' tailoring establishment in New York City. He first came to Florida in 1882. After spending the winter here, he returned to New York and entered the house of the celebrated Everall Brothers, where he remained until 1885, when he again came to Florida, this time to become a citizen and enter into business. Accordingly he secured an eligible location on West Bay street (No. 72 >^), and laying in a stock of fine imported goods, commenced business on his own account, his stock being at first small and his workmen few ; but by degrees each was increased, until now he has one of the first shops in Jacksonville, and a trade second to none iri the State, in point of respectability and taste.
Financially, Mr. Cook is able to pay for all he contracts for, and his reputation for truth and fair dealing stands deservedly high. He now works five men, and his stock of goods is .selected with great care and judgment.
Socially, Mr. Cook is much liked, and, having come to stay, it is only a question of time when he will have an estab- lishment worthy of himself and a credit to Jacksonville.
E. T. PAINE.
The Florida P^ertilizing Company, one of the most pros- perous and important enterprises in Jacksonville, was started in the year 1883 by Mr. E. T. Paine, the president, a gentleman who has had many years' experience in agricultural matters, both in the State of Florida and elsewhere.
He had experimented for a long time with formulas of his own inventing, and had obtained such good results as to induce him to go into the fertilizing business on a large scale, con- sequently he formed the above company, whose headquarters are at No. 8 West Bay St., it having developed into one of the most important interests in the State.
Their "Florida Orange Food" and "Florida Vegetable Food," which are composed principally of South Carolina phos- phates and sulphate of potash, have made a great reputation among the growers throughout the South, and are now more largely used than any other fertilizers.
Mr. E. T. Paine was born at St. Mary's, Ga., in April, 1824, and is a son of the late Capt. Thomas Paine, who was at the time
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of his death, in 1859, 0"e of the oldest Post Captains in the American navy. He was taken in infancy to Charleston, S. C, and there he was raised. He was educated at the Georgetown College, D. C, and at the Oglethorpe University, Milledgeville, Ga. He first went into business as clerk to Messrs. John Kirk- patrick & Co., wholesale cotton dealers, remaining there five . years, after which he commenced business for himself at Charles- ton, S. C, and for fifteen years conducted a most successful wholesale grocery and commission business, doing a trade which averaged $1,000,000 a year, there being only one firm in the city which made a larger return.
Selling out this business, Mr. Paine came to Florida, estab- lishing himself at Tocoi, on the St. John's River, where' he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, planting an orange grove and a number of 4"ruit and nut trees. Here he also built a hotel — the Tocoi House. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army as a private, and was shortly afterwards appointed assistant commis- sary, which position he held until the close of the war.
He then went to Liverpool, England, for the sake of his children's eduxation, and in that city he engaged in the Com- mission business.
Two years later, in 1867, he returned to his grove on the St. John's River, sending his family to Marietta, Ga., where he owned a large farm, on which he now spends his summers.
It was during these years that he was engaged in testing the virtues of his formulas, which resulted in the formation o' the Florida Fertilizing Company. Mr. Paine, from his long and varied experiences in the commercial and agricultural world, is naturally a prominent man in a state whose most vital interest is the production of its soil.
RILEY, GROOVER & CO.
The firm of Riley, Groover & Co., No. 6 West Bay street, was started in the year 1882. Their business, which has in- creased yearly until it is now firmly established, is one of the most prosperous in the city of Jacksonville. They are whole- sale fruit and commission merchants, doing a large trade be- tween Florida and the Northern markets in all kinds of early vegetables, fruits, etc.
Mr. L. K. Riley was born at Baltimore on December 31, 185 I, and there he was raised and educated, graduating at the High School. He was engaged in the fruit and commission
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business in his native city for nine years— 1871 to 1880 He then came to Florida on a visit, and being at once impressed with the idea that Jacksonville offered a good opening obtained an engagement with C. A. Miller & Co., for whom he traveled two years, when he bought them out and started the present firm. ^
Mr. Riley is a member of the order of Red Men, of Balti- more. He IS fortunate enough to have money other' than that employed m his business, being a stockholder in the Eureka Re- frigerator Ice Company.
Mr. F. C. Groover is a native of Whitman, Ga., where he was born January 26, 1861. He received the early part of his education at the home schools, graduating, however, at the Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
At the age of twenty he came to Jacksonville, and for a time was clerk to John Clark, Son & Co. Later he was book- keeper in the Bank of Jacksonville, and lastly he went to C. A. Miller & Co., where he remained until the formation of the pres- ent firm.
Mr. Groover owns landed property at Sanford, and is a stockholder, also, in the Eureka Refrigerator Ice Company.
Mr. B. S. Christian is a native of Michigan, in which State he was born in the year 1851. He was educated at the home schools. He worked as a steam power pressman in a printina establishment until 1883, when he came to Florida for the benefi't of his health, and started in business at 23 West Bay street as a fruiterer and confectioner. This he carried on successfully and still retains, in addition to being a partner in the wholesale firm.
Messrs. Riley, Groover & Co., as will be seen, are a house all of whose principals have had great experience in the fruit business. These gentlemen are also State agents for the well know Raisin Fertilizer Company's Sea Wall Guano Works, Baltimore, whose "Soluble Sea Island Guano" a.id ''Raisin's Dissolved Bone" are so highly thought of for the fertilization of orange trees, fruits and vegetables. This Company's fertilizers have been analyzed by Prof P. B. Wilson, assistant to the world renowned Baron Von Liebig, who formed the very highest opinion of them and has given them a most flattering testi- monial. Moreover, they have been in general use in all parts for many years.
Messrs. Riley, Groover & Co. are one of the most enter- ' prising and industrious houses in the city, and have made their
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business the success it could not fail to be under their inteUigent
management.
J. A. CHURCHOUSE.
Mr. J. A. Churchouse is by birth an Englishman, having been born in the city of Liverpool, Lancashire, on the 31st of October, 1850. He was taken in infancy by his father, William Churchouse, to the Isle of Wight, County of Hampshire, and later came with him to America, landing at New York, in which city his father for seven years followed the tailoring business. Having had the advantage of a long experience in that trade in his native country he met with great success and saved money.
Mr. J. A. Churchouse was educated partly in England and partly in New York. For several years he worked under his father's watchful eye, than which he could not have been in a better school, learning, as he did, the tailoring art as practiced in
England.
It was in the year 1886 that he came to Florida and started a business as a high-class English gentlemen's and ladies' tailor in Jacksonville, at No. 23 Laura street, from whence he moved, on the 1st of January last, to his present premises at 25 Market street, in the Law Exchange Building. Although only estab- lished so short a time he has already the best business in the city, and that amongst the upper classes who have been quick to recognize the superiority of his cut and workmanship. It has been said that the tailor makes the man ; that he, to a great ex- tent, does so, outwardly, is beyond dispute. One of the great secrets of tailoring is style, and it is in that particular that Mr. Churchouse rises superior to his brethren of the shears.
His stock is selected with taste from the best makes and the latest patterns. Indeed, he has no second rate goods in his es- tablishment. He also makes a point of employing only first- class workmen, knowing how important a point this is in the tailor's business.
Mr. Churchouse is civil and obliging to his customers, spar- ing neither time nor trouble to give them satisfaction, and his charges are moderate. It being his object to remain perma- nently in Jacksonville, he aims at establishing a lasting and in- creasing connection, which he undoubtedly will succeed in doing.
JOHN CLARK, SON & COS BLOCK. 8ee Page 60.
57 J. RAMSEY DEY.
Mr. J. Ramsey Dey, undertaker and carriage builder, Nos. 29,31, 33 and 35 West Adams street, is of Irish descent, his crrandfather having come over from that country many years ago, settHng in New York and later in New Jersey, where he laid out the town of Ramseyburg, and was afterwards appointed postmaster there, which office he held until his death in 1851, at the advanced age of eighty-four.
Mr. Dey's father was a physician, and a graduate of Rut- ger's College, New Brunswick, N. J. Mr. J. Ramsey Dey him- self was born at Ramseyburg on the 5th of June, 1840. He was educated at Belvidere and Oxford, N. J. Having gone through a complete course and graduated, he proceeded to study medicine, but finding after a short time that his health would not permit this vocation, he went into a general mercantile house and afterwards was, for ten years, in a large manufacturing busi- ness in his native town. It was in the year 1872 that he came to Jacksonville and started his present business, which he has con- ducted in the most successful manner up to the present day. He at first opened a livery stable on West Forsyth street, which succeeded so well that four years later he added the undertaking department, which is (jarried on at Nos. 29 and 31, the livery and carriage business being at 33 and 35 West Adams street.
This new departure increased with quite a surprising rapid- ity, necessitating in a very short time a large staff and stock to carry it on successfully, and also the establishing of branches at Green Cove Springs, Mandarin, Leesburg, Crescent City, Monti- cello, Lake City and Sanford. This phenomenal growth was entirely due to Mr. Dey's energy, enterprise and promptitude.
He furnishes metallic and wooden caskets and burial cases from the most expensive to the cheapest description ; also robes, wrappers and all necessaries of ever>^ kind and description. He also practices arterial embalming with great success.
In 1882, Mr. Dey added still another branch to his already ex- tensive business, being that of a carriage builder,and this likewise has prospered and continued steadily to increase, year by year. He manufactures every conceivable kind of carriage, wagon, buggy, Victoria or what-you-will from his own designs or from designs furnished, at prices to suit all, from the millionaire downwards, as much care and attention being given to the lower as to the higher-priced articles. He makes the celebrated Ludlow spring, canopy top, broad tire ; full platform, broad and single tire, and
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keeps Studebaker's steel skein, broad tire wagons ; also chil- dren's buggies, one of which — a perfect work of art — he made for the well known J. G. Adams, of Orange Park. He makes a special feature of single and double farm wagons. Mr. Dey only employs the best of machinery and best of workmen, and he has so large a staff that he can turn goods out in an extremely- short time.
Mr. Dey has also given proof that he has gained the admi- ration and sincere respect of his fellow citizens, he having been elected Mayor in 1880, serving one term. He then retired, his business demanding the whole of his time and attention.
WILLIAM ROOT.
As a true type of the self-made man, no better example cair be found than Mr. William Root, of No. 16 West Bay street. He has, by his own unaided efforts, achieved a success at once hon- orable and enviable. His present position is one at which few arrive, even with the assistance of friends and capital. "Alone he did it."
He was born in Loraine county, Ohio, in 1845, but while still a child was taken to Kankakee, 111., where he received a primary education. He, however, like many men of his stamp, betrayed early a restless and self-reliant disposition. When six- teen years of age, he ran away from home and enlisted in the 20th Indiana Volunteers, and served under General McClcllan in the Peninsular campaign. He also served under General Grant on the Potomac River, during which time he, on several occa- sions, had very narrow escapes. He was mustered out in Sep- tember, 1864, having seen three years and four months of active military life, and came South in June, 1865, where he was engaged at Hilton Head in the secret service under General Gilmore. He then moved to Jacksonville and engaged in the general merchandise, and later on the insurance business, which he suc- cessfully conducted and eventually sold to George R. Foster, to take up brokerage. He took in hand the business of the great firm of Armour & Co., of Chicago, which he established and developed to the most remarkable extent. Severing his con- nection with this firm, he since has engaged in the meat business on an immense scale. On a lot which he had bought in the year 1870, he built that splendid structure which now adorns Bay Street, and is occupied by the National Bank of the State of Florida. In the rear of this he has erected the most commo-
dious modern warehouses in the city, with a frontage of thirty- six feet, running back no less than 400 feet. They are fitted' with two of Ridgway's refrigerators, with all their appurtenances each measurmg 35x17 feet, and together they will hold 100 ooo pounds of meat, which is taken in and out by the most approved methods. The wharf is conveniently situated in the immediate vicmity, as is the main traffic entrance from Ocean Street which right-of-way Mr. Root holds on a 99-years' lease. He handles Messrs. Nelson, Morris & Go's celebrated dressed meats, of which he always has a large selected stock on hand. He also repre- sents Messrs. John A. Thomson & Co., Edinburgh, Ind., and in these warehouses may always be seen 1,000 barrels of their flour of the well known brands, "Silver Spray" and "City Mills.'' Those who have never seen these magnificent stores will, when they do, be surprised at thei^. vastness and at the immense amount of stock which they contain. At the entrance on either ^ide of the passage are commodious and well fitted offices the one on the right being for Mr. Root's use, and the one on the left for his numerous clerks. Truly, the owner of these splendid premises has every reason to bd proud of them, more especially when^ he thinks that they are his— not by inheritance, but the result of his own hard work and the intelligence and foresicrht which he has brought to bear in the conduct of his business. "^
It is superfluous to state that Mr, Root has unlimited capital at his command, and that, no matter to what extent his already large business may increase, the stock and conveniences will be enlarged and improved to* meet its requirements.
Mr. Root was married in the year 1867 to Miss Emma C. Crane, of Elyria, Ohio. He holds a good position in social cir- cles, where a man who has seen so much of the world and knows how to take such advantages of his opportunities must necessarily be an acquisition.
WILLIAM McL. DANCY. '
There are few men, if, indeed, any, in the cit}% of Jackson- ville—or, for the matter of that, in the State of Florida— who command in a higher degree the esteem and regard of the gen- eral public than Dr. William McL. Dancy. Twice has he served as a most popular Mayor of Jacksonville, and a third time was he nominated to the same office, but for reasons sufficient to himself and his nearest political friends, he declined to serve. He has also interested himself in many other public capacities, and •
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at the present moment is a member of the following institutions : The Fireman's Relief Association, the Mechanics Fire Engine Association, the Board of Trade, the Jacksonville Yacht Club, the Masonic Fraternity, and is a life member of the Jacksonville Light Infantry. To these and such like matters, Dr. Dancy, wifh a praiseworthy public-spiritedness, has devoted a vast amount of time and energy. It is to men of this stamp that Jacksonville owes its present prosperity and its brilliant prospec- tive future.
Dr. Dancy is a Floridian born and bred, having first seen the light on. i8th of October, 1852, at Orange Mills, on the St. Johns River, where his father owns one of the largest orange groves in the State, having bearing trees which yield annually some 1,500 boxes. He was educated at home, but went, at the age of seventeen, to Philadelphia, where for three years he stud- ied dentistry and received his diploma. He then came to Jack- sonville and practiced his profession in partnership with Dr. A. B. Brookens, the style of the firm being Brookens & Dancy. Their offices were at the corner of Bay and Pine streets.
Five years later. Dr. Dancy bought his partner's interest in the business, and has since carried it on for his own benefit at I7>^ West Bay street. He has made a great name for himself as a skillful and enterprising dentist, and now probably has the largest practice in the city.
Dr. Dancy's father was educated as an engineer, and grad- uated at the Military College, West Point. He, amongst other works,' built the celebrated sea wall at St. Augustine, and he also served with distinction through the Seminole war.
»Dr. Dancy was married in April, 1884, to Miss May, daughter of Mr. George S. Wilson, and has one child. He has an orange grove, with 400 bearing trees, on the St. Johns River, adjoining that of his father, under whose care it is.
Dr. Dancy naturally holds a high position in social circles, in which sphe're of life he is universally beloved for his many good qualities. |
JOHN CLARK, SON & CO.
One of the most successful business houses in the city of Jacksonville is that of the well known firm of John Clark, Son & Co.', 28 and 30 East Bay St. There may be seen the largest stock in the entire State of wholesale groceries, grains, provis- ions, liquors and choice wines, including G. H. Mumm's cele-
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brated champagne, Dupont's gunpowder and endless other articles. They are state agents for White's patent money drawers. Kirk's soap, and Lucy Hilton's celebrated tobacco. In addition to which, a special and most important branch, is their commissions, agency and forwarding business.
This magnificent concern was originally started in the year 1857 by the senior partner, and for a period of 27 years he traded for himself under the style of John Clark. At that time the now prosperous and improving city of Jacksonville was but a village, which few dreamt would ever attain to the position it holds in the South. Mr. Clark has known how to take advant- age of opportunity. Year by year has his business spread and increased through the whole State, until it has reached its present immense proportion. The annual amount of trade now done averages at least $400,000.
Mr. Clark, in the first instance, had the store at the foot of Ocean street, now occupied by Messrs. Tysen & Smith, There he remained till 1868, in which vear he moved to the block where the firm is at present located. These premises present a frontage on Bay street of 105 feet, and run back 300 feet to the river. At the rear of the building are warehouses, coal yards and a fine wharf, where are the necessary conveniences and appliances for their large shipping trade. Altogether there are some 25 men employed. It was on the first January, 1884, that the present firm was formed, Mr. Clark, senior, taking into partnership his son, Mr. John E. Clark, and Mr. W. R. Cox.
Mr. Clark was born at the town of Chester, Rockingham Co., N. H., in 1828, and there received his education. In early life he went to Manchester, N. H., in which town he remained for a time, learning the trade of machinist and mill-wright. He was also for five years previous to coming South in the same business at Baltimore, Md.
It was in 1850 that Mr. Clark first came to Jacksonville. Here he was appointed to superintend the building of a circular saw mill at the mouth of Pottsburg Creek, a few miles below the citv, this beinsr the first one erected in the State. So success- fully did he perform this task that a year later he constructed for himself a mill of the same type, which stood in what was at that time a convenient site, close to the old gas house; for in those days the logs could be floated up Hogan's creek, which ran at the rear of the mill.
Here he continued till 1854, when he sold his interest in the business, and the following year the mill was destroyed by fire.
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In the meanwhile Mr. Clark, having obtained the contract for the planed lumber to build the Judson House, which stood where the Everett Hotel now stands, had built the first planing mill in Florida.
Mr. Clark has also been engaged in the steamboat business. He run the "Robert Lear" on the St. Johns, which was at that time the only steamer running to Enterprise. He also purchased the Hattie Brock, which ship he sold later to Capt. Brock, who run her for fourteen years, Mr. Clark acting as his agent.
Mr. Clark is director of the First National Bank of Florida, has been several times Alderman, and was elected Mayor of Jacksonville in the years 1867-68. He has also been a director of two gas companies, a director of the Jacksonville, Pensacola and Mobile Railroad, and is one of the Governors of the Board of Trade.
He has just completed a splendid new block. No's 32 and 34 East Bay St., which has all the latest improvements, such as im- proved elevators, etc. It measures 52x100 feet, is three stories high, and is certainly one of the handsomest in the city.
Mr. Clark, by his public spiritedness, and by his unswerving uprightness, has attained to a position in which he is at once honored and respected.
Mr. John E. Clark was born in the city of Jacksonville, but was educated at Stuart Hall, Baltimore, and likewise at Cheshire, Conn. His entire business experience has been in his father's house, where he now is, as above stated, a partner.
Mr. W. R. Cox is a native of Princess Anne Co., Va., near Cape Henry, and was born in 1840. He was educated at the Norfolk Institute, and at West Chester, Pa. He commenced his commercial career with that well known firm of wholesale grocers Messrs. Leigh & Bro., of Norfolk, Va., and later repre- sented for a time the old established house of D. J. Foley, Bro. & Co., of Baltimore. Mr Cox saw service during the war, during which he was a member of the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, Lee's Army. In October, 1870, he came to Jackson- ville and entered the employment of Mr. Clark, and was re- warded for thirteen consecutive years of good and faithful ser- vice by being made a partner in the firm.
No greater proof is needed of the wonderful prosperity of the State of Florida than the brilliant record of Messrs. John Clark, Son & Co. ,
63
ZINA H. BLAIR, JR.
This gentlemen was born on the 29th day of May, i8-;8 at Richmond Mame, and after receiving a good education in the city of Bath, his name was duly enrolled as a member of the Freshman class of the college at Ann Arbor, Michigan from which institution he graduated with all the honors of a Senior four years thereafter. ^^-mui
Not long after leaving college Mr. Blair found active em- ployment as agent for several leading truss manufacturers, and his earnest desire to learn all the minutia of his vocation led him to investigate everything which directly or indirectly had anv relation to herma. Reading carefully every medical work treat- ing upon this subject, and securing the professional opinions of medical experts who have made the study of hernia a specialty for years, and those of many well known truss manufacterers— letting no point escape him that might hereafter prove available It IS not to be wondered at that Mr. Blair is looked upon as an ex- pert whose opinions are entitled to the entire respect and con hdence of the public. While some of the trusses known toX medical world are eminently calculated to afford permanent re- ' lief in certain cases, they are, under other conditions, found to be practically valueless, and a knowledge of this fact made Mr Blair study the disease itself with the view of understanding beyond the possibility of a doubt the exact mode of treatment the rase demanded. This led to his establishing a manuTctory of h own in the city of Jacksonville, Fla., where any desired form of truss can be gotten up from drawings made by Mr Blair ex- pressly to meet any desired emergency. True, in a majority of cases, trusses can be fitted without any great amount of trouble bu occasionally a patient can be found who has tried every form' of truss known to medical men, and signally failed to find even tl e slightest relief This class, of all others, would find it hi<.hlv advantageous to visit Mr^ Blair at his residence. No. 63 L^ura st.cet, corner St. James Square, Jacksonville, Florida, and the sooner the better. '
The subject of hernia is, generally speaking, imperfectly understood among medical men, unless, indeed, it has been made the study of a lifetime, and this is why the superior advantages possessed by Mr. Blair, by virtue of incessant application become immediately available to all who call upon him
:,..J^\^u% fi''^' «™e to Jacksonville in 1885, as the sole agent of the Egan Imperial Truss, for the State of Florida, in the
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sale of which he was eminently successful. The same year of his arrival here he was united to Miss E. L. Lumsden, daughter of Rev D. F. Lumsden, in the holy bonds of matrimony, Bishop S S Harris of Detroit, officiating at the ceremony. The happy pair removed at once to Florida, their residence having already been built by Z. H. Blair, Sr., father of Mr. Z. H Jr., a retired shipbuilder from Maine, expressly for them. Mr. Blair is a brother of the popular dentist, Lemuel P. Blair, U. D. b., a sketch of whom appears in another part of this work, to which the reader is referred. .
The great secret of Mr. Blair's success as a specialist, we conceive to be his untiring energy, his firm determination to claim first rank "and keep it in the vocation he has chosen. He has already given permanent relief to many who had almost bidden adieu to hope, and no doubt will be of like benefit to others Men of his stamp are the class every old resident gladly welcomes as most desirable for the future welfare of Florida.
JOSEPH A. FERRIS.
Mr. Joseph A. P\Tris, of the firm of Ferris & Weston, the Alderney Dairy, 31 Newnan street, Jacksonville, was born at New York city, July 18, 1850. At the remarkably early age of thirteen he was already in the milk business for himself in his native city He had four extensive routes in New York and Brooklyn and so well did this very juveline man of business succeed that two years later he sold out for $3,800. He then worked for the Orange County Milk Association, and for them he opened condensed milk factories in Belfast, Ireland ; Chats- ham Switzerland ; Sidney. Australia ; Middleton. Orange county N Y. ; Amelia and Pawling, Dutchess county, N. Y.; Albany, N. Y. ; Jersey City and Newark. N J. He also opened up agencies at Dallas. Fort Worth. Galveston, New Orleans. Key West. St. Augustine. Orlando and Jackson- ville, where, in September, 1886, he, in conjunction with Mr. Weston, started the Alderney Dairy.
Mr. Ferris married in 1873 Miss Fannie Prazer, of New
Mr W. H. Weston was born at Danvers. Mass., September, 2-^ 1849 received a complete course of public school education, and then went into the Danvers Savings Bank, where he re- mained from 1873 to 1884. After this he was for txyo years en gaged in business as a florist in his native town. He then came
JOHN CLARK. See Page 60.
^5
to Jacksonville and was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Ferris, with whom he entered into partnership.
Mr. Weston is married to Miss Elizabeth D. Stickney, of Salem, Mass.
It is not remarkable that a business having the advantage of Mr. Ferris' vast and varied experience, should have proved the splendid success it has. He certainly acted with commend- able wisdom w^hen he determined that his goods should be of one quality only — tJie best. All the milk sold by the Alderney Dairy comes from the well known farming district of Goshen,, Orange county, New York, than which no better grazing country is to be found in the Union. The butter, too, all comes from the northern part of New York State.
Messrs. Ferris & Weston were not, however, contented with having the best of goods to sell ; they wished to study as far as possible the convenience of their customers, and with this end in view they introduced the system of supplying milk and cream in glass jars, a method which is far preferable to the old-fashioned one of measuring in the streets. By this system adulteration i? impossible, and contamination from dust and dirt is obviated. The Alderney Dairy deliver their super-fine creamery butter in bricks, and it is always in the best of condition. Together with the cream and milk, it comes direct from their farm to this city in their own refrigerator cars, which are kept at a uniform tem- perature. For the convenience of hotels, boarding houses, etc., the dairy loans small refrigerators holding 56 pounds which their carmen collect when empty. Messrs. Ferris & Weston could scarcely have done more to deserve their success, and they will doubtless continue to enjoy a large share of the trade of Jackson- ville and the State at large.
It is apropos here to give an idea of the quality of their milk ; a child two and a half years old, the daughter of a gentle- man from San Antonio, on being given a glass, took a sip and refused to drink it, saying, "it's not milk, it's ceem." A telling truth, this, for indeed the milk is more like cream than milk.
Before closing, we should state that this enterprising firm have made arrangements to open a dairy and creamery house in Boston, Mass., the coming summer to supply the hotels and various watering places on the New England coast. '
The extensive business of this establishment may be seen from the fact that in their busy season they not unfrequently sell 10,000 quarts a day.
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P. McCLOSKEY.
Mr. P. McCloskey comes of a good old Irish family. He was born at Londonderry, September 13, 1859, and in the Green Island he was educated under the National system, and also had the advantage of private tuition.
He came to America in 1873, arriving at New Orleans in the fall of that year. There he made his first start in life as clerk- in the well known firm of McCloskey & Henderson (now Mc- Closkey Bros.), which is one of the largest provision and grain houses in the South., (Mr. H. McCloskey, of this house, is pres- ident of the New Orleans Produce Exchange.) Two years at the books were sufficient to prove he had the making of something better than a mere routine worker, and accordingly he was made city solicitor, which duty he performed with eminent success for three years ; indeed, he, in that comparatively short space of time, made his reputation as an intelligent and responsible man of business in so marked a manner tHat he was solicited by Messrs. Armour & Co., the great Chicago meat firm, to under- take the management of their branch establishment at Jackson- ville. This very advantageous offer he naturally accepted, and certainly he has since had no reason to regret having done so.
It was in March, 1885, that he came to this city to take this important position, and it would be hard to find language too strong in praise of the manner in which he has fulfilled his trust since that time. Under his able management, Messrs. Armour & Co's business in the State of Florida has grown beyond their most sanguine anticipations, and they may well congratulate themselves on having a manager so keenly alive to their inter- ests and so capable of doing them justice. The amount of stock to be seen in the refrigerator at Messrs. Armour's is simply startling. Their trade from this centre is, however, so immense as to require all their space. Needless to say, the arrangements for handling, loading, unloading and shipping are as perfect as modern mechanism can make them. The magnificent premises have an orderly and business-like air about them refreshing to see, everything going, so to speak, on well oiled wheels.
Mr. McCloskey is a highly connected gentleman. He has three brothers in New Orleans, one of whom is a prominent solicitor, and he is a cousin of Cardinal McCloskey. of New York. His polished manners and honorable position make him a welcome guest in the best houses in Jacksonville.
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1 J. W. FINCH.
Mr. J. W. Finch, the manager and proprietor of the Jack- sonville Saddlery Company, is a native of Old Virginia, ha\ ing been born in Halifax county, that State, but at the age of ten years he went to live with his uncle at Knoxville, Tenn.
The precocity of this Virginia-Tennessee boy was remark- able, and quite American. He went upon the road as a com- mercial traveller at the age of fifteen, probably the youngest drummer that this, or any other country, ever turned out.
It could never be expected of so precocious a youth that he would leave the road for school, and we accordingly see him growing up on the road and getting his education among men of business. Such a youth, with such a training, could not help becoming a practical business man ; and in Mr. Finch we see the accomplished man of commerce, and at the same time a gentleman of superior social culture. Before leaving this in- teresting feature in the life of Mr. Finch one is tempted to stop and wonder whether another course of training would have been better for the life-work of the subject. Judging from the results we are compelled to admit that in this case, at least, the world was a better school than academic halls would have been.
Mr. Finch having traveled for many years a part of each season in Florida, became thoroughly acquainted with the State and its commercial and manufacturing needs, and believing there was a demand for a harness and saddle manufactory on a large scale in Jacksonville, determined to enter the field himself Accordingly he came here in the summer of 1 886 and opened in business for himself July 25th at No. 24 Laura St. From the first his many old friends and patrons over the State turned their trade to him, consequently we find him at this time as firmly intrenched, and doing as fine a business as could have been ex- pected after years of patient waiting.
Mr. Finch employs in the manufacturing department from seven to fifteen men, varying according to the season and trade. All goods of the better grades he manufactures, while low grade goods are purchased North, in many cases going direct from the factory to the merchant. The amount of stock required and carried here varies with the season, but aggregates about ten thousand dollars for all months. Among the patent goods he handles may be mentioned the celebrated wool horse collar for heavy lumber teams. ,
Being thoroughly practical in all things, Mr. Finch buys
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only such goods as his long acquaintance with Florida trade teaches him are in demand, and buying from factories with which he has been associated for years, it is fair to presume he gets the lowest cash price. Financially he stands deservedly high, and his commercial integrity is above reproach.
In 1884 Mr. Finch married, at Lynchburg, Va., the accom- plished daughter of Col. Thomas Smith, an opulent merchant and tobacco planter. Having brought his family here and settled for a permanent residence, it is reasonable to suppose that Mr. Finch may long be identified with the commercial and manufacturing interests of Jacksonville.
THOMAS NOONEY & SONS,
NOS. 18 ife 20 EAST BAY STREET.
There is no more familiar name in the fruit world, nor is there one more. thoroughly identified with its interests, than that of the above named firm. Having a house in New York as well as Jacksonville, they naturally have advantages possessed by few for the disposal of Florida fruits and vegetables in the best mar- kets of the North. Mr. Thomas Nooney, Sr., originally came from New York, having been born in Columbia county. For six years of his life he was engaged as a school teacher, but at the acre of twenty-two relinquished his appointment and went to New York City, where he engaged in the fruit trade, in which he has continued up to the present day. For more than thirty years of this time he remained in New York, and in that city he successfully conducted a large business. He, however, lost his health, and very naturally came to a land of fruit, flo\<^ers and sun- shine, settling in Jacksonville, in which city he has been fortunate enough to acquire, in less than fifteen years, a handsome fortune and establish a highly remunerative business. He has taken his sons into partnership, thus assuring their future positions, and for this he and they have cause to be thankful in these days of competition. When, in the year 1873, Mr. Nooney started in Florida, he only intended working the business during the win- ter months, but he succeeded so far beyond his most sanguine expectations, and his commercial obligations so largely increased, that six years later he found it necessary to keep things going all the year round. Then he was, indeed, glad to have the help of his two sons, and thus relieve himself of some share of the responsibilities of a big business, and devote part of his time to other matters.
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He has made large purchases of lots, both in and out of the city. He holds house property alone sufficient to render him independent of business, yet he probably will never give up being essentially a business man, without, however, by any means making himself a slave to it. On the contrary, he has the keenest enjoyment for social intercourse, and no more pop- ular man is to be met on Bay street. Mr. Nooney also owns an extensive dairy farm on the outskirts of the city, where he keeps some five and thirty well bred cows. In the summer months he generally goes to a beautiful country residence, which he owns at Chatham, Four Corners, N. Y. There he has about 140 acres of well cultivated farm land.
It was in 1881 that he formed the present firm, taking into partnership his three elder sons, Thomas, Frank T. and Charles A. The business in charge of this array of Nooneys has pros- pered and increased to a remarkable extent. In 1879 the Northern branch was started at Saratoga, N. Y., the principal store being at No. 38 Harrison street. New York, which is under the charge of Mr. T.J. Robert. Their Jacksonville store is sit- uated in the very centre of the city — Nos. 18 and 20 E. Bay street.
Messrs. Nooney & Sons send immense quantities of fruit and vegetables away North, especially strawberries and other early vegetables, and handle during the season an immense amount of potatoes, onions and apples, and all the Northern products. They receive and ship oranges on commission, and, as before mentioned, their New York house places them in an exceptional position for this branch of their trade.
PETER JONES.
Chief Peter Jones, the able and energetic head of the Jack- sonville Fire Brigade, is by birth an Englishman, having been born in the county of Staffordshire, on the i6th of August, 1832. He came, however, with his parents, to New York City while still an infant, and there his father was for many years engaged in business as a manufacturer.
Young Jones was educated at a public school, but left at the somewhat early age of thirteen to go to the factory. Eight years of this life seems to have satiated his commercial instincts, and apparently he yearned for a more active career. When twenty-one, he succeeded in getting an appointment in the old police force of New York. He was engaged in the well k-nown
•o
Fernando Wood fight at the City Hall. New York, between the old force and the Metropolitan police, then just organized by an act of the Legislature, but which the Mayor refused to recog- nize. In this struggle for supremacy the new force came out victorious, and Mr. Jones was one of the few old policemen appointed to the Metropolitan service, in which he remained un- til the outbreak of the war. At this period he enlisted in the Federal army. He was, however, refused on account of his health, it being alleged that he was consumptive. The pluck and determination which are characteristic of the man overcame these difficulties. He came down to Hilton Head on board a Government ship, and by sheer force of merit he worked his way up to the command of an armed transport, which honorable posi- tion he filled at the close of the war.
Having once more to strike a new line, he then came to Jacksonville and occupied himself in building for his own account. As a proof of the confidence and esteem which he here inspired, it is only needful to record the many positions which he has so well filled. In 1869 he was elected alderman and in the following year Mayor, which office he filled from 1870 to 1876.
It was entirely through Mr. Jones' determination that Bay street was straightened out and made a first-class thoroughfare, which is one of his public works which in some quarters met with great opposition, and to which he looks back with pardon- able pride. He was also at different periods Tax Collector and County Commissioner.
In December. 1880, he was made United States Steamboat Inspector of Hulls for the Third District, with headquarters at Sa- vannah, at which city he remained till July 16, 1886, when he resigned to take charge of the Jacksonville Fire Department, which up to that date had been a volunteer force. He founded the existing paid department, and brought it to its present state, possessing, as it does, three hose companies, one hook and lad- der company and a life-saving crew. He has also introduced for the benefit of the department the celebrated Hale patent har- ness, Christ. Hoell Pompier life-saving service. Through his efforts the service has been provided with the Gamewefl Fire Alarm, situated at fifteen points about the city. The order of the day is as follows : Six a. m., drill from bunk and roll call ; 12 m., horse drill ; 5 p. m., drill from alarm ; 8 p. m., roll call.
Mr. M P. Hooker, Captain Jones' energetic assistant in the Fire Department, was born in Harrisonville, Cass county. Mo.,
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on the I2th of February, 1853, being some twenty years younger than his chief He was educated at a public school in his own State, but left in 1872 to go to Dallas, Texas, where he worked for James E. Barker, Sheriff of Dallas county, for one year. He then returned to Missouri, and served a two years' apprentice- ship with Oscar Clayton. From there he went to Kansas City, where he worked for Lynch & Connors. Later, he joined the fire department under Col. Frank Foster, and afterwards under Chief Geo. C. Hale. While performing his duties, he was un- fortunate enough to meet with a bad accident by the falling of a building, and this brought him to Florida to recruit his health. He joined the Jacksonville Fire Department, and on the forma- tion of a paid corps on July 17, 1886, was made assistant by Chief Jones, the wisdom of which appointment has been amply justified by the zeal and ability which Mr. Hooker has displayed in his office.
Jacksonville may well congratulate itself on having such efficient officers for so important an institution as the Fire De- partment, which is certainly the best organized and smartest corps in the South. As a proof of the rapidity with which they appear on the scene of action, on December 16, 1886, at the Dunbar fire, one mile from the station, the firemen arrived within five minutes from the tap of the bell, and had the fire out in eleven minutes. At this fire the chief detected the work of an incendiary, and saved the entire insurance to the company.
On February 10, 1886, the Glenada Hotel took fire in the rear of the building and the flames soon reached the roof and threatened the whole structure. Solely through the energy of the brigade the whole building was saved.
At the Stroman fire, East Bay street, on February 18, 1887, where the stock was $6,500, the loss was only $25, and Chief Jones was complimented by the adjuster of insurance, who said it was the finest piece of work he ever .saw in his life.
The following is a list of the members of the Jacksonville Fire Department at the present date :
Peter Jones, Chief
M. P. Hooker, Assistant.
J. A. Brown.
E. Englis.
W. P. Love.
A. Fisher.
J. Quinlan.
W. H. Remington.
G. E. Will.
W. R. Williams.
O. F. Love.
J. H. Montgomery-.
W. B. Edminster.
H. B. Butler.
J. M. Roberts. W. Paterson. J. Williams. W. H. Sprout. C. H. Hayden.
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S. Foster. B. Robinson. T. Allen. J. H. Hamilton. E. E. Williams.
COLONEL H. T. BAYA.
It is impossible to live even a short time in the city of Jack- sonville without becoming familiar with so prominent a figure as Col. H. T. Baya, a gentleman conspicuous by his goodly pres- ence and courteous bearing. He is a Floridian, born and bred, as were his father, grandfather, and great grandfather before him.
He first saw the light on the 19th of September, 1837, at the town of St. Augustine, and there, also, was he raised and edu- cated. When sixteen years of age he went to Charleston, where, for five years, he acted as clerk to Mr. P. L Porcher, broker and commission merchant. At the expiration of this period he be- came a full partner in the house. This was in the year 1858. At the outbreak of the war he at once enlisted in the Confeder- ate army, and leaves a record to which he can look back with a pardonable pride. Joining from Charleston, he entered the Phcenix Rifles as a private, and was present at the battle of Fort Sumpter, after which he was detailed as Bureau Clerk to Gen. Drayton, with whom he went to Beaufort, S. C. He was with the Confederate army when they retreated on Pocotaligo. After the bombardment of Port Royal, he was given a Captain's com- mission in the Eighth Florida Regiment, commanded by Colonel Richard Floyd, on whose staff he served as Commissary, and he was present at all the engagements in that section. He after- wards served as Commissary to General Patton Anderson and later to General Finnegan. Finally he was ordered to Florida to act as Chief Commissiary of the Eastern District of Florida, with headquarters at Lake City, where he remained till the close of the war, after which he was made Colonel of the Eleventh Florida State Militia.
In 1865, Colonel Baya came to Jacksonville and established his present business, in connection with Mr. Pace, whom, how- ever, he bought out two years later. His store, which is located on the southeast corner of Ocean and Bay streets, has a meas- urement of 25x75 feet; he employs eight clerks aud does a trade of iS 1 00,000 a year. His business is wholesale and retail staple
IRA MOWERY. See Page 40.
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and fancy groceries, but he lays himself out more especially in supplying hotels, boarding houses and the like.
Colonel Baya has also been largely interested in the ship- ping business. He established the Baya Line of steamers in 1878, which, in 1882, he consolidated with the DeBary Line, forming the DeBary-Baya Merchants Line, of which he was part owner and manager. They run thirteen magnificent side- wheel steamers, which carried passengers and freight to the va- rious landings on the St. Johns River between Jacksonville and Enterprise. He has lately resigned his position as man- ager and sold out his interest in the shipping business.
He is a large owner of valuable real estate in the city, a stockholder of the Jacksonville and Atlantic Railroad, and is Vice-President of the Palatka, Welaka and Spring Grove Rail- road.
The Colonel is an ardent and liberal supporter of the Cath- olic Church. He has also had the advantage of foreign travel, having made a tour through nearly the whole of Europe. He can talk fluently of the glories of ancient Rome, the gaiety of Paris, and of the grandeur of England's great capital.
Colonel Baya is deservedly one of Jacksonville's most highly respected citizens; his unswerving uprightness of purpose and urbanity of demeanor make him beloved by men and women.
THE PAINT STORE.
Among the many live and progressive firms of Jacksonville none, perhaps, are more worthy of special mention than the one under consideration. The firm is composed of Mr. I. E. Baird and Mr. F. M. Burst. The senior member, Mr. I. E. Baird, is a native of Toledo, Ohio. He was born August, 1855. He is descended, on his mother's side, from the widely known Sanford Prouty, one of the pioneers of Toledo, and the man who laid out what is known as the Stocking addition. His father was a leading manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds in Toledo.
Young Baird was educated in the best schools of his native city and graduated when he was but eighteen years old. His commercial training was with Thomas Hamilton & Co., extensive hardware dealers of Toledo. After remaining with this house three years, and mastering the hardware business, he took charge of a retail hardware store for W. L. Rowland & Co. After con- ducting this business successfully for three years, Mr. Baird
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came to Florida, arriving here in 1881. On the following Mon- day he engaged with S. B. Hubbard, the well known hardware dealer. His initial engagement was at a nominal salary, but his"^ merits being soon apparent to his employer, Mr. Baird's salary'l was soon raised to a figure more appropriate to his worth. In response to a much higher offer he subsequently went to Garrett^ Bowen & VanBuren, now the Drew Hardware Co. With them he remained until he went into business for himself in 1886, as- sociated with Mr. F. M. Burst.
. The new firm commenced by buying out W. R. Peterson, Jt* dealer in paints and painters' supplies. Enlarging both the' capacity of the store and the stock, they gave to the new firm the style of "The Paint Store." This they publish as their trade-mark. The rapid improvement in Jacksonville, together! with a growing interior trade, have conduced to build them up-^ a very large trade, considering the short time they have been"' doing business. We should, however, give due measure to the fact that these gentlemen were already well and favorably known, not alone to the business of the city, but to painters, builders and merchants of the interior towns. Their trade is the largest in the State in their line, the wholesale department alone having grown to an extent which would warrant them in giving up the_ retail branch of the business, but that their many city customer&j wish them to continue it.
Their card, as we find it in the Florida R. R. Guide.
1
26 Ocean Street. The Paint Store. I
I. K. Baird & Co.,
Jacksonville, Fla.
Among the many specialties worthy of mention, but whicl?| we have not space to note, is the celebrated Hammar paint. Ir is claimed for this paint, that it is peculiarly adapted to this cli- mate. That it is generally superior to clear white lead, appears | to have been well proven in this city. They are sole agents in the State for the Hammar paint, as well as for the Acme white lead and color works, of Detroit, Michigan, and for the New Jersey enamel paints, and others. In general painters' suppliesn' outside of paints, they carry much the largest stock in the State, while in glass their stock is fully up to any other
F. M. Burst, the junior member of the firm, was born \n\
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Jersey City, N. J. He received his education at Davidson Col- lege in North Carolina. He came to Florida in 1865 with his father and settled at Fernandina, where his father commenced business in the general merchandise line, under the style of Funston & Burst.
Mr. Burst went to Brooklyn, N. Y., and remained two years. Returning again to Fernandina, he entered the general mercantile jbusiness. In 1876 he was burned out and came to Jacksonville, entering the house of Dexter Hunter, where he remained three years, and until he left there to associate himself with Mr. Baird in their present business.
As gentlemen of energy, worth and commercial integrity, Ithere are none their superior in Jacksonville, and it is but rea- soning from cause to legitimate effect to predict that they will maintain the prominent stand they have won in commercial circles, and that their business will keep pace with the growing |importance of the city.
MEYER & MULLER.
Messrs. Meyer & Muller, wholesale dealers in groceries and [liquors. No. 2, West Bay street, have, since the first of January, Irclinquished their retail department and now devote their entire ittention to their rapidly increasing wholesale business, which Ihas already reached the very handsome amount of ;^250,cxx) per mnum. It is hard to say to what extent this business will be in- :reased, taking into consideration the enterprise and commercial lorcsight which these gentlemen display, the exceptional facilities ^vhich they have for doing a shipping trade, and the large capi- tal which they have at command. They are well known all through the State, and as Florida grows commercially so as- Hiredly will the business of Messrs. Meyer & Muller.
^Ir. Claus Meyer, whose father was the first German to kettle in Charleston, South Carolina, was born at the village of pehden, Hanover, Germany, on the 9th of September, 1843. He had the advantage of a regular course of education in his own :ountry and gradljated in the spring of 1859. The following fall saw him on his way to America. He naturally made his ^ay to Charleston, where he was employed for a few months i^ a clerk, but left on account of yellow fever breaking out. He Ihcn made for Augusta, Georgia, where he was again employed |s a clerk from i860 to 1865, at which period he .started a gro- [ery and liquor business. After conducting the same success-
76
fully for two years, he sold out on advantageous terms and went to New York, in which city he resided for a year. He then came South and in 1869 started a store in Jacksonville.
Mr. Augustus Muller was born at Neinberg, Hanover, Germany, February 18, 1849, and, like his partner, went througli'l a course of education and graduated in his own country. In-i deed, there is quite a strange similarity in the careers of these two gentlemen, for Mr. Muller came likewise to America in the year 1 866, being then seventeen years of age. He landed at Net York City and there clerked for three years in a grocery store In 1869 he fortunately met Mr. Meyer, and together they camel to Jacksonville. ^
On their arrival in the chief city of Florida they ead] opened a store and, needless to say, they were both successftill beyond their most sanguine anticipations. It is hardly surpris- ing that these gentlemen, having, as they had, a mutual respect for one another's personal and commercial uprightness and ability, should, in 1879, have entered into a partnership and thus| founded the firm as it now exists. Their store, at No. : West Bay street, contains, perhaps, the most extensive anc best assorted stock of groceries, liquors, provisions and grain io the whole of the State. I
Messrs. Meyer & Muller assuredly have everything in their favor, and it is difficult to forecast the extent to which theyl will eventually develop their already grand business.
Their commodious warehouse is situated on the river, be- tween Market and Liberty streets. Here is kept the duplicate stock, and from this warehouse they ship their goods to all points! in Florida.
SIMON P. BURGERT.
In our go-ahead age it too frequently occurs that people] with but a superficial knowledge of the bus'iness they undertake solicit the patronage of the public. This renders it all the more gratifying to meet one who has thoroughly prepared and fitted himself for his calling, and such a man we find in Mr. Simon Pf Burgert.
Mr. Burgert is a native of Ohio, and was born in the year] 1840 at Cincinnati, where he obtained his education and passed his youth and the first years of his manhood. Immediately after leaving school he entered the studio of one of the most accora] plished photographic artists of Cincinnati as a student and
. 77 .
apprentice. After devoting some years to acquiring a knowl- edge and practice of photography in all its branches, Mr. Burgert traveled throughout Ohio and adjoining States, practic- ing his art and teaching many who were attempting the business without a sufficient knowledge to conduct it successfully.
Returning to his native city, he married Miss Addy J. Barlow, the daughter of a prominent harness and saddle manu- facturer of Louisville, Ky., and settled down. Always keeping pace with the latest improvements he easily maintained his posi- tion in the front rank of his brother artists in a city celebrated for the excellency of its photography. Hence, when he came to Florida and opened photographic rooms in Jacksonville in 1882, he was welcomed by many who had previously been acquainted with his skill, and the excellence of his work soon won him a reputation, he has since maintained, of being second to no artist in any class of photographic work, while his happy success in difficult copying has made him an exceptional and enviable reputation in this branch of work.
Mr. Burgert is at 711^ West Bay street, where he first opened business in this city. He has four large rooms, em- ploys three assistants, and is always supplied with the latest im- provements in every branch of photography. He having pur- chased property in the city and built up so large a business, it is fair to presume he has come to stay.
Socially he appears a refined and cultured gentleman, and one cannot help seeing it is his wish and endeavor to make each gentleman's picture more perfect and each lady's and baby's more beautiful than the one preceding.
THE TROPICAL LAND CO.
. This Company was originally organized under a charter of West Virginia in the year 1884, but was reconstructed three years later under a Florida charter, the following responsible gen- tlemen being the executive officers and directors: Dr. Massilon Cassat, President, John T. Talbott, Secretary and Treasurer. The above named and Dr. J. K. Lee form the Board of Directors. Mr. Thomas R. Brown is the manager at Lake View.
The Company own 6,000 acres of selected lands on the higher grounds to the western side of Clay county, than which no more charming location is to be found in the State. Com- manding a view of the beautiful lake Kingsley, a splendid stretch of water, some six miles in circumference. Lake View will in
7«
ic immediate future, be one of the most fascinating resorts le South. No section offers a more bewildering wealth of;
tht
the :50uin. i\o section oners a more Deuuaermg weaitn ot at-L tractions than this, which undoubtedly is one of the mosthealthj fill parts of the State, possessing, from the fact of its altitude, the purest and most exhilarating atmosphere, and the most perfect! natural drainage. Nature, too, has given this favored spot abundant supply of water, which may be obtained at a depth oJ twelve feet, as well as from the lake hard by. The soil, too, is sim-l ply voluptuous in its exuberance; orange groves and truck cr^A dens flourish in harmony, and while the one is developing, thJ other is paying the expenses necessarily involved in cultivation.! In this particular alone Clay county, lying, as it does, some thirty-! five miles to the southwest of Jacksonville, possesses peculij advantages, where a man of moderate means may by indust and intelligence increase his capital of a few hundred dollars into as many thousands in the course of a few years. Land mav purchased on easy terms. The Company gives an abstract wit every deed, which they guarantee to be good.
Lake View is without doubt destined to be one of the live towns of Florida, and that at no far distant date. Capitalists del siring to invest in town lots may search the length and breadthj of the United States and not find a town holding forth greate prospects of a rapid development. Already the Company have| erected a hotel, a saw mill, store, post office, boat and bath housej In fact the profits of this enterprise are for the present devoted! to improvements. The Masonic fraternity have also built a hall] As a proof of the prolific nature of the country, there mayf be seen in this county one of nature's prodigies, an orange treel which has yielded in one season no less than I0,ooo oranges, the! largest crop on record from a single tree.
It is almost superfluous to state that such fruits as peaches,! guavas, lemons, strawberries, grapes, figs, etc., are there graw in great perfection. Poultry raising is also a source of profit, re| quiring but small capital, and finding a ready market.
Taking into consideration the climate and geographical ad-l vantages of Clay county, we have no hesitation in recommend-! ing it as a settling place to those wishing to make for themselvc a home in the State of Florida.
Mr. John T. Talbott, the prime mover in this enterprise] •developed the towns of Glen St. Mary and McClenny, in Baker| county, but now devotes his entire attention to Lake View.
79 DR. HENRY R. STOUT.
To no man is the community more indebted than to the wise and careful physician. When to such a character is added the admirable qualities of a public-spirited and useful citizen in the business walks of life, we have the briefest pen picture of the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Henry R. Stout, who descended, on both his father's and mother's side, from educated and refined people. His maternal ^grandfather, Uriel Chapin, was a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1790. His father was the Rev. Charles B. Stout, a clergyman <)f the Protestant Episcopal Church. Dr. Stout was born at the village ofWestfield, New York, March 17, 1843.
After a thorough preparatory course under the preceptor- ship of his father, the son, at the age of eighteen, entered Kenyon College, Ohio. The martial influences of the time proved too seductive for the ardent youth, and he left college in 1863 before having graduated, entering in the One Hundred and Thirty-F'ourth Illinois Volunteers.
Returning with his regiment, when mustered out of service, to Illinois, he settled in Chicago, and in the fall of 1865 entered the office of Dr. N. F. Cook, one of the ablest physician of that city, and took up the study of medicine. After a course of reading under Dr. Cook, the young candidate for P:sculapian honors matriculated at Hanneman Medical College, from which he graduated with first honors in 1868. Wisely conclud- ing that a good place to commence practicing was in the shadow of his Alma Mater, he put out his first card there and, building up a large and lucrative practice, remained seven j'ears in Chicago, most of the time in association with his former precep- tor, Dr. Cook. In the second year of his practice (1869) he married an accomplished lady, the daughter of D. C. Eddy, Esq., ofChicago.
The rigorous climate of the Lake City, together with the arduous duties of an extensive practice undermining his health, the Doctor came with the tide of health seekers to Florida, ar- riving in Jacksonville December, 1875. Happily realizing his hopes in the recovery of his health. Dr. Stout opened an office and was at once recognized for his scientific attainments, ready- sympathies and refined manners.
Presaging the rapid development of Florida and the pros- perity of Jacksonville, he, as his finances justified, began to in- vest in city and suburban property. In this manner becoming
8o
identified with the city's interests, he has given much time and his full share ofmoney to public enterprises, and occupies a place in the public esteem second to no other gentleman of his unob- trusive disposition and retiring manners.
He was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Jacksonville Library Association; was several years one of its Directors and his administration as its second President was marked with signal ability and the prosperity of that estimable enterprise.
As we contemplate the Doctor's lodge, society and church duties, we are led to wonder how, in the face of them all, he finds time to attend to his extensive practice and look after his private affairs. He is Medical Examiner of the Knights of Honor and the Legion of Honor, and a Director in the Springfield Company and the Pine Street Railway Company, in both of which he is also a large stockholder. He is a vestryman in St. John's Epis- copal Church, is one of the medical staff of St. Luke's Hospital, is a member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, of the State Homoeopathic Medical Society, of Illinois, and the State Microscopical Society, of Illinois, the Southern Homoeopathic Medical Association, and an honorary member of the Hahneman Medical Association, of Lousiana. I
His residence and office is at the corner of Monroe and Ocean streets. Ther<;, surrounded by every comfort and luxury prized by a refined nature, he devotes his leisure hours to scientific studies, in which, aided by numerous journals, and an exten- sive professional, scientific and reference library he keeps fully abreast of the times.
In conclusion, we may be permitted to add, that Dr. Stout's always pleasant greeting and happy smile is the reflection of a reciprocal and beautiful affection in his family circle.
HON. CALVIN L. ROBINSON.
Amongst Jacksonville's most cultured and honored citizens stands forth prominent the Hon. Calvin L. Robinson, a gentle- man who has carved out a career which will live with the history of the State. He was born on the 3d of June, 1828, at the town of Reading, in Windsor county, Vermont, and there raised and educated, graduating at the Vermont University, where he took the degree of A. M. and studied as a civil engineer.
When twenty-five years of age he went to Boston, in which
CAPT. W' ILEY G. TOOMER. See Page 33.
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city he started in the wholesale oil business, and he continued at it for four years.
In 1857 his failing health brought him to the renovating climate of Florida. Settling in Jacksonville, he went into the wholesale and retail general merchandise business. Towards the close of the war his store was pillaged and burnt out by the Confederates, and Mr. Robinson soon after went North with his family on a gunboat. Leaving them in Vermont, he again returned to Jacksonville, and was appointed Provost Marshal under General Law ton, then Military Governor of the State. Later, he once more started in the general merchandise business, continuing at the same till 1871, when he engaged in real estate, and two years after added the practice of law. In 1882 he sold out to Messrs. Walker & Walker, having previously published the monthly paper known as the Florida La^id Register^ which did so much to advertise the climatic advantages of this State. Mr. Robinson has continued practicing law, in which profession he has since been extensively engaged. He also represents in this city the Passumpsic Savings Bank, of St. Johnsbury, Ver- mont, which has a capital of ;$2, 500,000. They advance money at interest varying from 6 to 10 per cent., according to the secur- ity. He also organized and is President of the Marion Land and Improvement Company, whose headquarters are at Ocala and Jacksonville. Mr. Robinson was in a great measure responsible for the building of the beautifully located town of Belleview, which probably possesses more natural advantages than any other city in Florida. It lies in the very cream of this fertile country, where the timber is a living proof of the generosity of the soil. There mav be seen live oaks with a circumference of twenty-nine feet.
He is likewise Secretary and Treasurer of the Heather Island Orange Grove Company, who own a select tract of some 5,000 acres of the richest land in the State in Marion county, for which they paid $95,000; and on the Ocklawaha River this company has a magnificent 130-acre grove of bearing trees.
Mr. Robinson is the owner of the Drysdale addition to Jack- sonville, which suburb is beautifully and conveniently situated one mile from the city on the S., F. & W. R. R. In a short time there will be a station there, and the street car tracks will also be ex- tended to this point. A number of the lots on this estate (which are in the hands of Judge A. O. Wright, No. 24 East Bay street) have already been sold to the best people in Jacksonville.
He also laid out the Smithville & Robinson addition,
82
which lie to the northwest of the city. For the latter of these properties, Mr. Zeph Harrison, of 82^ West Bay street, acts
as agent.
Mr. Robinson has also taken an active interest in many societies and matters of public good. For twenty-eight years he has been a member of Solomon Lodge, of Free Masons ; he was one of the organizers of Duval Division, Sons of Temper- ance, in 1869, and was the architect and builder of the Trinity M. E. Church, of which he has always been President of the Board of Trustees.
Mr. Robinson was married in the year 1855 to Elizabeth, daughter of Mr." Charles A. Seymour, and has four children, two girls and two boys. Arthur S. is a civil engineer on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe R. R., while Edward J. is an attorney-at-law at Chicago.
It is to men such as this, possessing wealth and moral in- fluence, that Florida has been brought to her present state of prosperity, and in such hands her future progress may be looked upon as assured.
I JOHN A. GRAHAM.
Of the many brilliant young men of Florida, who have ar- rived at the threshold of their career within the last decade, none are more worthy of honorable mention than the subject of this sketch, and certainly the career of none of his cotemporaries could exert a more salutary influence on the ambitious youth of
Florida.
Mr. Graham is descended from the old aristocracy of the South, his mother being the daughter of Colonel John C. Pelot, a very prominent man, and who was president of the secession convention of his State. His father was Judge Edgar M. Gra- ham, an able jurist, and for many years a Di.strict Judge in Flor- ida. He also served for fifteen years in the Legislature of the State. Enlisting at the commencement of the late war he was re- called by Governor Milton to attend to civil duties.
Judge Graham is a native of Savannah, Georgia, where his family have long been prominent in the professions and in , commerce.
John A. Graham was born at Newnansville, Alachua coun- ty, Florida, October 25th, 1863. As might be inferred by those holding to the theory that most men who make a great success in life are influenced by a mother's training, he received his first
83
instruction from his mother, a most estimable lady, whose edu- cational and social advantages well fitted her for the tutor of .so bright a boy. Still under the watchful care of his mother, he was next provided with a private tutor, under whom he studied until he was fourteen years old. He then entered the high school at Savannah, Ga., v/here he graduated in 1881. After a brief visit home he was sent to the University of Nashville. At this celebrated institution he remained until May, 1884, when he graduated with first honors in a class of 57, receiving the medal and being valedictorian.
Immediately after leaving college, Mr. Graham was em- ployed by the State Superintendent of Education to travel in the interest of Normal Schools and Teachers' Institutes. In this interest he traveled throughout the State during a part of the years 1884 and 1885, and it may be justly said, that to him is due the credit of organizing these admirable modern adjuncts to the common school. Indeed, we shall find that Mr. Graham's greatest strength lies in his ability as an organizer. In recog- nition of his ability by educators from other States, he was elected Superintendent of the Raleigh, N. C, schools. It is cer- tainly to his credit that he declined this honorable position to accept one of more arduous duties in a like position in his own State, at Key West. It is alike honorable to him and creditable to the judgment of the teachers of Florida, that he was chosen as President of the State Teachers' Association.
But it is as a business man that we most admire Mr. Gra- ham, and to fully appreciate his success in this respect it is nec- essary that we go back to the time when he came from college. That was in May, 1884. We see him at that time upon the threshold of life, with no help but his willing hands and ready, cultivated mind, and as the sequel shows he needed no other. Realizing the power of wealth, he resolved to possess it. The first money he made, like all following it for some years, he in- vested in well selected lands. After finishing his school work at Key West he decided, much as he liked the profession of teacher, to abandon it for more active and venturesome pursuits. Accordingly he made abstracts of all his lands and established a real etsate business. In this he has had a phenomenal success. He has never been what is properly termed a real estate agent, for he has always sold his own lands, or lands in which he held
an interest.
As before stated, his success is largely due to his superior ability as an organizer. He has established a number of sue-
84 • I
cessful syndicates, the most prominent and important of which is, probably, the Naples Improvement Company, which promises to be one of the greatest successes of city-building in Florida. Of this he is a director and a general manager. He is President of the Leon Land Company, President of the Tropical Fruit Company, and President of the South Florida Building Associ- ation. J 1 • 1 Mr Graham is not yet twenty-four years old, and he is the
pos.sessor of nearly, or quite, one hundred thousand acres of choice land in Florida, besides much valuable city property and banking stock, the estimated value of which is about three hun- dred thousand dollars.
In this race with Fortune, Mr. Graham does not forget the duty he owes to society, nor the honors accorded him as a student and educator. He is an active participant in public matters, and in the midst of the hurry of business finds time to keep up with the affairs of the world, and the current literature of the day. Socially, he appears the refined and cultured gentle- man, and no one occupies a higher standard of integrity and moral worth than he. I
MERRYDAY & PAINE.
The first member of this firm is a native of Old England, and although still a young man, being about thirty years of age, has seen much of life and had a varied business experience. Mr. Mcrryday came to this country in 1875, and settled in Macon, Ga where for a time he was connected with J. H. Cherry & Co. In 1876 he moved to Florida, and, purchasing land in Putnam county, set out an orange grove on Lake Kerr.
A country life not being sufficiently active to suit him, he came to Jacksonville and associated himself with Mr. J. C. Clark in the musical instrument business, under the firm name of J. C. Clark & Co. After a prosperous business for two years, Mr. Clark retired in 1884 and the present firm was organized. Mr. Merryday has become thoroughly identified with the business of Jacksonville, and no man stands more deservedly high, com- mercially speaking, than he, while socially he is esteemed by all who know him as a courteous and accomplished gentleman.
The second member of the firm, Mr. John B. Paine, was born in Elmira, Cheming county. New York, and was there ex- tensively en^raged in the music and book trade. His keen per- ception foreshadowing for the State of Florida a great future, he
85
came here in 1876 and was soon a member of the firm of Paine Bros., where he remained till the formation of the present firm in 1884. Added to a thorough knowledge of his business, Mr. Paine's long residence and extensive acquaintance in Florida, and his well known reputation for probity and fair dealing, ren- der him a most fitting business associate of'Mr. Merryday.
Their salesrooms are located at 48 East Bay strect,Mohawk Block, next door to the post-office. Their extensive and beauti- ful display of instruments and musical goods is set off to hne advantage by the elegant furnishings and excellent light of the rooms Among the instruments most worthy of special note we mention Stcinway & Sons, Decker Brothers, and the celebrated Knabe pianos, and the Estey Pianos and Organs.
In addition to musical instruments of every description, we note an extensive stock of musical publications, instruction books and sheet music. In the latter article their stock is doubtless the most extensive in the State. c 4-u
The trade of this house extends over Florida and into bouth- ern Georgia. Messrs. Merryday & Paine are known, by reputa- tion in every household where the refining influence of music is felt,'and their patronage in the past may justly be counUed as forecasting their continued usefulness and prosperity.
Dr James H. Paine, formerly President of the Florida Sav- ings Bank, and now largely interested in real estate here, makes his winter headquarters at the store of Messrs. Merryday & Paine In the summer he may be found at Try on City, W. U., on the line of the Asheville & Spartanburg R. R., where he has the largest fruit orchards in that section, and is also extensively interested in real estate there. - ,
DR. W. N. LEONARD.
Dr W N. Leonard is one of the most highly respected members of the medical profession in this city. In a compara- tively short time he has succeeded in establishing a large prac- tice among the better classes, whose confidence he has obtained not only from the fact that he has had the advantage of a train- ing in the best hospitals in the United States, but also from his natural kindness of disposition. Recognizing in his mission something higher than mere sordid considerations, Dr. Leonard extends the benefit of his knowledge to the humbler classes with as ^reat a freedom as he does to his wealthier patients. Indeed, the^eadv sympathy of the man, combined with a confidence jus-
tl!
86
tified by knowledge, act as a tonic and a restorative to the ailing one.
He was born in Talbot county, Maryland, on the 17th of October, 1855, but while still in boyhood, he went to Philadel- phia, and after a residence of one year moved to Brooklyn, N. Y. In that city he was educated, and later studied medicine at Long Island College Hospital, and there graduated in 1879. During this time, however, he went through a year's course at the Uni- versity of Michigan, located at Ann Arbor.
}^ was in 1883 that the Doctor first came to Florida, in which State he took up his residence first at Tallahassee, where he was shortly appointed City and County physician. Later he returned to the North and wdnt through a further course of study, taking his degree at the New York First Graduate's Med- ical Schools on the 15th of June, 1885. He then came to Jack- sonville, where in a short time he made a reputation for ability and conscientiousness.
Dr. Leonard has, too, proved himself a man of real worth as a citizen. He takes an eneri^etic interest in all matters of the public welfare, and no one is more read)' to devote time and in- telligence to such affairs. He is a member of the Duval County Medical Society, of the Leon Lodge of Odd Fellows, and also of the Montefiore Lodge, No. 2, Knights of Pythias.
The Doctor was married in the Spring of last year to Mrs. Eva Spencer, of Madison, Wisconsin. Such a man as this, pos- sessed of a high order of intellect, cultivated in the most ad- vanced schools, is at once an ornament and an acquisition both socially and professionally to the city of Jacksonville.
DR. A. S. BALDWIN. !
Among the citizens of whom Jacksonville may well feel proud is one who has an individuality all his own, a man dis- tinguished in the world of science and of politics, one whose re- finement and cultivation of mind, devotedness to the public weal, and self sacrifice, are rare claims on the regard and admiration of the countrymen he has so well served. /
Dr. Baldwin has had a long and distinguished career, not uninterrupted by the cares, trials and disappointments which attend the progress through life of all public men, yet he now has the satisfaction of knowing that all he has attempted for the general good, either is, or shortly will be accomplished.
He was born at Oswego, N. Y., in the year 181 1. He
87
early had the misfortune to lose his father, but was adopted by his uncle, Mr. Leverett Baldwin, of Oneida county, N. Y., by whom he was taken to Madison county, N. Y., where he received his early education. In 1830 he entered the Geneva College, and four years later graduated in arts at that institution, after which he went through a medical course, graduating in the win- ter of 1837.
While going through this course he was appointed botanist in the geological survey of the State of Michigan. While en- gaged in this work he had a sharp attack of inflammatory rheu- matism, brought on by exposure, and was obliged to resi^.
Dr. Baldwin was married in June, 1838, to P^liza, daughter of Mr. Robert Scott, of Geneva, N. Y., who was agent for Sir William Pulteney. For some months he practiced at Geneva, but being unable to shake off the rheumatism, came to Florida in December, 1838, and commenced practicing in Jacksonville.
In 1852 he was elected a member of the Legislature, and during his term introduced a bill which obtained the charter for the Florida Central Railroad. In the same year he was sent by the citizens to Washington to obtain an appropriation for the improvement of the mouth of the St. Johns River and succeeded in getting $20,000, which, however, only proved sufificient for the preliminary examination.
In i8!;7 he resigned his position as president of the railroad, and in the' same year his wife fell a victim to yellow fever. The following year he was elected to the State Senate. During his term the State seceded, he voting in the negative, but neverthe- less on the formation of the Confederacy, he was offered and accepted the position of chief surgeon of the hospitals of the State of Florida. At the close of the war he was appointed Medical Director for the States of Florida and Southern Georgia. On account of his participation in the war he had all of his prop- erty confiscated, in consequence of which he resumed his prac- tice, at which he was so successful that in a few years he saved sufficient to re-purchase his lost possessions. He has since built the Palmetto Block on west Bay street, in the very centre of the main thoroughfare, consisting of fourteen stores, and numerous
offices on the second floor.
In 1873 Dr. Baldwin once more agitated the question for the improvement of the St. Johns, and it was entirely through his influence that the late celebrated Capt. James B. Fads came to Florida and made an examination, reporting favorably of the
88
feasibility of the project. This led to a survey being prosecuted by the Government engineers, who also made'a favorable report.
In 1874 he agitated for, and organized the State Medical Association, of which he was made president. He delivered the first lecture on " The Climatology of Florida," a theme on which he could discourse with greater force and eloquence than any other living man, having for years made it one of his chief stud- ies. This was afterwards published in pamphlet form, and being the first publication based on meteorological observations, some thousands of volumes were circulated.
I« 1 88 1 the Doctor went to Washington once more with a view to the improvement of the river's mouth, and got an appro- priation of ^125,000, which amount at various periods has been increased to $750,000. and this sum has been employed in open- ing the bar by the use of jetties.
Dr. Baldwin still takes an active interest in public matters. He is a member of the Board of Trade, of the State and County Medical Society, and is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sanitary Improvement Bonds, who built all the sewers, re- clamied the low lands, and constructed and were given control of the Water Works for twenty years.
The Doctor was married for the second time in 1866, to Mrs. E. M. Dell, and has for some time retired from practice, being succeeded by his son, W. L. Baldwin.
It would be difficult to conceive a more pleasant or more beautiful record than that of Dr. Baldwin. Starting with excep- tional gifts, cultivated to a degree, his long life has been one of contmued usefulness to his fellow men. Respected and revered by all who know him, he now has his just reward, " peace with honor."
J. E. T. BOWDEN. |
No more striking illustration of what can be accomplished by a man possessed of an indomitable determination to succeed in the battle of life, even though handicapped at its very outset by unnatural burdens, can be given than the short but wondrous career of Mr. J. E. T. Bowden, the present Mayor of LaVilla.
Born at Spartanburg, S. C, on the 14th of September. 1857, he came at an early age with his father to Florida, who started a mercantile business and speculation in cotton at Gaines- ville, which, however, proved a failure. The familv then moved to Jacksonville, and Mr. Bowden. the subject of this notice, beinrr
PETER JONES. See Page IW.
89
a boy of ten, contributed to the support of his parents by the selling of papers and blacking of boots. He later secured em- ployment in a printing house, in which for four years he worked during the afternoons and nights, attending school in the morn- ings.
When fifteen or sixteen years of age, he was engaged by Messrs. Furchgott, Benedict & Co., as cash boy and porter, from which he was successively promoted to salesman and first clerk. With this house he remained about ten years, during which time he saved ;$2,ooo (as will be shown by his first statement to the Mercantile Agency of New York, upon his starting in mercantile life for himself). While in this employment he was made Clerk of the Council of LaVilla, and later Councilman.
In 1882 he opened a general dry goods store at No. ir West Bay street, which then w'as a mere shell of a building, measuring 18x40 feet. This he enlarged and improved to meet the requirements of his business, which grew with a truly phe- nomenal rapidity. At the present moment he has a store at the old stand, 22x1 173^ feet, containing a stock valued at ;$50,ooo, be- sides another of large dimensions in the Everett block.
Mr. Bowden is also a large holder of real estate. He owns no less than twenty-nine buildings, including the LaVilla Town Hall and market-place. He also has a charter of the water works intended to supply LaVilla, for which he has the finest artesian well in the State. It has a depth of 750 feet, with a flow of 1,500 gallons per minute.
The much respected Mayor was married in September, 1 88 1, to Laura, daughter of Mr. F. F. L'Engle, and has three children. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the United Order of Workmen, the Legion of Honor, the Sons of Temper- ance and many other societies.
Of such a man as this the State of Florida may well be proud. He has at once commanded and deserved success. Rarely in one individual are concentrated so many virtues, and, as will be seen from his meteor-like record, he has not only found the time to so well study his own and his family's interests, but also has been a benefit and an ornament as a citizen.
90 I
C. B. ROGERS & CO., I
CORNER BAY AND JULIA STREETS, JACKSONVILLE.
One of the most energetic and enterprising business houses in Florida, and one whose influence has been felt through the entire length and breadth of the State, is that of Messrs. C. B. Rogers & Co., wholesale dealers in flour, meal, grits, hay, bran, gram and the like. In one respect, their commercial position is unique. They have establishments at both Jacksonville and Cedar Key, which give them special facilities for the prosecution of their business. Indeed, the mere fact of their having a double location in itself commands a trade. These gentlemen are also the principal owners in the Gulf Steamboat Company, of which Mr. C. B. Rogers is the President, and his partner, Mr. E, A. Champlain, is Secretar>^ and Treasurer. They own two fine steamers, the " Governor Safford " and the " Mary Disston," which vessels make bi-weekly trips between Cedar Key and Tampa, calling at Tarpon Springs and Clear Water Harbor, in connection with the Manatee River points. Mr. Rogers has charge of the Jacksonville business, while Mr. Champlain su- perintends matters at Cedar Key.
It will be gathered from the above review that this is cer- tainly one of the most pushing firms in the South ; indeed, it has only been by indefatigable hard work and attention to their busi- ness that they have created so large and important a trade.
Mr. Rogers is a native of North Carolina, in which State he was born on the 4th of December, 1852, and was educated at Pittsboro, N. C. In 1869 he came to Florida, and in the first in- stance was engaged at Cedar Key in the office of the F. R. & N. Co. He afterwards was offered a position as bookkeeper in the firm of Bond & Co., general merchandise dealers, in the same town. A year later he went to Texas, and from there to Cuba, where for ten months he was engaged in the lumber business.
In 1872 he returned to Cedar Key, where he started on his own account as a general merchant, and in 1878 took into part- nership Mr. P:. A. Champlain. Their business grew so rapidly, and to such an'extent, that they felt the necessity of opening their present large store in this city. This they did in the fall of 1886. Here they have space and all the necessary conveniences for a strictly wholesale trade.
Messrs. Rogers & Co. are fortunate enough to have the command of ample capital for the conduct of their large business.
• 91
Their reputation is assured as a strictly honorable and straight- forward house, and one in whom may be placed the most im- plicit confidence.
MAJOR WM. J. HARKISHEIMER.
The signal success of this gentleman in revolutionizing and introducing modern methods into the retail grocery trade of Jack- sonville is now gratefully acknowledged by both patrons and competitors. Many things in this old imitative world remind a looker-on of the Columbus egg story. The Major's refined manners and military bearing are quite as unlike the average retail grocer as are his methods of conducting the grocery busi- ness unlike the antiquated methods in vogue when he first opened business in Jacksonville.
Major Harkisheimer was born in Philadelphia in the year 1838, and was raised and educated in his native city. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the Scott Legion. Working his way through the various grades, he was eventually promoted to the rank of Major. During this time he saw much active ser- vice on the Potomac and was badly wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg. He was, altogether, nine years in the army.
After his resignation he returned to Philadelphia and re- sided there for some years. It was in the spring of 1876 that he came to this State and settled at Jacksonville, where he opened a fancy grocery store at 55 West Bay street, moving twelve months later to No. 10, and two years afterwards to the premises which he at present occupies.
He introduced and makes a specialty of all the finer grades of teas, coffees and fancy groceries, which up to that time had only been sold in the North. This enterprise met with the suc- cess which it deserved, and he has now the reputation of selling none but the highest class of goods, of which a large and well assorted stock is always kept on hand. Such a business as this is an absolute necessity in a prosperous city like Jacksonville, where there is not only a large number of wealthy residents, but also Northern visitors, who are accustomed to the luxuries of
life.
Mr. Harkisheimer takes a keen interest in public matters, and his name is associated with many public companies, to whose welfare he devotes considerable of his time and energy. He is president of the Duval Building and Loan Association ; vice- president of the South Atlantic Motive Power Company; treas-
9^
urer and trustee of the Ridgcwood Association, which estate is beautifully situated two and one-half miles west of Jacksonville He IS also chairman of the committee on groceries in the Board of Trade, a member of Solomon Lodge of Free Masons and be- longs to the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Harkisheimer was married in the year 1868 to Miss Jennie daughter of Judge E. Crane, of Yonkers-on-the-Hudson New York, and has a residence at No. yG Ocean street He holds a high position in social circles, where he has gained the respect of all by his geniality and kindly disposition.
CAPTAIN THOMAS E. BUCKMAN.
Captain Buckman was born in Bucks County in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 26th day of April, 1822, and was edu- cated at the Westchester Seminary. When eighteen years of age he went to Luzerne county, in the Wyoming Valley and there for ten years he looked after his father's interest, who was largely engaged in the timber business. In the winter of 18:50 he came to Florida and settled at Clifton, now known as Key Stone where he built a double gang saw mill, which he run suc- cessfully for four years, when it was destroyed by fire The mill was rebuilt, but Captain Buckman unfortunately did not succeed in recovering his insurance, owing to the failure of the company through heavy losses. He consequently left the busi- ness, and in 1856 became Superintendent of the Florida At- lantic and Gulf Central Railroad, during which term he super- intended the building of the railn-ad from Jacksonville to Su- waneeRiver,a distance of eighty miles, and likewise superin- tended the building of the first docks before this city This office he retained until the outbreak of the civil war, when he re- signed and enlisted in the Confederate army. In k short time he was made Chiefof Ordnance of the Military Department of East Florida, serving on the staff of General Finnegan and others, during the whole of the war, at the end of which he once again returned to the Florida. Atlantic and Gulf Central Rail- road Company, in which he acted as Assistant Superintendent until they consolidated with the Pensacola and Georgia Rail- road w'hen he resigned. He again started a milling business in which he continued until the year 1876, when he was ap- pointed, by the Governor of Florida, Clerk of Circuit Court? of the State, Clerk of the County Court, Auditor and Recorder of Deeds. In this capacity he is now serving his third
93
term of four years, a sufficient proof that he has performed his duties with zeal and ability.
He takes an ardent interest in the Episcopal Church, of which he is a regular attendant. He was married in 1856 to Miss Celina McClelland. He holds a high position in social circles, where his courteous manners and geniality of disposition make him beloved by all.
DAMON GREENLEAF.
No man possesses a more honorable or enviable position in the city of Jacksonville, and no man better deserves the esteem of his fellow-citizens than does Mr. D. Greenleaf, of No. 9 West
Ba\' street.
This gentleman was born at Brockport, Monroe county, N. v., on the 30th of November, 1 834, and there went through a com- plete counse of education at the collegiate institute, with great
credit to himself.
In 1 85 1 Mr. Greenleaf went into a jewelry store in his na- tive city, where he stayed for three years. He then moved to Rochester, N. Y., to perfect his knowledge of his business, in which city he had the advantage of workifig for the well known firm of C. H. Burr & Co., and under the instruction of their master mechanic, S. A. Allen, he acquired a thorough intimacy with his trade in all its branches.
In 1855 he started business for himself at the town of Rock- ford, III., in partnership with Mr. Blakeman. Three years later the firm moved to St. Anthony, Minn. In 1859 he dissolved business connection with Mr. Blakeman, and w^ent to Memphis, Tenn., in which city he worked for two years with Messrs. F. H. Clarke & Co. He then started again for himself, opening stores simultaneously at Washington, Ark., and Clarksville, Red River county, Texas. At the outbreak of the Indian war he joined the Texas Rangers, and, having had the advantage of a military education at college, was given the command of a com- pany. He served with distinction through one campaign against
the Comanches.
In 1 861 Mr. Greenleat's commercial career was brought to a temporary close, and he had to pay the penalty of his loyalty to the Union. Both of his stores were confiscated and he was ordered to leave the State, and proceeded to Louisville, which journey he accomplished partly by stage and partly on foot, all the railroads being torn up. Eventually, at St. Cloud, Minn,,
94
he helped to raise a regiment for the Union army, in which he was appointed Second Lieutenant. Later, he was prompted to the office of Colonel and commanded the Fourth Arkansas Vol- unteers, which regiment he raised. I
Mr. Greenleaf was present with Grant at the actions at Co- lumbus and Vicksburg. Afterwards he was appointed Division Quartermaster to Engleman. He was at the attack and capture ofthecity of Little Rock, and was then ordered to co-operate with Banks in the Red River expedition. In this campaign he went through many hardships, but greatly distinguished him- self Indeed; two of the engagements are known in history as Greenleafs battles. On leaving Carrden he subsisted for five days on one cracker each day. He reached Little Rock in so emaciated a condition that, for a length of time, he was under the doctor's care, only being allowed a limited amount of nour- ishment while he was recuperating his strength.
In the year 1804 Mr. Greenleaf again engaged inicommer- cial pursuits, opening a jewelry store at St. Paul, Minn. In 1866 he was married to a charming lady, Clementina, daughter of Mr. K. A. Deuel, of Balston Spar, near Saratoga. In 1867 Mrs* Greenleafs health gave way and she was ordered to Florida as the only chance of saving her life. I^is first venture in Jackson- ville was taking charge of the International Hotel, which two years later was burnt down, involving Mr. Greenleaf in a heavy loss. He then opened his present magnificent store on Bay street, which is certainly an ornament to the city, having the most splendid show of jewelry in the whole of the South. "^This business he conducted successfully till 1880, when he associated with him Messrs. J. W. Pomeroy and J. H. Crosby, Jr., under the firm^name of D. Greenleaf & Co.
He also has one of the grandest orange groves in the State beautifully situated on Lake George. There mav be seen no less than 100 acres, covered by 15,000 trees, of which the esti- mated crop for the coming season is 20,000 boxes ; the land con- sists almost entirely of high shell mound hammock. Originally It was a natural wild orange grove. The trees have, however, been budded and gradually brought to their present state of per- fection. The irrigation has, too, been worked on the most ap- proved system. Every 100 square feet has a hydrant, the whole being worked by one of Worthington's duplex pumps, capable of throwing twenty streams to a height of fifty feet. This water comes from the Silver Spring run. and is so delightfully clear
'■ 95
that the bottom at a depth of seventy-five feet can be distinctly
seen.
As a proof of Mr. Greenleafs public spiritedness, and the confidence which his fellow-citizens repose in him, he has at dif- ferent periods filled the following positions : Director and mem- ber of the Executive Committee of the Florida Fruit Exchange; he organized and was Eminent Commander of the No. 2 Com- mandery of Knights Templar; Treasurer of the Florida Fruit- Growers' Association ; President of the Palatka, Welaka and Spring Grove Railroad; a life member of the Florida Yacht Club; 1st Vice-President and life member Jacksonville Library Association. He takes an active interest in the Young Men's Christian Association, and under his energetic management the Florida State Park Co., which at the time that he took it in hand was quite a dead letter, has 'successsfully worked. He is also chairman of the committee of appeals of the Board of Trade, and has lately been made one of the directors of the Sub-Tropical As- sociation.
Mr. Greenleaf has had the advantage of traveling exten- sively in Europe, having spent some two years in Italy and Sicily — hence his knowledge of orange culture. Certainly Mr. Greenleaf is one of fortune's particular favorites, and there scarcely seems one of nature's blessings which he lacks.
Mr. John W. Pomeroy Ms to be congratulated on having been so fortunate as to become connected with his present part- ner in business. He, like Mr. G., was born in New York State,, at the city of Utica, on the i ith of January, 1832. He received a public school education and graduated at Hampton, Massa- chusetts. The first scene of his commercial life w^as at Minne- apolis, Minnesota, where he was engaged in business from 1856 to 1880, at which date he came to Florida and took up his abode in Jacksonville, entering into partnership with Mr. Greenleaf, the firm trading under the style of D. Greenleaf & Co. He, like his senior, has also had experience in military matters, having seen active service in the Sioux campaign of 1862, and he, as a vol- unteer, joined the army which avenged the Indian massacre in Minnesota. Mr. Pomeroy, besides being interested in the jew- elry b usiness, is also a partner in Mr. Greenleafs orange grove, of which we have already given a brief description.
96 C. PETERS.
Among the growing manufactories of Jacksonville, there are none more deserving of favorable notice than Mr. Peters' Soap and Ground Bone Works, which are located on the Way- cross railroad, some two miles west of the city. These articles have made for themselves a great reputation in Florida, and the •demand daily increases. The venture has proved an entire finan- cial success and is a distinct advantage to the city, supplying an every day want, and likewise employing labor. Of the various qualities produced by this factory, particular mention may be made of the follow^ing, " C. Peters' Challenge Soap," at $5.00 per box (100 cakes), which has become almost a household word in the State, and which is a fine white floating soap, guaranteed to contain no foreign matter which can possibly injure the most sensitive complexion or the finest of fabrics. His " New Laun- dry" at $2.50 per box, which is guaranteed free from adultera- tion, and which he claims will do more work than any soap on the market. His " Extra No. i," at $3.30, which is put up in one pound bars expressly for hotel and family use. His " Laundry," which is already known and appreciated everywhere, is packed in old boxes containing from 80 to 140 8 oz. cakes, and the price is 41^ cents per lb. His "Toilet Soap" which is a pure glycerine soap, largely used and highly spoken of by the fair sex, who certainly are critical judges in matters relating to the toilet, is put up in fine, fancy-lined paper boxes, containing one dozen cakes, the price being $1.00 per box. His '* Soft Soap" for hotel and laundry use, at from 75 cents per lOO pounds and upwards, according to quality.
He also does a large business in his ground bone fertilizers, which he guarantees to be made from bones and nothing else. It is put up in barrels, and the price is $2.00 per lOO lbs.
A liberal discount is allowed to purchasers of large quanti- ties of these goods. Mr. Peters gives the best prices for tallow, grease and bones. Soap is a commodity of such every-day use that it is of importance to laundrymen, hotel keepers, house- holders and others to get the best qualities they possibly can, at reasonable prices, and the object that Mr. Peters has had in view is to meet this want. Too often soap contains poisonous adul- terations dangerous to the skin and destructive to the finer fab- rics, but such is not the case at this factory. Mr. Peters guar- antees his goods to be entirely free from hurtful ingredients.
Mr. Peters also does an extensive wholesale meat business at
HON. CALVIN L. ROBINSON. See Page 80.
- 97
his stands in the City Market, where he has a storage capacity
for ;o,ooo pounds. ,
He suppHes a large number of the largest hotels throughout Florida, and the quality of his meat is unsurpassed.
EDWARD W. EBBETS.
If experience goes for anything, this gentleman's knowledge of railroad and shipping affairs should, and probably does exce^ that of any other man in the State. His entire life has been de- voted to such matters. Born in New York in 1839, he there received his education. At an early age he went as errand boy to the first line of steamers from New York to California. He later was employed bv the Hands line of Philadelphia packets,, and later by Daniel Drew, of the Peoples line, as passenger so- licitor ; then by Commodore Hancock of the Independent line
to Albany and Troy. , •, . ^1 i; u;«^
In 1858 he .started a steamer, which run daily to the hshing banks off Long Branch. At that time there were only two ex- cursion routes out of New York. .
In 1861 he entered the United States service as private in the Thirteenth Brooklyn Regiment, and after two years he was- made second lieutenant in the regular army and detailed as recruiting agent at New York City. 1 • • 4 ^i,^
At the close of the war he went to Boston and joined the l^oston Hartford and Erie Railroad (now known as the New Vork and New England). In the fall of 1867 he returned to New York and was with the well-known Jim Pisk during his last season of running the steamer Plymouth Rock.
He next for four years, acted in the employ of Messrs. Janett & Palmer, of Booth's Theatre, New York. He made an irran<rement with them to take their celebrated Uncle Tom s Cabin" Company to Europe. They played in every country except P>ance. appearing at no less than one^hundred and sixty- right different theatres, several times before Royalty. The com- pany consisted of seventy darkies and eleven whites.
On his return to America he was employed by Mr. Have- mever to run his excursion .steamer Twilight from New York to Rockaway Iron Pier; in the following year he was with the Iron Steamboat Company running from New \ ork to the Iron Pier
at Coney Island. ,„ .. , ,. j 4.v.^ .^..
In the fall of 1882 he came to Honda and entered the ser- vice of the Post Tine of steamers on the St. Johns River, ancl
7
has continued as passenger dj^ent for this company until now. He always spends his winters in Florida and his summers in New York, where he acts as passenger agent for various lines. He is the oldest licensed solicitor in New York, and it was due to his energy that a law was passed for the protection of travel- ler's agents.
This is really a most wonderful and remarkable record, and proves what a versatility of gifts Mr. Ebbets must possess to have fulfilled such a vast number of different positions with so much satisfaction to his employers and such great credit to him- self
WIGHTMAN & CHRISTOPHER.
• "In thriving cities like Jacksonville, it will always be seen there are a few v^ery large houses which are so thoroughly identi- fied with the city as to seem almost a part of it. Such is the firm above named. Their interests are so large and varied that any misfortune to them in a financial sense w^ould be felt as a iblow received by the commerce of the city.
A reading of the foregoing paragraph would impress a •stranger that the firm of Wightman & Christopher was composed •of venerable merchants who had grown gre}^ in the labor of building up so important an establishment. Such is not the ca.se, however, the facts being that they are both comparatively young men.
• Mr. Wightman, the senior partner, was born in Charleston in 1841. At nine years of age he was sent North to West Corn- wall, Ct., to be educated, and remained there till the breaking out of the civil war. His ten years' residence did not, however, w^ean him from his attachment and allegiance to the South, for we see him returning to his native State to share the fate of her resident children in her defence. The gallant Beauregard rewarded the loyal youth with an honorable position and a commission (that. ofCommissary and Quartermaster, with rank of First Lieutenant)- He had risen during the four years he served through the several grades, and at the close of the war was acting as Quartermaster- General. Mr. Wightman went to New York soon after the wat, remaining there until the formation of the co-partnership with Mr. Christopher in 1877, when he came immediately to Florida and commenced business. It is not too much to say no gentle- man of the city has contributed more to her great prosperity in that time than he.
99
John G. Christopher, the junior member of the firm, was born in St. Louis in 1855, and was educated in New York City and in Europe. Forming the acquaintance of Mr. Wightman, and making the business arrangement as above stated, he accom- panied him to Florida.
Mr. Christopher was then on the threshold of a business ca- reer of which he has reason to feel justly proud. Vast as is the business of the firm, he still finds time to attend to outside in- vestments, and it may be said, without detracting from other public spirited men, that no gentleman of the city is niore ready to advance any enterprise for the general good than is John G. Christopher. The magnificent building (Murray Hall) he erect- ed at Pablo Beach is the wonder and admiration of strangers, and the fine block largely occupied by Wightman & Christopher, and which was constructed for their especial benefit, is an orna-
ment to the city.
There was', in 1877, no wholesale grocery house in Florida with a stock sufficient to meet the demands of the trade, nor was there a firm which seemed to realize the importance of the rap- idly growing commerce of the city. Hence, it can readily be seen they came into the field at a very opportune time. The great success they have met with clearly demonstrates that they were fully equal to the situation, and that their past record is absolutely without a blemish and is bright with promise of a brilliant future. It is worthy of special mention that this firm is, without question, better prepared to do an extensive business in their line than any other house in the State, having unsurpassed facilities, and the capital and ability to carry on a business as ex- tensive as it is varied, combining with the wholesale grocery business hay, grain, fertilizer and building material of all kinds. Everything pertaining to their live establishment is abreast of the times. Their store-rooms aggregate an area of three and one- half acres.
Their main office and sample room occupies sixty feet front bv one hundred back, and their shipping facilities are unsur- passed. Every merchant of the State knows the firm by reputa- tion, and more than two thousand names appear on their record ofcorre-spondence. No firm stands higher than Wightman & Christopher in commercial circles, their rating being ij4 in the commercial agencies, which is next to the highest rating given in the United States ; nor do any gentlemen command higher respect and admiration socially than they.
lOO
HON. EDWARD HOPKINS.
The reappointment of this gentleman to the honorable posi- tion of Collector of Customs for the Port of Jacksonville is but one instance of the shrewdness of President Cleveland in select- ing capable and qualified men for places of responsibility and trust. No man could possibly have a stronger claim to the management of his department than the Hon. Edward Hopkins, a gentleman whose ability and energy have already done good service for this and other States ; one, too, who has a record which not a breath of dishonor ever tarnished.
Col. Hopkins was born twelve miles from the citj'of Darien, Macintosh county, Georgia ; in his home county he was edu- cated. There, also, he remained during his earlier life, attending to the plantations which he inherited.
In 1840, he was appointed Collector of Customs for the district of Brunswick, which office he held for four years. In the spring of 1845 he came to Florida, where his initial effort was cotton planting. Seven years later he moved to Jackson- ville and was shortly elected a member of the Legislature, from whence, after a two years' service, he soared into the Senate, and in i860 was the Whig candidate for Governor of the State.
In 1862 he joined the Confederate army and commanded the Fourth Florida Regiment. The following year he was elected to the State Senate, of which he was foi four years a prominent member.
Twice has Col. Hopkins been mayor of the city, and no more popular or able man ever filled that important office.
In 1867 he engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business, and in 1878 he was appointed Collector of Customs by President Hayes, to which post he was reappointed by President Cleveland, August 17th, 1886.
During the Seminole war he had command of a battalion and did distinguished service. The Colonel was married in 1832 to Evelina, daughter of Louis Dufaur, of St. Marys, Georgia. His popularity in private as well as official life is but the just right of a man whose zeal in public affairs is a sharp contrast to the natural modesty and self-effacement which are his peculiar characteristics.
lOI
JEREMIAH R. CAMPBELL,
Within the last two decades Florida has, happily, come un- der the quickenijg influence of new enterprises, which have given her a life entirely unknown to the native population of the old school. Among these new forces none have contributed in a more marked degree to the State's prosperity and general ad- vancement than the mammoth hotels which now welcome the traveler in nearly every part of Florida.
Itis worthy of note, in this connection, that Mr. J. R. Camp- bell is the pioneer tourist hotel-keeper of Florida, and, having acted upon his convictions of Florida as a winter resort, he has doubtless done more than any other single individual to make the State what it is now — the greatest popular winter resort of North America.
It will be seen by a perusal of this brief sketch that he was peculiarly well fitted, by early training and continued experience, for a van-courier in a new field for modern hotels. He was born in Boston, Mass., November 26, 1827. His inclination to hotel keeping as a life business seems to have been formed through the influence of a paternal uncle, who was for many years the popular proprietor of the old Campbell House, on Wilson's lane, now Devonshire street, Boston. It was under the tutorship of this uncle, one of the most accomplished hotel keepers of his day, that Mr. Campbell laid the foundation for a most successful and enviable business career.
He married, at Boston in 1856, a most estimable lady. Miss Mary J. Wilder, a daughter of Capt. C. B. Wilder, of that city. While the modern hotel, with its army of servants, shows but faintly the individual impress of the hostess, in comparison with the less pretentious hotel of a quarter of a century ago, no one who has frequently been a guest at the celebrated St. James, but will accord Mrs. Campbell her full meed of praise for the noble part she has taken in her husband's well merited success.
Mr. Campbell came to Florida in 1867. At that time there was not a single hotel in the State which would now be rated even third-class. The promising field was so apparent to Mr. Campbell that he at once organized a stock company for the erection of a building suitable in dimensions and arrangements for a first-class hotel.' The success he met with was flattering in the extreme, as but little over two years intervened between his arrival and his taking possession of the St. James as its proprietor. It is not too much to say, no other single en-
I02
terprise has done so much for the prosperity of Jacksonville as the building of this hotel. It has been 'enlarged and re- modeled, in harmony with all modern improvements, and while there has, since its construction, been scores of fine hotels built in Florida, the St. James, with its first proprietor, keeps proudly to the front as the most elegant and popular hotel in the State, and its celebrity has been pleasantly recognized by the company who own the little gem off the coast of Southwest Florida, known as Pine Island, naming their new town St. James City.
Mr. Campbell is a stockholder in the Pine Island (St. James-on-the-Gulf) Company, and is also interested in the cele- brated Yulee Place, of Homossassa, near Cedar Key, to which lie, in association with other gentlemen, is now building a railroad. ,
Mis summers are passed at I^kc Pewaukee. twenty-three miles from Milwaukee, Wis., on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, where he conducts the Lakeside Hotel and cottages, one of the most charming resorts in the Northwest. Floridians should remember, when taking their summer ram- bles, that Mr. Campbell will give them a hearty welcome to his summer retreat.
As a citizen, Mr. Campbell is esteemed most highly, and no man in Jacksonville is more ready to do his share for the promotion of any interest of the city than he.
COLONEL WHITFIELD WALKER.
Colonel Whitfield Walker is a native of South Carolina, being born in Lawrence county of that State. He received his education at the common schools and at Wadsworth Institute. He commenced life as a merchant, and so great was his success that he, while yet a young man, had accumulated an indepen- dent fortune.
His popularity leading to his election to the Legislature of his native State, he served with recognized ability, and was twice returned to that honorable position.
At the breaking out of the civil war, Colonel Walker joined, and was made Captain of the first company that offered for service. ^ As in civil life, so in war, Colonel Walker's ability- was recognized, and he rose rapidly to a colonelcy and had command of the regiment at the close of the war.
Passing over the eventful years of the war and reconstruc-
103
tion, we find Colonel Walker, a few years subsequent, settled in Sumter county, Florida, engaged in orange growing. The welcome he met with, and the popularity he soon attained, is shown by the fact of his nomination b}' acclamation, and his election to the State Senate soon after he had acquired a citizen- ship in the State.
Foreseeing the bright prospects dawning on Florida, Col. Walker turned his attention to real estate dealing. In this in- terest he came to Jacksonville and was among the first to open a real estate office in this city.
It is not too much to say he has bought and sold, in the last ten years, more land and city property than any other man in Florida, and it was a great surprise to real estate dealers to learn that Colonel Walker was about to retire from business. All was plain, however, when it was announced in March of the present year (1887) that President Cleveland had appointed Col. Walker to the honorable position of Collector of Internal Reve- nue for the District of which Florida forms a part, and it was the universal verdict that the President had made a most fitting and wise appointment. Col. Walker has been a liTe-long Democrat,, and one, too, who has never shirked a duty to party or drawn his purse strings when the sinews of war were wanted.
While he is too active and progressive to appropriately be classed as one of the old school, his universal urbanity of man- ners and dignified bearing connect him unmistakably with the typical Southern gentleman of a quarter of a century past
GEORGE W. CLARK.
The subject of this sketch is, although still a young man, one of the most enterprising and successful men in his line in Flor- ida. Mr. Clark is a native of Onandaga county, New York. His advent in Jacksonville was in the year 1880, his first ven- ture being in the photographic business. This not altogether suit- ing his taste, he decided to study the art of embalming, and there- by fit himself for the difficult calling he has finally chosen.
Mr. Clark is thorough in anything he undertakes, and it was like him to seek the best schools and advantages. He went to New York, where he had for teachers "the ablest embalmers in that city, after which he took lessons from, and studied the method of a distinguished French embalmer, then a resident ol Canada.
We have before us letters from the North acknowledging
I04
Mr. Clark's skill, notably one from Massillon, Ohio, in which the writer says : ** The remains of Karl L. Warthorst arrived here on Friday night in an excellent condition. I was myself an inti- mate friend of the deceased, and was pleased to see him look so natural and life-like. Not the least trace of discoloration could be seen, and no odor was perceptible. "
We have been so particular in speaking of Mr. Clark's suc- cess in embalming, because the art is, or has been, regarded as among those lost to civilization in the dark ages. Be that as it may, success in this, as in most callings of life, must be regarded as the touchstone of merit. We need hardly add that Mr. Clark's establishment is the finest in the city. His connection with Captain J. H. McGinnis, whose teams and carriages are the pride of Jacksonville, gives him additional advantages. The firm name is McGinnis & Clark; location, 3 and 4 L'Englc Block, Pine street.
In addition to the undertaking and embalming business, the firm have an extensive line of monumental goods in domestic and imported marbles and granites. They keep a number of men constantly employed, and are prepared to make to order monuments of plain or the most elaborate and expensive designs, btrsides which they wholesale marble and undertakers' goods.
Added to Mr. Clark's natural refinement, his culture and ac- complishments render him very popular among all with whom he comes in contact. He is superintendent of both the Duval and St. Mary's Cemeteries, and is regarded as worthy of any trust to which he may be called.
«
T. F. McNERNY.
Among the many gentlemen who have come to Florida in search of health and, having found it, remained to establish a business, one well worthy of note is Mr. T. F. McNerny, 45 West Forsyth street. He is, as his name betokens, a son of the Em- erald Isle, having first seen the light at Kilkee, Ireland, on June 5th, 1849. Like many of his countrymen, he was not destined to remain in his native countr>\ for at the early age of eight he was brought over to America by his parents.
Landing at New 'York City, they proceeded to Pennsylvania and settled at Loch Haven. There it was that Mr. McNerny received the greater part of his education, supplemented, how- ever, by a thorough course of commercial instruction at Buffalo, New York. When eighteen years of age he was launched into
.•^•.
'iJ!f!!?^:v.S;i
• -'.•'•S'^
JOHN A. CiRAHAM. See Page 82.
I05
commercial life, in which his experience has, with the exception ot two years devoted to the boot and shoe manufacturmg trade, been entirely in the grocery business. For th,s he has now cause to be thankful, having acquired a thorough grasp ot the business in all its details, which naturally is of great advantage to him Indeed, the success with which he has worked his busi- ness and the hopeful future which is before him, are in a great measure due to the strict attention which he invariably gives to matters considered by some of minor importance, S"cli, for in- stance, as courtesy to customers, careful selection of s ock, and a -en;ral business-like air to his establishment. These and maV other good qualities, both social and commercial, have
borne their fruit. ^ , ^i- ui
\t the present time Mr. McNerny is one of the most highly respected citizens of Jacksonville. His business, already a very lucrative one, is increasing day by day. His store, located as it in the ver; heart of the city, could not be better situated fo the convenience of residents, and the capital which he has at command will always enable hin>, no matter to what extent his business may become enlarged, to keep the same well arranged Stork as he has at the present moment.
Possessing all these advantages, Mr. McNerny's prosperous career must of necessity be rapidly progressive, and he is to be congratulated on ha^.ing hit on a spot where he has the enjoy- n'n't of good health and the anticipation of making ^ handso™;; fortune A call through the telephone, 252, will at all times be answered by the proprietor of this establishment.
F. J. DUBOS & CO.
Messrs F I Dubos & Co. commenced business on the 1st
.,f January, '.884, as wholesale dealers in H^-";^,,^?^^^^ nd" cigars, tobacco, etc. They are State agents for the Highland brand of condensed milk, and are located at the foot of Nc«nan street ferry-sHp Jacksonville. They keep a vast stock compns- bgi^wny different brands of cigars, various kinds of tobacco, an^ a larcre supply of condensed milk. ^, u t-
Messrs. Dulos & Co. are State agents for the Globe To- bacco Company ; Messrs. J. J. Bagley & Co. Detroi Mic ugan and the Drummond Tobacco Company St L°" «- ^™^^ Thev have business connections with all the best lactones in , BaltLo", New York and Philadelphia. ^- ^-^]:X,tZZ^l ■such facilities, and always keeps so large a stock that they arc
ic6 I
able to supply any quantity and all grades of tobacco. Mr Dubos has had the great advantage of spending several years of his life at Havana, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the cigar trade. A relative of his, Mr. C. Hienze, who is a part- ner m one of the leading tobacco firms of Cuba, will attend to the buying and selecting of the best brands of Havana cigars.
In addition to their regular business, Messrs. Dubos^& Co are doing a large and increasing trade with their "Highland''' brand condensed milk, which is produced from pure, unskimmed cow s milk. It contains neither sugar nor chemicals, and is pre- pared according to a process whereby it retains the flavor of new milk. It IS highly recommended by many eminent physicians more especially for babies and invalids. It is sold in cases con- taining four dozen cans.
The premises occupied by Messrs. F. J. Dubos & Co are conveniently situated for shipping purposes, and consist of two large warehouses measuring 90x50 feet, in the rear of which are two wharves, at one of which is the ferry-boat landin^r, connect- ing with the St. Augustine Railroad.
Associated with Mr. Dubos is Mr. R. H. Tate.
Messrs. Dubos & Co. have, by their energy and enterprise already created a very large business, and one, too, which is growing with a surprising rapiditv. They are at the present time certainly the largest house of their kind in the State.
JOHN F. TYLER.
One of the most conspicuous characters in the city of Jack- sonville IS the popular City Marshal, Mr. John F. Tyler, a gen- deman who has spent almost the whole of his life iii the public service of one kind or another. In the various offices which he has filled he has displayed in the highest degree those qualities whichare so necessary to an official of this kind— cncrcry, tact and determination. ^
Mr. Tyler hails from the State of Georgia, having been born on the 5th of September, 1847, at Daricn, Macintosh county. It was in 1854 that his family came to Florida, and here he was educated at the public schools. In 1 864 he, for one year, served as forage master under General Gillmore, and then for a time took contracts for the supplying of wood to the Government boats.
In 1869 he joined the police force, in which he was four years later promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 1875 he was
10:
nominated for City Marshal, being the first man elected to that honorable post since the war, by the Democratic vote. He served two terms and was then made Chief of Police, but was again, at the end of one year, re-elected Marshal, which office he this time retained for two years, when once more he was Chief of Police, and in April, 1886, City Marshal, the position he at pres- ent occupies. His re-election so many times to the same offices is sufficient proof of the satisfactory manner in which he per- formed the duties that came within his province and the esteem and confidence that he has inspired in the breasts of his fellow- citizens.
Mr. Tyler interests himself in many societies. He is a Free Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Knights of Pythias; is Chief Engineer of the Mechanics Fire Engine Company, and belongs to the Jacksonville Light Infantry.
He is married to Georgia, daughter of Mr. John Smith, of Greenville, Alabama. Mr. Tyler owns three houses, Nos. 36, 38 and 40, West Church street, in the first of which he lives. He also owns a charming country seat, possessing thirty acres and a small grove, situated on the northwest edge of LaVilla.
There is probably no man in the city more eminently fitted by length of experience and personal qualifications for the posi- tion which the City Marshal has so well filled, and which he will doubtless continue to occupy after his present term has ex- pired.
CHARLES H. JONES.
At a recent convention of the National Editorial Association of the United States, held at Cincinnati, O., Mr. Charles H. Jones, the editor of the Times-Unmi, of Jacksonville, Fla., was elected President. This association grew out of a suggestion offered at the annual session of the Minnesota Editorial Associ- ation nearly two years ago, and its first convention took place during the progress of the first World's Fair at New Orleans. At that convention eighteen States were represented, and Mr. R. B. Herbert, of the Republican, of Red Wing, Minn., was elected President, Mr. Jones being chosen as iMrst Vice-President. The recent meeting at Cincianati, which continued for three days, was attended by delegates from a number of the Western and South- ern States,'the Eastern and Middle States being very slimly rep- resented. Texas sent sixteen delegates, Louisiana thirteen, C0I-. orado seven, and the Indian Territory one ; but there were none
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present from the Statf of New York, and only three trom all of 1 New England. Mr. Jones, who was honored by his selection for '" the Presidency, is a gentleman of learning and culture, and is about thirty-nine years of age. He was born in Georgia, and en- tered the Confederate service at the age of sixteen, serving under General Hood. He came North soon after the close of the war, and found employment in the Putnam Publishing House, of this city. He afterward connected himself with the Eclectic Magazine, of New York, and was subsequently made its editor, which post he filled until about three years ago. During his literary career in this city he contributed extensively to Appietois Journal, and also found time to do considerable work as an author, putting forth a number of books, including a Life of Charles Dickens, a Life of Lord Macaiday, a volume entitled Vers de Societe, an En- cyclopcedia of African Travel, and a Domestic Encyclopa'dia. In 1883 he went to Florida to prepare a book on that State. While there he negotiated for the purchase of the Jacksonville Union, but not succeeding in obtaining control of that paper, he started an independent newspaper known as the Florida Times. He subsequently bought out the Union, and consolidated the two papers under the title of the 7>wt'.y-f////W/, of Jacksonville. He is a strong supporter of President Cleveland.
— From Harper s Weekly, Nezv York,
THE BACON & ADAMS ABSTRACT CO.
CORNER M.\KKET .\ND I^ORSYTH STREETS, JACKSONVILLE, AND SOUTH- WEST ROOM COURT HOUSE, OCALA, FLA.
In all kinds of land investments, no matter whether you de- sire to buy real estate, write or acknowledge a deed of mortgage, or what form it may take, the first and foremost consideration should be to iiibke dead certain that your title is a good one; yet it is a strange but an undeniable fact that hundreds part with their money befo^ce taking this very necessary precaution. Why they do so is a mystery that no sane man can solve, but the fact remains. This often leads to lawsuits, with the chances in all probability against *the unwary one, and as a natural consequence the good money goes romping after the. bad. The remedy, too, is so absurdly simple. If there be any doubt about a title, well, just leave it alone, and employ your money where there is none
In Florida, which at present is the only State that interests us, there is now no occassion to run any risk ; there being re-
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liable and responsible people to give the necessary information to intending investors. None are in a better position to do this than The Bacon & Adams Abstract Co., they having a wide ex- perience throughout the entire State. They can, on the shortest notice, make you an abstract of title to your property, or the property on which you are about to take a mortgage, showmg every deed, mortgage, tax sale, title judgment, etc. We strongly advise all who wish to invest money in Florida, to consult trustworthy people such as these before concluding any con- tract. They also pay taxes, negotiate loans, write deeds, mort- gages, etc., etc.
As a proof of the high esteem in which the Company is held by the officials we append the following flattering testimonials :
DUVAL COUNTY.
Captain T. E. Buckman, Clerk. STATE OF FLORIDA, Duval Cou?ity.—ss.
I hereby recommend The Bacon & Adams Abstract Com- pany to the confidence of the public.
' Having confidence in them, I will entrust all orders for abstracts of title, ordered through my office, to their making. Jacksonville, October 16, 1886. ["l. s.l T. E. Buckman,
Circuit Clerk and Recorder.
MARION COUNTY.
General Robert Bullock, County Clerk. STATE OF FLORIDA, Marion County.— ss.
I hereby recommend the Bacon & Adams Ab.stract Com- pany to the public.
After several years' business relations with them, I have that confidence in them that I put into their hands all orders for abstracts of title ordered through my office, and willingly attach my certificate to any abstract made by them.
OcALA, September 4, 1886.
fj j5 "] Robert Bullock,
Circuit Clerk and Recorder.
I lO
M. R. Bacon made the abstract books of
ORANGE COUNTY.
Captain T. J. Shine, County Clerk. STATE OF FLORIDA, Orange County.— ss.
I have known M. R. Bacon ever since he made the Orange •County abstract books, four years ago. I have been well ac- quainted with T.J. Adams for the past ten years. Therefore, I take pleasure in- recommending the Bacon & Adams Abstract Company to the confidence of the public.
Orlando, July 24, 1886.
[l-S.] ^ T.J. Shine,
Circuit Clerk and Recorder.
General McCartney. |
STATE OF ILLINOIS, Attorney-Generars Office.
Springfield, 111., January 13, 1882.
I have known M. R. Bacon for about twelve years. He read law in my office and practiced law in partnership with me for several years. I know him to be a safe, reliable, honest and capable young man, and I have no hesitation in recommending him to all persons with whom he may have social or busine.ss relations, as a gentleman of more than ordinary capacity. I can also recommend him as a sober, industrious and reliable man, and one whom it will be no discredit to be connected with. As a lawyer he is a safe counselor and a diligent, careful and faithful worker. He is well grounded in elementary prin- ciples and is perfectly familiar with the modern advancement in the law.
James McCartney, Attorney-General of Illinois.
Mark R. Bacon was born on the night of February 29th (Leap Year), and has had eight regular birth-days ; his father, Dr. Milton H. Bacon (died March 5th, aged 84 years), was one of the early settlers of Illinois, hailing from New York, being the youngest son of Ebenezer Bacon, an officer of the Revolution ; his mother was Sarah B., daughter of Jebial H. Reeves, formerly of Brooklyn, N. Y. He was educated in Illinois; chose the law as his profession, and stood a public examination before the Supreme Court of that State, and was admitted to the bar in
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1 S76 ; entered into partnership with his preceptor, Hon. James McCartney, and was made city attorney ; was happily married to Miss Lizzie Cooper, daughter of Hon. T. L. Cooper, of Fair- field, May 13, 1880; his only child, Lizzie, was born February 2, 1882, his wife dying on the following day.
He wandered to Florida during the next month, and liking the country pretty well, and .seeing the necessity of abstract books, and a system of abstracting in this State, began and com- pleted the abstract books of Orange county at Orlando, during that time buying several thousand acres of valuable land. In 1883 he entered into partnership with T. J. Adams, and The Bacon & Adams Abstract Company was formed, which company has since made complete abstract books of Marion county, at Ocala, and of Duval county, at Jacksonville.
He is also superintendent of the Birmingham, Alabama, Abstract Company, and of several other companies that are now abstracting different counties in Alabama (making his head- quarters at Jacksonville, Florida) ; was never an applicant or candidate for any office, and never held but the one mentioned, and did not want that. !
T. J. Adams was born in Hancock county, Maine, May 24, 1844, and his early days were spent in that State. In 1857 1"^^ removed with his parents to Marengo, Illinois; afterwards to Evanston, Cook county, Illinois ; when but seventeen years old he enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, and served his country for over four years — until the war closed. He then entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illi- nois, and finished his education, after which he entered the mercantile field, but seeing the advantages offered in the " Land •of Flowers " he came to Florida in 1875, and started the first orange grove to be found on the south side of Lake Virginia, which grove is now within the corporate limits of Winter Park — having forty acres in one grove, with two hundred acres of land adjoining.
He was married to Mrs. J. Irene Leonard, of Orlando, June 29. 1881.
In 1883 he associated himself with M. R. Bacon, in making abstract books of the land titles of different counties, the firm being known as The Bacon & Adams Abstract Company, with offices at Jacksonville and Ocala, Florida. In the meantime buying many valuable tracts of land in different parts of the State, which he now owns. He is one of the best judges of Florida soil, and as a business man his qualifications are not ex-
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i .
celled He removed to Orange Park, Clay county, Florida., (fourteen miles from Jacksonville), in 1885, where he now resides. Delos H. and Adolph H. Bacon are younger brothers of Mark R Bacon, born and educated in Illinois, both edited news- papers while yet in their " teens;" studied law, W. H. being ad- mitted to the bar in 1878. They founded the Grayvilh Democrat. Business justifying a larger field, they removed it to Carmi, the county seat of White county, and within two years successfully absorbed the other Democratic paper, "The Courier," and " The Couricr-Democrar was the result; the Courier-Democrat Steam Printing House was soon well known throughout the State. Adolpirn. was compelled to come to Florida in 1883 for his health which he soon regained, and returned to his Illinois office ' Again failing in health, and liking the country, he came to make Florida his home, and is now with The Bacon & Adams Abstract Co., at Jacksonville. Delos H. was induced to visit the State in 1885. The climate agreeing with him, he resolved to make this his home, and now has charge of The Bacon & Adams Abstract Co's office at Ocala. They are both members, of The Birmingham (Ala.) Abstract Co., The Sheffield Abstract Co The Lauderdale Co. Ab.stract Co., and several other com- panies in Alabama, and have not allowed real estate to accumu- late under their feet without getting their share.
MATHEW HAYES. !
As no artist can paint the dawn upon the peach, .so no cul- ture can make the man. It would be an interesting study could we trace the pre-natal influences which develop the be.st type of Americans. Writers seem to concur in the belief that so far in our history, the majority of them have come from the plow ; and while we would draw no invidious comparisons, we incline to the opinion that the farm, with its long hours of toil and weary drudgery is the best nursery for .strong men— strong in body mind, purpose and integrity ; strong to protect the weak, and .strong to act their conceptions of right though the heavens fall. Such^a man is the subject of this sketch. ,, , •
Mathew Hayes was born in Broom county, New York, in 1840 He is of a family of thirteen children, all living at this time and the youngest being twenty-five years old. His father was a well-to-do farmer, who. like his neighbors, expected his boys to work. The common schools afforded him the founda- tion for what habits of application and a quick perception have
J. E. T. BOWDKN.
See Page 88. •
developed into a good practical education. Faithful to a prin- ciple inculcated in Northern boys, he worked for his father until he was twenty-one years of age, after which he went into the lumber business, as an outside venture, but maintained his inter- ests in agriculture.
In 1867 he commenced contract work in city improvements. For this field his practical training and thorough acquaintance with labor admirably fitted him.
The public improvements he has made for principal cities in the North, and the dealings he has had with public men, have given him a reputation for thoroughness, responsibility and good faith which preceded him to this city.
In 1865 Mr. Hayes married a daughter of Mr. Terrence Rourk, a substantial farmer of his native county. A constitu- tion, never robust, had become so depleted that in 1885 it was thought advisable that Mrs. Hayes should try the efficacy of a milder climate. Accordingly Mr. Hayes came in advance to Florida, arriving at Jacksonville in November, 1885.
His arrival marks an era in our city improvements. In the winter of 1885-6 he paved Bay street with Wyckoff blocks. So well were the people pleased with the resuh that on Mr. Hayes' return to Jacksonville in the fall of 1886 he received quite an ovation, and very readily secured contracts for a continuance of paving upon Pine and other streets.
Mr. Hayes, with his family, now makes his home at the Togni Hotel, but will, during the coming summer, build a resi- dence in Jacksonville.
CHARLES W. DaCOSTA.
It is common to cities enjoying a decade or more of con- tinued prosperity that many of their young men attain to a prom- inence in commerce, finance and public affairs unknown in the more sedate and slow-going cities where conservatism is regard- ed as a concomitant of respectability.
That this is true of Jacksonville, in a pre-eminent degree, one needs but a few moments thought to justify ; and while ex- amples may be seen in every department of trade, perhaps no more striking instance could be presented than the recognized ability and remarkable career of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch.
Mr. Charles W. DaCosta is native to the soil, and to the manor born, and first saw the light December 8, 1856. He is
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the son of Hon. Aaron DaCosta, a forty-years' resident and highly esteemed citizen of Jacksonville.
Mr. DaCosta laid the foundation for an education at the com- mon schools. The extensive miscellaneous, and admirably se- lected reference libraries adorning his rooms amply prove his studies did not close with the school-room door. And it is per- tinent to state in this connection, that Mr. DaCosta is a gentle- man of decided literary tastes and studious habits. Whether engrossing business cares are destined to dry up the promising fountain remains to be seen.
Going back to the boy, Charles, upon leaving school, entered the Daily Sun office as an apprentice, and there, and with the Sun and Press, served a thorough apprenticeship to the printing business. Just here is where the interesting chapter begins. It is too often that the acquisition of a trade or profession is the end of special endeavor. Happily it was not so regarded by Mr. DaCosta. With him it was a means to an end, and that end a commendable career as a useful, valued and respected citizen.
After working a number of years as a journeyman, and by frugality saving a few hundreds of dollars, which he from time to time invested in real estate, his prospects were brightened by the position and larger pay of a foreman. He was foreman of the job department of the Florida Daily Union, and subse- quently held a like position with the Florida Times-Union, which he resi"-ned in 1884 to engage in business on his own account.
It seems incredible that, unaided and alone, so much could have been accomplished and that too in a field we constantly hear spoken of as crowded.
The DaCosta Printing and Publishing House, owned and managed by Mr. DaCosta, employs in its various departments from 40 to 50 operatives. It has nine presses, together with type of every description suited to the trade. Its bindery is fitted up with the latest improvements in machinery, and as a whole the house has few equals in the South. Besides a very heavy business in commercial job printing and railroad work, the house prints and publishes nine papers and periodicals, three of which belong to Mr. DaCosta. The stock, material, etc.. belonging to the plant may now be safely estimated at $30,000.00. That all this could have been acquired in so short a time, and in the manner in which it was. is certainly encouraging to ambitious youth. But it is not alone in getting dollars and building up a success- ful business that Mr. DaCosta has excelled, and while due praise should be accorded such a success, for it bespeaks industrious
l^. k^v
CHARLKS \\. DACOSTA. Sec Pnse 113.
frugality and patient endeavor, we should remember the well rounded character is the admirable one, and in this, too, Mr. DaCosta is a success.
Amidst the thousand cares incident to his immense business, he still finds time for the calls of social life, and to keep abreast of the busy world and up in literature. He is approachable, modest, unassuming and a most valuable citizen.
u^
Interior Sou/ps apd Bio<5rap.)i^$.
ST. AUGUSTINE.
[From Historical Guide to St. Augustine.]
St. Augustine, or as the Spaniards called the ancient city, " Ciudad de San Augustin," was taken possession of September 8, 1565, by Pedro Menendez de Aviles. The Indians, before that time, calle'd the place Selooe. It is the capital of St. Johns county, thirty miles south from Jacksonville, on the Matanzas River, which is about one-half mile in width, with twenty feet of water.
THE PLAZA.
The Plaza has, on the west side, the Post Office Building, in which is also the Library Hall and the Custom House ; on the north, the Bishop's residence, the Cathedral, and the St. Augustine Hotel ; on the east, the Yacht Club House and wharf; on the south, the Episcopal Church and Rectory. The monu- ment in the centre is twenty feet high, and was erected in 18 12, under the direction of Don Gerommo Alvarez Alcade, to com- memorate the Spanish Constitution.
THE CHURCHES.
The Catholic Cathedral is on the north side of the Plaza, the Episcopal Church on the south. The Presbyterian Church is on St. George street, south of the Plaza. The Methodist Church is on King Street. The Presbyterian Chapel is in the rear of the Post Office Building.
THE OLD SPANISH RELICS,
Of which so much is said, are deposited in the Museum, and should be seen by every visitor. j
THE SEA WALL
Was built by the United States Government, 1837-43, at an ex- pense of ;$ 1 00,000, to protect the city from the encroachment of
the sea. It rises ten feet above high-water mark, and the cap- ping of granite is just wide enough for two persons to walk abreast. The United States Barracks, at the southern extremity of the sea wall, are now occupied by United States troops. Prior to 1586, the Franciscan monks established a convent here, hence the walls of this structure may now be three centuries old.
THE CITY GATES.
Two picturesque square pillars of coquina, surmounted with Moorish capitals, bearing marks of great antiquity, stand at the head of St. George street, within a gun-shot of the Museum. When, or by whom, these strange pillars were erected, no one knows, but they furnish ample scope for the speculation of the antiquarian.
FORT MARION,
Formerly called San Marco, and anciently San Juan de Pinos, covers four acres, and commands the harbor and its entrance from the sea. It is built of coquina ; its walls are twenty-one feet high and twelve feet thick. It has four bastions, and in all respects is a military castle. It has twenty-seven casements thirty-five feet long and eighteen feet wide, and its complement is one hundred guns and one thousand men. (See Chapin's Hand Book of St. Augustine, for a full history of this famous old fortress, and a full account of the finding of the mysterious cage, which was broken up by the St. Augustine blacksmith for the use of the iron of which it was composed. The skeletcn found in the cage was buried outside the fort, and, it is said, was after- ward exhumed and deposited in the St. Augustine Museum, where many other Spanish relics may now be seen).
THE LIGHTHOUSE,
On Anastasia Island, which is 164 feet high, was built in 1873, at a cost of upwards of $100,000. The lantern cost $16,000. The visitor will be well repaid for ascending the steps by the en- joyment of the magnificent view. Near by on the east side of the Island, are the ruins of the old Spanish Lighthouse, erected during the 17th century, which was destroyed by a furious storm, June 20, 1880.
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ANASTASIA ISLAND.
This narrow strip of land extends along the coast eighteen miles and forms a natural breakwater for the city, from which it is separated by the Matanzas River. A short distance to the south of the lighthouse are the Coquina Quarries, from which material for construction of the Fort, the Catheral, and other ancient structures, was obtained. This curious shell conglomeration is formed by the action of sea water upon shells and sand.
THE ORANGE AND OTHER TROPICAL FRUITS.
The orange tree {Citrus aurantium) with its fragrant blos- soms. Its ever-shining leaf, and golden fruit, is the pride of the city, and is seen in great numbers everywhere. In the Museum Garden will be found not only the sweet and sour orange, but the banana, both dwarf and standard; Japan plums, purple and white figs, guavas, pomegranates, citron, lemon, and other semi- tropical trees and shrubs, upon each of which a metallic label has been placed, giving both its botanical and common name. And in this garden, scattered here and there in the shade of the trees, are rustic seats, unique fountains, and many things stran^re and interesting to the stranger. ^
ST. JOSEPH'S CONVENT,
On St. George street, south of the Plaza, is occupied by the Sis- ters of St. Joseph, where visitors are cordially received.
BOATING AND FISHING.
Unsurpassed facilities are furnished at St. Augustine for boating and fishing, and no where can such sport be obtained more cheaply. A good yacht, with a skillful skipper, can be obtained for from ^3 to $4 for half a day, and as the yacht will hold from ten to twenty persons, the cost to each is a mere trifle.
CEMETERIES.
The Huguenot Cemetery is near the City Gates. The Catholic Cemetery, just west of Spanish street. The Militar>' Cemetery is south of the United States Barracks, where stand the three coquina monuments erected to the memory of General Dade and his soldiers.
*THE CATHEDRAL.
This antiquated Catholic Church was built in 1793, at a cost of $16,650, and stands on the north side of the Plaza. The Moorish belfry contains a chime of four bells placed in four sev- eral niches, three of which form a horizontal line across the tower, and the other is above ; these, together with the clock below, are so arranged as to form a perfeet cross. One of these bells, supposed to be the oldest in the country, bears the inscrip- tion, " Sancte Joseph, ora pro nobis, D. 1689." Which translated means, *' Holy Joseph, pray for us, dedicated 1689." This bell is supposed to have belonged to the earlier church.
F. B. GENOVAR.
That the careful scrutiny of President Cleveland in select- ing men for important offices of trust in the civil service is bear- ing good fruit, may be seen on every hand, and in no instance, perhaps, has an appointment been more warmly approved than that of Mr. F. B. Genovar to the collectorship of the port of St. Augustine. True, there were other causes aside from his pecu- liar fitness for the position which made the appointment a most popular one.
Mr. Genovar is a native of St. Augustine, having been born in that city August 24, 1842, and is descended from a well-known old Florida family. His connection, too, by marriage with an- other equally prominent family, is a factor in giving Mr. Geno- var an enviable social position. But while family descent and connection go for much even in our democratic country, alone they cannot sustain a man in the honorable confidence and esteem of Americans, and Mr. Genovar's popularity is founded in more potent factors than family.
While he has been quite a traveler in his own country, and has resided some time abroad, the greater part of his life has been passed in the city of his birth. There he obtained his edu- cation ; and there he married, in 1872, Miss Mary Baya, an accomplished daughter of an old and respected citizen. And to St. Augustine does he return, after having spent many years away,, to make" his home among the friends of his boyhood. Add to this that he is a cultivated gentleman of refined tastes and ready sympathies, and that his reputation for probity and
*NoTE.— The Cathedral and the greater portion of the old city north of the Plaza were burned during the recent disastrous Are.
I20
fai> dealing is above suspicion, and we have the key to his popu-
Mr. Genovar has served two terms with marked abiHty in the btate and has always been successful in his under-
takings. He has now various interests, aside from his office in and contiguous to St. Augustine. Specially worthv of note is his association with Mr. Dolph Bennett, in the boot and shoe business ; also a very fine orange grove situated five miles from bt. Augustine.
OSCAR B. SMITH.
«
It is the boast and pride of Americans that they can with- out previous special training, turn their hands and brains to vari- ous pursuits with ability to command success. We do not think of a gentleman who more thoroughly embodies this trait of American character than Mr. Oscar B. Smith.
He was born at Youngstown, Niagara county, N. Y. and being the son of a well-to-do railroad contractor, enjoyed excep- tional advantages for an education.
The breaking out of the late war found him just arrived at manhood, and it is fair to presume that as a McClellan Dra- goon, and body-guard of that distinguished General, he acquit- ted himself with the honor becoming his position.
Failing health compelling his discharge to make room for a more robust soldier, he returned to civil life, only to quit it again for the field as a member of the Twenty-Second Wisconsin Infantry so soon as his health was restored to a degree that the examining surgeon would accept him.
Entering this command as a private, he served with his regiment in the celebrated campaigns of Sherman, and in recog- nition of gallant conduct on the field, was rewarded with a Lieutenant's commission.
Being mustered out of service at the close of the war, he returned with his comrades to Wisconsin and became a success- ful editor, conducting and publishing for several years the Manitowoc Tridioie. His health, never hale, again interfered with his plans and he was compelled to seek a milder climate Accordingly he removed to Knoxville, Tenn., wHere he opened a book store and printing house, now on^ of the largest in the State. From Knoxville he moved to South Orange, N. J where for seven years he edited and published T/ie Bulletin, a paper still in a successful career. Failing health again compelling a
i-'.
v-v'-^
From Harper's Weekly. Copyright, 1886, by Harper & Brother^
CHARLES H. JONES. Sec Page 107.
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return to a mild climate, Mr. Smith came to Florida in 1882, and accepted the responsible position of Superintendent of Construc- tion of the J., St. A. & H. R. R. Again, with a confidence born of success, he enters a new field of business and purchases the extensive commercial interests of his father-in-law, Mr. Walter Lyon. Added to the duties of this new venture, he accepted, in 1886, the responsible position of General Manager of the Lyon Building Company This Company have become widely known in connection with the construction of the beautiful Lyon block, at St. Augustine, a structure second only in substantial architec- ture, artistic design and costly finish, to the already celebrated, though uncompleted. Ponce De Leon Hotel.
Mr. Smith is associated in business with Mr. Charles E. Gard and C. J. Vedder under the style of W. Lyon & Co. Their stock comprises groceries, hardware, crockery, furniture and general building supplies, and their trade is the most extensive in their several lines, of any house in St. Augustine, in both their wholesale and retail departments.
The firm take an active part in the Board of Trade, and in everything pertaining to the commercial interests of St. Augus- tine, and contribute most liberally. Their stock ranges between one hundred and one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.
Mr. Smith is an elder and trustee in the Presbyterian church. His social standing is that of a refined and cultivated gentleman and his reputation for commercial integrity and fair dealing is second to no man.
SILAS F. GIBBS.
There is a plane in true manly character which no culture or training can give. It is native to the country and the frontier as well as to the city and university. It is seen only to be ad- mired, and clothes its possessor in such moral dignity as to stamp him nature's nobleman. Such a man, while strong in all that becomes humanity, is tender as a woman in feeling, and true to his sense of right as is the sun in its course.
The writer, knowing Silas F. Gibbs, and having proved his hospitality and generous courtesy, feels excused in writing what might, to some, seem too flattering ; but, in truth, such a man is the subject before us. And why should we wait till our friends are dead to tell of their virtues ?
Mr. Gibbs is a native of Tennessee; the son of a once opu- lent tobacco planter; was born in 1854. The war proving disas-
1 22
trous to his father's fortune, Silas only had the advantages of a common school education, and when he arrived at manhood had to face the world without assistance from his father. Like many young Southerners, he went with the tide to Texas and engaged in planting. After a fair success in that he invested in salt mak- ing and lost his savings. Following this, he accepted the posi- tion of deputy sheriff, and later, at the repeated solicitation of friends and admirers, was induced to receive the office of city marshal of one of the hardest towns of the Lone Star State.
In this connection, it is due him to say that the recognition of the high plane, of character mentioned in the first paragraph of this article, coupled with his undaunted bravery, had the de- sired effect upon lawless characters, and the town, during his marshalship, was exceptionally quiet and orderly.
Mr. Gibbs came to Florida in 1881, and stopped near Haw- thorne. He subsequently settled on the famed Indian River, where he has been deservedly successful. He is now largely interested in the thriving town of Melbourne, Brevard county', where he has his residence and office.
As illustrative of the enviable character before us, we cannot refrain from relating an instance of its appreciation by a stranger. A gentleman from the North, makinga tour of the State, chanced at Melbourne and was entertained by our friend. On leaving he expressed in becoming terms his gratitude and appreciation of the kind hospitality he had received, and taking Mr. Gibbs by the hand, desired to know if he entertained all strangers as he had him.
CHARLES W. JACOCKS. |
It was an exalted and noble principle enunciated by the Father of his Country, that the office should seek the man, and not man the office, and it is a pleasing and encouraging sign of the times when we witness the operation of this principle. In the subject of this sketch we have a worthy example of the man- ner of man Washington must have had in mind when he declared the great democratic truth.
Mr. Jacocks was born on the 26th day of November, 1842, in Bertie county N. C. His father was an opulent planter and prominent politician of his county. His mother being left a widow when her son Charles was but four years old, took charge of his education, and at the age of thirteen sent him to the Hart- ford Academy of North Carolina. He left school, however, before
123
graduating, and entered the Clerk's office of the county of Perqui- mans, N. C, where as deputy clerk he remained during a part of one term of his cheif Following this he clerked for a time in a general merchandise store.
The commencement of the late civil war found him just ar- rived at manhood. That he entered the struggle with the ardor common to southern youth might go without the saying. Chance, the great arbiter of our destinies, assigned him to an artillery company. Like thousands of other bright youths of the South he served his country as a private, and unlike many others has not assumed the title of Colonel.
Returning at the end of the war to the scenes of his boy- hood, the soldier found such a disorganized condition of affairs that but little reward was promised in the arts of peace. After a few months of unsatisfactory returns for his labor he went to Baker county, Ga., and accepted a position as teacher. After a year in the school room he entered a general merchandise store as manager and buyer, which position he filled until he came to Florida in 1870.
Arriving in Florida he first stopped at Fort Reid, near San- ford. The warm welcome he met with from the people of Orange county is shown in the fact that in a little over three years after his arrival, although he commenced almost with naked hands at any labor he found to do, he was able to commence at Doyle's Mills as manager of a general merchandise store in the interest of Mr. M. J. Doyle.
Trading places were not so plentiful then as now, and his mercantile interests gave Mr. Jacocks a very wide circle of ac- quaintances, and his obliging and gentlemanly manners a cor- responding number of friends. His reputation for integrity, truthfulness and fair dealing became so weH established that within a week after some one had mentioned him as a suitable candidate for County Treasurer, a thousand of his friends would contend they were the first to think of him for tfte office, if not, indeed, the first to mention his name in that connection.
Without an effort on his part, Mr. Jacocks was overwhelm- ingly elected, and so well and acceptably did he fill the office that he was for four consecutive terms re-elected, he being now in the tenth year of continued service. No man could have filled the position with more honor to himself or greater satisfac- tion to the people than he has done, and Mr. Jacocks is doubt- less the strongest man in the politics of Orange county. He is
w
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a gentleman of thought and of diversified reading, and is excep- tionally well informed in the interests of Florida.
Looking forward to the close of his official term of service, he has within the last few months associated with him Mr. R. G. Robinson and Captain D. A. Irwin in the real estate business, under the firm name of R. G. Robinson & Co. The extensive acquaintance of these gentlemen with the lands of South Florida, coupled with their business integrity and Mr. Jacock's extensive acquaintance and popularity, is a sufficient assurance of the suc- cess of the firm. ,
PALATKA.
THE GEM CITY.
The first settlement on the present site of the city of Palatka was made in 1 821, and it soon became a famous trading post, where the Indians of Florida came to barter the fruits of their hunts and traps for the wares of the "paleface." The accepted significance or meaning of the word Palatka is "crossing over," this name being given to the post on account of the narrow place in the majestic St. Johns, between this city and "Hook Point" on the opposite side. Not far from the spot where the Florida Southern Railway depot now stands, was located the old trading post, which was successfully carried on until the breaking out of the famous Seminole war, when it was surprised and burned by the Indians, the proprietors barely escaping with their lives. Soon after this time the Government established a military post at this point, with General Worth in command of the saf!ie, and at this garrison were stationed some of the men who afterwards achieved great military fame, principal among whom were Gen- eral Scott, of the Mexican war fame ; General Taylor, who after- ward became President, and the then Lieutenant Sherman, who achieved high honor and military fame in the late war, and who after reaching the very highest military attainment, was retired by the Government he had served so faithfully.
The growth of Palatka has not been of a "mushroom" na- ture, neither has its advancement been phenomenal, but it has been that steady growth that lays the foundation for a properous and populous city. Rising from a trading post to a military garrison, thence steadily from a villa to a hamlet, frorn a hamlet to a thriving town, and from a town to a city of prominence.
Palatka, "like unto a city of old" is "beautiful for situation."
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There is perhaps no city in the State that has more advantages as the result of its location. From the splendid hill tops the ground, with a steady decline, slopes to the river, thereby afford- ing natural wharfage and easy drainage. Near the river the splendid brick business blocks are situated, while on the hill tops in the rear of the city are the beautiful homes of Palatka's prosperous citizens. Standing upon these elevated points and looking east, a splendid sight, full of beauty, presents itself to the eye of the beholder. At his feet is the business portion of the city and the majestic St. Johns River, while over and beyond this acres of orange groves bearing their fruit of gold are pre- sented to the eye of the viewer.
Palatka has had her ups and downs. Misfortunes in the shape of two terrible conflagrations, each time destroying the business portion of the city, has visited itself upon her in 1855 and 1885, These seeming disasters, especially the fire of 1885, have proved a blessing in disguise, for in the places where once stood dilapidated wooden shells and poor business houses, there now stand elegant brick building^ that any city of twice the in habitants of Palatka might well be proud of
Palatka is truly metropolitan in every respect. The city is provided with gas, a splendid system of water works, equaled by none in the State, and a good system of drainage, which adds greatly to the comfort and health of the inhabitants of the city. Numerous churches representing many of the leading re- ligious denominations are situated in this city. The public schools and the St. Mary's Academy, for the education of young ladies, are well conducted, thereby insuring ihe education and the proper development of the intelligence of the coming man- hood and womanhood of the city.
The city of Palatka is easy of access from all parts of the State. Three railroads have a termini in the city, while a fourth passes through it, and these railroads penetrate the heart and extend to the extreme portions of the State. Besides the rail- road facilities, the many large and elegant steamers that float on the placid waters of the beautiful St. Johns River land at her wharves their cargoes of freight and souls.
Palatka has a fine water gas plant. The company was or- ganized in 1886, with W. J. Winegar, President ; S.J. Kennerly, Secretary and Treasurer, and C. J. Hayes, Superintendent. The corporation name is the Palatka Gas Light and Fuel Company. The gas works were built in the same year, and have been in successful operation ever since.
• 126
Palatka has two monetary institutions of high standing. The First National Bank of Palatka was organized in 1884, with Wm. J. Winegar, President; R. J. Adams, Vice-President; H. G. Payne, Cashier, and F. P. Mersheran, Assistant Cashier. This bank has a capital of $100,000, and a surplus of $15,000. This bank is largely patronized by the business men of the towns around Palatka that have no bank, and it is considered one of the safest banks in the State. The Palatka National Bank, with Joseph F. Dean, President, and Benj. A. Deal, Cashier, has a capital stock of $50,000. Palatka can boast of some of the finest mercantile establishments in the State, every department of business being represented. Taken as a whole, the business houses are very creditable, the stores are neat and well kept.
The thousands of Northern tourists who annually, during the bleak months of a Northern winter, seek the sunshine of fair Florida, and seek a resting place in the hotels of Palatka, are never displeased with the hostelries of the city ; for among all the magnificent hotels of Florida, there is, perhaps, none that afford better accommodation^to the traveling public, or is better conducted, than the splendid Putnam, of this city ; and among all the competent and experienced hotel men of the State, there is no one superior or more hospitable than is Oscar G. Barron, the manager and proprietor of the Putnam, who, in the New England States, is considered the prince of hotel men. The reader is referred to his biography, which appears in another part of this work.
Palatka has two first-class newspapers, the Palatka Daily News and the Palatka Herald, which is issued weekly. Both these papers are ably conducted and are well patronized by the public. The Daily News has recently been reorganized and re- fitted. This paper has the Associated Press despatches, and is fully up to the standard of a first-class daily paper.
THE FLORIDA SOUTHERN RAILWAY
AND ITS CONNECTIONS TO THE PICTURESQUE PART OF FLORIDA, THE GREAT THOROUGHFARE TO TAMPA, HAVANA, KEY WEST
AND THE BAHAMAS.
Sherman Conant, General Manager ; J. D. HolHster, Super- intendent; O. W. Bromwell, General Passenger Agent ; Arthur C Cowan, General Traveling Agent , W. P. Couper, Chief Engi- neer and Land Commissioner.
127
The land grant of the Florida Southern Railway consists of about 3,500,000 acres in the State of Florida, situated in the counties of Nassau, Duval, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Levy, Putnam, Volusia, Alachua, Marion, Orange, Sumter, Brevard, Polk, Her- nando, Monroe and Manatee.
It offers to the settler and investor rare advantages and un- usual inducements for the following reasons :
PiRST — Because it is newly offered for sale, hence, its best lands are still available for purchase, not having been culled out as in other grants.
Second — Being situated in so many different counties, it gives the settler the widest choice of location, and embraces every variety of soil and climate necessary to the growth of all the pro- ducts of the State.
Third— The lands in the counties of Polk and Manatee are much further South than any others reached by rail in the State
of Florida. ... , .
This fact speaks for itself, and gives them a distinctive claim on the attention of the settler, as being adapted to the safe and profitable culture of truly tropical products, because below the limit of destructive cold.
In this section, also, the orange comes to bearing much ear- lier than in the counties further north, and the lemon and lime, which are too tender to flourish in other parts of the State, here become certain and profitable products. This region, which has long been famous for its fertile soil and attractive climate, is now for 1:he first time open to settlement by the completion of the Charlotte Harbor Division of the Florida Southern Railway from Bartow to Trabue, on Charlotte Harbor.
The lands lie in alternate sections adjacent to the railway. They are offered at low rates, and are being rapidly taken up by
S'^ttlers
The statistics of the State show that the population of Polk and Manatee counties has doubled within the last five
v'ears
Fourth— It is of great importance to the settler in Florida to locate near a railroad that can furnish rapid transportation for his crops to good markets. •
The Florida Southern Railway meets this need. It is a well built, well equipped, well operated line, extending from Palatka, on the St. Johns River, through the best portions of the Florida peninsula to Trabue, the new port at Charlotte Harbor, on the Gulf of Mexico.
128
It has extensive steamship and railway connections, and all facilities for the safe and rapid forwarding of fruit and other pro- ducts t-. the great markets of the North and West.
This railway also conducts its business in such a way as to promote the best interests of the settlers along its line, realizing that its traffic depends upon the development of the resources and the settlement of the country.
I
HINTS TO INTENDING IMMIGRANTS.
If you desire any special information regarding Florida or the lands owned by this company, write to the general offices of the Florida Southern Railway, 40 Water street, Boston, Mass., or to the Land Department Florida Southern Railway, Palatka,' Fla., and you will receive an immediate and explicit reply.
If you are forming, or wish to form a colony to settle in Florida, and several of your friends and neighbors are interested in the scheme, write to either of the addresses given above, and an agent of this company will visit you and assist in promoting your plan.
If you wish to visit Florida to examine the lands owned by this company, go to your nearest railroad ticket agent, and ask him for a ticket to Palatka, Fla. If he cannot sell it to you or obtain it for you, then write to either of the above addresses, and you will receive full information about rates, routes, etc.
On reaching Palatka, Fla., go to the Land Department of the Florida Southern Railway, where you can see maps and plans of all the lands owned by the company, and obtain special "land exploring tickets."
For more detailed information, address W. P. Couper, Land Commissioner, Palatka, Fla.
OSCAR G. BARRON.
Modern civilization tends to the division of labor pursuits and professions ; and in nothing can the degree of a country's civilization be more correctly estimated than by the measure of the excellence of its hotels.
A few generations past a hotel, or tavern, as it was then called, might be famous for the skill of its cook. That was be- fore people had developed other tastes which call as loudly for gratification as the palate. Now, while it goes without the' say- ing that every hotel should have an able chief of the culinary
.129
department, the best cook in Europe or America cannot make or maintain the standard of a house if its manager is not fully abreast of the times in a knowledge of what people want, and a thorough education in the most approved methods of supplying those wants. Of the many celebrated hotel keepers in America — and our country is famous for its hostelries — none, perhaps, have become fitted in a more eminent degree for the management of a great hotel, on the approved modern plan, than Oscar G. Bar- ron.
He was born at Queechy, Vt, Oct. 17, 185 1, his father being a well known hotel keeper of that region, and for many years proprietor of the Twin Mountain House. Hence, Mr. Bar- ron's boyhood was passed among hotel scenes, and in a region^ which has taken the lead in establishing the reputation of Amer- ica's pleasure resorts. After graduating at Williston Academy,. Mr. Barron, at the early age of eighteen, took charge of the Twin Mountain House. The marked ability soon accorded him as a manager, led to owners seeking and pressing him with offers to take charge of their houses. His fame as a caterer reaching Washington City, Mr. Barron was appointed by Vice-President William A. Wheeler, superintendent of the Senate restaurant, a position to which he was reappointed by President Arthur. Mr. Barron filled this responsible position five consecutive winters: with such ability that his fame has become national, and the posi- tion is open to him at the asking.
At the present time he is the proprietor of six hotels, namely: The Putnam House, Palatka, Fla; The Crawford, Twin, Mt. Pleasant, Fabyan and Summit Houses, White Mountains, N. H.
The Putnam is one of the largest hotels in Florida, having accommodations for five hundred guests; it is furnished with every modern improvement, including elevator, electric lights,, and, in general, all appliances for comfort and convenience. It occupies an entire square, thus securing light on all sides, and the best ventilation. A spacious court in the centre is filled with the choicest flowers and tropical plants. An abundance of pure water is supplied from an artesian well, three hundred and sixty- six feet deep. The sanitary arrangements are not equalled by any other hotel in the State.
The elegant summer hotels of which Mr. Barron is part owner and manager, are among the most famous of the White Mountain region, which, largely by reason of his influence, has come to be recognized as the Mecca of the summer tourist.
The growing popularity of Florida as a winter resort attract-
ing his attention, Mr. Barron came here in the fall of 1885. The New Putnam was then in course of erection on the ruins of the old Putnam, which the year previous had been burned. Being solicited by the owners of the house, he was induced to furnish it and become its managing proprietor.
To say that the Putnam at once took rank as one of the best houses in the State would be putting it too mildly ; the facts being that so noted did the Putnam become within a few months that residents of Jacksonville not infrequently made a Sunday journey to Palatka for the avowed purpose of taking dinner at The Putnam.
Perhaps no iVian, in any avocation of life, has a wider ac- quaintance among the public and distinguished men of America than Oscar G. Barron, and certainly none can count among them a wider circle of friends.
In manner, while he observes the deferential courtesy so be- coming in a host, he is a polished gentleman of refined and cul- tivated tastes. The latter is apparent at a glance on entering the office or other public rooms of the Putnam. Here the New England forests, and the Florida savannas and flower gardens have contributed to make the rooms a very paradise of flowers, ferns, leaves, rushes and grapes. And in all one sees the hand of an artist and a true refinement so much appreciated by culti- vated people.
It is suggested by an acquaintance that Mrs. Barron is the artist whose refined taste and deft fingers have made the Putnam House the wonder and admired of all. We reply that the pos- session of such a wife is only another evidence of Mr. Barron's worth.
RUDOLPH KKRSTING.
Our German-American citizens have always been proverbial for their industry and thrift, and there is perhaps no class of people of foreign birth who seek homes in this blessed land of ours, who so readily adapt themselves to our national customs, and who so cheerfully submit to our laws, as the German emi- grant. Many a young man from the "Faderland" reaches our hospitable shores with no capital except a strong constitution, or a determined will, and in a few years has secured a compe- tency. Such was the case with Rudolph Kersting, who was born in Germany in i8$6. He received his education in the renowned Gymnasium Schools of that country ; after completing
131
his studies in these schools, he began the study of pharmacy When he had finished the course in this branch of medicine, he left his home for America, in 1872, with a fund of useful knowl- edge as his capital. In 1880 he came to Florida, and stopped first in Jacksonville, where he accepted a position with O. B. Richardson, a druggist of that city. He retained that position for two years. Leaving there in 1882, he came to Palatka and took a position as clerk with N. H. Moragne. By close atten- tion to business and a rigid economy, Mr. Kersting had suc- ceeded in saving up a snug little sum as a nucleus for his future success. After spending some time in the employment of Mr. Moragne, he associated himself with W. B. Moragne and bought out the stock of his former employer, which was a part of his estate, he having died a short time before, and began business for himself In the terrible fire that swept over that city, destroy- ing almost the entire business portion of it, Mr. Kersting was a heavy loser.
In 1886 the firm again began business, and continued for a while, when Mr. Kersting bought out Mr. Moragne's interest, and since then he has been alone in business.
Mr. Kersting has now one of the finest and most complete drug stores in the State ; his fixtures are very elegant and his store is kept in first-class style. He is centrally located, his store being opposite the Putnam, upon one of the most eligible business corners in the city. In addition to his drug business, Mr. Kersting is the agent for all the Florida Railways and Steam- boat lines, holding also the local ticket agency of the Jackson- ville, Tampa and Key West Railway and its connections all over the United States. He takes an interest in the various sciences, having for some time held a position under the Weather Bureau, furnishing the weather indications to the office at Washington.
Mr. Kersting is a man with decided views on all questions. He never assumes a position without first knowing how to sus- tain himself in the same. He is a man of pleasing address, neat in his dress and pleasant in conversation. He now enjoys a splendid trade as the result of his universal politeness to cus- tomers and close attention to busines.s.
132 I
WM. J. WINEGAR,
PRESIDENT FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF PALATKA, FLORIDA.
Prominent among the men who have done most to build up the beautiful "Gem City," stands Wm. J. Winegar. Arriving in Palatka, in 1881, he at once identified himself with the city's interests, and within a very brief time took position in the front rank of the able business men of Palatka. He established, and was the senior member of, the firm of Wm. J. Winegar &
Co., bankers.
' The success of this firm leading in 1884 to the organization and establishment of the First National Bank of Palatka, Mr. Winegar was chosen as its President, and has since occupied that honorable position with credit to himself, and to the satis- faction of his associates and patrons.
Mr. Winegar is a native of the State of New York, and was born at Union Springs, Cayuga county, that State, in 1853. His education was obtained at the common schools of his native vil- lage, and in its only bank, which he entered as a boy of all work when but a lad. He may truly be termed a self-made man, and if success is to be the touch-stone of merit he has reason to be proud of his workmanship. The public spirit he has manifested in the rebuilding of his adopted city from the ashes of the fire of 1885, and the commendable interest he takes in all enterprises tending to benefit Florida, and especially Palatka, stamps him as one oflier most valuable citizens. Socially Mr. Winegar oc- cupies a position second to no gentleman in F'lorida, and the reputation he has won as an able financier and responsible banker is second only to the place he holds as a man of exalted princi- ples and true manly character.
The paid up capital of his bank is $100,000, with a surplus of $15,000. His official associates are R. J. Adams, Vice-Presi- dent; H. G. Payne, Cashier, and F. P. Mersereau, Assistant Cashier, all gentlemen of unquestioned integrity and ability.
The bank's correspondents are among the first banks of the commercial centres throuhgout the United States, for instance, in New York, The First National Bank of New York, and The Mavesick National Bank, Boston.
Of the many able banking institutions in Florida none com- mand the confidence of investors and the people to a greater degree, or deserve it more than The First National Bank of Palatka, Florida.
133 We subjoin the bank report for March 4, 1887 :
REPORT OF THE CONDITION OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
PALATKA, AT PALATKA, IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA,
AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS, MARCH 4, I 887.
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts .- - $
Overdrafts
U. S. Bonds to secure circulation
Other stocks, bonds and mortgages
Due from approved reserve agents .
Due from other National Banks
Due from State Banks and bankers
Real estate, furniture and fixtures
Current expenses and taxes paid
Premiums paid
Checks and other cash items
Bills of other banks
Fractional paper currency, nickels, and cents . . .
Specie
Legal tender notes
Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer, (5 per cent, of circulation)
220,486.03
4,993-90 25,000.00
49,143.20
75,138.42 15,100.93 23,008.53 16,000.00 4,221.74 3,ooo.co
395-23 13,000.00
100.50
6,000.00
35,000.00
1,125.00
Total . .^9^713-48
LIABILITIES.
Capital stock paid in $100,000.00
Surplus fund 15,000.00
Undivided profits 3,642.43
National Bank notes outstanding 22,500.00
Dividends unpaid 26.00
Individual deposits subject to check 312,669.43
Demand certificates of deposit 30,561.91
Due to other National Banks . 4,010.02
Due to State Banks and Bankers 3,303-^9
Total $491,713.48
134
State of Florida, County of Putnam. — ss:
I, Harry G. Payne, Cashier of the above named bank, do sol- emnly swear that the above statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. H. G. Payne, Cashier.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this loth day of March, 1887. E. R. McKean, Notary Public.
Correct — Attest: R. J. Adams, 1
F. P. Mersereau, > Directors.
W. J. WiNEGAR, j
SANFORD, I
THE "GATE CITY " OF SOUTH FLORIDA. BY E. W. PEABODY.
The history of Sanford is quite short, the first house having been built in 1870, and the town incorporated in 1877 — just ten years ago. However, it is not the past, but the present, with which we have to deal in this article.
Sanford has never enjoyed what is commonly known in Florida as a " boom." Her growth, though not rapid, has been steady, regular and solid. No residence or store has been built before it was needed; on the other hand, the demand has always preceded the supply.
In 1877, the date of incorporation, there were only twenty voters and less than 100 citizens, while to-day — ten years later — we have over 600 registered voters, and nearly 3,000 inhabitants.
LOCATION.
Sanford is beautifully located on the southern shore of Lake Monroe, one of the finest sheets of water in Florida. The view of the city from the lake is very beautiful, and is remarked and remembered by all who see it. Sanford is at the head of deep water navigation on the St. Johns River, and is the terminus of five lines of railway, while a sixth has its terminus within a few miles of the city limits. The railroads centreing here are : the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West, running from Santord to Jacksonville; the South Florida, running from Sanford to Tampa ; the Sanford and Lake Eustis, running from Sanford to Tavares ; the Sanford and Indian River, running from Sanford to
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Oviedo, and the Atlantic" Coast, St. Johns and Indian River Railroad, running from Sanford to Titusville. The Orange Belt, which has its terminus near the city, and will eventually have it inside, runs to Oakland now, and is being rapidly completed to Point Pinellas, on the Gulf Coast.
It will thus be seen that Sanford is in the centre of an im- mense railway system, reaching out north, south, east and west, which, together with its three lines of steamboats on the St. Johns,' makes it the best distributing and manufacturing point in South Florida, and justly entitles it to the name of the "Gate City" of South Florida.
Sanford is regularly laid out ; her wide sreets all run east and west, and are numbered from one to ten. The avenues run north and south, and, with two or three exceptions, are named after trees. They all end in the lake on the north, and rise gradually to the southward until at Tenth street. They average an elevation of twenty-five feet above the lake, thus furnishing perfect natural surface drainage.
All the streets and avenues are planted with shade trees, which, in a few years, will add much to the comfort and beauty
of the city. .
The public schools of Sanford are among the best m the 'state, and the question of building a handsome school-house is being agitated, and it will, no doubt, soon be built.
Sanford has an excellent system of water works, which fur- nish water for drinking, and also for fire protection. The water is brought in pipes from a beautiful clear-water lake, two miles from the city. The city is lighted by gas of a superior quality, furnished by the Sanford Light and Fuel Company. The city authorities have lately established fire limits, and already three handsome brick structures have been erected, and several more are in contemplation. Sanford has a fourth-class post-office, two telegraph lines, and has telephonic communication with Orlando and the towns between the two places.
Among the business enterprises of the place may be men- tioned four first-class newspapers— the South Florida Argus, edited by E. W. Peabody, and published weekly by the Sanford Publishino- Company ; the Florida Christian Advocate, the organ of the M.Ie. Church, South, edited by Rev. J. R DePass, and published by the Sanford Publishing Company ; and the Dmly and Weekly Journal, edited and published by Dr. J. J. Harris. A National bank, three livery stables, three drug stores, and a full complement of stores in all other branches of trade. There are
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several manufacturing enterprises already started, and several more are being organized. We have an ice factory, fibre factory, car shops, saw and planing mill, two wood-working establish- ments, a fence factory, two carriage factories, and a machine
shop.
Our hotel facilities are unsurpassed by any town south of Jacksonville. Visitors can be entertained at from one to four dollars per day, and as a winter resort, Sanford is unsurpassed. Statistics show that it is one of the healthiest spots on the globe.
Sanford is almost entirely free from insect pests, having no gnats and but few mosquitoes. The climate is delightful, and there is not a day .in summer that a refreshing breeze does not blow from across the lake, and not a night that a blanket is not comfortable.
Sanford is well supplied with churches, all the leading de- nominations having excellent houses of worship. The Masons, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor and Ancient Order of United Workmen have good working lodges. The latter has a uniformed rank.
In conclusion, we will say that, for health, pleasure and business prospects, Sanford is unsurpassed by any city or town in the United States. It combines more advantages, has more that is to be desired and fewer objectionable features than any place we have ever seen.
ELBERT W. PEABODY.
The life of E. W. Peabody is an illustration of the adapta- bility of American youth and American manhood to the circum- stances of the occasion. Called, with the flower of Southern youth, to the field of a sanguinary struggle, when he was barely sixteen, to give the four years usually devoted to obtaining an education, to a failing cause, and in a position which in other countries is supposed to unfit men for the civil walks of life, we yet see as a result of this apparent lack of opportunity, an ex- ceptionally well-rounded character, and so marked and honor- able a success as to justify the belief that his training had been with a special view to his vocation.
Mr. Peabody was born at Columbus, Georgia, in 1845. Happily, until he was sixteen years of age, his educational ad- vantages were exceptionally good. Hence, he had at that age made such progress that the four years in the field seems rather to have matured the student than to have seriously interfered
M. R. BACON. See Page 108.
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I
with his mental development. And who shall prove that fighting real battles and becoming acquainted with men of our day is not more potent in the development of worthy and useful citizens than fighting imaginary battles with Caesar and other ancient heroes, and studying doubtful records of an inferior civilization.
Returning to Columbus at the close of the war, the paroled soldier accepted the situation in good faith, and, with a con- fidence born of youth, and a tact worthy of imitation by his descendants, constituted himself a .cotton buyer and broker. Although fairly successful for a time, the decline in cotton and a disinclination for commercial pursuits, led to his finally abandon- ing the business in the hope of finding some occupation more congenial to his tastes. With this view he visited Mississippi, where he became interested in newspaper work. This proved to be the field he was blindly searching for, and in a compara- tively short time after his maiden effort had been published, he was recognized as a clear and thoughtful Avriter. He was con- nected with several papers in Mississippi, the most noted of which was the Free South, published at West Point, Miss. Of this paper he was for years the Managing Editor and Publisher, and stamped upon it an individuality not since surpassed by any paper with which he has been connected.
In 1885 Mr. Peabody came to Florida, and to Sanford, and at once took a position on the Argus as Assistant Editor. His ability as a writer being at once recognized, led to propositions from other publishers, and he was induced to resign his position with the Argus and accept that of Local Editor oith^Joimial, of which he finally became Business Manager.
Becoming interested as a stockholder in the Sanford Pub- lishing Company, Mr. Peabody was subsequently elected as its Manager, and Editor of the Argus. The Argus, as at present conducted, is one of the leading papers of the State, and is no less a credit to its able Editor than an honor to Sanford.
As an editorial writer, Mr. Peabody is clear, concise and forcible ; his deductions being always the legitimate product of his premises, and his shafts often piercing and barbed, but never, poisoned. He can give and take without descending to undig- nified expression, or losing a clear sense of the points at issue.
As a descriptive and biographical writer, his sentences are well-rounded, and his language always refined and appropriate to the subject. While his imagination often borders the field of poesy, a clear and practical judgment restrains his Pegasus and
r^
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gives the reader a pleasing but true pen-picture of the scene de- scribed, or of the life and character depicted.
Mr. Peabody has a large and interesting family. He is a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is a consistent and life-long Democrat. After what has been said of his ability as a writer and the opportunity he has had to do service for his party, it might go without the saying that he has always been a willing and effective worker in its cause.
In finale, Mr. Peabody is a veteran soldier, an able editor and a man of spotless character and unblemished reputation, with ready sympathies, a cultured and refined bearing and a use- ful citizen.
DR. J. J. HARRIS.
The thought has often been advanced that every man is pe- culiarly fitted by nature for a certain calling, occupation or profes- sion, and that in thatprofession or occupation he can only succeed. Observation has to a great extent proved the truth of this propo- sition to the satisfaction of every one who has cared to give it a thought, but there are those men who by their success in divers undertakings, have proven that the proposition is only true in part. There are many men with well-balanced minds and strong wills, who can adapt themselves to almost any calling, when by force of circumstances they are hindered in the work of their chosen calling. Such a man is Dr. J. J. Harris.
Dr. Harris was born in Washington county, Georgia, in= 1834. 0^ Scotch-Irish parentage. Developing a taste for literary pursuits at an early age, it was determined by his parents to gratify his ambition in that direction as far as possible, and, after he had completed his academic course, he entered Emory Col- lege, at Oxford, Ga., and began his literary education. He com- pleted the four years' course at that institution, graduating with high honors, and immediately began the study of medicine.
His collegiate medical education was received from the Medical College of Georgia, and he was the Valedictorian of his class. Immediately after the completion of his medical educa- tion, he began the practice of his chosen profession, and con- tinued in active practice with marked success until the beginning of that terrible war between the States, that called so Hiany brilliant young men of both sections from their chosen work to the battle-field. When the call "To arms and defend the land you love," came ringing throughout the South, Dr. Harris did
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not wait for a second warning, but laid down his work and en- tered the ranks, and although a surgeon of great skill, and could have gone as such, he preferred to take up his musket and go to the front, accepting with alacrity the lot of a private soldier. He faithfully followed the varied fortunes of the Confederacy through four years of terrible warfare, and, although oftentimes offered military advancement, he steadily refused, and remained in the ranks throughout the memorable struggle.
When the war was brought to a close, he returned to Geor- gia and re-entered the practice of his profession in Brunswick, and continued in the same until his health broke down as the natural result of the hard work and the terrible exposures to which he as a physician would naturally be subjected. In Geor- gia he was recognized as a man capable of any trust, and was twice honored with election to the Mayoralty of Brunswick.
In 1874 he came with his family to Florida, in order that he might regain his lost health and restore his shattered consti- tution. He first located on the south side of Lake Jesup, near Sanford, and devoted his energies to the planting and the propa- gation of an orange grove, and with his own hands, almost en- tirely, he succeeded in making a beautiful grove, which at the present time has but few superiors in this section. While en- gaged in the pleasant horticultural pursuits, he, like Cincinnatus of old, was called from the field to set in the halls of the State Council. His party in 1879, without his knowledge, and in his absence, gave him the nomination of Representative of the County of Orange. In this instance it can be seen that the gen- eral rule was reversed, for the office sought the man, and not the man the office. He was elected by a very flattering majority over his competitor.
In the halls of the State Legislature, he readily rose to a leading position, and gave evidence of the fact that he possessed strong executive ability, a clear judgment and that firmness so necessary in a man occupying a public position. In 1881 he was again chosen to represent his county in the same capacity, and when the members of his party came together in caucus to select a man as presiding officer of that body, recognizing the executive ability displayed in the previous session, they honored him with the Speakership of the Lower House ; and it is readily conceded by all who are acquainted with the history of the Leg- islatures of this State, that a more efficient, courteous and polished gentleman never occupied the Speaker's chair. In 1883 Dr. Harris was re-elected to the Legislature, and by hard work and
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convincing argument he succeeded in procuring the enactment of many laws that were of the highest importance for the welfare of his State.
In 1882 he purchased the Sanford Journal and at once as- sumed the editorship of the same, and by reason of his literary ability \S\q Journal came rapidly to the front. It was first issued weekly, and continued as a weekly paper until August, 1886, when he began the publication of a bright, spicy little daily, which at first was but an experiment, but by reason of the heart>' support given it by the people of Sanford, and the able manage- ment of Dr. Harris, it is now on a firm footing.
On March 8th, 1887, he was appointed postmaster of San- ford, to succeed Rev. Lyman Phelps. His appointment gave entire satisfaction to the people of Sanford, who are well aware of the fact that it will be ably conducted.
Dr. Harris is one of the most polished writers of the State. His literary attainments are of the highest character. His wTit- ings bear the impress of a strong mind and a noble nature. In journalism, he never stoops to those low personalities that are so characteristic of some newspaper writers. As a polished, affable gentleman, he has few equals. He is a man full of noble and generous impulses, who always carefully guards, both in his conversation and through the columns of his paper, against wounding the feelings of his fellow men. In business he is cour- teous and affable ; at home he is generous and hospitable, with many warm friends and few personal or political enemies.
J. N. WHITNER.
In the great business world, the burdens and responsibilities that have rested on the shoulders of old men are constantlv be- ing laid down, by reason of personal choice, force of circum- stances, or the staying hand of Providence, and then the young men are compelled to step forward and accept the responsibil- ities ; and b\' the weight of responsibility their capacity is meas- ured. Man}' fail, but there are those whom nature has pecu- liarly fitted for the great business world. This class of men are cautious, self-reliant and of the strictest integrity. The city of Sanford has such a man in the person of Mr. Whitner, the man- ager of a large wholesale branch of the grain and fertilizer house of P. McQuaid, of Jacksonville.
Mr. Whitner was born in the old "Palmetto State," in the town of Florence, in 1857. When he arrived at the age when
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boys must begin their education, unfortunately his loved State was in no condition to provide educational facilities for her sons and daughters. The smouldering embers of burned villages and the dilapidated condition of the once beautiful plantations of that State, bore silent testimony to the fact that a terrible war, like a blight, had swept over the land, leaving it wounded and bleeding. Notwithstanding all these disadvantages, young Whitner obtained a liberal education at the schools of Anderson, a town of his native State.
In the year 1868, he, together with his father and the other members of the family, came to Florida and settled near San- ford, at Fort Reed, where his father and sons began the clearmg of the forest in order to plant orange groves, other fruits and vegetables. Mr. Whitner remained on the farm and devoted himself to the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, and as a result of the combined work of himselC and family, there now stand out on their homesteads some of the finest bearing orange groves
in the State. , . . t^ ^„ r^ • j
In 1 88 1, Mr. Whitner accepted a position with P. Mcguaid. Esq as traveling salesman, and continued w^th him until last November in that capacity. During his term as traveling agent, he developed a splendid business tact. By his energy and fair dealino-s with his customers, he succeeded in building up a mag- nificent trade for his employer. Mr. McQuaid, recognizing his real worth as a splendid young business man, decided to establish a branch house at Sanford, and to appoint Mr. Whitner general business manager. This he did in November, 1886, and since then Mr. Whitner has continued in that capacity ; and the writer is informed that he has built up a creditable trade in that short time. Last fall the Democracy of Orange county was called upon to select a man for appointment as County Clerk by the Governor, and at the earnest solicitation of many warm friends, Mr Whitner consented to enter the race against Mr. T. J. Shine, the incumbent of the office, and notwithstanding the fact that he was young, and had one of the strongest and most efficient men in the county as a competitor, he came within a few votes of securing the recommendation, and it is a fact worthy of notice that he received almost the entire vote of his home, only a few votes being cast for his opponent. .
Mr Whitner is a sterling Democrat, and takes a lively and earnest interest in the affairs of his party, and is a hard worker for its success. There are few young men wl.o stand
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higher in the estimation of their party and friends than does he. Those who know him best esteem him most.
Mr. Whitner is a magnificent specimen of physical man- hood, with a strong face, full of good humor and kindness. His creneral acquaintance and many warm friends in the county, and his universal popularity, all taken together, will most certainly call him to a position where he will have the opportunity of serving the people as faithfully as he has served his employer.
CHARLES H. WHITNER.
It is a reniarkable fact in the history of this country, that the men who have achieved the greatest success are those who, by force of circumstances, have in their early manhood been entirely dependent upon their energies and their own industry for a start in life, and whose education has been practical rather than theoretical. Charles H. Whitner, of the firm of McRae & Whitner, of Sanford, is a true type of this character.
He was born in Florence, South Carolina, in 1858, and came with his father to Florida and settled near the present site of Sanford in 1869. After he had arrived at the age of maturity, he accepted a position with a large mercantile house in Fernan- dina, where he remained for a short time, when he returned to Sanford and took a position, in the capacity of salesman, with H. L. DeForest, continuing with that gentleman for four years.
In 1884 Mr. Whitner associated himself with Thomas M. McRae and em.barked in the grocery business, and has continued in the same with flattering success. Their business has increased rapidly with the growth of the city, and they now carry a stock of goods valued at $5,000.00. This business has been under the entire management of Mr. Whitner, his partner being engaged in other business.
Mr. Whitner is alive to all enterprises for the well-being of his city and State, and is identified as a stockholder in the First National Bank of Sanford. He is a worthy member of the Knights of Pythias, and is held in high esteem by the brother- hood of that order. Mr. Whitner is yet a very young man, quiet and retiring in disposition, with fine business qualifications, as evidenced by his flattering success. Mr. Whitner's business suc- cess, while most creditable, is second to his reputation as a valued and reputable citizen.
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ARTHUR CHAIRES.
Mr. Chaires is a practical pharmacist and successful business man. He was born at Tallahassee, Florida, January 24, i860, and received his education at the best schools of his native city. His father was a well-to-do planter, who takes a leading part in pub- lic affairs.
Mr. Chaires' first occupation after leaving school, was m the capacity of clerk in the drug store of A. E. Phillips, then of Tallahassee. Here he took his first lesson in the profession which circumstances had led him to choose for a life vocation. In 1 884, having mastered Pharmacy and acquired a thorough knowledge of the drug business, he decided to commence business on his own account, and chose the thriving City of Sanford for a location. His store is situated on one of the most popular corners of the city, and contains everything known to the drug trade, in quantities for both retail and wholesale. In addition to the Sanford store he has established a branch retail store on the famed Indian River, at Cocoa.
Mr. Chaires is a gentleman of affable manners and pleasing address, and commands the esteem and respect of a wide circle of friends and patrons. Never putting himself forward, he is yet recognized as an influential citizen, whose voice and action is always with the right, and who is ready to forward all interests for the general good.
In 1884, the year he commenced business for himself, he took a partner for life in the person of Miss Ettie Flagg, of Talla- hassee. In contemplation of the many successful business men of Florida, we think it worthy of remark that so many of them are comparatively young men.
The enviable position Mr. Chaires has attained for strict commercial integrity is an assurance of his continued success and public usefulness. Aside from his large store here in Sanford, and the branch at Cocoa, he has valuable investments in Sanford real estate, and a contingent interest in his father's estate, and is identified as a stockholder with the leading men of his city.
While Mr. Chaires' success in business has heen evident of talent worthy of the reward, his genial, happy smile would not suggest that he has worried to any extent over business cares, and it is fair to predict his methodical business habits will, in the future as in the past, make smooth the corrugated paths of com- merce and leave the happy smile to gladden the hearts of his family and friends.
144 F. E. LANE.
The subject of this sketch was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in July, 1863, during the darkest days of a section of which Memphis was a part, and when but a child he, together with his parents, removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was reared and received his academic education. After finishing the course of the High Schools of that city, he entered the famous Quaker College at Richmond, Indiana, known as " Earlham College." There he spent three years finishing his collegiate course. After leaving college and before entering the whirl of business, Mr. Lane, in order to be better able to carry on successfully any business he might undertake, entered Nelson's Business College, where he received a full course of instruction in the branches usually taught in such institutions.
Mr. Lane came to Florida in 1880, and accepted a position as book-keeper with his brother, E. T. Lane, of Palatka, where he remained for five years.
In November, 1885, Mr. Lane came to Sanford and began business for himself as a wholesale and retail hardware merchant. He also carries a heavy line of crockery and queensware. He now enjoys a very lucrative trade that he, by his own exertions, has built up. He is a stockholder in the new bank recently organized.
Mr. Lane is a sample of the young men who have come to Florida and cast their fortunes here and remained and prospered, for although now a very young man, he has the foundation of a future fortune completed, and is working on the superstructure, which is the result of his own industry, integrity and close atten- tion to business. He is highly esteemed by his many friends throughout South Florida, who in no wise envy him the success he has made.
GEORGE H. FERNALD.
George H. Fernald was born in Boston in i860. He is a true type of the thousands of New Englanders who are annually recruiting the army of progress and civilization. They are every- where, but are seen in greater numbers in the great Northwest, where, also, their enterprise and business activity show to the best advantage. In Chicago, Kansas City, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth the stalwart sons of New England have built the greatest packing houses, elevators and mills the world ever saw,
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and they have covered the country with such a net-work of rail- roads as to make neighbors of widely separated cities and States. Florida is fortunate in having so considerable an influx of New England people. They always represent capital, energy, success and good morals.
Mr. Fernald settled in Sanford in 1883. Having had the advantages afforded by the best schools, both academic and com- mercial, of his favored city, and bringing sufficient capital for a start in business, he was well prepared for a successful career, upon which he entered, associated with Mr. Charles H. Tuxbury, in the establishing of a general builders' supply store. The rapid development of South Florida furnished an ample field for his enterprise, and the happy choice of a business location — im- mediately on the main track of the South Florida Railroad — coupled with his methodical business habits, made success sure and apparently easy.
In 1885 Mr. Fernald purchased his partner's interest, and has since conducted the business alone. We may properly men- tion in this connection that he was recently married in Boston to Miss Mabel, the accomplished daughter of Captain James C. Laughton of the well-known corps Boston Light Infantry. Mrs. Fernald, like her husband, is a member of the Unitarian Church.
Returning to business aftairs, it* is worthy of mention that Mr. Fernald's extended trade has led him to establish a branch house at Cocoa, on the Indian River. The stock of the parent and branch houses, combined, ranges from ;$I2,000 to $15,000, while his real estate aggregates about ;^9,ooo. Besides which he is a stockholder in the National Bank just organized at San- ford.
TOMLINSON & WOODRUFF.
The senior member of the above named firm, Mr. Walter B. Tomlinson, is a native of Polk county, Ga., and was born October 10, i860. His father being a well-to-do planter the son had the best advantages for obtaining an education, and graduated with honor from Mercer College, one of the most celebrated institu- tions of learning in the south.
Upon leaving college Mr. Tomlinson entered commerce in association with G. W. Featherston, at Cedar Town, under the .style of G. W. Featherston & Co.
Desiring to enjoy the novelty and profit of travel, Mr. Tom- linson sold out his interests with Mr. Featherston and accepted 10
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a position with one of the leading wholesale grocery houses of Atlanta, Ga., and subsequently engaged with J. L. Winter, a well-known commission man of New Orleans, in a like capacity. While with the latter gentleman, Mr. Tomlinson's health gave way and he sought Florida's climate as a restorative, arriving here in 1882. His condition of health for a long time prevented his entering into business, but happily recovering he gave his attention with much success to dealing in real estate, not as an agent, but buying and selling on his own account.
In January of the present year (1887), he, in association with Mr. Seth Woodruff, again entered commerce, and opened a wholesale and retail grocery store at Sanford, Fla., under the style of Tomlinson & Woodruff
Mr. Seth Woodruff is a native of Orange county. Fla., and was born just outside of the present corporate limits of Sanford, March 10, 1862, before there was a commencement of a town where Sanford now stands. His father was a cattle raiser and fruit-grower, and young Woodruff gave his time to the duties of both callings during his boyhood, as duty called. After bene- fitting to the fullest extent by the common schools, young Wood- ruff was sent to Erskine College, S. C, from which he graduated in 1882.
Returning to Florida -after his graduation, Mr. Woodruff entered the store of M. J. Doyle, at Sanford, and had charge of his extensive grocery department, with an occassional trip on the road, for some years. As above stated, he, in association with Mr. Tomlinson, established his present business, January 1st of the present year.
The business of the firm, owing to the extended acquaint- ance of the junior partner, was from the beginning a success. While their extensive retail trade is at present by far the most important, the wholesale branch will doubtless develop in the measure it is cultiv^ated.
These young gentlemen commenced business under the fav- oring auspices of untarnished reputations and the possession of hosts of friends and admirers. They are both equipped by education and training for a success more than common, and it is fair to predict they will win as well as merit it.
147 HON. J." F. WELBORNE.
Among the most progressive, enterprising and public spir- ited citizens of Sanford may be placed the name of Hon. J. F. Welborne, who, while his residence is at Winter Park, has his business office and most of his interests here.
Judge Welborne, as he is best known, is a native of Indiana, while his parents were from Kentucky. He was educated at the University of Tennessee, and may be said to possess the chivalry of the Southron, combined with the business tact and energy of the men of the West. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in Indiana, where he practiced for some years, and served two terms in the legislature.
Judge Welbo;;ne's family is well known in State and National politics, one of the last to bear it in the halls of Congress being ex-congressman Welborne, of Texas, who is one of the most eloquent men in the Lone Star State.
It was a fortunate day for Florida and Sanford when Judge Welborne decided to make his home among us, for, added to a magnificent physique, the Judge possesses a remarkably clear, well trained and evenly balanced mind, and his legal attainments are of a high order. Yet it is not for these rare gifts that his adopted State and County delight to honor him, but for his pub- lic spirit, and self-sacrificing devotion to principle, and his self- denial in working for the good of his State, District and County.
During a visit to friends in the North in the summer of 1886, he was elected chairman of the Democratic State Execu- tive Committee, and to his ability and devotion to duty is due, more than anything else, the grand victory which his party achieved at the election in November, 1886. It was at a great sacrifice that Judge Welborne accepted the position, for in addi- tion to one of the largest practices of any lawyer in the State, the Judge has extensive private interests to look after. However, although the position was wholly unsought and almost thrust upon him, he never shrank from his duty, but entered at once upon the work in such a manner as insured and achieved suc- cess. The Democracy of the Second Congressional District owe Judge Welborne a debt which they will not forget until it is paid.
Judge Welborne has identified himself with The Winter Park Company, of which he is Vice-President, and has one of the most elegant houses in the State at that beautiful town. He has also invested largely in Sanford, and has just completed a handsome three-story brick building on the corner of Park
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avenue and Commercial street, the ground floor of which is oc- cupied by the National Bank, and the second story as offices of the South Florida Railway. He is attorney for the bank and for the Sanford & Lake Eustis Railroad, and has a very large and lucrative practice, but is never too busy to give a poor man a hearing, and good advice free.
Judge Welborne is delighted with Florida, and is investing money, and spending his time and talents in helping to develop the wonderful resources of this land of flowers. He is a fluent, yet concise, and dignified speaker, and always commands the closest attention of his hearers, whether in a court of justice or upon the hustings.
Judge Welborne has not yet arrived at the zenith of his career; the future has much in store for him. .
ORLANDO.
"the phenomenal city."
Believing our readers will be much more interested in Or- lando as she exists to-day, than in a lengthy history, however eventful, we will pass rapidly over her early history, thereby husbanding our limited space for a more lengthy mention of her present attractions.
Orange county had but four settlements prior to 1850, one of them occupying the present site of Orlando. The county seat was established at Orlando in 1856. The first court house was of logs. The four-acre town plat, with the court house in the centre, was a nucleus for the present city. Little of impor- tance was done towards building until 1870. In 1873 the place boasted but three stores and one hundred and fifty inhabitants. Still another decade saw the "Phenomenal" in swaddling clothes. But in 1880 she cast them off and each succeeding year has sur- passed the one preceding it in improvements.
A PICTURE OF TO-DAY.
A year ago there were but two or three brick •buildings in the city, while to-day there are over twenty and as many more contracted for or under contemplation. The Kedney block, now well under way, will cost, with grounds, over $50,000. The Em- pire Corner is worth ^30,000; Armory Hall, $25,000; Brown
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Block, $25,000; Bumby Blo.ck, $15,000, and a half dozen others ranging from five to ten thousand dollars.
Mounting the staircase to the Armory lookout the observer secures a fine bird's-eye view of the city. The beautiful Eola Lake, around which a circular mile race course is graded, lies just at hand. A quarter of a mile to the southward glisten the waters of the beautiful Lake Lucerne.
Interspersed throughout the city are a score of fine orange groves, notable among which are the Fairbanks, Summerlin, Hughey, Boone, Veech and Ford.
MANUFACTORIES.
At the South Florida Exposition, recently held in Orlando, the exhibit made by the manufacturers of Orlando far surpassed that made by all the other towns and cities of that section, and it received the highest praise and encomiums from the commit- tee on awards. The manufactories of Orlando are many and of different kinds. The most important among them is the South Florida Foundry and Machine Works. This company was or- ganized in May, 1886, with N. L. Mills, President; P. W. Lownes, Secretary and Treasurer, and Charles E. Johnson, Gen- eral Superintendent, and, although holding no important posi- tion, being only a large stockholder, E. F. Sperry was the prime mover in the enterprise. In July the company began opera- tions, and thus far they have succeeded far beyond their highest expectations, work of every description coming to them from all parts of the State, requiring the personal attention and presence of Messrs. Johnson and Lownes. The nominal stock of the company is $10,000.
The Orlando Novelty Works, a general wood working es- tablishment, can turn out anything in that line fi-om a dove cote to an elegant mansion. They make a specialty of curly pine mantels, side boards and unique furniture and house fixtures in general.
The Orlando Pipe and Stone Works, owned by Mr. French, has been in operation about three years. Every description of patent stone piping, flues, foundation stone and building trim- mings are made there.
Starbird & Copeland own and operate a general wood work- ing establishment. Being contractors, the product of their es- tablishment is house patterns, verandah and other fancy trim-
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mings, but elegant desks, tables and side boards are often sent out from these works.
The Orlando Ice Company was established three years ago by several of the enterprising citizens of Orlando, and an elegant ice manufacturing plant was put in, which now ftjrnishes the cit- izens and hotels with ice made from distilled water, free from all impurities, almost as cheap as the people of Chicago are able to purchase lake ice.
The manufacture of orange wine has been rapidly developed here in the past two years, several companies being organized recently for that purpose. Thus far a single individual, Peter Mack, has devoted more time to the business than any other person or company, having successfully made the wine in large quantities and of excellent quality for some time past. Mr. Mack has also begun the manufacture of an orange wine tonic, which has been highly endorsed by the physicians of Orlando. In taste and appearance the wine is very similar to an old sherry, however containing much less alcohol.
The manufactnre of wagons and carriages is carried on quite extensively by Mr. George Macy and H. Berry. Mr. Macy's establishment is the largest of the kind in the State, only first-class work being turned out of his factory. Mr. Macy began on a small scale a few years ago, but the demand for the popular little one-horse Macy wagon compelled him to increase his capacity.
While not having quite so large an establishment as Mr. Macy, Mr. Berry turns out wagons and carriages equal in work- manship and durability to any vehicle in the State.
There are other manufactories in Orlando of less impor- tance and worthy of a favorable mention. Such is the mattress factory and three cigar factories. The growth of Orlando's man- ufacturing establishments has been rapid and recent, and as yet they are only in their infancy, but it is prophesied by many that Orlando, in the near future, will be the foremost manufacturing city of the State.
ORLANDO S BUSINESS.
Mercantile pursuits of every description are successfully car- ried on in Orlando, many of the stores being equal in size, capital and stock to any in the State. The dry goods business is represented by Shutz Bros.,Slemons & Taylor, Menefee & Schuler,
T. J. ADAMS. See Page 111.
m
153 •
E. J. REEL,
MAYOR OF ORLANDO.
The rapid growth of Orlando in population, the spirit of
ihe f^^^i;" ^ splendid business blocks that have
SrbeTn'SS^^ tL splendid public improvements^
recently oeeu , ., phenomenal City. In
business the cosmopolitan citizenship, representing the pro- ^griTe^merf^maU^^^^^
Sp.rnl^fh:frlo=^^^^^^
"^ Se'kte^ ^^Th"^ S rtu 'e-lb^v^ me-nVo^eT 'TlfnoA "nSan1";n Jof an have contributed to Js prosperity .^^^^^^^ prominent among those who have g.ven the c ty the benent their personal attention and their capital, is E. J. Reel, the pres
ent Mayor. ij ««„=; or State having been
F T Reel s a native of the old Hoosier state, navu s
nroduce etc. His business capacity being well known oy ? ople of his own county, he was chosen ^X them 'o JU A e re sponsible position of county commissioner of Knox co^nty^an
served faithfully in that capacity ""*'' .'^fvr^'J'ered that the "■inrida and with a keen business foresight, d scoverea inai t tfent town of Orlando was destined to become a place of
154 arl^'^^bTc' 'hc To' tf -^ '° "f^"" ""^'""^ -^ opened
of the n^ost eligiW'^Iocateriot rL^dtv "Hifr-' ness increased rapidly, which necessitated the assist.nc. f"'" associate, and in order to meet the Hemln^ I . assistance of an in the person of P A Foster ;,nH t 1 V°°^ '" ^ P*""^^
and his capacity as an executive officer ^"
ment would receive the ^nrH^n^f »i. ^^ P"°'"= improve-
due consideration but with .n • f *^ government without
stable caught fire and burned to the ground i-.i«;f- m fh^ ^**"f^' ."^^
t°o S: ^arfoVhfs^"^ "^^°"- Since^tKir LvoteSs"eff Mr r5^ °'^"?f ^T^' ^"'^ *<^ d"t'"« Of his office
leadintpJrt' tbusfn' sfhe'ls'st'^'"^ '^'^^^ ^" -''^-"^ competency beine the rel^t nf K ^""^^ "'■^'^"'' '"'^ =P'e"did integrity To hi! fri.nlv, t J' '^S^^^Y^ perseverance? heX L tr, . r ? ' •'^ '? ^""^- generous and obliging •
In p^oH?ics Mr IT "'''" *' opportunity is offe^^ in pontics, Mr. Reel is an unswerving Democrat.
in the righteousness of the principles of that party, he is earnest and fearless in the advocacy and maintenance of their supremacy.
HON. JOHN G. SINCLAIR.
There can be no fairer test of merit than the matured esti- mate of those whose lives have been cast from boyhood to ma- turity with the person whose character we would learn. Hence, notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Sinclair's active and useful career since his arrival in Florida has furnished ample data for an interesting article, we think it due to the reader and to him that we republish the following admirable sketch, which appears in an excellently written history of Merrimack and Belknap counties (N. H.), of his native State :
" Hon. John G. Sinclair is a fair representative of that type of New Englander who, throughout the length and breadth of the land, may be found ever in the vanguard of progress — leaders in the struggle for success in whatever field they may have chosen. Starting in life under more than usual disadvantages and dis- couragements, he has achieved an honorable success, of which he and his posterity may be justly proud,
" He was born at Barnstead Parade, in the town of Barn- stead, N. H., March 25, 1826. He is the only child of Charles G. and Martha G. (Norris) Sinclair, of that town.
" His ancestors were of a martial spirit, and for three gener- ations did military duty in their country's service. One of the pioneers of the town of Gilmanton, he erected the first frame house in the town. He was a soldier in the French and Indian wars, and also in the war of the Revolution. In the latter war, he attained the rank of captain, though in the locality where he lived he was generally known as Colonel Sinclair. He married Polly Cilley, a sister of Colonel Joseph Cilley, and a descendant of one of the oldest and proudest families of New Hampshire. Their eldest son, Richard Sinclair, Jr., was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Barnstead. Like his father, he was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and was an ensign in his father's company. His wife was Betsy Hodgdon, and Charles G. Sinclair (father of Hon. John G.) was their only son, who, at the age of seventeen, enlisted as a soldier in the war of 181 2, and for a time was clerk for General Ripley. At the sortie on Fort Erie, he received a gunshot wound near the right lung, which disabled him for life. He died July, 1834, leaving his wife and only child (then a lad but eight years of age) in destitute circum-
156 •)
stances. Mrs. Sinclair was a woman of true Spartan heroism and courage. She set bravely to work with her needle to sup- port herself and son. With true motherly pride and a confidence in her boy's ability, which has since been eminently justified, she determined to do all in her power to give him an education, and so kept him at school at Pittsfield Academy till he was thirteen years of age. He then entered the employ of Webster & Peavey, mer- chants at Landaff, N. H. The firm consisted of Hon. Samuel Webster, of North Barnstead, and Samuel P. Peavey, a former resident of Barnstead, who had married a sister of Mrs. Sinclair.
" He remained at Landaff six years, and during that time attended five terms at Newbury Seminary, in Vermont, where he fitted for college under the tuition of Bishop Baker and Rev. Clark T. Hinm'an. Ambitious as he was to enter college and acquire a liberal education, yet a fear lest he might die and his mother be left destitute induced him to forego his desires in that regard and bend his energies to business pursuits.
" His first venture was a restaurant at the corner of Hanover and Elm streets, Manchester, New Hampshire. This not prov- ing consonant with his tastes was soon abandoned, and he estab- lished an auction and commission business at Lawrence, Massa- chusetts. He was fairly successful in this, and having acquired limited means, he returned to his native State and established a country store, and also engaged in the manufacture of starch in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. Here he soon won the esteem and confidence of the community, as was evidenced by the fact that in 1852, '53, '54/55. and in 1862 and '63. and again 1876, 'j-j and '78, he represented Bethlehem in the State Legislature, and served as its member in the last Constitutional Convention. In 1873, he represented Littleton in the Legislature, being then a resident of that town. He was appointed Bank Commissioner by Governor Baker, and served until the American party came into power.
"In 1858 and '59 he was elected Senator from the twelfth Senatorial district, composed of Grafton and Coos counties. He was the Democratic candidate for Speaker of the House, and Democratic candidate for Governor in 1866, '67 and '68.
In 1868, he was chairman of the New Hampshire delegation to the National Convention, and in 1876 was Democratic candi- date for United States Senator, against Edward H. Rollins, Rcr publican.
'* During all of his connection with the political affairs of New Hampshire he was considered one of the safest, shrewdest
157
and most efficient party leaders. The estimation in which he was held as a public speaker and debater, finds illustration m the fact that the convention which nominated him for Governor in 1867 instructed him to invite General Walter Harriman, the Re- publican candidate (New Hampshire's most eloquent champion of the Republican party), to a public discussion of the issues m- volved in the campaign, the result of which was thirteen joint discussions at principal points in the State (the first of the kind ever held in New England, though quite common West and South, for many years). r. . a
♦• Although so frequently elected to offices of trust and re- sponsibility, Mr. Sinclair has never b^en an office-seeker, and when he left his native State in 1879 he made a public avowal that he never again would be a candidate for a political office, a resolu- tion to which he has rigidly adhered.
" In 1879 Mr. Sinclair removed to Orlando, Orange county, Florida where he has established a large, lucrative real estate businesL, and is also engaged in the cultivation of oranges and
other semi-tropical fruit. . , t 1 r t:-!
'•Though he has chosen his abode in the Land ot Mowers yet he cherishes an abiding love for the snow-clad, rock-ribbed hills of the land of his birth, and is keenly alive to all that affects her prosperity, perpetuity of interests. His recent speech before the New Hampshire Club in Boston fully sustains his reputation as a most gifted post-prandial orator. He is vigorous in mind and body, giving promise of many future years of usefulness.
" Mr' Sinclair has been twice married ; first in 1 847, to Tamar M daujrhter of Colonel Daniel Clark, of Landaff By this mar- riage there were three children— Charles A., Emma S. and Ma'^rtha A. His first wife dying, he married in 1872, Mary L. Blandin, daughter of John Pierce, Esq., of Littleton, New Hamp- )re.
N. L. MILLS.
There are characters in the business walks of life who blaze forth with a splendor and success in contrast with common men as the brightness of the meteor pales the stars, but unlike the meteor, they do not always fade quickly and leave lesser lights to an undisputed possession of the field.
AmoncT the brilliant and talented men who have sought Florida as a field of action, none have attained to a more brilliant
1.8
and marked success, or been more universally recoo-nized for exceptional ability than N. L. Mills, and it is not too much to say like a meteor he came and like a fixed star he remains.
•The advent of Mr. Mills marks an era in the real estate business of South Florida, and made possible the rapid develop- ment of Orange county, and the building of the beautiful and thriving City of Orlando. An enthusiastic admirer of Col. Mills, in speaking of him to the writer, remarked: "Mills was made for a real estate man. It was fore-ordained that he should come right here to Orlando and sell real estate. He has done more than any ten men in Florida to bring capital into the State."
Mr. Mills is- a native of Ohio, but passed his boyhood and received his education in Iowa. His father was a well-to-do farmer and breeder of fine stock.
Approaching manhood during the progress of our late war, young Mills, at the age of i8, entered the U. S. volunteer service as a private, serving from that time (1864) to the close of the struggle. He participated in a number of important battles and was mustered out of service at New Orleans.
Returning to Iowa, the young soldier took up the unfinished studies he had lain down for the musket. His education finished, Mr. Mills tried various lines of business with fair success, but seems not to have found his forte until he took up the real estate business, as before stated, at Orlando in 1882. The style of his firm is
Sinclair's real estate agency,
And it is frequently remarked by friends that the association was a most happy one for the parties concerned. (Mr. Sinclair's biography will be found upon another page.)
Physically Mr. Mills is as fine a specimen of manhood as is often met with. His mental qualities may be best measured by his success. It may, however, be interesting to note his striking peculiarities. He is quick of perception and always shoots off- hand. His memory of names and faces, while undoubtedly above the average, is, by reason of his wonderful tact, made to appear surprising. He makes it a point to know every visitor to Orlando, and in many instances before the stranger has heard of him. A prominent resident of Orlando relates an amusing in- stance in point : A gentleman had arrived in Orlando, and after a day or two made the acquaintance of the prominent citizen. The citizen, thinking to do a kindness, offered to introduce him to Mr. Mills. When in the act of introducing him the name of the
159
stranger slipped his memory. Mr. Mills smilingly came to his aid with, ** Oh, yes, this is Judge Baker, of Cleveland, I am glad to meet you, Judge ; we have made a number of important deals for capitalists of your city, and I have just been closing a sale for one of them, and have sold at a fifty per cent, advance on what we paid last year.
E. F. SPERRY.
Mr. E. F. Sperry is one of the considerable army of Flori- da's valued citizens that she has drawn from her sister States of the North. He was born at Ansonia, Ct, and, being a farmer's boy, received the valuable practical lessons, nowhere else ob- tainable in the same degree as in the family of a thrifty Ameri- can farmer.
He was educated in the excellent common schools of Con- necticut, and at the Eastman's Business College, of Poughkeep- sie, N. Y. His first practical knowledge of commerce was obtained in a grocery store at Ansonia, Ct, where he occupied a position as clerk for some years, and resigned to engage in the same business on his own account in Ansonia.
His business prospering beyond his most sanguine expecta- tions, he was led to seek other fields for investment, and in 1874 engaged in manufacturing.
In 1882 he organized, with a nominal capital of ^50,000, the Sperry Manufacturing Company, for the manufacture of carriage hardware, himself retaining a controlling interest of stock, and becoming secretary and treasurer, a position which he still main- tains.
Up to 1 884 all had been apparently smooth sailing, and fortune smiled upon his every effort. In 1 884 the floods common to New England were exceptionally destructive, and by the breaking of a dam of the stream upon which the Sperry Manufacturing Company was located, the accumulations of years were swept to destruction in an hour. It was then that Mr. Sperry's character and reserve force came to the surface. It is related that, seeing unmistaka- ble signs that his factory would in a few minutes be swept away, he, with his accustomed manner, entered the factory, and calling to his employes, told them they had better get out, as the building would soon be swept away. So natural was his expression and so unconcerned his appearance, that they did not at first realize their danger, and only moved to save themselves when, in sterner tones, Mr. Sperry admonished them to do so.
i6o
i6i
Witnessing with unblanched cheek the destruction of his property, Mr. Sperry returned to his residence, and without a tremor of voice quietly told his family the factory had been swept away.
But we must bring the subject of our sketch to Florida, and only delay to mention that his untiring energy had, at the end ot another year, rebuilt the factory and resumed business, but at the cost of his health, and in 1885 he came for rest to Florida.
Becoming imbued with a favorable opinion of Florida and the town of Orlando, Mr. Sperry made some small purchases of real estate for investment. Returning home improved in health, he, a year later, came again, accompanied by his brother, Mr. H. Sperry, and they purchased the well known Summerlin prop- erty, and, in association w^ith other leading capitalists, oi*ganized the South Florida Foundry and Machine Company, of which Mr. Sperry is one of the largest stockholders.
While still retaining his manufacturing interests and his summer residence in Connecticut, Mr. Sperry is one of Orlando's most enterprising and public-spirited citizens. He has now in contemplation the erection of a rnagnificent hotel on the site of the old Summerlin House, and as with him to contemplate is to act, tourists visiting Orlando the coming winter may expect to find a welcome at the prospective hotel on the banks of the beau- tiful Lake Kola, in Orlando.
Any further remarks upon Mr. Sperry's character would necessarily be in substance a repetition of what has been said, and ft remains only to add that he is loved and esteemed in Or- lando, not alone for his public spirit and usefulness, but as well f^r his sterling character and moral worth.
WILLIAM C. SHERMAN.
i
Mr. Wm. C. Sherman was born in 1839 in Belfast, Maine, and received his education at Rockland, in that State. Upon completing his education he entered a w^atchmaking and jewelry establishment at Rockland to learn the trade. Before complet- ing it, however, it was thought best to send him to Boston, where he finally obtained a most thorough knowledge of watch- making and the finer and more difficult branches of gem setting, together with the general work of a jeweler and engraver.
He first went into business for himself in Boston, where he remained four years with fair success. Later he established a business in Bangor, Maine, and in 1884 came with his
family to I^lorida. In passing, we may remark that Mr Sher- man is an artist of recognized ability and promise, and that this establishment is the sole place in South Florida where a full line of artists materials may, at all times, be found in stock. Orders may be sent by mail, and goods will be returned either by express or mail as desired.
The ''Sherman Jewelry Store" was established in 1884 with a comparatively small stock, which has been steadily increased with the growth of Orlando and the demands of trade, until the stock at present may be fairly estimated at ^8,000 to $10,000 1 he stock embraces everything known to the jewelry trade and IS selected with reference to the better class of trade, with which the house has most to do.
The line of Florida curiosities and jewelry is selected with an evident taste and refinement seldom observed Hence while tourists will find a display of all the most rare and beauti- ful curiosities peculiar to Florida, they will see nothing unpleas- ing to the eye or suggestive of the gross.
In watches, while a full line of the leading makes are always in stock, the demand is much the largest for the Waltham and Llgin. In optical goods the pebble and white crystal glasses are made a specialty and can be had suited to any si^ht and in all the latest styles of frames. '
That the people recognize Mr. Sherman's ability and ap- preciate his methods of business, is best proven by his success.
He IS a gentleman of engaging manners, sterling integrity and IS greatly esteemed in the city of his adoption. '
X CAPTAIN THOMAS J. SHIN^.
^
Thomas J. Shine is a typical Southern gentleman. He is a Chesterfield in manners, spotless in character, has ready sympa- thies, a sound judgment, and is one of the most popular men in Orange county. Such is the character given, by those who know him best, of the gentleman whose name heads this article.
Mr. Shine was born in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1842 He was educated in the schools of Tallahassee and at Oglethorpe University of Georgia, which he left to join the Confederate army as a private. Being soon promoted, his gallantry became con- spicuous and he rose rapidly to the command of his company At the hotly contested battle of Missionary Ridge he was taken prisoner and confined on Johnson's Island, where he remained until the end of the war. 11
1 62 j
Returnincto Florida, he accepted the inevitable in good faith and looking about for something to do, took for a t.me, a position as clerk in a clothing store. Des.nng a field of more fndeoendent action, he became a cotton planter The rapid de- dine^fn the price of that staple, together with the unsettled con- dtfon of labor, rendered this venture a failure, and Mn Shme ata°n sought a situation, this time as book-keeper for Messrs. RlcrtTs & Thomas, of Madison, Florida. r ,t- tt o
In 1866 Captain Shine married, in the person of Miss Eppcs, r^f Tallahassee a great-grand daughter of Thomas Jefferson,
Passfng to .872, we find the Captain settled in Orlando, en- .a-ed in raising an orange grove. His success may be inferred from the fact that he sold his grove in , 886 or S25 ,000^
Goin<^ back to 1878, we see him a Justice of the feace n ,881 anointed DeputV County Clerk; in .883, elected Clerk, and in 1887, re-elected to that position.
While performing his official duties in so acceptable a man- ner as to have won the name of being one of the most efficient county clerks in the State, as he is certainly the most popular, Mr Shine has found time not only to attend to h.s private affairs, but to be*r his full share of public burdens and responsibilities. He is a^rector of the First National Bank of Orlando ; Presi- den of the Orlando Street Railway Company ; President of he Oranee County Water Gas Company; Vice-President of the OrSn^do, Oakland and Atlantic Railway Company ; Secretary and Treasurer of the Orlando, Lake Jesup and Indian River Railroad Company ; Captain of the Orlando Guards owns the Orange County Abstract Books ; is joint owner, with Mr. L. O. Garret^ of Orlando's fine Market House, and takes a prominent part in the Episcopal Church. . ,1- •
In finale-born a patrician, becomes a private soldier, is p. o- mntpd for bravery, becomes more conspicuous, is vanquished, Tcepts the inevitable in good faith, Captain Shine .s truly the archftect of his present good fortune. A typical Southener, his hospitaltv is bounded only by his ability. Strong in mtegrity andCnor he expects nothing less of his friends. By instincts and education a Democrat, he is devoted to the interests of the people. I '
163
Allen & rose.
It affords us pleasure to call attention to the above firm of attorneys located at Orlando. Major Allen, the senior member of the firm, has been a resident of the State for fifteen years, and is recognized as one of the leading members of the bar of
Florida.
Mr. A. J. Rose is a rising young lawyer of exceptional ability and sterling integrity. Any business intrusted to them will receive all the attention the nature and importance of the case may warrant.
In view of their prominent position, and recognized respon- sibility, it would be presumption in us to volunteer further as
their endorsers.
Publisher.
CASSIUS A. BOONE.
In gathering data for biograpical sketches of the enterprise ing men of Florida, it is clearly observable that the men who have contributed most to the State's development within the two last decades are from other States of the Union.
In making this declaration we do not wish to imply an in- vidious comparison. Florida suffered greatly in the loss of her young men by the late civil war, immediately following which industries were so prostrated that hundreds of her brightest youth sought homes and a field for action in the great West. When a revival of business finally came most of them were satisfactorily located, and the opportunities presented called, in turn, bright and energetic young men from other States.
Among those furnished by the old ''North State," and they are not a few, we know of no one who has proved a more useful and worthy accession to the State of his adoption than Mr. C. A
Boone.
Mr. Boone was born in Haywood county, North Carolina, February 2d, 1850. His classical Christian name implies that his parents were cultivated people, and the fact that he taught school for two terms prior to his twentieth year is conclusive
evidence of it.
He came to Florida in 1870, and taught in Orange county the first public free school organized in Florida after the war. Continuing as a teacher until 1873, he had, by a commendable economy, saved sufficient to go into the general merchandise
164
I
business, which he did that year in Orlando. About this time, too, he married Miss Sarah Hughey, a daughter i-f Mr. James P. Hughey, County Clerk.
A year later he disposed of his store, and accepted a posi- tion as Deputy Clerk, which he held acceptably both to his chief and tlie public until 1881. Having, by his characteristic econ- omy and judicious investments, materially improved his financial status, he was enabled, in 1 881, to open a general hardware and crockery store second to none then in Orlando ; in fact, making a new departure from the general stores of the city.
By this time the general boom set in. Florida property advanced and Mr. Roone's success was assured. The erection of new buildings brought trade to his store and made his real estate more valuable.
Always liberal in aid of public enterprises, he is recognized, not only as one of Orlando's solid citizens, but as one who has contributed largely to her growth and prosperity.
He was a member of her first Board of AldernTan in 1875, served one year as Mayor in 1883, during which, by the aid of an intelligent Board of Aldermen, he established a. financial and record system second to that of no city in Florida.
Mr.' Boone is a stockholder in the T., O. & A. R. R., a cor- poration which has done more to quicken and develop the trade of Orlando than any other cause, aside from the natural re- sources of the country and the city's admirable location. He is also a stockholder in the Orlando Cemetery Company.
Mr. Boone's commercial integrity is untarnished and his character spotless. His long residence, and intimate association with the people of Orange county have made his acquaintance extensive, while his honorable life and methods of fair dealing have made him a host of friends and admirers.
ARTHUR N. HARRINGTON.
Among those who have contributed to the phenomenal growth of Orlando, and have profited both from their labors and liberality, the name of Arthur N. Harrington deserves a place.
Mr. Harrington was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 20, 1850, but removed with his parents to the State of New York, where he was reared and received his education. His first occupation after leaving school was that of a clerk in a general merchandise store.
At the age of 19 he was prostrated with so severe an attack
165
of rheumatism that his life was in the balance and his future use- fulness despaired of. His father brought him to Florida in the hope of climatic benefit, and happily with the result of a complete restoration to health.
Returning North, Mr. Harrington accepted a position as clerk or book-keeper in the oil house of Mr. P. C. Atwood, of Philadelphia, where he remained two years, becoming in that short time an expert oil tester.
The pleasant memory of Florida's genial climate, in contrast with the rigorous winters of the North, drew him here again, and he arrived a second time in the State in August, 1874. This time he came to make a home. His first venture in business was to take a sub-contract to carry the mail from Sanford to Orlahdo, a distance now by the South Florida Railroad of 22 miles, but he was in 1874 compelled to travel twice that distance. Later he became manager and proprietor of the Summ.erlin House, and Deputy Clerk of the county. The latter position he held for four years, discharging his duties acceptably to his principal and to the satisfaction of the people. Subsequent to this he accepted a position in the abstract office of Judge J. L. Bryan, which posi- tion he resigned to embark in the real estate and loan business, in association with Dr. L. J. Watkins, under the style of Watkins & Co's Real Estate and Loan Agency.
It is proper to state here, in parenthesis, that during the years from 1876 to 1886, in addition to his many duties, Mr. Harrington had planted three orange groves, two of which he sold at 'a handsome profit, and the third— a beautiful grove ad- joining the city limits — being still his. He has found time, also, to bear his part in the development of transportation lines. He was the second secretary of the Tavares, Orlando & Atlantic Railway, and is still a stockholder in that company. He has been a resident of Orlando since 1876, and has seen the little frontier hamlet grow into a thriving village, and the village change, almost as by magic, into a city.
Mr. Harrington's acquaintance with the people of Orange county, and with land titles, is second to no man in Orlando, while his long residence and experience in grove making has peculiarly fitted him for his present business venture. Especially is he qualified for safely placing loans with a view to prompt payment of interest and the safety of the principal. His associa- tion with "Dr." Watkins is a most happy one, it would appear, for both parties concerned, and it is nothing surprising that their venture is a success from the beginning, and that they control
1 66
their full pro rata of the real estate business of Orlando their first season in the field.
LOUIS J. WATKINS.
Louis J. Watkins is of Welch descent, and was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, February 20, 1847. He went to sea at the early age of twelve years, and at eighteen was mate of a first class brig sailing from New York. He had, previous to that, crossed the Equator six times and had been in most of the great commercial ports of the world. His education, excepting what he obtained at a common school of Ontario previous to his going to sea, has been picked up, or absorbed, as it were, from a con- tinual contact with the world, and in spite of the seeming dis- advantages of his boyhood, Dr. Watkins, as he is best known, is possessed of an excellent practical business education and is ex- ceptionally well informed in matters of history and the general knowledge of the world.
At the age of twenty. Mate Watkins abruptly left the sea and went inland to Chicago. Soon after his arrival in that older " Phenomenal City " he invested his savings in the stock of the celebrated Wizard Oil Company, at the same time accepting a responsible position in the management and conducting of the Company's business, which, we believe, he did not entirely re- linquish until he came to Florida in December, 1883. In fact, he still retains stock in the company and has the gratifying ex- perience of receiving regular and well paying dividends. His title of "doctor" probably came from his connection with this company, and as his numerous friends and acquaintances persist in giving him that title he good-naturedly permits them to do so, and we are excusable for joining the throng. Hence, we say the " Doctor" did not come to Florida with any intention of making a home or of even investing, but like many others, to reverse in part a thread-bare line, " he came, he saw " and was conquered.
His first venture was planting an orange grove and truck garden, in both of which he was successful, and in the latter ex- ceptionally so, and his success has had much to do in influencing others to embark in the same industry. Dr. Watkins has now been a resident of Orlando five years. He has made hosts of friends in every walk of life. His thorough acquaintance with the world enables him to adapt himself to any company into which he may be thrown. He can sing a song or spin a yarn with the boys, talk of finance and stocks with his banker, discuss
167 soils, plants and plant fo6cl w|th ^ scjenf t or entertain a^^^^^^^^^^
A N. Harrington, embarked in the real estate and /oan agency
fhe cllins be to. ehoen. He „ e.te.med a. j gnM
in the community.
JOHN C, JONES.
The Orlando bar ranks second to none in the State Men reprele'^tinfal-ost as many States - they -nj^e^who after
co'mpleting ^^^!^:f^^:^^:'^J'Z.ltV: .1^ clfes SVVeroldJdlwt* mef S"their profession. Prominent among the number IS John C Jones. and received
Mr. Jones was born m Marietta, Ga in •»55-^na his educa ion in the -m-n s^o > "^ th^^^^^^^^ thorpe University. While pursuing ni , ; ^^^ ^^^,.
studied architecture as a ^e'ence, and after complet g ^^
general depression in ^"^'ne^^ at *at t me m n j.^^y^_
he, like many others, found the 'egal proiessio v
and determined to enter a more P^f f ''i^fi/SoS ^rhigh^^^^ him immediate returns for his labor, and "e chose tneg^ ing of journalism and became the correspondent f^r a num^ the leading publications of the South 7n tha? capaci| with pleasant and profitable he con inued '"Jat capacity ^^^^ Jnarked ability for f^ve years, ""til .881, ^f en his he
Orlando and began the practice of law.
1 68
The rapid growth of the town and the wonderful business development brought many persons to the city, and frequent lit- igation was the result, Mr. Jones receiving a fair share of the clientage. He rose rapidly in his profession and took a front rank in the bar of Orlando, and, although offered political pre- ferment, he refused, desiring rather to pursue his profession un- disturbed by the distracting influences of politics. Mr. Jones now enjoys a lucrative practice, as the result of his close atten- tion to business and his skill as an attorney. He is only in the beginning of a very successful legal career, and by reason of his marked ability- and the careful study of his cases— keeping abreast with the progress of his profession— there is in store for him in the near future a standing and reputation second to none in the legal fraternity of Florida.
In the preparation of his causes for trial he is painstaking and careful, studying w^ell and fortifying himself with the law in his favor, and anticipating the strong points of his opponents and preparing to successfully combat and destroy them. Having a thorough knowledge of the law, both statutory and common, he is ready at all times, without previous preparation, to make a clear, concise argument on a point of law before the court. As an advocate before a jury he is logical and convincing, impress- ing them by the force of his argument rather than bombastic eloquence.
Mr. Jones possesses a qualification so necessary to the suc- cessful practice of the legal profession, viz: the faculty of being able to judge readily the character of his opponent client, iudo-e witness or juror. ^ '
In his intercourse with his fellow men he is pleasant, affable and generous. In business he is strict, guarding carefully the interest of his client, giving his studied attention to all business entrusted to him, and above 4II, possessing that integrity of pur- pose so necessary to the successful lawyer.
D. P. ROBBINS. M. 1\
^r- ^' P- Robbins, physician, scientist, journalist and pub- lisher, IS best known as a character-sketch and descriptive writer. In this field of literature he has few, if any, recognized superiors. He has written up many of the leading cities of the North and West, where, especially in the West, hisVeady pen is always in demand.
The Doctor was born in Ohio county. Ind., November 3, 1845.
SILAS F. GIBBS. "See Page 121
169
He traces his ancestry to Peter Robbins, of Providence, Rhode Island, who, as a soldier of the Revolution, served his country six years. Another ancestor served in the war of 18 12, and as will transpire, the Doctor did service for the Union in our late war.
As a boy, Dr. Robbins was both studious and precocious. Influenced, probably, by the fact that there had been a number of physicians in his family, he at the age of fifteen chose medicine as a profession and began its study. The war breaking out, he laid down his books, and at the age of seventeen joined the Union army. Being assigned to hospital service, he was enabled to resume his medical studies and benefit by observation which proved quite as valuable as books. His regiment being dis- charged in February, 1864, he soon after entered the college at Ann Arbor, Mich., where he graduated with honor in 1866.
Dr. Robbins began practice at Osgood, Ind. He continued there about five years, in the meantime marrying Miss Rose E. Dunham, of Cambridge, Pa. His taste for literary pursuits led the Doctor in 1872 to enter journalism. Too close application unfortunately affecting his eyesight, compelling him to take rest, he made an extended trip to the Rocky Mountains, from whence he, with a number of Northern papers, by his brilliant and fascinating articles established his name as a writer.
Returning from the mountains, Dr. Robbins settled in Erie, Pa., and went into the drug business. Soon again resuming literary work, which it would seem he is destined to follow to the end, he has been interested either as editor or publisher, or both, with papers in a number of States, and is now the owner, editor and publisher of an excellent and prosperous health journal at Orlando, Fla., entitled Southern Progress. That Dr. Robbins' extensive reading and literary ability peculiarly fit him for the work he has taken up, there can be no question.
In address he is a polished and cultivated gentleman, his native refinement attracting the companionship of those whose society he most prizes, while it quietly but firmly holds grosser natures at a distance.
170 • KISSIMMEE.
THE TROPICAL CITY. j(
Popiilatio7i 1 886, 782; 1887, 1^84.
The following excellent article we borrow from Webb's justly popular " Consolidated Directory " :
"'Eureka! I have found it!'" expresses the idea of the tired tourist as he leaves the train here. The picture which greets his eyes is one
" • He long had sought, And moaned because He found it not'
- Leading from the railroad platform, in front of the Troi)
ical Hotel, is a wide walk to its hospitable entrance. Tall trees.
roses, flowers and tropical shrubbery ornament the hotel grounds.
and from the wide piazzas is seen Lake Tohopekaliga with its
blue, sparkling waters, and scenes of lovely islands, the whole
forming a panorama of southern scenery not easily forgotten.
To write of The Tropical is to describe the entrance to the city,
for it is its gate— the Gibraltar, as it were, of Kissimmee— at
which the traveler should enter. Through it and beyond is a
thriving city, which in 1882 existed only in name. Broadway,
themahi business thoroughfare, is about one hundred feet in
width and is lined on either side with new buildings of rich
architectural designs, prominent among which is the Kissimmee
City Bank and the business office and residence of Mr. William
Cannon, the leading real estate dealer of Kissimmee.
" It is only a few years since this section was the tavorite camping ground of the historical Seminole. Their wigwams were the only habitations to be seen around the shores of the lakes, and white settlers were few and far between. Where the town now stands warriors were wont to assemble in council, and the country is still full of relics which cannot fail to prove inter- esting to pilgrims in this sunny clime.
" Later on civilization advanced its outposts, and the savage sought other fields. A few adventurous settlers erected houses, but it was not until some years later that the advantages of the location for a town became known ; but when it was realized
i7»
.1 . .t no distant day this point would become a distributing SVe\Tottf\ht^^ most fertile trac^ocount.ym
fhe whole State, settlers began to pour in, and it was not ion,
Sta h.T5W-out c.ioe., basing hide, .km^
'cin", £ .h^J £'.£1. .t, d,y ».<,. iB ad.e.. in ft.
Company, lor Luiuug r c^,,4-v^ Florida and its continued
when improved, will yield remunerative crops of sugar cane,
"^^^°Th;^Hch• bolmZdfare superior to those of Louisiana
^°^ '•^^tSrit re?l" Trips f^ Kissimmee to the Gulf of Mexico.a distance of 250 miles or more ^^
" Tt mav iust v be said that this city is ine ljuiuc civilization!for it i^s here that one catches a view of the Indian and knows something of the great undiscovered country, The
Everglades," beyond. .^ffi^mpnt is a few miles distant,
*' Narcoossee, an English settlement is a lew ni .,1 u 1 ,^ ^r water where are domiciled a large ana rSlTl Si?n"A- thffottr country^^ ]jey -Ue K. simmee their headquarters for business bankmg, etc., ana a represented here by Messrs^Fell & Davidson.^^^,,,,,^^, ^^^^
.etlTe^^n^r^KiSt:-^^^^^^^
r -nt J;t &:crS t ^aterO^ando . Mantic
i;
172 I
at that point, thence down the east side of Lake Butler to Kis- simmee.
" The other is to run from Tavares, down the west side of Lake Apopka, thence along the west side of Lake Butler to Kissimmee. 1
" Both of these roads are expected to be completed and in running order during the present winter. 1
••The growth of Kissimmee is a sure indication of its success. It has doubled its population in one year. The fol- lowing poem from the pen of that gifted Floridian, the Hon. Columbus Drew, is in keeping with the romantic history of the city and a most suitable ending to this sketch :
" KISSIMMEE. I
"A Briton who came with the banners of Spain,
A knight, with Melendez, across the blue main.
Here landed with him on Seloy's palmy shore.
Where the waves of Matanzas sang sadly of yore.
Scarce the rampart was built on the verge of the lea.
Ere he mounted his charger and rode from the sea.
He came to a river, as strange and as wild
As the vision he met there, a wondering child
Of the forest, a woman, who never before
Saw a knight in his armor or plume that he wore.
The wonder was pleasant — he shared it with her.
And his blood niounted high, like his steed from the spur,
Nor her low-falling lashes nor brownness of skin
Could hide the soft tell-ta^ of blushes within.
One language was spoken,' the language of bliss ;
The knight turned to leave, saying " give me a kiss ;"
And the maiden, all sad, left the knight from the sea.
And spoke a new tongue, "Kiss-him-me ! Kiss-him-mee!"
And the breezes that wafted the cry where they met
Settled down on the river, and whisper it yet."
WILLIAM CANNON.
No man in Florida is better or more favorably known in real estate circles than Wm. Cannon. Neither is there one who rep- resents so extensive interests.
Mr. Cannon is a native of Nova Scotia, and was born m 1839. His early advantages for an education were confined to the common schools of a period and a section far below the standard of the present day in that respect. Hence, the excel- lent practical education and the general knowledge of affairs manifest in Mr. Cannon's conversation and business transactions, may properly be credited to his habits of reading and investiga- tion, rather than to advantages exterior and independent of his own inclinations.
In looking over the self-made men of our times and com- paring them with the petted children of fortune, the question is irresistibly forced upon the mind whether, after all, we are not quite as likely to injure our children in kindness and too great indulgence as by denying them many of the generally accepted advantages of education and training.
We cannot conceive that a university training would have contributed to make Mr. Cannon a more respected and useful citizen, or one of sounder judgment in all practical affairs. In- deed, the chances would have been in favor of making him less practical. We may venture the opinion that the study of the affairs of our own country and times, and a close contact with uur contemporaries, is quite as likely to make respected, useful and valued citizens as will the reading of an ancient people and an inferior civilization in a forgotten tongue.
Coming to the United States when a young man, Mr. Can- non engaged in the patent business, both in Boston and in Phila- delphia^ with a success which warranted its continuance until a short time before he came to Florida, in 1872. Arriving in Florida he first settled on the Halifax River, where for three years he carried on a real estate business. The next succeeding seven years were given to the collection of specimens in orni- thology. It will readily be inferred that the information ob- tained during these seven years, respecting the character of soils, timber and water throughout the vast section of country he traversed has been of inestimable advantage to Mr. Cannon in his present business.
In 1884, Mr. Cannon accepted the general agency of the Disston Land Companies, with headquarters at Kissimmee,
•^
174
Fla. His peculiar fitness for the position was immediately made manifest by his success, and other companies endeavored to se- cure his services.
In 1886 he was tendered and accepted the position of as- sistant superintendent of the Okeechobee Land Company, which position he now holds. He is also agent for the South Florida Railroad lands, for the Kissimmee Land Company, the Florida Land and Improvement Company and the Florida Investment Company, altogether representing over 3,000,000 acres of the choicest lands of South Florida.
The success Mr. Cannon has met with as an asrent and dealer in real estate is both exceptional and flattering to his judgment and- ability, while the standing he occupies in the community is evidence of his integrity and worth.
.-c
' 4r»«<-VM ^••»» JU'^Co V> ~:l_ -^
WILLIAM CANNON S OFFICE.
KISSIMMEE CITY BANK. It affords us a pleasure to -U the atte^^^^^^ oj^ouris^ts
investors and prospective sett ers '^J^^rSyT^^^ established and to add our endorsemen to ^^s already w y ^ reputation for honorable dealmg and ^^a^^^^'^^^ ^^.i^ls,
,,Lt is in the ^l^^^^i^r^rl^^^^^ ToToi the wealth-
while among its stockholders are num ^^^^ ^^
display type.
A. E. DROUGHT, President.
F. H. SKELDING, Cashier.
TliE
CITY I BRNK
Kissimmee City, Orange County, Florida. CAPITAL, - - 850,000.
TResiSTs i sEPRiL uMM m%mi%
IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. MAKES COLLECTIONS O^LL ACCESSIBLE POINTS,
LZu proceeds p.o»P.^yon^y or pa.v.ent, at .owe. rate.
Particular attention paid to the business of Correspondents, their interests carefully guarded and promptly served.
ISSUE EXCHANGE On New York. Savannah, New Orleans ..nd
Jacksonville, Fla.
NEW YORK KORRESPONDEHtT^EABOARD NATIONAL BANK
We are also resident agents for Messrs. COUrTS & CO.. and MELVILLE EVANS & CO.. London. England.
1/6 TALLAHASSEE. Tallahassee, the capital of the Floral State is beautifnlk,
tTeTAt'S *R^ ''"'^ °' V^°" r"'y- ' "«"= ^-'t Se cen:
THMilh^f . .^'"^ ^75 feet above the sea level, it is not only a dehgh ful winter resort, but in summer the heat, which is so much felt .n other parts, is tempered by the Gulf breeze rom the south and statistics show us that the mean temneratueh^ winter is 63.2 degrees, and in summer 77.5 de-rees the tLr mometer seldom varying above 93. ae^rees, the tiier-
From old Fort Louis, situated on a high bluff west of thf- city one has an admirable view of the surrounding countLas well as the town, and it needs a trip to this historic^ot where one ,s reminded of the gallant Jackson, to form a correct idelof the surroundings. Again, a pleasant drive is to go out south east o the town and see the magnificent fields, and thence around Lake Jackson, returning by the old homestead of the late Prince Mura t son of the King of Naples, whose body rests in the Gty
■ fT^'T ^"°'''," P'^^^ "^ ^"^"^'^'^ "<^s eighteen miles south of the city-the celebrated Wakulla Springs-and mus be seen to be appreciated
The soil of Leon county is prolific, and while the <;eni; tropical fruits flourish, and flowers' are raised a^d seen on "f sides throughout the winter, the fruits, garden and other oro ducts of a more northern clime can be culLated as we7 Pears"
etTlo flo'il'rkh' I:' Pr'?''"'"=-'' ^"S"^'^ ^^-^'^^t^.' pecans; the'^cTin° 7 ,-, Blackberries grow wild and are to be had fo; tne pick ng. It ,s a splendid farming country and offers the greatest inducements for general farming.
The F. R. & N. line traverses the county, and a railroad IS guaranteed to Thomasville, giving this sectiL an outleUo the
ham Ala to T^^' ' '"^'""'^ '^ being projected from Birming! ham Ala. to Ta lahassee, so it will not be long till she possesses the best of shipping facilities. e possesses
c;„,..J" '^^ij-^'?^'"^^.'" .'°'^^'*^'^ *e State Seminary, west of the Suwanee. This institution is graded as a college, aAd is endowed from a part of the proceeds of the sale of" Seminkry lands The citizens support a University Library, an extensive and superior collection of books, free to all who wish to use them The ■ county also has a fine free school system. All the leading relie! .oi|s denominations are represented by neat churches, not only n Tallahassee but throughout the county. ^
Though in one sense a new state, the census of 1880 shows
/
177 an increase in population of 30 per cent, over ^^^^J^'Hy"^
State among States.
GOVERNOR EDWARD A. PERRY.
FHward A Perrv the present Governor of Florida, was a New Engknd boy, ai;d first saw the light in Berkshire county Ma« March .5 885. He was educated at Yale, and came
South' in TssVsoon after leaving college, stopping first in S^rnp- South '" '»°4. soo & ^ ijggn n,ore in the
solit°o?a'dven"uretha„"w"h'any settled purpose of locating, and t^waslfu^mthis^pirit had been satisfied by many^^^^^^^^^^ -
LTS^lS^^tSuVe^
L Mon^'omery Ala., he made the necessary application, and
«rnla Fla where he commenced practice, and in a very lew vearsbSu'up a business worthy of his scholarship and training..
• '^a;7ouf ye^stte^^^^^^^^^^^^^ a^-
?i"on?f"hr;ouTmerof Pensacola J- by acclamation they
r-TSoX^of^-^^^^^^^
the usual road to the ottice oi ^o ;' Governor
plr^^c^r rc'f^ol^t pToSfe to^ Gubernational chair is not only^vidence of his great popularity, but of the people s con-
young"?pU haste|ed v^ith ^^J^-^^XnltTi^^i joined the army oVi^^^^^^^^^^^^^
l^'Ls' ind at a^eorganTza^^ of his regiment he was elected ufcolonel Being a fubject of notice at the War Department, he
12
178
was subsequently appointed Brigadier-General and given com- mand of what is known to history as Perry's Florida Brigade.
General Perry was twice wounded, the first time in the seven days' battle before Richmond, and again at the battle of the Wilderness. The latter wound was the most serious, and in fact necessitated the use of a crutch for nearly two years subsequent to the close of the war.
After the surrender at Appomattox, General Perry returned to Pensacola, and accepting the inevitable in good faith, again took up the practice of law. It is not surprising that the people received him back with open arms, or that his clientage soon became one of the largest possessed by any lawyer in the State. General Perry carried, in his crutch, a dumb but eloquent evi- dence of his devotion to his adopted State, and his fellow citizens were not slow to realize that his integrity and talents were as valuable in the civil walks of life as were his bravery and gallantry
in the field.
As a lawyer. Gen. Perry stands at the head of the Florida bar. He was influential in the return of his party to power, and, with- out being a politician, has always borne his part in her contests with opposing parties or factions.
The Democratic State Convention of 1884, assembled at Pensacola, nominated him for the Governorship, and in the fol- lowing fall he was elected by a very large majority. He was in- augurated January 6, 1885, on the east portico of the Capitol at Tallahassee, in the presence of a very large and enthusiastic assemblage.
As a Chief Magistrate, Governor Perry has served his people so well that, as we write, his political opponents are using his very success as a Governor against him as a candidate for the United States Senate. In mock admiration they declare the State cannot afford to lose him from the Executive Chair. Comment is unnecessary, and this article will be in print before the contest is ended.
GENERAL WILLIAM D. BARNES,'
COMPTROLLER OF STATE.
General William D. Barnes was born in Hertford county. North Carolina, August 27th, 1830. His parents, Thomas and Sarah A. Barnes, were natives of the " Old North State," the father being a well-to-do planter. Young William D. received
179
a ^ood eduction, graduating with honors from the academic de- Lrtment of he University of North Carolina in the year 1852. P'^Tive years previous to his graduation his parents had re- moved to Florida, settling in Jackson county. The young grad- uate turned his attention to the study of the l^w, and made his debut as a rising young lawyer in the --^%^J . Jl^^^^^^^^^ abilities as an attorney advanced him rapidly to the tront rank, and n 1856, only four years after his leavmg college we find hhn chosen to the honorable position of Presidentia Elector on ^Democratic ticket. The following year he was elected to the office oTstate Solicitor of the First Judicial Circuit, which posi- tion he filled ably and satisfactorily for four years.
In 1 860, being then thirty years of age Gener^^ Bar^^^^^^^^^^ a wife from among the fair daughters of the '^ Old North State^ fn the person of Miss Arabella C. Cotton, daughter of John W. Cotton^ a former resident of the Floral State. The result of this happy union was six promising children, two of whom are grown the oldest son, William D. Barnes, Jr., being in the National Rank of the State of Florida, at Jacksonville.
Early in 1862, when brave Southern boys were rushing to the front to fight fir a cause they believed to be right and just, the subiect of^this sketch entered the Confederate army as a pri- vate Private Barnes, however, was not the man to remain long Tn the humbler departments of any calling, whether it be hat of nrofessional man,^politician or soldier, and as his talents and enereyha^^ ^^ ^ prominent position in civil
Ufe so hTs merits were quickly recognized ^n the army, and he ros'efror^ private to commissioned officer and still up, unti at t'h dosTo'f the war he held the rank of L-utenant-Mo^^ infantrv in the regular army of the South. He served witn brS and distincdon through the war, acting most of the time
^" ^'m Sti:^^^^^^^ General Barnes went back to the
practfce of law in Florida, and in 1868, when the State was en- E to only one Congressman, he was nominated for said ofifice on the Democratic ticket and made a thorough canvass of the S^atrund^rgreat difficulties, and against the strongest odds, in 1876 he was elected to the State Senate, serving his
Ot ^^eutenani ou himself an efficient parliamentarian.
i8o I
Bloxham in January, 1881, discharging his duties so acceptably during Governor Bloxhani's administration that he was imme- diately re-apppinted by Governor Perry on his accession to the chief office in the State. ,. , r .i.
General Barnes was a prominent candidate for the nomina- tion for Governor at the Democratic convention of 1884, but his name was withdrawn, at his own request, before the nominations were offered in the convention.
Perhaps no gentleman in Florida has a more extensive knowledge of State affairs, or is held in higher estimation by his fellow citizens, than General Barnes, and being still in the prime ofa vigorous manhood, the people have reason to expect from this valued public officer and patriotic citizen many years of de- voted and faithful service.
DR. JOHN LOVICK CRAWFORD.
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Dr John Lovick Crawford, the present Secretary of State of Florida is a native of Green county, Ga., and received a liberal education at Oxford and Covington. At the age of ten years, his parents removed to Newton county, where he attended for a
while a manual training school. . , ^. ,,. v ^
Chosin<^ the profession of medicine for his calhng, he at- tended the medical college at Augusta. Ga., where, after credit- ably completing his studies, he received the degree of M D. in the year 1844. Soon after his graduation, the young doctor left his native State and came to Florida, which was then a terri- tory settlin^T in Newport, Wakulla county, a few months before Florida was^dmitted as a State into the Union, which event
occurred in 1845. ,1 1.1
In 1847, he was elected to the Assembly, and subsequently served his constituents for the long period of 16 years in the State Senate with ability and great credit. The year after his election to the Assembly, the rising young physician married an estimable young lady, a native flower of the Floral State. Miss Elizabeth E. Walker, whose parents were old and well-to-do
residents of Florida. t. • u -j n f ^u^
In 1851, Dr. Crawford removed to Bainbridge, Ga., tor the purpose of giving his children a thorough education, the schools in Florida at that early day being very few and very inferior. He resided in Bainbridge ten years, retaining his interests in
181
FloHda. however, during the -^^^^^'t tiS pfrtfyt^^^^^^^^ abundant means in those days, he ^Pf ^.^'^ '™^ Pf^^.^^ interests, and partly on his plantations •"J'°"'^^'/,%S of his happy convenience or Pl<=^5"';\'"'^''".'='^ .^^V .„„ children three sons marriage, Dr Crawford ^Z-X\iZe!tsinhk .-in no doubt and one daughter, whose bright Pr°=P^^J' 'g i„^o„ •• Train up verify the well-known proverb °f;''f Xn he i^oTd he will not a child in the way he should go, and when he is oia
'^^P^^h^cSs children are all grown. tWoungest, a bo^^^ being just of age. The o'^est s°n He ^ -^ ,',"„Sives
fordsviUe, Fla., and is a member °fthe house o p ^^^
from Wakulla county. John T- the second son ^
promising young lawyer in Fort ©.g^en, Fla. Thejou^ g ^^ is with htm. The daughter married Mr. John W. ^
the Confederate cause. ^^^ appointed by
Govi:.i^=ham^o' tt fl and Ho-able Pojtion of ^ tary of State, which office he fil ed so ^bly and saUs^actor >
HON. DAVID LANG,
ADJUTANT GENERAL, STATE OF FLORIDA.
The noble State of Georgia is noted f-^^J^-^.^o'^nl many eminent men, who have --P-irSda i5 indebted responsibility in National and State anairs r
to her neighbor on the -"^'V^"! /^ott mportant poSs in have filled wi* creda many of he mo^t impo^^.^ ^^^ ^^.^_
L^^SraTsLe^f FTori?a:^:ho was born in Jeffersonton, Cam- den county, Georgia May 9th, 1838^ ^^^.^^^^ Lang, were
l82
county, Florida, where they settled, and the year following^, young David Lang was made Surveyor of the county, which office he filled with efficiency for two years — until the breaking out of the war.
When the tocsin of war was sounded, the young surveyor threw down his instruments of peace and took up the weapons of battle, enlisting in Captain T. A. McDonell's company, First Florida Regiment, April 2d, 1861. He served as first sergeant of Company H until the regiment was mustered out April 2d, 1862. He then raised a company, and was made Captain of Com- pany C, Eighth Florida Regiment, May lOth, 1862. In a little more than four months afterwards, or on September 17th, 1862, he had risen to the rank of Colonel of his regiment as the re- ward of brave and meritorious service. He served the Southern cause till it was lost on the field of Appomattox, April 9th, 1865, commanding, at the surrender of Lee, Gen'l Finnegan's Brigade.
General Lang took part in many of the greatest battles of the late war, his regiment having been engaged in every fight of the Army of Virginia from the second Manassas to the close of the war, and General Lang being with his regiment in every action except one.
Of the many brave and noble men of the Eighth Florida Regiment who went forth to fight for the Southern cause, few ever returned to their homes. Though the cause was lost, yet monuments to the Confederate dead have inscribed on marble tablets the names of the great battles in which they were en- gaged, and surviving veterans can recount with melancholy pride the names that have become historical as fields of human slaughter, where they bore conspicuous parts in the fray. If Confederate veterans were decorated with badges bearing the names of the battles in which they fought, then General David Lang's badge would bear the names of second Manassas, Sharps- burg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Culpepper Court House and all the battles of the Wilderness. The General was wounded in the battles of Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg.
In 1866, General Lang was married to one of the fair daughters of the " Old Dominion " and brought her down to his old home in Suwanee county, where he served as Surveyor of the county till 1868, when the Republicans obtained control of the State. He then turned his attention to farming, afterwards becoming lumber and timber inspector with Drew & Bucki. His diversified talents enabling him to be successful in many departments of business activity, we next find him acting as
183
Assistant Engineer in the United States Goyf ^""^^^ ^'^^^^"^ Harbor Improvement. He was appointed by Governor Periy in 1885 to his present honorable position of Adjutant General of Ihe State of Florida, which confers on him the rank of Major General, ex-officio.
DAVID CONKLIN WILSON,
CLERK OF THE SUPREME COURT STATE OF FLORIDA.
Mr David C. Wilson is a native of the capital city of Florida, and first saw the light September .4th, .842. "is parents w„e David C. and Elizabeth Wilson, both natives of the OW f^o mhi ion " State, coming to Florida in 1827. They settled in ?Xhassee, Leon coun'ty, and the ^A-.b-a-e a l-ding and prosperous merchant of the city, and a highly respected citizen ^ Young David Wilson was sent to the Oglethorpe University of Georgia in 1859. and was making rapid progress in his studies when thi call to 'arms was sounded, to which he pro^tlyre^ sponded. throwing aside his books and foregoing the honor and satisfaction of graduation. He joined Captain G. W. I'f kn"'s company and ferved on the Potomac River f Evan sport till he evacuation of Manassas. He then entered the Second Florida Regiment of Infantry, commanded by General "O^ Governor) E A Perry, a few dkys before the seven days' battle around Richmond He was at Appomattox when Lee surrendered , returning after the surrender to his native city and engaging in the peaceful pursuit of mercantile life. By his industry, enter- prfsfand integrity, he became a thriving and prominent merchant of TaHahassee becoming widely known and making many friends °' In FebruW. '885 *e Ju'dges of the State Supreme Cour selected him as the most available man to discharge the duties of Chief Clerk of said court, and it is well known the appointee has given the highest satisfaction in the discharge of his responsi-
^'' *Mf Wilson is deservedly popular with the bar of the State and the obliging disposition shown in serving the people has made for him a host of friends in every walk of life.
i84 SENATOR H. S. WILLIAMS.
The Hon. H. S. Williams, representing the counties of Bre- vard and Dade in the State Senate, is one of the leading and most influential men in legislative councils. He was born in New Jersey, July 27, 1833, and moved to Missouri when he was twenty years old. He served an apprenticeship of three years at the carriage business, becoming a skilled mechanic in that art. From Missouri he went to Mobile and continued at his trade there until the late war, when he enlisted in the 40th Ala- bama Regiment. He served with his regiment with meritorious ■courage and daring through the entire war, and was engaged in all the great battles of the Western army.
He was captured at Bentonville, March 19, 1865, and after his liberation he went to Demopoli.'j, Ala., and resumed his busi- ness of carriage manufacturing and repairing. He also owned a large plantation near Demopolis, which, with a flourishing city business, gave him a very comfortable income, and placed him in affluent circumstances, but the carpet-bag government in Alabama demoralized business, and Mr. Miller lost the bulk of iiis property.
He then moved, in 1872, to Selma, Ala., where he contin- ued at his trade for one year. Coming to Florida on a tour of inspection in 1873, he was so charmed with the Indian River country, and especially with that section known as Rockledge, that he went back to Selma, settled up his business there and brought his family down to that far-famed garden spot of the Land of Flowers.
The last move proved to be the best he ever made, and his investment in Indian River property has been by far the most profitable one, the Senator being now the possessor of very val- uable property in the shape of a magnificent orange grove of thirty-five acres and 3,000 thrifty trees, the* most of which are bearing, and the balance near the bearing age.
When the entire grove gets into full bearing it will bring in a princely income to its fortunate owner.
Senator Williams has made a first-rate reputation as a writer, having written a series of highly interesting articles for the Florida Agriculttirist, under the caption, " Pioneer Life on the Indian River." These sketches were over seventy in number, and presented in very graphic manner a vivid and true picture of the natural beauties and attractions of that highly favored section of the State. The descriptive articles which came from
WILLIAM D. BLOXHAM. »ee Page 198.
I From "Jacksonvine, the Metropolis of Florida," by James Esgate.J
185
the fluent pen of the honorable gentleman were the best word pictures of the scenery, soil, climate, productions, manner of life etc., of the Indian River country that ever appeared, and attracted a great deal of attention at the time, creatmg an m- creased demand for the Agnculturist, the articles also being cop- ied into other widely circulated journals, spreading the fame of Indian River over the whole United States, and extendmg also across the Atlantic. The honorable gentleman was the first postmaster appointed to Rockledge, which position he held for six years. He also held the responsible position of treasurer of Brevard county for four years, discharging his duties with fidel- ity and ability. r c*. 4. In 1884 he was elected to the honorable position ol btate Senator for the long term, and in proof of his acknowledged abihties, we find him placed on the following committees : on Corporations, Enrolled Bills, Emigration, Education, Indian Af- fairs and Engrossed Bills, the latter two of which he is chair- man. , . ,
The Senator has been haypy in his domestic relations, hav- ing married in 1870, at Demopolis, a very worthy lady. Miss Cornelia Coates, a native of Alabama.
That Senator Williams is a hard and earnest worker is shown by the fact that he has been placed on more standing com- mittees than almost any other man in the Senate, serving on no less than six of the most important ones, viz: Indian Attairs, Temperance, Education, Corporations, Enrolled Bills and Immi- gration, being chairman of the first mentioned one. The honor- able gentleman is a true representative of the people, having woVked his way up from the laborious, but honest daily toil ot a mechanic, to that of a prosperous manufacturer, and from the hard work of a farmer to the position of a wealthy orange grower and honored State Senator, all of which has been ac- complished by his energy, integrity and inherent talents.
SENATOR P. E. McMURRAY,
EIGHTEENTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.
The Hon P. E. McMurray, representing the Eighteenth District in the State Senate, is a fine example of what inherent talents, industry, perseverance and faithful discharge of duty, can accomplish ; and a brief biography of him will undoubtedly prove
i86
interesting, especially since he now occupies so prominent a po- sition before the public.
He was born in Leitrim county, Ireland, in 1841, and was raised and educated there until he was sixteen years of age,, when he bade farewell to green Erin and came to America to seek his fortune. He settled in New Haven, Connecticut, where he finished his education and learned the trade of carriage mak- ing, serving an apprenticeship of three years.
In 1 861, being in the East, he naturally cast his lot on the side of the North, and joined the Ninth Connecticut Regiment. He fought gallantly for the Union, under the Stars and Stripes^ for three years,"serving principally in the Army of the Gulf, under Generals Banks and Butler.
On the return of peace, he laid down his arms and -went back to Connecticut, resuming his old trade, at which he worked industriously two years, when, seeking to better his fortunes, he went to California, and embarked in the carriage manufacturing business for himself, under the style of P. E. McMurray. He carried on the business in California from 1867 to 1874, when he made a second move, this time settling in Jacksonville, Florida,, where he opened up his well known carriage manufactory on Pine and Church streets. Being an industrious and enterprising man, and doing first-class work, it was not long before he was doing a thriving business, and he became well known in the community. Being, like the most of his nationality, a good natured man, he made many friends, who selected him for the office of City Marshal of Jacksonville, to which he was elected' in 1877, "taking an efficient and capable officer.
In 1879, he was elected to the City Council, and re-elected in 1880, '81 and '82, his successive elections showing that his faithful and able service was fully appreciated by his constituents.
Having increased his popularity by fidelity and efficiency in city offices, he was elevated to the State Senate in November,, 1886. He is a member of the standing committees on Com- merce and Navigation and on City and County Organizations, on which committees he is an earnest worker.
The Honorable gentleman is also president of the Irish Na- tional Land League, in which high position he is exerting a powerful influence to relieve the oppressions of his brethren of the Emerald Isle.
He is a man of family, having obtained the fair hand of Miss- Kate A. Scanlon, of Branford, Connecticut, the holy union hav- ing been consummated in 1875.
.87
• The Senator is a Republican in politics and conviction, and acts up to what he believes to be right. His friends, however, are not confined to the Republican party, as he has very many also in the Democratic ranks. Judging by his past honorable career in city positions, there is every reason to believe that Mr. McMurray will leave a bright record for himself in the present Legislature.
HON. JOHN WESLEY WHIDDEN,
SENATOR 27TH DISTRICT.
The Hon John W. Whidden is one of the oldest, best known and most popular members of the Florida Legislature, having served faithfully and acceptably in both branches for the long period often years, six of which he spent in the Assembly. When a man has had a long and honorable career in the politi- cal and general affairs of the State, and has taken an active and conspicuous part on her bloody battlefields, his biography be- comes a necessary and interesting part of the history of his State. Such a man is the distinguished gentleman whose name appears above. He was born in Thomas county, Georgia, the grand old State that has furnished so many able men to shape the destiny and contribute to the general welfare of the Floral State, on June
^^^' His^parents, who were also natives of Georgia migrated to Florida in 1 84 1 , bringing with them the infant John W The father became a prosperous farmer and a much respected citizen of South Florida, giving to the son a fair education m the common schools of thai part of the State. Like his father before hin., he chose the quiet and independent life of a farmer, to which he added the very profitable one of cattle-broker Always promptly responding to the call of his State, heenhstedin Captain Leseys Independent Volunteers and served with bravery throughout the Florida Indian War. When Florida sent its quota to swell the Confederate army, this experienced soldier in Indian warfare was among them, commencing as First Lieutenant f-m wh ^ he was promoted to the Captaincy of Company E Seventh J 1^^^^^ ida Infantry. His regiment joined the army in the West where he saw active service under Generals Bragg, Joseph E. Johnson.
"''''Hrfou^ghl'gallantly in eleven general engagements several of which were among the most bloody and hotly contested of
i88
the war, and many minor ones. Conspicuous among these bloody conflicts, which have become memorable in the annals of history, may be mentioned Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Mis- sionary Ridge, and last, but not least in terrible slaughter for the I number engaged, the fight at Franklin, in all of which Captain Whidden bore himself with dauntless courage and praiseworthy
coolness.
He was captured December i6th, 1863, near Nashville, and remained a prisoner of war on Johnson's Island till the close of the war. He then returned to his home in Arcadia, Manatee county, Florida, where he resumed the occupation of farming and cattle-broker.
Believing in the old adage that "It is not good for man to be alone," Captain Whidden chose for a life-partner Miss Ellen C. Hendry, an excellent lady, of an old, widely known and prominent Florida family, being united to her in the holy bonds of matrimony in Manatee county, on the 7th of November, 1865. Their union has been blessed by the birth of seven children, two boys and five girls, of which two are grown, a boy and girl, the former being a thriving merchant in Arcadia.
The Hon. John W. Whidden represents the 27th Senatorial District, composed of Manatee and Polk counties. The very fact that he has been returned five successive times to the Legislature is sufficient evidence of his ability as a law-maker, and of his faithful discharge of the obligations placed upon him by his con- stituents.
He is Chairman of the Committee on State Affairs, and is an active member of the Committees on Public Lands, of Rail- roads and Telegraphs and of Indian Affairs, on which commitees he is doing some of the most important work of the session.
JUDGE HENRY CLAY HICKS.
The Hon. Henry C. Hicks, representing Franklin county, Fla., in the Assembly, is a splendid specimen of a Kentuckian, physically and mentally. He was born in Louisville, Ky., and was educated in the CJniversitay of that State, entering its law department in 1847, graduating therefrom in 1850, receiving also the degree of A. B. as well as his law diploma.
The same year of his graduation he went to Texas and be- gan the practice of his profession in Jasper county. His polished address, his fluency as a speaker, and his abilities as a lawyer, soon secured him a large practice, and gained him great popu-
189
larity and he was chosen to represent his county in the Texas Lems'lature, although quite young at that time. He served his constituents for two terms with credit to himself and entire satis- faction to his county. He also filled the office of U. S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, with honor and efficiency. Mr Hicks was offered by President Buchanan during his admin- istration the high and responsible office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Arizona, but he declined it, prefering to remain in Texas.
judge Hicks was a delegate to the secession convention ot the Lone Star State, which tore its glittering star from the azure folds of the flag of the Union and added another luminary to the
" Stars and Bars." -.^ t t^ • .u d k
After the close of the war, Governor E. J. Davis, the Repub- lican Executive of the State of Texas, offered the District Judge- ship of the Galveston Circuit to Judge Hicks, if he would accept it as a political office, which was indignantly declined, the Judge considering it a prostitution of an important trust to make such
an office a partisan one. .
The Judge has always been a staunch and incorruptible Democrat, and was for four years a member of the Democratic Central Committee of Texas, during which time he did good service to the Democratic cause in State and National affairs.
Tudge Hicks first came to the Floral State in 1873, but did not settle in Florida until five years after, when he chose Appa- lachicola, Franklin county, for his future home. He represented said county in the Constitutional Convention of 1885, and is a-ain the chosen representative of this county in the present Assembly His name was mentioned as a candidate lor the Speakership of the Assembly, and in the absence of Speaker Pasco he has discharged the arduous duties of said office in so methodical, prompt and impartial a manner as stamps him as a thorough^parha^me^^^^^^^^ child, who has never
left the paternal roof, and has thus made his home a happy one
by her careful attentions. ^^c^^^a
ludee Hicks is a hale, well-preserved gentleman, of refined and dignified bearing, ready wit, and one of the most popular members ot the Assembly.
190 GEN'L WM. MILLER.
FOURTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.
One of the most 'llstinguished members of the State Senate is the Hon. Wm. Milkr, of Washington County, Fla. This gen- tleman is a native of Ithaca, N. Y., the date of his birth being August 3d, 1820. While he was yet an infant, his parents moved to Louisiana, where he was raised and educated. After acquir- ing a good collegiate education at the Louisiana College, and declining the .tempting offer of a cadetship at West Point, he studied law in New Orleans.
At the breaking out of the Mexican War in 1845, the young lawyer, with the military ardor of youth, enlisted, and fought valiantly under General Taylor, through the entire war. At its close, the veteran returned to Louisiana, where he remained but a short time, coming to Florida and settling near Pensacola. He built a saw mill at St. Mary, De Galvay Bay, Santa Rosa county, and did a flourishing business there for several years, till 1 86 1, when he raised six companies of infantry, and uniting them to a battalion of four companies, previously raised by General Patten Anderson, he reorganized the first Florida Infan- try. The Colonel, with his fine regiment of brave volunteers, all eager for the fray, joined General Bragg's army, and served with distinction in some of the hardest fought battles of the Western army. At Mumfordsville, Bragg's army, of which Colo- nel Miller's regiment was a part, captured 4,500 prisoners. In the fight at Perryville, Ky., Gen. Jno. C. Brown, the Commander of the Brigade, was wounded, the command of the troops then devolving upon General Miller. In this action General Miller proved himself a brave, cool, intrepid and able commander. Murfreesboro was one of the bloodiest battles fought between the western armies, and here General Miller made a record for valiant and meritorious conduct. /^ ^
During Breckenridge's charge at Stone River, General Miller led his command, and after his troops were repulsed he rallied the First and Third Florida Infantry and formed the first line of defense. After this memorable conflict. General Miller was sent to Mobile, Ala., on detached duty, from which he was transferred in 1863 to Tallahassee, Fla., where he was promoted and placed in command of the troops for the District of Florida, which responsible position he held till the close of the war, showing in many trying circumstances and difficult emergencies.
191
the qualities of a great General. He proceeded at once to organize the disjointed forces then in the State, discipline the troops, fortified important strategic points in the State, rebuilt railroads that had been destroyed by the Federals, re-etablished telegraph lines and protected the State against Federal incur- sions. Near the close of the war, he met an invading force of nearly double his number at Newport and the Natural Bridge, defeating them with great slaughter and driving them to their ships.
One of his feats of Generalship and ingenuity is worthy of special mention. About ten miles of track had been destroyed near Baldwin by the Federals, cutting off General Miller's trans- portation between Cedar Key and Quincy. Taking a train to the end of the track that remained intact, he took the cars to pieces, transported them across the gap, through the woods in wagons and put them together again at Baldwin. With his reconstructed train he carried 1,500 troops to the vicinity of Jacksonville, drove in the forces of General Hatch, took up the iron and rebuilt the destroyed road, thus connecting the Ceder Key road with the road from Baldwin to Quincy. He then took the iron from Mr. Yulee's road and finished the road from Live Oak to the Savan- nah and Gulf Road, thus connecting the Florida roads with the other railroads of the Confederacy for the first time.
On the return of peace the General settled in Washington county, and in 1870 he built a large steam saw mill, which has proved a profitable investment.
In 1858, he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the State Senate, and in 1 860 was a candidate for the Secession Convention. In 1880 he was elected to the House from Wash- ing county, and was County Commissioner in 1885. On Novem- ber 2d, 1886, he was elected to the State Senate from the Fourth District, and has been placed on some of the most import- ant standing committees. He is chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, and his name appears on the Committees on State Affairs, Militia and Fisheries.
The General is a large property owner, and is a prosperous
and opulent farmer. He is a man of good proportions, dignified
and venerable appearance, and courteous manners. His large
and varied experience is of great service in shaping the affairs
■ of State.
*>?
192 SENATOR WILLIAM T. ORMAN.
There are very few members of the Florida Senate who have seen as much of public life as the Hon. William T. Orman, rep- resenting the Fifth Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Franklin and Calhoun.
This gentleman is a native of Florida, having first opened his eyes on the world in Jackson county August 23d, 1830. His father, who was a prosperous merchant and much respected citi- zen of Appalachicola, Florida, provided him with very superior educational advantages, sending him to the best institutions in New Haven, Connecticut. After having made good use of the opportunities afforded him as a student, he returned to his father's house and engaged with his parent in the general merchandise business, which he followed with success, until the outbreak of hostilities in 186 1. At the call of his State he sprang to arms, enlisting in the Confederate army, and being made ist Lieutenant of the Franklin Rifles, which became company B of the First Florida Regiment. This regiment joining the Western army, Lieutenant Orman took an active part in many of its heaviest campaigns, and displayed great intrepidity- and discipline in some of the severest conflicts in the West, among which the terrible battles of Shiloh and Murfreesboro were conspicuous. He served as a brave soldier and gallant ofificer under Generals Bragg, Hood and Johnston, being included with Johnston in the surrender at Greenville, North Carolina.
After his parole he returned to his old home in Apalachicola, where he engaged in the real estate business. Making himself popular in his community by his geniality sociability and good business habits ; and taking a prominent interest in local aftairs, he was elected to the city council, where he did much faithful work to further the welfare of his city. He also served several years as city clerk, making a capable and thorough city officer. His services in the city council were so well appreciated that his name became well known to the citizens of his county, and he was elected in 1870 to a higher and more responsible position, viz: to represent Franklin county in the lower branch of the Legislature. In this wider sphere, he made his influence felt for
193
the public good, and he was twice returned, making three suc- cessive terms in the Assembly, becoming familiar with all the minutiae of that branch of the Legislature.
■ Mr. Orman's constituents were so well pleased with the able manner in which he had represented them in the Assembly for six years, that they determined to place him in a still higher and more responsible trust, electing him to the State Senate for the long term, in 1876, from the Fifth District. His long experience in the House was of great service to Senator Orman, and he was soon at home in the Senate, taking an active part in its proceed- • ings and on its committees. He made an enviable record durmg his long term in the Senate, of which his constituents were justly proud, and was again returned to his seat in that honorable body
in 1884.
The same year he was sent as a delegate to the Democratic Convention at Chicago, which nominated Cleveland for the Presidency. Whenever any veryjmportant public work was re- quired to be done, the people of 1^ ranklin and Calhoun counties always called upon Senator Orman as the ablest and most available man to do such work, and we find his name as the chosen dele- gate to represent the Fifth Senatorial District in the Constitutional Convention of 1885. At the present time he is chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation, and is a very effi- cient member of the Committees on Public Lands, Health and E:ducation, respectively. • ^r c -^u
Mr. Orman was married in 1866 to Miss Annie V. Smith, a charming lady of Gadsden county, by whom he had one daughter, who is now attending the Wesleyan Female College
at Macon, Georgia. , . r 1 i. -
The Senator comes of a long-lived family, his father having attained to the full age of four-score years, and his mother being yet alive at the venerable age of eighty-two years.
Mr. Orman is a wealthy real estate owner, and has a valuable
bearing orange grove. .
The foregoing facts in the brilliant career of so eminent a public man as Senator Orman, are sufficient to show the high estimation in which he is held by his constituents and by all who have ever had the honor of his acquaintance. His many years of useful and honorable public service, although still in the prime of Hfe proves him to be a man of ability, energy and integrity, a deep 'thinker, a close observer and an experienced and sate counselor.
13
t 194
HON. AUGUSTUS C. TIPPIN.
A prominent member of the House of Representatives in the Florida Legislature is Hon. Augustus C. Tippin, represent- ing Escambia county.
Mr. Tippin was born on the 13th of March, 1838, in Conecuh count>', Alabama, where he was also raised and received what education the common schools of that section afforded at that time. He may, in fact, be said to be a self-made man, the most of his education being of the practical kind, his knowledge ot the world being acquired by reading and observation, and his success in life being due to his indomitable energy and perse- verance, combined with vigorous mental faculties.
September 19th, 1 861, is a date never to be forgotten by Mr. Tippin, for it was then that he obtained something better than a fortune, in the hand and heart of Miss Bcthina E. Casselbury. He had not long, however, to enjoy the bli.ss of the honeymoon, when the stern call of duty tore him from the arms of his bride to face shot and shell. The year of his marriage was also the year made memorable in history, when were " let loose the dogs of war," and then began the greate.st civil strife the world ever
saw.
The voune bride«iroom bade farewell to his bride and en- listed in the First Florida Infantry, being elected lieutenant of his company. He served valiantly with his regiment in the Western army under Generals Bragg and Johnston, and was engaged in many of the hottest fights of the Western army, re- ceiving honorable wounds in no less than seven different battles. In the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, he was severely wounded and taken prisoner, but after being held a captive for two months was exchanged. It was fully four months, however, before this brave young officer had sufficiently recovered from his wound to report for duty, which he did promptly ; his command being then in Tennes.see. Again and again did this dauntless hero re- ceive the leaden messengers of the enemy into his body, fortu- nately escaping with his life ; but wounds and suffering seemed not to cool the ardor of his daring, nor to swerve him from duty in the cause he thought was right. Had he been a great general, his deeds of bravery would have been recorded on the pages of history, and the world for generations to come would have ad- mired the same heroism, which, in a subordinate officer, are too often unnoticed.
At the close of the war, Mr. Tippin returned to Alabama,
and eneacred in the manufacture, of hewn timber. In 1875 he came to the Floral State and settled in Escambia county becom- ing timber and lumber inspector for D. F. Sullivan an^d also for the State occupying the latter position up to the present time.
In 1870 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the lower house of the Legislature, and serving his constituents so well and satisfactorily, he was returned to his seat !" the Assem- bly in 1886 by a handsome majority. He is doing thorough work on the committees, being chairman of the Standing Com- mittee on Militia, and is a member of the Committees on City and County Organization and on Census and Apportionment. He is a member in good standing of the Norns Lodge No. 301, F &A M of Alabama, and is a prominent and consistent member
of the M E Church. He is a well built and fine specimen of physical manhood ; well developed and evenly balanced mentally, a polished gentleman and a Christian.
THE HON. McKEEN CARLTON.
The Honorable gentleman whose name appears above was born in Thomas county, Georgia, in December 1825. He was raised and educated there, and in November. 1844, removed to Florida settling in Alachua county, where he engaged in farm- ing In 1 847 he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Morrison, a much esteemed young lady of Alachua county^ This union has been blessed with ten fine and promising children.
After farming for thirtv-two years in Alachua county, Mr. Carlton moved to the adjoining county of Putnam in 1876. Pre- vious to this time, however, he had held the important office ot Justice of the Peace for Alachua county for the years from 1867
^"^ '^Settliner down in the fertile county of Putnam, Mr. Carlton ao-ain engaged in farming, adding to general farming the raising of an orange grove. He has now six acres of a bearing orange crrove which is very valuable and is rapidly increasing in value. " He was elected to the Assembly from Putnam county in November, 1886, and is making a useful member of that hon- orable body He is a member of the standing v^ommittees on Indian Affairs, Post Routes and Finance and Taxation, respec- tively, on which, as well as on special committees, he is doing
much effective work. /- 4.u^i,v ri,„rrVi
Mr Carlton is a consistent member of the Catholic Churcn, and is a highly respected and influential citizen of his county
196
Having had very little to do with politics, he is not versed in wire-pulling and political trickery-. He is, however, a practical, common-sense, straightforward man of the people, and will serve his constituents and the State with ability.
HON. JAMES WOOD DAVIDSON.^
James Wood Davidson was born in Newbury District, South Carolina, March 9, 1829. From his early boyhood the love of books amounted to a passion. He graduated in 1852, with dis- tinguished honors from the South Carolina College, receiving the degree of A. B. For him it was but a step from the student's desk to the Professor's chair, and he left the former at Columbia only to accept the latter at Winnsboro, South Carolina, where he, on his graduation, had been tendered a Greek professorship.
His Alma Mater, two years after his graduation, feeling she had not sufficiently honored her talented son, conferred on him the higher degree of A. M.
Professor Davidson resigned his chair in Mt. Zion College to establish the Corolina High School, in Columbia, which he conducted with exceptional ability and success until the com- mencement of hostilities in 1861, when, offering his services to the infant Confederacy, he was commissioned an Adjutant of In- fantry in Stonewall Jackson's corps, and served with recognized ability and gallantly until the surrender at Appomattox.
Returning to South Carolina, the soldier doffed his uniform and again put on the Professor's cap. The double chair of ancient classics in the Columbia Male Academy being tendered him, he accepted it ; and in addition to its duties, entered the field of journalism. His ability as a journalist led to the resignation of his professorship, and the devotion of his talents exclusively to literature. Professor Davidson's writings are distinctive in purity and beauty and have won him a host of admirers and friends that have never had the pleasure of meeting him per- sonally. He was for some time literary and dramatic editor of the New York Evening Post, and for many years the New York correspondent of the London Standard. He was for some years engaged in the educational department of D. Appleton & Co's publishing establishment. The publication which has made him best known in his native State is his excellent School History of South Carolina, which was promptly adopted by the State Board of Education, and is now in use in the Public Schools, having become deservedly popular.
197
While the literati of the South are ^-"^^1^-7^^^^!;;^ ^^^^^^^^ they know him best through his timely and admirable Livin^^^ Writers of the South." Few books, if indeed any, of '"ecent publication command a higher P/ice than this one^ No lover of Southern literature can afford to be without it, and it is to be hoped Prof Davidson may find the time and be visited with the SaUon to bring his work up to the present, and publish
^""^^S wishing to insert here an advertisement ^ a ADoleton & Co's school books, we cannot refrain from saying Siaia knowledge by Southern educators and parents, that Prof. Salidso^n Tvas f^ years employed by t^e App etons in he pr - paration of their school series, will contribute, at least, to their favorable consideration of these book.s. ^..ttlpd in
In 1884 Prof Davidson came to Florida, and settled in Dade county; where he varies literary prusuits with the cultiva- tion of sub-tropical fruits. mnntv in the
In 1885 he was elected to represent Dade count) in tne
''''''t::^:^^^^^^^^^^^ and to the
that thev elected him to a seat in the present Legislature.
'''' VroVssor Davidson is a man of.-P--lP;-X"irher7o; tivated manners and while no man in Florida stands higher lor schobrshi and 'recognized ability, certainly none are clothed in more becoming modesty.
HON. JNO. C. PELOT.
nr Tno C Pelot representing Manatee county, Fla, in the AsseSbl J?comes of a ve?y old anS distinguished ^^--^y^^f-^^^
[^Tn^^:iMaTo^^"oS^^^^^^^^
SJr a*d gre/t ff^^^^^^^--- ttli^g orAmeiri'^d. but three Senators from the eastern section of Florida, serving
198
from 1836 to 1844. He also acted as President, //v A///, of the Secession Convention of the State.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Nassau county, Fla., March, 1831, his parents removing the same year to Columbia county, where his father had a large plantation, and afterward owned a plantation in Alachua county. He was raised in the latter county, receiving a fair education, finishing the same with a course in the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia. Returning to his native State, he practiced medicine in Alachua county till the commencement of the late war, when he was commissioned as Assistant Surgeon in thj Confederate army. He was engaged in the general service on the medical staff till the end of the war, making an efficient and intrepid medical officer. After the cessation of hostilities, he returned to Florida, removing to Manatee, Manatee county, where he engaged in the practice of his profession and started an orange grove of some 1,500 to 2,000 trees, most of which are now bearing. In 1885, he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Manatee, and did good service in that body.
He was elected in 1886 to the House from Manatee county, and is an influential member of some of its important standing committees. He is Chairman of the committee on Public Health, and a member of the committees on Public Lands and on Rules, respectively. His profound medical knowledge and his exper- ience in the practice of medicine, make him especially fitted for his position as chairman of Public Health, where his advice and wise counsel will have great influence in bettering the sanitary condition of many portions of the State.
Dr. Pelot's first wife was Mary E., daughter of Jas. G. Cooper. He was married to Miss Katie Gates, his present charming lady, in Manatee in 1879. He is a member in good standing of the Masons, is an intelligent, cultiv^ated and refined gentleman, a skillful physician and a popular citizen.
WILLIAM D. BLOXHAM. '
[From "Jacksonville, iht' Metropolis of Florida," by James E.sgate]
Ex-Governor William D. Bloxham was born in Leon county, Florida, July 9, 1835. His father was one of the pioneer settlers of that county, having moved from Virginia in 1825. He was placed at school in his native county, but, at the age of thirteen, was sent to a preparatory school in Virginia, and after-
.
199
wards to William and Mary College, ^^here he graduated in lune i8;i; He graduated in the law course at that veneiawe nst tu Sbu" hfs health failing him, he -v- ,Pr-'-f .^^'J',^ profession was given up for the more act.ve l-f °f ^ f "^*„^^- His fondness for politics led him early mto P°l'f"' f ' ^"°; notwithstanding his youth, he took an active part " h"s county in the election^f Buchanan. In 1861 he was ^'^5,*^ '° J^ Leeislature of his native State without opposition. He opposed the econstruction measures of Congress after the war, and was a PresTdential elector in 1868. In .870 he was unanimously noSd X the Democratic Convention to fill a vacancy then existing in the position of Lieutenant-Governor of the btate^ Hs legion to th'at position, after a spirted canvass, was the first Democratic triumph in Florida after the ^ar, In 872 J was nominated for Governor without opposit.on-Geneal Robe Bullock, of Marion county, being the candidate for Lieutenant Governor and Hon. C. W. Jones present United States Senator) and Hon S. L. Niblack being the Congressional nominees Owing to a severe storm that swept the peninsular part of the State on the day of election, a small vote was polled, and the ticket was defeated. In .876 Mr. Blo.xham served as a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee and took an ac- dve oart in that campaign, which resulted in the election of Hon. Geor4 F Drew as Governor. Mr. Bloxham was appointed Secretary of State under the new administration, which position he he d until the summer of .880, when he was again nominated for G^ernor Resigning the position of Secretary of State, he made a mos 'active canviss of the State, and was elected by over "ve Aou'and majority. . He was inaugurated in the presence of h^th Houses of the Leg s ature on January 4th, i8»l,ana seryea LGovernoTuntlJanulry6th, 1885, when his successor, Gov^ E A Perry was inducted into office. His administration was a „rP.t success and under it Florida developed more rapidly and S£^\^ .n any period of her histoo;. .ThXCtin that nominated his successor pronounced it the most brilliant m fVif- Viistorv of the commonwealth. . , ^
in Mav .885. President Cleveland appointed Governor Bloxham M^niter to Bolivia, but he declined the position, and r„'° November the same year, accepted th^ W-ntment of United States Surveyor-General for the District of Florida, which he now holds.
200
HON. JOSEPH B. WALL.
SENATOR 30 rn DISTRICT.
Prominent among the new members of the State Senat,< u,^ had the name of the Hon. Joseph B. Wall, of Tampa Ha Vp- re.senting the Thirtieth Senatorial District ^
This gentleman was born in Hernando county Florida June 23, 1847, and was raised on his father's extensive planU ion
linl^^rl^'T''""^,^ fair education ,n the schoK he VIC nity of his home. In 1863, being then only a youth of sixteen years, he enlisted in the Second Florida Reserves who°e
fnd"toT;nil'rh"''r'%'"!f "'^ T'' ^S^'"^' F^'^--' -v-^o" and tofurmsh the Confederate States army with beef He
had : tlste o?r "/h^- ""'',','''^='°- °f t'-- war, and after having had a taste of a soldier's life, he returned to his home in Her
nando county and read law in the office of the Hon John A Henderson He then went to the Law Department of the Unl-' yersity of Virginia. After completing his legal studies he 10 turned to Plorida and opened a law Office in^Tampa where h; fn iS-!l ^h" '° P'-^'^tice his profession up to the present time In 18,4 the rising young lawyer was appointed States Attorney by Governor Hart, which post he filled with ability ^
The autumn of 1875 was a memorable era in 'the life of the
to Miss Freddre l" l" "'^vf f' '" '''' "^^'^ ''^"'^■^ °^--dlock to Miss Freddie Lyke.s, a highly estimable lady, beloneine to
So'uth n^rffa."' "''^' P^""""'^"' ''""'''^^ °" *h'e Gulf S of
In November 1886, he was elected to his present seat in the
tT/ '■ ^"^ ^^' ''^"" P'^<^^^ °" ''''"^ °f it^ most important standing committees. He is chairman of the Committee on Commerce and Navigation, and is an active and effic^n" mem"
Sg" liVeTpTnse:^ °" ^"''"'''- '""'-' ''"'"^ ^"-'"^ ^^^ Senator Wall is the fortunate owner of four valuable oransre
^ n'he '°'"f.° ^^-"^ "" ''"^'"K '" ^ f"^ y^^^- the e groves will be worth to him a snug fortune in ca.sh, or if he retains them all, they will bring him a princely annual income .„A ^ "e, ^enator i.s a well developed man, physically mentally
srrve7an i:- ^ "' '' '" ^'"'^ ""' """ P-^cl lawyer, ^'claseob'^ soelke'r f?"'^^f*^°"^^' ^" energetic brain worker, and a fluent speaker. He will put in a great deal of very effective work in the present .session of the Legislature. ^orK in
201
HON. JAMES O. FARNELL.
TU H^r, Tames O Famell seems to have been born under a lucIv'sS b fng successfol in everything which he under- t[.s^ Ae has been especially successful in political life, pos- iting „";d'olt a kind of -.netism which «aWe^ im popu-
'D^^/rnrorrmtirs wL-^^i^ H^vkinsvine, January 26. 7s,8 and was raised and educated in the same county
After being brought up on a farm, he engaged m agncul- ture on hi.s own accou'nt, and settled down to domestu. fe the day before he was twenty-one years of age. He was married to
''' T^1;c;ttl7d:ct?d%o^he^'Legis.ature from Dooly
soon after elected sheriff of his county.
occupation of farming. In 1877, ^\^^"^.^X Georgia Legisla-
new home, he was elected a ^-^^"^^^^^^^^^Ji'fSoly th!t he ture serving his constituents so ably and f tistactoniy i
l"::Veturne^dtohisseatinthathonor^^^^^^^^^^^
On December I .8^5, he moved t ^^^^ ^^^ .^
five miles east of tort wnite, ano ' „„o„ig of that section
his new home when he 7f„^J,°f/33^y„';i7 He has been placed to represent them in the Florida Assembly. Agriculture
on the committees on Finance and Taxation on § and on Rules, where his experience and thorougn s.^
202
HON. SAMUEL PASCO.
Hon. Samuel Pasco, Speaker of the Florida House of Rep- resentatives of the present (1887) session, is a native of England, and \vas born in London. He emigrated to America with his father when quite young, and, the family .settling in Boston, he had the benefit of the excellent schools of that city until fitted for college. He took a thorough course at Harvard and gradu- ated in 1858. The following year he came to Florida to accept the position of principal of the Waukeenah Academy. The war breaking out, he volunteered in 1 861 as a private in the Jefferson Rifles, the company being assigned to the Third Florida Regi- ment.
At the battle of Missionary Ridge, private Pasco was se- verely wounded and was taken prisoner, remaining in the hands of the Federals until within a few weeks of the final surrender, when he was exchanged and returned to Florida.
He was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court in 1865, and in 1868 commenced the practice of law, and, by his native ability and persistent application, has built up a large and lucrative prac- tice. In 1876 he was chosen chairman of the State Democratic Executive Committee, and has ever since held that important position. To his able management of the canvass is due, in a large measure, the success of the Democratic party, which re- sulted in the overthrow of Republican rule and the establishment of good government once more in the State. Since 1880 he has been a member of the National Democratic Executive Committee ; was a Presidential Elector in 1880, and led his ticket.
In 1884 Mr. Pasco was one of the three men mo.st promi- nently spoken of for the Governorship, but finally withdrew in the nominating convention in favor of Governor PLdward A. Perry, and on his motion General Perry was unanimously nominated. P'or several years he has been one of the most prominent and popular men in the State.
Although Jefferson is a Republican county, Mr. Pasco was, without opposition, elected to represent his Senatorial District in the Constitutional Convention. He was elected President of the Convention without division, receiving every vote cast. As a presiding officer he is prompt and impartial in his rulings, which <:ontributes largely to the dispatch of business.
In the fall of 1886 Mr. Pasco was elected a member of the House of Representatives from Jefferson county. His well known ability as a presiding officer of a deliberative body made
203
his election to the Speakership a foregone conclusion; and ac- his election to u H ^ Legislature m January, 188/,
he represents.
TAMPA.
THE GATE TO THE GULF.
to the new discovered ^erntory m the nam of Ins Quee ^^^ ^.^^
tory is silent upon *%=^^fj<^^„*, "^ .J^dmfrk^^^^^^ around the
of the present c.ty, ^ut the old landm^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^
place bear testimony to the fact tliat i^"^? ^ maiesti-
The beautiful and massive moss-covered Iwe oaks mat 3 cally stand on the spot where once Fo^ Brooks fam.d ^^^^ history of the Semino^..^^^^ period^ Many of the prcsend eg ^^^ ^.^^^^ ^^^ j,
°^'n A small black'^dot oTthe map of the State was the only world. A small black aoi k ^^ emigra-
evidence of Its existence. ^ few > ears ago t ^^^^^_
L-„fo.-r.risp<; of every description were staricu. ^ time. Enterprises 01 every k begun, and among
net of railroads that now span the State were Deg ^ ^^^
them were the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key \\e.stKy ^^ the South Florida Railway extending fir^t from J-<= ^^^
sr d^t^:; thVXS' :^^^ --- - -^
country, possessing a two-fold means of transportation ^^^^ ^^ road and the Gulf, with a harbor havrng 'en ^fj„^^,„ the bay. water at the dock and fourteen feet three rnUes ^^^
The business life of the c. y that f°/ Jf "j'^^.f ^jgo^, advanced awakened and, infused with new blood and ne« vig
steadily ahead.
J
204
The old unpainted business buildings gave place to elegant brick blocks. The old, threadbare and shelf worn goods were disposed of and new, elegant stocks took their place.
Real estate rose rapidly in value, until the ground rent of a lot equalled the selling price formerly asked. Improvements, both public and private, were begun, and to-day Tampa possesses a steam street railroad, electric light plant, and in a short time, a system of water works will be completed. Addition after addi- tion has been made to the city to meet the demand for building lots. Every business is successfully carried on in Tampa.
The large and elegant grocery establishment of Drawdy & Scarlett is equal to any store of the kind in South Florida. The firm is composed of two young men of large business capacity, and their stock has had to be rapidly increased to meet the' de- mand.
The drug business is well represented, and especially worthy of mention is the splendid store of John T. Leslie & Son. They carry a stock that will approximate S 10,000 in value.
The city has several large hardware houses, the largest of which is that of Clark, Knight & Co. This firm does a very large retail and jobbing business throughout South Florida. It is estimated that their stock is worth fully $25,000.
The large tin and plumbing establishment of Berry & Co. deserves special mention.
The city can boast of a splendid general iron and wood- working machine shop, owned by J. H. Wells. This shop sends out work to all parts of the State and Cuba.
On the river banks stand several large livery and grain es- tablishments, the largest of which is owned by Spencer, Henderson & Co. They deal largely in grain, wagons, carriages, harness, etc. . This firm also runs a daily carriage line to all the points of in- \ terest along the coast.
Tampa, like every other Florida city, has a fair number of real estate men, prominent among whom is J. E. Mitchell. He is wide awake, energetic and successful. Few men have done more toward the development and progress of Tampa than he. He projected and built the Tampa and Ybor City Street Rail- road, and has laid out and improved two or three additions to the city.
The dry goods houses are represented by the South Florida Dry Goods Company, Giddings & Co., and many others. In fact, every business to be found in a city is successfully carried on in Tampa.
205
The city possesses several hotels, none large. The St. James, under the management of Captain Thomas White, takes the lead, and has the bulk of the all-the-year-round patronage.
Ybor City, a suburb of Tampa, is owned and operated as a large cigar manufacturing town.
The Cuban mail is now carried by way of Tampa, being transferred to the .steamers Mascotte and Olivette belonging to the Plant System, plying between that place and Cuba bi- weekly.
The plan for a large hotel is being considered at the present time, and the stockholders confidently state that work on the same will be begun during the summer m.onths, and that it will be ready for the reception of guests the first of January, 1888.
Recently, by an act of Congress, Tampa was made a port of entry, and efforts are being made toward the securing of a large appropriation from the General Government for the improvement of the harbor.
HON. JOHN T. LESLEY.
No man in South Florida is better known, or counts a wider circle of friends, than Hon. John T. Lesley. His services in the field against hostile savages were acknowledged by promotion when he was but a boy. In the late conflict between the North and South, his gallantry in the service of his section won not only a Major's commission, but the encomiums of all good men. Valuable as have been Major Lesley's military services, his la- bors for the public in the civil walks of life have been no less
worthy of note. . ,;r i-
A native of Florida, Major Lesley was born in Madison county, in May. 1835, his father being an able planter of that
county. • , . , , • 1 .• u
Scarcely had young Lesley completed his education when,
the Indian war breaking out, he volunteered in the State militia for service against the savages. Subsequently attaching himself to the United States regular forces, he served with distinction until 1858, when, the savages having been subdued, he returned to private life. But three years elapsed when the young citizen- soldier was again called to the field. Responding to the first call for volunteers, he offered his services and was commissioned Captain of Company K in the Fourth Florida Regiment A year later, in 1862, he was promoted to the rank of Major.
In 1863 Major Lesley resigned his commission for the
206
purpose of recruiting a company of cavalry, in command of which he served until the close of hostilities, and surrendered at Tampa.
Accepting the fortunes of war in good faith, Major Lesley again returned to private life, where, his popularity following him, he was almost immediately honored with the election of Sheriff of Hillsborough county. ']
He subsequently served as Tax Collector and Assessor, and in 1876 he was elected to the lower house of the State Legisla- ture. In 1878 he was elected to the State Senate, and was re- elected to that body in 1882.
Major Lesley is emphatically a man of the people, and a public-spirited citizen. While he has given more time to the service of the public than most men, he has yet found time to so wisely and successfully manage his private affairs as to have ac- quired an ample fortune. He has long been known as one of the largest stock raisers in the State, and his cattle alone now number at least twelve thousand head.
Since the boom of modern development reached Florida, Major Lesley has diversified his investments, and, while looking wisely to the main chance, has fostered all enterprises for the public good and development of his city, county and State. He has long been a resident of Tampa, and is identified with her every interest.
■ Major Lesley was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1885, in which body, owing to his great experience in legis- lative bodies, and his thorough knowledge of the wants of the people, he did good service in shaping our present constitution.
It might almost go without the saying, that Major Lesley is a Democrat, but for the benefit of some reader in another gene- ration, we will note the fact, and may add that he is a recognized and able leader of the party. It is pertinent, also, to say he is in no sense what is commonly termed a wire-puller, but, relying upon the intelligence of the people, and being in hearty sympa- thy with all their interests, he commands their confidence and esteem as a natural sequence of his devotion to the public good, and without a seeming intent to do so, he maintains a leadership in his party.
We cannot close this too brief sketch in a better manner than by calling attention to Major Lesley's business confined to Tampa. He is at the head of the Electric Light plant. Is a stockholder and prime mover in Tampa's Street Railway. Does an extensive milling trade. Is principal owner of extensive ab-
207
stract books for Hillsborough county. He is proprietor of John T. Lesley's wholesale and retail drug store, and is interested m the livery and carriage business.
Honorable in all his dealings and intercourse with his tellow men, Major Lesley is one of Florida's most highly respected and justly esteemed citizens. "
DRAWDY & SCARLETT.
Among the many business firms of Tampa, there is none that enjoys'^ more extensive patronage, where the length of time they have been in business is considered, than the firm of Drawdy & Scarlett. These two young men, by their own efforts, have established one of the finest and most extensive grocery establishments in South Florida, having begun business together in February of the present year.
Mr. Drawdy, the senior member of the firm, was born near Tesup Ga in 1852, and received his education in the common schools of the State. After arriving at the age of business capa- bility he in order to make an honest dollar, took up every op- portunity that offered itself, being engaged in several business
enterprises in his native State. , r^ r , 1 1.
In 1875 he came to Florida and located at Sanford, and here as in his former home, he was identified with several business ventures He purchased a large amount of real estate in and around Sanford, and planted and propagated two fine orange jrroves He also did a general broker business in loaning money on real estate, shaving paper, etc. He continued in business at that point until recently, when he came to Tampa, and with Mr. Scarlett, opened their present business. , r ^^ ^
Mr Drawdy is a thorough business man, who fully deserves the position he occupies in business, it being the result of in- dustry, economy aud honesty. , , ,. r , •
Mr Drawdy is a strong Democrat, who believes hrmly in the ricrhteousness of the principles advocated by that party, and strive? by all honorable means to maintain their supremacy.
Mr H H Scarlett, the junior member of the firm, like his partner, is a native of Georgia, having been born in that State in V8t;8 and received his education in the common schools. Atter completing his education he began railroading, and rapidly rose to the position of conductor. For several years he vvas identified with the railroads of the State, especially the South Florida Rail- way having the honor of taking the first train over that road
208
after its completion. He continued in the service of that com- pany until a few months ago, when he resigned to go into other business. Early in 1887 he associated himself with Mr. Drawdy. and opened the business with the firm name as mentioned above. Thus far their business has been very profitable, their trade in- creasing rapidly. Their store is in one of the best locations in the city. Their stock is new, clean, and well selected, including all kinds of staple and fancy groceries, and if their present suc- cess is indicative of the future, they will most certainly *' get there."
Mr. Scarlett is also a staunch Democrat in politics.
J.'E. MITCHELL.
In contemplating the wonderful growth of Tampa within the last few years, one is led to inquire the causes which have led to such activity in the once old and dead town. The replies to such questions among Tampa's residents, while diversified, cen- tre in the fact that within the last fifteen years a new population, whose energy and thrift are contagious, has moved in and taken possession of the city. And among this new element there seems to be no more prominent character than Mr. J. E. Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell is a native of Pittsburg, Pa., where he obtained a thorough business training in the wholesale notion business.
He arrived in Florida in 1875, and after making an exten- sive tour of the State, wisely decided to pitch his tent in Tampa. We say wisely, because of his success there ; and, argue as we may, success is the touch-stone of merit.
Looking over the possibilities and necessities of the city, Mr. Mitchell decided Tampa needed a street railroad. Old res- idents received the suggestion with a doubtful shrug of the shoulders. Many of the new element said, " Too soon to talk of it yet." But the indomitable energy and determination of Mr. Mitchell prevailing against all obstacles, he built the road, and circumstances have fully justified the soundness of his judgment. The line now connects Tampa with Ybor City, a suburb of Tampa, containing about 2,000 people. We are informed that Mr. Mitchell has sold his interest in the line to the Ybor Com- pany.
We have called special attention to this enterprise because it gives a correct cue to Mr. Mitchell's character. It is due to him to say in this connection, that from his arrival in Tampa he
209
has been more or less interested in real estate, and that since closing out his other interests his whole time is given to the real estate business. He has a fully equipped office and an able .corps of assistants, embracing stenographer, copyist, draftsman, and experienced architect.
His position, too, as director of the Hillsborough County Abstract Company, makes much in his favor in his real estate business, and it is not surprising to those who have watched Mr. Mitchell's career in Florida that he has come so rapidly to the front as a real estate man. His reputation for upright deal- ing, prompt business habits and general popularity is, added to his great energy and perseverance, the key to his success and, it should be said in conclusion, no one has contributed more to the boom of Tampa than Mr. J. E. Mitchell.
JNO. B. SPENCER.
There is no stronger proof of the sterling worth of the Southerners than the fact of their having been reared in afflu- ence, and strangers to physical toil, up to the beginning of the unfortunate war between the States, which swept over the South- land like a blighting curse, laying waste the beautiful plantations, and reducing to poverty those who, previous to that time, had been possessed of ample resources, and sent them out into the world with only their own exertions and industry to depend upon. Being readily reconciled to the decrees of fate, they took up the plow and hoe recently laid down by their own slaves, and began the foundation of a fortune. Every State in the South is fuU of such men, and Florida hasher share. We have an ex- ample of a young man of this kind in the person of Jno. B. Spencer, of Tampa.
Mr. Spencer is a native of Florida, having been born in Hamilton county in 1859. He received his education in the common schools of the State. His father was a large planter, and from the time he became old enough, he gave his whole time to the care of his .father's plantation, and like almost every farmer's boy, while thus engaged he gained a fund of general information that is valuable in the business ventures of after life.
In 1885, Mr. Spencer, associating himself with other gentle- men under the firm name of Spencer, Henderson & Co., opened a livery establishment second to none in the State. Their building is large in dimensions, and it is filled with the best blooded stock that can be secured, and equipped with the best
u
210
buggies and carriages of the most elegant styles. With all these things in their favor, it is no wonder that they at once secured the best patronage of the city. Their success, however, was due fully as much to the personal popularity of the firm as to the splendid equipments of their establishment.
In addition to their livery business, they deal largely in hay, oats, corn and other products. They also handle a splendid line ofw'agons, buggies, carriages and harness, and while ostensibly doing a retail trade, they nevertheless do quite an extensive wholesale and jobbing business in many of the small towns
around Tampa.' , n- i
Mr. Spencer is a valued member of the Board of Trade. Having an abiding faith in the future growth and prosperit>^ of Tampa, and believing that ultimately it will be the metropolis of the Gulf Coast, he has invested largely in the real estate of the city, and continues to do so whenever a favorable opportunity presents itself Thus far his investments have been very profit- able, much of the property having doubled and trebled itself in
value. ,,,•.••
The firm of which Mr. Spencer is at the head is enterprising
and energetic. They run a regular carriage line to the famous Tarpon Springs, Clear Water,^Dunedin and Yellow Bluff, the route to which passes through some of the most beautiful .scenery of Florida. They also act as agents for the steamship and transportation lines of Miller & Henderson, who run steam- ers and vessels to all ports of the West Indies, Jamaica and Cen- tral America, the largest trade of this line being the tropical fruits of those countries. , . , ^^r c
The diversified interests of the firm of which Mr. Spencer is the head, require the closest attention and the personal scru- tiny of a thorough business. man, and fortunately for that firm Mr Spencer possesses all the above mentioned qualifications to a high degree, and as a result thereof, is the splendid successful establishment of which they may well be proud.
CAPTAIN THOMAS WHITE.
Captain White was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1842, ancl •when but six years of age he emigrated with his parents to the United States (in 1848). He received his education in the pub- lic schools of New York city. At an early age he began steam- boating as an assistant pilot. He made rapid progress in that branch of navigation, and was soon promoted to First Pilot, and
211
continued in that capacity for a number of years, when he was placed in charge of the steamer "Two Boys," plying between Savannah and Jacksonville. He afterwards became successively Masterofthe steamers Lizzie Baker, Darlington, Reliance and David Clark For thirty years he was actively engaged in steamboating, and the greater part of that time in charge as Mas- ter and by careful attention to his duty, he passed through that lone period with only two accidents, and neither of them was of crreat magnitude. Becoming tired of the water, he began the business of hotel keeping at Deering, Ga., where he carried it on
successfully for six years. r .i_ c. t
In 1884 he came to Tampa and took charge of the St. James Hotel and has continued there in business ever since, and as a result'of his universally courteous and obliging treatment of his euests he now enjoys almost the entire commercial patronage. It is never too late for Captain White to get up and let a belated traveler in, or set up a nice lunch for a hungry guest.
The St James is located in one of the most pleasant parts ofthecity,onthe Ybor City Street Railroad It is well fur- nished and is superior to many of the hotels of the country in its splendid ventilating facilities. At this establishment the weary hungry traveler will find a good soft bed and a well furnished table.
CLARK, KNIGHT & CO.
This firm can boast of one of the largest hardware estab- lisments in the State. In 1884 the firm was organized by Messrs. Clark, Knight and Wall, and from the very beginning of their business enterprise, they took the lead. They were con- stantly required to increase their stock to meet their rapidly increasing patronage, and when the death of Mr. Clark the senior member of the firm, occurred, neces- sitating the taking of stock, it was found that the amount on hand at that time approximated $20,000. Since the death of that gentleman the remaining partners have continued the business under the old firm name, Mr. Knight being in
charee as general manager. „ . • u ».,
Mr Kniaht is "a native to the manor born," haymg be«n born in Hillsboro' county, near Tampa, in i860, and received Ws education in the schools of that place. When only eighteen he began business for himself, at Charlotte Harbor by opening a general mercantile establishment at that place. He continued
212
here in business for six years, and by fair dealing and close at- tention to business he succeeded beyond expectation. Being a business man of large capacity, he, having accumulated consid- erable capital, came to Tampa and entered the firm of which he is now the senior member, and at once devoted his whole atten- tion and time to its success.
Although Mr. Knight is a young man— only 27— he has achieved a success in business and a reputation among business men that a man of twice his years might well be proud of And more especially is his prosperity in business to be commended, for, although born and reared in an undeveloped country, he, unlike many other young men, settled down to the humdrum existence of a small farmer, but he set resolutely to work to make a fortune for himself in the manner that seemed to him best, and as a result of his energy, business pluck and honesty, he now stands at the head of one of the leading firms of the State, which carries fully $25,000 capital in stock.
Mr. Knight is a true example of the fact that pluck, perse- verance and integrity will win every time, against every opposi- tion or force of circumstances.
W. J. BERRY.
The theory has been advanced that a mechanic or any per- son who earned his daily bread by the sweat of his brow, could not save one dollar from his wages as the nucleus with which to begin business for himself The falsity of the theory is shown every day and in all places, by men whose splendid business en- terprises have had their beginning in the manner referred to above, and no better example can be found than W. J. Berry, of
Tampa.
Mr. Berry was born in the great city of New York, in 1834, and received his education in the common schools of that city. At an early age he entered a large lantern manufactory as an ap- prentice, and after completing the necessary three years appren- ticeship, he, as a skilled workman, took a position in the same establishment, and continued in their employment for fifteen / years. Having a desire to become more skilled in tin-working, rocffing, etc., he went to Connecticut, and there took practical lessons in the tinner's trade. He returned to New York and ac- cepted the position of Superintendent of one of the largest tin- ware manufacturing establishments in the State. This position
213 he occupied for twenty years, and only left it to begin business
^""^ ^in7884 Mr. Berry came to Florida, and to Tampa, and with the nest egg he had saved from his daily wages as a capital he ooened a feneral tin-working shop in Tampa, and at once com- Sed a^good patronage. The rapid growth of the city and Te erection of elegant buildings called his services as a roo into demand, and constantly his busmess ^^^^^^^'^^.^^ ^^_
now enjoys a steady, paying business as a resu t of h s close ^ tention to business and strict economy. That he is a skillea workman and an honest, sober man goes without saying, for it lly necessary to refer to the fact that he continued m a^^^^^^^ sponsible position for twenty years with one firm, and titteen
^^^^^Intolitics"£- Berry is a Jeffersonian Democr^ and b lieving in the righteousness of the principles of that party, he
-^-^TTJr/^^^^^^^^^ of the Masonic fraternity,
belong ng both to the Blue Lodge and the Chapter In >.«/ , Mr B^err'y is a representative man, who has been both the a^^^^^^ tect and builder of his own fortune, unaided by friends, relatnes or fortune.
JAMES H. WELLS.
The value of all things is measured by the labor exerted :,nd difficulties overcome to procure them. The petted child ol fortune who has all his wants provided and his purse refurnished Iv an Indulgent father, values a dollar only by the pleasure and comfo "he ?an purchase with it. while the young man who day ater day swing^ the hammer all day long, or watches wth a vi^i^ante've the operation of the vast machmery jn a great shop Isiates'its wor* by the labor performed by himself and the
'''"%ll~Z"n who, through the toil energy and econ- omy of pa'rentst comes into the possession of a competency can reaUze only its estimated value, but he who, by his o^^" l^^or LTd he practice of the most rigid .-onorny accumu ates ^ equal amount, realizes its true value, .t being the ^e^"!* °i h^s
^i^r'f^rp? 'Mr%Vet wafblS HaXd, cLn., Ke yJ'Zs, an'3%eSved his education in the common scoools of that State.
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In 1858, he entered one of the large machine shops of Springfield, Conn., as an apprentice, where he remained until 1861, when he left his work to serve his country. He enlisted as a private at the age of eighteen, in the First Light Battery of Artillery of Con- necticut, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. Returning home, he began work at his trade as a journey- man, and worked as such until 1874, when he began business for himself in Vineland, N. J., in 1874, by opening a general machine shop, which he carried on with fair success until 1882. After selling out his business in New Jersey, he determined to come to Florida, and in November, 1882, he arrived in Tampa, and, associating himself with other gentlemen, they began the operating of a saw-mill. He carried on the milling business with very flattering success for two years. Seeing the need of and the opening for a machine shop that could meet the demand in Tampa, he decided to erect one, and securing a long lease on an eligible piece of property, he erected a suitable building and placed therein all the necessary machinery required in a first- class shop, and in the early part of 1885 he began turning out work. Since that time, his business increasing rapidly, he has enlarged his capacity, and now does a general jobbing business, making all kinds of repairs for railroads, steamboats, saw-mills, etc. Mr. Wells makes one specialty, viz: a shaft straightener, an appliance of his own invention, and on which he holds a pat- ent. He now enjoys an extensive patronage, sending work out all over South Florida, Key West and Cuba, with a good per- centage of profit.
Mr. Wells can now fully appreciate his business success and accumulated property, it being the result of his own toil and representing the best years of his life.
Mr. Wells is a man of gentlemanly address, courteous and obliging in business, and true and generous to his friends.
In politics, he is an Independent, believing in the fitness of men for places, rather than blind devotion to party. He is a strong temperance man, who believes, as do thousands of others, that the liquor traffic is a curse to our country and the door to destruction through which so many bright young men have gone. Mr. Wells is now engaged in building a cosy and charming home for himself and family on the beautiful bay front.
215
GEORGE F. DREW HARDWARE CO.
The above well known and justly celebrated firm is eligibly located in the Hazeltine block, 54 and 56 ^estBay street, Jack- sonville No firm in Florida is more thoroughly identified with the interests of the State at large than this, nor is an^ more widely known and highly esteemed lor commercial standing and fair and honorable dealing. The extensive capital invested to- gether with unsurpassed facilities for "^f"^^^^^"^^"^ PJ^J"^^^^^^ firm at the head of the hardware trade ^^ Florida. The factory and shops are situated immediately in the rear of the salesrooms and are a part of the Hazeltine block, supplemented by a two-story
iron building. , , *. 4.^ fVi^
At the present moment their annual trade amounts to the startling sum of ^500,000 per annum, and every successive year shows an increase on the preceding one. This house does Sss through the whole of Florida and the "-•gj'bonng States Many large contracts arc given them. Amongst oth- ers they are now doing all the plumbing, glass, hardware win- dow sash, doors and fitting work for the Fort George sand Hotel, at ihe mouth of the St. Johns River, and the Jacket Isla^^^^ Club house, near Brunswick, Ga., which is the Southern rendez vous of the New York Yacht Club. The stock which they hold TssTmply immense, and comprises all kinds of light and heavy hardwarl including cutlery, plumbing fittings, stoves glas, paints, oils, saws, belting, steamboat and mill ^uppl'es, ammuni- tion and many other goods too numerous to mention. I hey can at short notic^e meet the heaviest demand and their shipping facilities are so perfect as to prevent the slightest delay in for
''"''^The company is State agent for Shipman's kerosene oi, en- gines Longman & Martinez' pure prepared paints, Henry Uiss Z& SoJ saws, Stark's DixL -d Avery's plows barbed fence wire and the celebrated giant-st.tched belting^ The busmess was originally started by George W. Barrett who came to Flor^ ida for his health In 1 876 he opened a hardware store, trading under the style of Geo. w' Garrett & Co.; in .882 he associated with him two other gentlemen, and the firm became Garrett, Bowen & VanBuren. Two years later Mr. George F. Drew purchased the business, and on July ., .886 formed the George F. Drew Hardware Co., of which he himself became president, GeorgeL. Drew betng t easurer, Mr, J. B. Yerkes, vice-president, and. Mr. BF Rogers, secretary. It would be difficult to overestimate
2l6
the importance of houses such as this to an improving town. It is they who make the city a recognized dispersing centre, em- ploy the labor and increase the value of property.
What greater or more convincing proof could be found of the extraordinary success that may be achieved in this State by men possessed of ability, industry and administrative capacity ? It shows that the city has a wondrous vitality, and that its im- portance and influence is daily becoming more widely felt. Jacksonville should be proud — as, indeed, she has every reason to be — of the men who have had the courage and enterprise to create this large and important industry in their city — the guid- ing spirits of the George F. Drew Hardware Co.
D. W. TRUMPELLER.
i
Mr. Trumpeller was born at York, York county, Pennsyl- vania, May lo, 1838, and received his education at the public schools of his native State. Being apprenticed to learn the tailor's, trade he served four years without other pay than the tutorship of Mr. F. A. Steed, one of the most accomplished tai- lors of his time.
Mr. Trumpeller was married at the early age of nineteen to Miss Sarah L. Zimmerman, of Harri.sburg, Pa., she being two years his junior. Their wedding tour, so to speak, covered a period of some years. In other words, Mr. Trumpeller, accom- panied by his wife, made an extended and protracted tour of the United States and Canada, stopping for a shorter or longer time in many of the States and in different cities of Canada, being en- gaged during stops at his trade, and for some years in conduct- ing a business on his own account.
In this manner Mr. Trumpeller was enabled by observation and practice to perfect his knowledge of the tailor's trade, to the extent that he is now second to no tailor in the United States, so far as training and a thorough experience goes. And the success he has met with in Jacksonville warrants us in saying he is second to no tailor in Florida in popularity.
Arriving in Florida January, 1 88 1, Mr. Trumpeller wisely decided to take up his residence in Jacksonville. He accord- ingly secured eligible rooms at 5 i West Bay street, where he has ever since conducted a tailoring establishment of the first order.
In addition to his tailoring business, Mr. Trumpeller has been very successful in real estate dealings, and is now the pos-
217
sessor of valuable Jacksonville property. He is the owner of ten fine houses in and around Jacksonville. Also, a farm in Volusia county, Florida ; a still larger one in Hernando county, Florida, and a fine estate, where he has his summer residence, in the State of Delaware, for which he has refused $20,000. Nearly all of his property has been made since 1881.
It may be added, his success in business matters is equalled by his social standing, and that the reputation he has won for integrity and honorable dealing is enviable and praiseworthy.
G. W. SMITH.
Few business men of Jacksonville have come more rapidly and prominently to the front than G. W. Smith, and few, if in- deed any, hotel keepers have done more to make Florida a pop- ular winter resort. .
Mr Smith is a native of New Hampshire, and was born in Coos county, that State, August 3, 1844- He was a farmer's boy. and obtained his education, excepting a few terms, at the Bethlehem Academy, at the public schools.
Leaving school he, like most New England boys, learned a trade The selection (that of machinist) not proving to his liking he followed his trade but a short time, when, an oppor- tunity'offering, he entered a grocery store as clerk. Following his clerkship he became interested with an ice company in JNew York City and later went into business for himself in the provision trade at Jefferson Market, New York. His success in this ven- ture enabled him to take a considerable interest in a pork pack- ^ ing establishment in Jersey City.
In 1 87 1 Mr. Smith became manager of one of the Wilcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company's offices, and a year or so later for E. Remington, Sons & Co. He came to Florida as General Southern Agent for the Marvin bafe Company and a^ent for Fairbanks' Scales, with headquarters at Jacksonville^
Becoming impressed with the future promise of the city, he, in 1870. purchased what is now known as the Grand View Block and immediately commenced the erection of a .building for a hotel. His success as a Boniface, from the start, and an in- creasing patronage, necessitated additional building, which has terminated in an elegant, modern structure, embracing all the latest conveniences. Such is the Grand View H^^el «^ ^^^'J^^^y; That it is, in a large degree, a creation incident to Mr. Smith s
2l8
success, and a proof of his fitness for his present business, no one will question.
Ever progressive, Mr. Smith has recently leased for a term of years the justly popular Tremont Hotel, which is now being refitted and newly furnished under his supervision. He will hereafter run both the Grand View and the Tremont, keeping the latter open all the year and the former open from November to June.
No hotel in Jacksonville is better located for a commercial house than the Tremont, nor is there any one heretofore so pop- ular with commercial men. To our readers among them we take pleasure in saying the management of both hotels will be under the direct supervision of Mr. Smith, and the Tremont will in future surpass its former excellence.
We may be excused for adding a word in recognition of Mr. Smith's character as a man and valued citizen, and in doing this we have only to say his character for honorable dealing is on a par with his reputation as a popular and successful hotel keeper.
HENRY D. HOLLAND.
The office of county Sheriff is not one of unmitigated bliss ; it requires a man possessed in the highest degree of both tact and determination, one who has the qualification of courtesy as well as courage. These virtues characterize Mr. Holland to a marked degree. He is one of the most popular and most highly es- teemed of Jacksonville's citizens. Elected for a term of four years in 1885, he has discharged his official duties in the most praiseworthy manner, and to the eitire satisfaction of the gen- eral public.
He is a son of the late Dr. H. D. Holland, of Columbia, S. C, and was born in Jacksonville, October 21, 1849. When but seven years of age his family moved to Glynn county, Georgia, some fifteen miles from Brunswick, but returned to Jacksonville four years later. During the war, to save their 86 negroes and stock of cotton, they moved to Lake City, and, after the battle of Olustee, to Madison county. On the surrender of General Lee they returned once more to Jacksonville, where Mr. Holland was for four years connected with the F. R. & N. Railroad. He then engaged in the grocery business with Mr. C. O. Bernard, the style of the firm being C. O. Bernard & Co. Three years later his partner died, and the business was wound up. At this time Mr.
219
Holland was married to Miss Nina H. Douglas, of Lockport NY and he went to Olustee, where, for eighteen months, he ran a saw mill. He then took a contract to supp y 400 cords of wood peT week to steamboats. On the completion of th.s con- Tract he moved to Brunswick, Ga., where he acted as mspector of lumber for Messrs. Eppinger & Co till he received an offe^ to take charge of the general merchandise business of J. K Uart & Co of St^ Simond's Island, Ga. Finding, however that the fonfinement affected his health, he resigned at the end of one vear anTtook a position as inspector for the Georgia Land and Lumber Company. He then opened up in opposition to the new Sof Dod^Meigs &Co.,at StSimond's Island, under the firm name of Holland & Co. This new business he advan- fageou^S sold three months later to Mr. Da.t and returned ^o Tarksonville where he became interested in the real estate Kness and Toon after bought the stock of J. H. Howell which he old off reaUzing a considerable profit. He then was for one jLr head man for Stockton & Stribling. This brings us to the time when he was elected Sheriff of Duval county.
Mr Holland is a member of the Knights of Pyth>as the Irish llnd League, the Board of Trade, and is President of the RE Lee Base Ba 1 Club. He is a gentleman of the greyest Jenfality, and no one could be found more fitted to fill his office, or could do so with more conspicuous ability.
JOHN EARLE HARTRIDGE.
This distinguished citizen of Jacksonville takes front rank, not onl^in his profession, but also as a gentleman of cultivated
"'"'cTsceS froTan'old Southern family, he received his first educSfonTrom a private tutor on one of the family plantations. Laterrattended'school at Geneva, N Y., -/ -entuaUy grad uated in law at the Franklin University in 1873. In *e same vear he was admitted to the bar at Savannah, and P«ct.ced for &e months at Warrenton. He then came t° >cks°nv lie where he has since pursued his profession, and established a rep Sn'a^alaryer ^f brilliant ability and as ^^^f^^^o^^^ hitrhest honor H s practice is mostly civil, but ot late ne na hein largely engaged in corporation practice, being attorney for ?heFR&N Company and the Clyde Line Steamship Com- pany For two terms he was City Solictor, and declined re-
220
•
election for a third. He, during the last year of the old county courts, held the appointment of County Attorney.
Mr. Hartridge had the distinguished honor of being ap- pointed to the United States Commission at the Exposition of Pans, by President Hayes. He has, too, an important stake in the city'.s welfare, being largely interested in the Hartridge & Clarkson's sub-division, beautifully situated one and a half miles from the post-office. He has, since 1876, been associated in business with Major W. B. Young.
Mr. Hartridge is a native of this State, having been born in Madison county in the year 1851. His family came to Jackson- ville in his early boyhood, but returned to their estate in Colum- bia county at the outbreak of the war, and on the advance of the Federal troops in 1864 they went to the plantation in Madison county, returning to Jacksonville at the close of the war.
Mr. Hartridge was married in September, 1880, to Miss Susan F. L'Engle, daughter of Mr. F. F. L'Engle. It is scarcely strange that such a representative gentleman as this, interested as he is in the State, by association as well as by pecuniary con- siderations, and possessed of a wide knowledge of men and things, should command the prominence he does in social circles as well as in his public capacities.
SALOMON & STOCKTON.
These two gentlemen are pioneers in the tobacco interest in the city of Jacksonville, having started on the first of January, in the present year. Both, however, know the State well, having traveled it for a length of time. They engaged in the wholesale cigar business from this centre, seeing a good opening for an en- terprising house with sufficient capital at their back. Being pos- sessed of these necessary qualifications, they located themselves at Nos. 8 and 10 Julia street, close to Bay, under the Everett Hotel, and purchased a $40,000 stock, amongst which they have cigars of all prices and qualities, from the finest brands of Ha- vana downwards. We may single out from them many vari- eties: -Our Form," "Gilette," " Panitelo," "Maiden's Pride." ' Palmetto," •• Cigaros," " Our Monogram." " Havana Pickings," and for special high-class trade, the " Mi Patria," at $go per 1 ,000.
Messrs. Salomon & Stockton also hold many varieties of f)lug and cut tobaccos. We may draw special attention to the
221 •
"Wine Plug" and "Dead Shot," which are already taking a strong lead throughout the State.
They also carry in stock " Kate Claxton," " Railroad," •' Pride of Florida," " Stockton's Choice," " Salomon's Brag," and many other varieties.
In cut tobacco, they keep " Lorillard's Sensation," " Rich- mond Straight Cut," " Old Rip," etc. They also supply the trade with Greo. W. Holmes' snuff.
As far as it is possible to forecast, these gentlemen have every prospect of success before them, and their business is cer- tain to increase rapidly with so large and well assorted a stock to work from and so wide a field open to them. We may men- tion that their trade is exclusively wholesale.
Mr. Julius Salomon was born at Wriegen-on-the-Water, Germany, February 10, 1858, and was there educated at the university. He came, in the year 1873, to America, and went first to Bainbridge, Ga., in which town he obtained a position as clerk in the house of Messrs. Isaac Kivilecki & Bros., with whom he remained five years. He then, for the next eight years, trav- eled for the well known house of I. L. Falk & Co.,of New York City. This brings us to the time when he came to Jacksonville, and started his present business.
Mr. William M. Stockton was born at Oglethorpe, Ga., De- cember 25, 1858. He has raised himself to his present position entirely through his own unaided efforts. He first went into business as clerk in a hat store at Atlanta. This was when he was only eleven years old. There he remained six years. He then went into a clothing house in the same town, at which he also remained six years. His next employment was as traveler in the State of Florida for Messrs. Einstein's Sons, boot and shoe dealers, Savannah, Ga.
Five years later he came to Jacksonville and went into partner- ship with Mr. Salomon. It is but reasonable to hope and expect that this energetic and enterprising firm, who have in so short a time created a prosperous and increasing business, will, as the trade and importance of Jacksonville grow, make their influence felt as a factor in the commerce of Florida.
A. P. FRIES & CO.
Up to the' present time, the "German Drug Store," No. 19 East Bay Street, owned and conducted by A. P. Fries & Co., has been the acknowledged gem among all the drug stores of
222
Florida. The same refined taste, backed by a much larger out- lay of money, will, within a few days, so far eclipse the German Drug Store that its acknowledged beauty will be forgotten in admiration of the magnificent store Messrs. A. P. Fries & Co. are fitting up, at the corner of Bay and Market streets, im- mediately opposite the post-ofifice. The room to be occupied is the large and elegant parlor of the Carleton House. The front on Bay street is 45 feet, allowing large double doors and four large plate-glass windows. There will be a side entrance on Market street, and an entrance from the ofifice reception-room of the hotel.
The distin-guishing features of the room when finished may be grouped under the head of fixtures, and before attempting to describe them we will state it is well worth a visit to the store to see and study its beauty.
The wall-cases, sixteen in number, as also the counters and show-cases, are all of cherry. The upper cornice runs continu- ous from one case to another, and its rich cherry hue is in beautiful contrast with the equally attractive, chaste cornice ot white headincT the four walls of the room.
Each wall-case is ornamented with an exquisitely variegated panel of marble, polished to the degree of a mirror. But what will, doubtless, attract most attention, and be most studied by lovers of art, are the six historic bronze panels in bas-relief The figures are 89 in number. We have not space to attempt a de- scription of them, nor would it be satisfying. Every one should go and see them.
As a suitable accompaniment of the other elegant appoint- ments, Messrs. A. P. Fries & Co. have purchased for their new store the costliest and by far the most magnificent soda fountain ever seen in Florida. It is 12 feet high, finished in cherry, to match all its surroundings, has 3 large plate mirrors, and 35 silver syrup faucets. It stands upon a large Tennessee marble slab, in harmony with the marble tops of all the counters. The glass panels in the counters, as in all other glass used, is the best bevel plate.
As a whole, this store may be numbered among the attrac- tions of Jacksonville. It will attract thousands ol tourists and citizens to feast on its beauty, and unless Messrs. Fries & Co. again outdo themselves, it will be many a year before we shall see another salesroom in Florida to equal it.
223 TRAVEL TO AND FROM ALL POINTS IN FLORIDA
VIA THE
FLORIDA RAILWAY & NAVIGATION CO.
THE FAVORITE ROUTE FOR TOURISTS, HUNTERS, INVALIDS AND
SETTLERS.
SHORTEST, QUICKEST AND ONLY DIRECT ROUTE TO AND FROM ALL POINTS NORTH, WEST, NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST.
To THE Traveling Public : — During the past season the entire system has been relaid with 60 lbs. steel rails, rendering it the safest, as it always has been the most attractive line in the State. Passing through the most historical, interesting and fertile counties, the rail lines of this standard gauge system extend from the Apalachicola to the St. Johns, Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, and down the Peninsula, to the Withlacocchee, and Bay of Tampa, Silver Spring to the head waters of the Ocklawaha River, and Sumter county lakes. Extending through the counties of Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla, Madison, Jefferson, Suwanee, Columbia, Baker, Duval, Nassau, Clay, Bradford, Alachua, Levy, Marion, Sumter, Orange, Polk, Hernando, Hillsboro and Manatee, also via the most important cities and towns in the State.
Passengers leaving or reaching our line at
RIVER junction
Connect with trains of the Louisville and Nashville system to and from Marianna, De Funiak Springs (The Southern Chau-^ tauqua), Pensacola, Mobile, New Orleans, Texas, Mexico, Cali- fornia and the Southwest, Montgomery, Nashville, St. Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Chicago and all points West and North- west. Leaving River Junction,
WESTERN DIVISION,
The road runs east to Jacksonville, passing through the beau- tiful hill country of Middle Florida, with its attractive scenery and rich and productive soil, passing Mt. Pleasant.
/
221
gUlNCY,
A beautiful and thriving city. It is delightfully situated at an elevation of 290 feet above the sea. Just north of the town is the beautiful valley of the Attapulgus. On all sides rise the wooded hills which form the great charm of Middle Florida.
TALLAHASSEE,
The Capital of Florida, has been called the " Floral City of the Land of Flowers," and well deserves the name. Almost every dwelling is in the midst of a wilderness of flowers, which seem to bloom with equal splendor from January to December. A Spring Fair or Flower Show held under the auspices of the Fair Association, gives the stranger a rare opportunity to see the best of her floral treasures collectively.
Chaires, Lloyds, Drifton, four mile branch to
MONTICELLO,
Seated on a high ridge, surrounded by a splendid farming country — one of the richest sections of Middle Florida. Aucilla, Greenville, Madison, West Farm, Lees, Ellaville, where the road crosses the
OLD SUWANEE RIVER,
giving a grand view of the beautiful river, flowing between rocky, precipitous banks, which are overhung with large trees festooned with long gray pendants of Spanish moss. Live Oak, connecting with Savannah, Florida & Western R. R. for points North and West, Houston, Welborn, (near the upper Suwanee Springs,) Lake Ogden,
LAKE CITY,
The county-seat of Columbia county, and one of the pret- tiest and most prosperous places in the State. It is almost sur- rounded by a series of charming little lakelets, which give a most pleasing effect to the landscape, and are large enough to afford unlimited fishing. Connecting with the Savannah, Florida & Western for Newnansville, etc., Mt. Carrie, Olustee, Farmers' Battle Field, Pendleton, Sanderson, Glen St. Mary, McClenny, Baldwin (junction Southern and Western Divisions).
225
JACKSONVILLE.
Connection made with steamers for all points, on St. Johns river, also with rail to and from St. Augustine, Palatka, Sanford, Rock- ledge, Indian River, Savannah, Florida & Western R. R. to and from Savannah, Charleston, Richmond, Washington, New York, and points North and West; with Clyde Steamship Line to and from Charleston and New York.
- - FERN AND IN A AND JACKSONVILLE BRANCH.
Leaving Jacksonville this road runs northeast, crossing Trout Creek, on the St. Johns, at Panama Park; passing Duval, Tiso- nia, Hart's Road, reaching
FERNANDINA,
On the Atlantic, connecting with the Branch Road to Amelia Beach, the finest in America, twenty-one miles in length, 150 feet broad, hard and firm. Connecting with Clyde Steamship Line, to and from Charleston and New York ; with
SEA ISLAND ROUTE
To and from Savannah, and points North and West.
CUMBERLAND ROUTE,
To and from Brunswick, through the Inland Passage, connect- ing for Macon, Atlanta, Chattanooga, and points North and
West.
With steamer Martha to and from Dungeness, St. Marys and
St. Marys River.
SOUTHERN DIVISION
Leaving Fernandina, the road runs southwest, crossing from Amelia River to the mainland, passing Hart's Road, connecting at
CALLAHAN
With Savannah, Florida and Western Railway (to and from Sa- vannah, Thomasville, Charleston, Richmond, Washington, Balti-
15
226
more, Philadelphia, New York and points North and West). Leaving Callahan, the road passes Button, Brandy Branch, Bald- win (junction Western Division), Maxwell, Highland, Lawtey (one of the most improved towns in the State), Starke,
WALDO, I
Junction Cedar Key Branch, also connecting, via canal, with steamers on Lakes Alto and Santa Fe, Melrose and all landings. Leaving Waldo, the road runs south, passing Orange Heights, Campville, Hawthorn (junction with Florida Southern Railway for Palatka, etc.), Lochloosa, Island Grove and then directly throucrh the
o
HARRIS & BISHOP MAMMOTH ORANGE GROVES
Of seventy thousand full bearing trees. This is said to be the largest orange grove in the world. Next comes Sparr, Anthony Place and Spring Park, one of the so-called "paper towns," yet one of the prettiest and most thriving towns in Florida. Thence
SILVER SPRINGS,
Which is so well known to all who have ever heard of Florida, that but a few words of description are needed here. This vast circular basin, six hundred feet in diameter and nearly fifty feet in depth, is the source of a river, known as Silver Spring Run, navigable for small steamboats. Four miles south, the road passes through
DC ALA, I
One of the most thriving and interesting cities in South Florida, on a high hill surrounded by orange groves and vegetable gar- dens. Connections made here, at the Florida Railway and Navi- gation depot with the
SILVER SPRINGS, OCALA AND GULF RAILWAY
For Wekiwa, Blue Springs, Homosassa and the Gulf ports ; with the Florida Southern Railway for Palatka, Lake Weir, etc. Leaving Ocala, the train passes Belleview, Summerville, Oxford, Wildwood (junction Tampa Division), Orange Home, Bamboo, Montclair and
227
LEESBURG,
Like Ocala, surrounded by orange groves and vegetable gardens, is situated half a mile from Lakes Griffin and Harris, connecting with steamers for Yalaha and all landings ; also with Florida Southern Railway for Conant, Lake Weir and Fort Mason. From Leesburg to Tavares the road is very attractive — ten miles alone the shore of Lake Harris, with orange groves in the back- ground.
TAVARES,
On Lake Dora, connecting with Florida Southern Railway for Lane Park, Eustis, etc.; with Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railway for Mount Dora, Sorrento and Sanford ; with
TAVARES, ORLANDO AND ATLANTIC RAILWAY
1 ■•
For Zellwood, Apopka and Orlando, where connection is made with South Florida Railway for Winter Park, Kissimmee, Bartow, Lakeland and Tampa.
TAMPA DIVISION.
Leaving Wildwood, the road runs due south, passing Cole- man, Panasoffkee, Sumterville, Bushnell,St. Catharines (junction Florida Southern Railway for Brooksville, etc.), Owensboro, (junction South Florida Railway for Pemberton Ferry, etc.); Dade City with South Florida Railway for Tuckertown, Lakeland, Bartow, Fort Mead, Fort Ogden, Cleaveland, Trabue, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and landings on Charlotte Harbor ; Henning and
PLANT CITY,
Present terminus of Southern Extension ; connecting with South Florida Railway for Tampa, Manatee, Key West and Havana.
CEDAR KEY BRANCH.
Leaving main line at Waldo, the road runs southwest through the great vegetable garden of South Florida, passing Fairbanks and
228
GAINESVILLE,
Where a junction is made with the Savannah, Florida and Wes- tern Railway for Newnansville, etc.; also with the Florida South- ern Railway for Palatka, etc. From Gainesville the road passes through the great Arredondo grant, passing Arredondo, Palmer, Archer. Bronson, Otter Creek (the hunting ground), Rosewood,
CEDAR KEY,
The Gulf terminus, situated on the Gulf of Mexico ; steamer connection for landings on the Suwanee River, Homosassa, Crystal River, Clear Water Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Manatee and Tampa.
ST. MARKS BRANCH,
Leaving the Westei .Division at Tallahassee, passes Bellair and Wakulla, near which is
WAKULLA SPRINGS,
Said to be the most romantic and interesting springs in the world ; the water is thrillingly transparent ; here one finds again the mosaic of many shaded green hues, though the space of the spring is less broad and more shadowed by overhanging trees than the wide basin of Silver Spring, io6 feet deep. Leaving Wakulla, the next station is
ST. MARKS,
Situated on St. Marks River, eight miles from the Gulf of Mexico, famous in ante-bellum days for its commerce, etc.
Magnificent bigh-back Pullman Drawing-room Buffet Sleep- ing Cars from New Orleans to Jacksonville, and from Jackson- ville to Orlando.
All important points in Florida reached by this line.
Walter G, Coleman, General Traveling Agent ; A. O. Mac- Donell, General Passenger Agent; F. B. Papy, Traffic Manager; D. E. Maxwell, General Superintendent.
INDRX
BIOGRAPHICAL AND BUSINESS SKETCHES.
Allen & Rose, ....
Anderson, Zacharlah T., Anderson, Church & Co., . Bacon & Adams Abstract Co., Baldwin, Dr. A. S., . Barnes, General William D., Barron, Oscar G., ... Baya, Colonel H. T., . . A
Berry, W. J.,
Blair, Lemuel P , D. D. S.,
Blair, Zina H, Jr.,
Boone, Cassius A., . . . •
Bowden, J. E. T., . . • •
Buckman, Captain T. E., ... 92
Burbrldge, John Q,.,
Burt, Harry A ,
Burgert, Simon P.,
Campbell, J. R.,
Cannon, William, .
Cashen,T. v.
Chaires, Arthur,
Churchhouse, J. A
Cl^irk, George W., .
Clark, Henry, .
Clark, John, Son & Co.,
163 41 32
108 86
178
128 72
212 48 63
163 88
Vrtbur N. J , »
rf. C , V) ,
29 42 76
101
173 46
143 56
103 51 60
Clark, Knight & Co., . . • 211
Clark. William, .... Cook, WJlllara, ....-• .Crawford, Dr. J. L , . , DaCotta, Charles W., ....
lianfY, William McL.,
Wy^ J. Ramsey,
.^r«w, 0«'orge F.,
Drew, George h\. Hardware Co , .
Dubos.T. J., & Co , . . .. ,
Ebbets, Edward W., I Emery & Co.,
Fernald; Geo. H
Ferris, Joseph A., . , . . •
Finch, J. W.,
First National Bank Palatka,
Florida Railway and Navigation Co
Florida Southern Railway,
Fries, A. P., & Co.,
44
52 180 113 69 57 30 215 105 97 35 144 64 67 132 223 126 221
Genovar, F. B, •
Glbbs, Silas F.,
Graham, John A ,
Greeley, Hon. Jonathan C,
Greenleaf, Damon,
Griffin, George B.,
Harkisbeime , Major William J.,
Harringto-
Harris, J
Hartri'*
Hayep
Hicks, o^
Holland, 1.
Hopkins, E ,7- t^d^vard,
Hosmer, Lo yj^ell D ,
Jacocks, Cha-iles W ,
Jones, Charles H.,
Jones, John C,
Jones, Peter,
Jones, Robert H .
Kersting, Rudolph,
Kisslmmee City Bank,
Lane, F. E.,
Lang, Hon. David,
Leonard, Dr. W. N..
McCloskey, P.,
McGinniss, J. H.,
McMurray, Hon. P. E.,
McNerny, T. F.,
Merryday & Paine,
Meyer & Muller,
Miller, Gen. Wm.,
Mills, N. L.,
Mow ery, Ira,
Nooney, Thoa., & Sops,
Orman, Hon. Wm. T.,
Paine, E. T , .
Peabody, Elbert W
Peete, Dr. J W.,
Peters, C, .
Perry, Gov. E. A.
Reel, E.J. ,
Riley, Groover & Co.,
Robbine, I). P., M. D.,
Page. 119
121 82 38 93 26 91 164 138 219 112- 1^ 218 100 37 122 107 167
25
130
175
144
181 85 66 49
185
104 84 75
190
157
40
68
192
53
136
36
96
177
153
54
168
— , .U.VU. V/"HITiU L.,
Root, Wm. Rogers, (. B, A Co., Salomon 4 Stockton Sherman, Wl)Q. C. Shine, CapVThos. J., Sinclair, Hon. Jno. G.. Smith, Q. W., Smith, Oscar B., . Spencer, Jno. B . Sperry. E P., . . .
Stout, Dr Henry R, The Paint Store, Tomlinson & Woodruff, Toomer. Capt Wiley G.. The Tropical Land Co., .
|
race. |
A |
Pigt |
|
80 |
Trnmpeller, D. W |
. 215 |
|
68 |
Tyler, Jno. F., |
. 106 |
|
90 |
Walker, Col. Whitfield, |
102 |
|
220 |
Walker, Jno. T. & Geo. U. |
• * *^ |
|
ido |
Watklns, Louis J., |
166 |
|
161 |
Welborne, Hon J. P., . |
. 147 |
|
166 |
Wells, Jos. H., .... |
2M |
|
. 217 |
\^hidden, Hon. J. W., . . |
. 187 |
|
120 |
White, rapt. Thos . . ". |
210 |
|
209 |
Whitner, Chas. H |
. 142 |
|
159 |
Whitner, J. N |
140 |
|
79 |
Wightman & Chrlsropher, |
. 98 |
|
. 73| |
Williams, Hon. H. S |
184 |
|
. 145 |
Wilson, D. C, |
. 183 |
|
33 |
WinefT-xr. Wm. J., |
132 |
|
771 |
- |
V
ND TOWNS
Callahan, . Cedar Key. Fernandina , Florida, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Kissiinmee, Lake City, Leesburg, . Monticello, . Ocala, Orlaudo,
225 228 223
5 228
9 170 224 227 224 226 148
Palatka, ...... 124
Plant City, 227
River Junction, .... 223
San ford, 134
Silver Springs, 226
St. Augustine, . . . 116
St. Marks, . . .... 228
Tallahassee, jyg
Tavares, .227
Wakulla Spring 2U8
Waldo, . . . . 226
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Adams, T. J., . Bacon, M. R., . Bloxham, W. D., BoNvden, J. E. '^. Blair, L P., r •. H , Burbrldge, J. ^., Llavk, John, Clark's Block DaCo«ta, C. W., .
OppoiiU P*(«.
152 . 136
184 . 112
48
28
64
... 56
114
Drew, Geo. P. . Glbbs, Silas F. Graham, Jno. A., Greeley, Hon. J. C. Griffin, G. B., . Mowery, Ira, Robinson, Hon. C. L., Toomer, CaptW.Q.,
Oppinitr Pagt. . 32
168
. 104
40
. 90
72
. . . 96
80
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