USA > North Carolina > Historical and descriptive review of North Carolina, volume 1 > Part 12
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As we have already said Mr. Woodell intro- duced tobacco into this county, he bought the most improved varieties of seed, per- shaded the farmers to plant, and had circulars showing all the details of tobacco freely dis- tributed. This, the first crop in Wake county, of some of the finest tobacco ever sold has amply proven he was working in the right direction. Against the prejudice of all except one solitary merchant, he went ahead and now every single spare dollar in Raleigh, is invested in growing or buying tobacco. Mr. Woodell is a man it will be surmised of great push and energy, of extensive inventive genius, and sees many things ordinary peo- ple do not see.
He is a native of Chatham Co., in the war served in the 10th N. C. batt .. and was engag- ed on the forts in this State till 1864, when he was under Gen. Hardee, and was before Sher- man near the capture of Fort McAllister and surrendered with Johnston. He is a promi-
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nent Odd Fellow, in '79 and '80 was Grand Guardian of the Southern Grand Lodge : in '82 and '83 was grand Master of the State, and is now Grand Represenative of the N. C. Juris- diction. He is also Protector in the K. & L. of H. He is, apart from having awakened the sleepy citizens to the benefits of the tobacco industry, a valuable addition to the town and well deserves his place among the enterpris- ing and representative men of Raleigh.
OCTAVIUS COKE.
The history of a people is truly written in the lives of her leading men. It is, therefore, with no semblance of apology in writing the history of our city and State that we place on these pages a name which stands promi- nent among those well known to the favor of North Carolinians. Octavius Coke, eighth child, as the name implies of nine living chil- dren, was born on October 4, 1840. in Williams- burg, Va. He was educated at the famous old William and Mary College of his native State, later confining his attention to the study of law in that institution, and was licensed in 1860. The war breaking out soon after, he entered the army on the 28th April, 1861, as private ; was for meritorious services soon promoted to the command of Company C, and with the Thirty-second Virginia ren- dered four years of gallant work to the Con- federacy, being wounded at Sharpsburg and Five Forks. He practiced his profession first at home, but in 1868 moved to the Chowan section of North Carolina. There he con- ducted a most successful law business and made himself popular and his weight felt in the principal doings not only of that district, but of the State. In 1869 he married Miss Wood, who died in 1876, leaving him two children. In 1879 he married his second wife, Miss Fisher, by whom he has one boy, and moved to Raleigh. Captain Coke has always been a most active politician. In 1868 he took a foremost part in the Blair and Sey- mour campaign ; in 1871 he was candidate for a seat in the Constitutional Convention. The following year he was Presidential elec- tor on the Greeley ticket. In 1876 he was elected by a brilliant majority to the State Senate, and was the first and strongest advo- cate for the present county government system. In 1878 he was candidate for Con- gressional nomination : in 1880 he was elected to the chairmanship of the State Democratic Committee, and successfully steered the bark to victory in the campaigns of 1880 and 1882. Last year his name was presented as a candi- date for the nomination for Governor, and his speech before the Convention after the balloting. on his motion to make the nomina- tion of his adversary unanimous clearly shows his mind not narrowed down to the limits of self. but broad, deep and generous, and devoted to the welfare of his party, before whose wishes his own desires sink into oblivion.
Capt. Coke is a man whose influence is felt
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wherever he moves ; he possesses that innate power of swaying mens' minds. As an orator he has a versatility of language and control of voice that the great Athenian him- self might have envied. As a scholar he is supreme, and as a man he is known and honored for his record in the past and respected for his destiny in the future by a million and a half of people from the shores ot the Atlantic to the mountains of the American Switzerland. The Colonel has his law office on the Main street of Raleigh, where those who call will find his company entertaining and his conversation instructive. He deserves all the honors and is well able to fill the highest responsiblities the people of the old North State can bestow, for in his person he combines what is rarely the case, the motive power with the motor, intelli- gence with wealth.
WILLIAMS & HAYWOOD, DRUGGISTS, &C.
J. R. WILLIAMS.
It is a matter of some surprise and no little congratulation that among the changes that take place in the ups and downs that are con- tinually occurring in business circles there are some houses who live unscathed through storm and sunshine, who prosper unaffected by booms and panics, and whose solidity even baffles the conquering hand of father time. Such a house in Raleigh that, founded in the early part of the century. has con- tinued steadily to advance its prosperity and increase its trade, notwithstanding that the country was overrun by hostile armies, is the one whose familiar name forms the caption of this sketch. The house was founded by one Randolph Webb, who conducted it about fifteen or twenty years till he was in 1825 bought out by his clerk, Alfred Williams. In 1827 the name became Williams & Hay- nood, which is still the style of the firm. golter W. H. McKee joined the house, a Co. pleing added to the name, till his retirement çn 1837. In July, 1845, when the present owner became a partner the Co. was again
added and retained till 1851. when the elder Williams withdrew. On the 1st January, 1881, Dr. Haywood went out, leaving Mr. J. R. Williams the sole proprietor. A point of no less remark is, that the house first com- menced business on the site it at present occupies ; about 1831 or '32 the store was burned down and they moved to the opposite side of the street, and later bought out one Lehman, and while building the store they now occupy were burned out over the way and moved temporarily to Peck's corner, coming into their new store in 1834. For now half a century the same name has been retained above the door and on the building. The sign has become familiar to the eyes of more than one generation. and the store is one of the landmarks of the town. The premises consist of two stories 18x70 feet and cellar. The stock, which averages many thousands of dollars in value, contains, besides drugs and medicines, paints, oils, dye stuffs, perfumery and fancy articles, garden seeds, pure wines, brandies and liquors for medicinal use, cigars and tobaccos. They deal both wholesale and retail very largely in all the lines of goods mentioned, and have long held an important trade in the central portion of the State.
Five hands, whose politeness and compe- tency is in keeping with the superior excel- lence of the stock and the long high standing of the house, assist the proprietor in his mul- tifarious duties.
Mr. Williams is a native of Franklin county ; came to Raleigh about 1831-2. entered this house in July, 1836. becoming partner at the date already mentioned. His close attention to business is a subject of favorable remark. He is a past Odd-Fellow. member of the State Pharm. Association. and ably sustains the reputation of this the oldest business house in Raleigh.
JOHN T. MORRIS, FURNITURE, &C.
One of the old and well known landmarks of this favored city is the furniture establish- ment of John T. Morris, who has been en- gaged in his present business for the past nineteen years in Raleigh. He was born in the city of Washington, D. C., in 1835. Af-
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ter becoming acquainted with the details of his business, he moved to this city, and com- menced operations with very limited means, but by selling nothing but well made goods and keeping down prices to a little over-cost, has gradually succeeded in establishing a very extended trade. not only in Raleigh but all over the State. He ships largely in every direction, and his reputation for honest deal- ing has secured him many customers, his prices are always most reasonable and he inakes it a point never to offer any goods for sale unless he feels it safe to guarantee quality &c. The stock is varied and he deals in mat- tresses, spring beds, looking glasses, &c., his store is quite spacious 55x75 feet and always filled with goods.
He is a Master Mason, an Odd Fellow, and likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Legion of Honor. It is unnecessary to add he enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens, and it is with no small satisfaction that we embrace the opportunity of com- mending him to the public as he merits the most liberal patronage.
W. E. V. JACKSON, SALE AND BOARDING STABLES.
In country removed from large manufac- turing centres the most important engine of power and motion is the horse. It is there- fore not surprising that in Raleigh the busi- ness centre for a large portion of this agricul- tural State, we find men extensively engaged in buying, selling and housing that first and principal of all domestic animals, the horse, and as the leading among them we are called upon to notice the above establishment which is familiar to those having anything to do with horses and mules in all quarters of the State. Mr. Jackson first started in 1876, in another firm and in October 1880, he withdrew from them had this stable built by W. H. & R. S. Tucker and opened for himself an institution that has since become one of the largest in the State, in fact for the fine accommodation afforded for transient and permanent board- ing Jackson's stable stands without an equal in North Carolina. Any one visiting the estab- lishment can verify this statement for them- selves and see the constant influx in the ear- lier portion of the day and eflux later in the afternoon from these premises of the wagons and buggies which convey country people to and from the city.
There are altogether 212 stalls about 42 of which are engaged by permanent boarders, the best men in Raleigh keeping their horses here as they can be better attended to than if at home. The stables, well divided into dif- ferent departments, six hands are employed and keep everything neat and clean. The stables proper cover 105x155 feet, besides which there is ample accommodation in pends for 80 mules at a time if necessary. Mr. Jackson also deals extensively in horses and mules, and keeps always on hand a large se- leetion of plain and fancy harness and saddle
horses, heavy and light draught horses and mules for sale or exchange. He takes great care in making sales and avoids trading off a faulty horse on the inexperienced, conse- quently the reputation he has established all over the State as a reliable and competent dealer.
This gentleman is a native of Russell co., Va., and in the war rendered some gallant service in the 5th Tennessee Cavalry in the Western army to the Confederate cause. His regiment was in 27 regular engagements, out of its original compliment of 964 men, 24 men surrendered at Greensboro, and of 96 in Mr. Jackson's company, six were at the surrender. He was wounded several times, once shot through the left lung which does not now perform its functions, and a distin- guishing mark of his is that his left shoulder is much lower than the right caused by simi- lar wounds received. Mr. Jackson is a Mas- ter Mason, and we take pleasure in honoring these pages with the brief sketch of his estab- lishment and himself.
RALEIGH CHRISTIAN ADVO- CATE.
ORGAN OF THE M. E. CHURCH SOUTH, OF NORTH CAROLINA.
REV. FRANK L. REID, EDITOR & PROPRIETOR.
In these days of cheap printing when the newspaper has become an essential attribute of not only every community but of each or- ganization or society-political, social, reli- gious or commercial, which would wish to consider itself worthy of being called by a name, it is a matter of consequence that we find in North Carolina, papers which are the acknowledged organs of the principal associ- ations. Prominent among these is the paper under notice. It was founded in 1855, as the North Carolina Christian Advocate, in 1867 the name was changed to Episcopal Metho- dist, and three years later the present name was adopted. The sheet is 30x44, 8 pages, 6 columns. The press of the establishment is deserving of notice as it is the best in the State. It is a Campbell Power, cost $1200, with a Brown Folder cost $550, and is driven by a gas engine ; the folder is one of the only two used in the State. The paper appears weekly, has a circulation of 4800, perhaps the largest in North Carolina. Mr. Reid was born in Rockingham county, was educated in Trinity College, graduating from the same in June, 1870. For six months he taught the Kernersville High School, and in December of the same joined the North Carolina M. E. Conference. By special petition he in Janu- ary, '71, took charge of the Madison circuit, his old home, remaining there three years On the 3d June, 1873, he married Miss Minn . Cardwell, of Rockingham county, and soc. thereafter moved to Louisberg, where he ha- charge of the Methodist Church for the whole legal term, four years. While there he was
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chosen President of the Louisberg Female College, the duties of which position he ably discharged for a year, when his health giving way he rested for some time. Mr. Reid then happily determined to turn his attention to newspaper work, in 1878 took charge of the Advocate, and along with Dr. Black as his inactive associate, conducted it for six years, in which time the circulation rose from 2600 to 4800, and on the 19th Deceniber last bought the entire interest. Mr. Reid is a gentleman well suited to the position he holds. He comes of a race of men noted for their intel- lectual attainments. His father and grand- fatlier were both preachers ; the latter during his life was the acknowledged leader of the Conference of this State, and the former as a brilliant orator, had not his equal, of his age. Their descendant, the subject of our present sketch, has inherited their ability. He is one of the most popular men, and one of the ablest pulpit orators in the Methodist body. He is a Mason, in '74 and 5 was Grand Chap- lain of the Grand Lodge ; he was lately ap- pointed Director of the Graded Schools of Raleigh, N. C. and of the State Penitentiary.
FRED. A. WATSON, PHOTOGRAPHIC FRAMES, &c.
All large cities contain one or more thor- oughly equipped gilding and frame making establishments, which are at once, the neces- sity of the fine-art loving citizens, who are dependent on their taste and skill to properly frame and set off the beauties of their paint- ings, engravings and sculptured bass-relief, and also the exhibition of elegant engravings, paintings and other finc specimens of art. They are deferred to very properly. as their long experience enables them to decide in- stantly and pronounce intelligently on the style, massiveness and material for a picture's surroundings. Fred. A. Watson is the most famous and leading establishment of this city, having purchased about three years ago the business from C. C. Clawson, who carried it on for thirty-five years on a much smaller scale. Mr. Watson has a beautiful and at- tractive supply, and does a large business, the trade being over the State and adjoining States. This gentleman is most thoroughly accomplished in his art, and accurately suits his work to the picture's requirements, a great desideratum to the art loving public ; his store is 25x60. Many gems are often to be seen there while awaiting framing. No superior master of frame-making is to be found anywhere, and he is justly and exten- sively appreciated. In addition to the gen- eral store there is a warehouse and shops at the rear, where the manufacture of picture frames, window shades, cornices and screens is carried on, and has some splendid mould- ings on hand at all times. He deals in fancy goods, beautiful chairs, mirrors and mirror plates, and many attractive things too numer- ous to mention. He was born at Chatham county, in N. C., 1848.
BARBEE & BARBEE,
WHOLESALE GROCERS AND COMMIS- SION MERCHANTS AND DEALERS IN FERTILIZERS.
305 WILMINGTON STREET.
This firm, one of the leading represenatives of trade in this rapidly angmenting business centre. succeeded on 1st of January of this year, the old firm of Rand & Barbee, who were 7 years existing. The new co-partner- ship is formed by Mr. E. B. Barbee partner of the above mentioned firm, and his father, Mr. C. C. Barbee. They occupy at 305 Wil- mington street, a large 2 story building, 30x 80 feet in extent. It is adapted in every way for handling goods in quantity, and is filled with a stock averaging in value $10,000. This consists of everything included under the comprehensive term heavy groceries.
They are the largest dealers in fertilizers in this town. and agents for and sell principally Lister's Brands, as well as Wando's and other makes. As commission merchants they han- dle large quantities of all kinds of agricultu- ral produce: solicit consignments of cotton (of which they handle several thousand bales), and give highest prices for tobacco in the leaf. The requirements of business neccessitate tlie employment of six hands and two wagons.
Mr. C. C. Barbec, the senior of the house, is a native of Wake county, and is one of the best known men in this portion of the State. His son, E. B., is a native of Harnett county, and has been for 12 years one of the most enterprising and leading merchants on the street.
C. T. STRONACH, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL GROCER,
MARKET AND MARTIN STREETS.
A represenative merchant and man of weight and influence in the capital city of the "tar heel statc." is the subject of our sketch. Mr. Stronach is of the well known family of that name, of this city. The father of the present family was a Scotchman, son of a gentlemen farmer of Inverness, and came to the U. S. about 1830. He was some time in New York, where his education and training soon brought him to the front, so that he was called upon to come South and execute the sculpture work on the then new capitol, which workmanship is to-day admired by all. He thus settled in Ralcigh in 1832, established a fine reputation on the job above mentioned, undertook large contracts in his line, built many railroads in this section of the state, and died in 1856.
Mr. G. T. Stronach, his oldest son and third child, was born in Raleigh on the 20th of June, 1842. At the outbreak of the late war he was one of the first to enter the army and served the Confederacy 4 years and 9 days as Ordi- nance Sergeant, in the 14th N. C., and later
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CITY OF RALEIGH.
as ordinance officer in Cox's brigade. He only missed one of the big fights Lee's army was engaged in. When things got a little settled, in May. 1867. he started in business backing his brother, W. C., under whose name it was run till October, when it became G. T. & W. C. Stronach. This co-partnership lasted only a year, and G. T. Stronach continued a prosperous career alone till the 1st of August, 1874, when he sold out to W. C. & A. B. Stronach. During that time he increased his business to nearly half a million annually- his name became a household word-his goods the standard over the whole State, For ten years he retired from the grocery busi- ness and on the 1st of August, 1884 when he opened again his okl customers flocked back to him and now he does an immense trade from Raleigh as a centre.
Ilis principal wrrehouse extends from Mar- tin street to the Market, is 241x70 fcet. four stories and basement. The other warehouse also on Martin, is 35x120 fcet, three stories and basement, and is mostly used for storing and exhibiting goods received on consignment. The stock running up many thousands of dol- lars in value, contams a full line of everything included under the comprehensive head, heavy and fancy groceries. It is needless for us to enter into detail, suffice it to say that Mr. Stronach being in direct communication with the principal manufacturers, dealers and producers of the U. S., is prepared to sup- ply the produce used for the food of man or beast, in any quantity.
Eleven experienced employees and four wagons are constantly engaged attending to the multifarious duties of this leviathan establishment.
Apart from business Mr. Stronach carries weight in political measures.
R. E. ELLIS, GROCER AND COMMISSION MERCHANT, COR. WILMINGTON AND MARTIN STREETS.
Among the various extensive and growing commercial industries of this city which exercise an important influence on our gen- eral trade and bear the marks of continued increase and prosperity. none occupies a more useful and significant station than the grocer and commission merchant. Engaged in this line we find Mr. Ellis, who originaMy started in 1874 as R. E. Ellis & Bro., which firm dis- solved on the 15th January of last year. The premises, 30x120 feet in extent, three stories and basement, are located in the business centre of Raleigh and are arranged for suc- cessfully carrying out operations. They are filled with a full and varied line of all kinds of groceries and feedstuffs ; the stock aver- ages some $7,000 in value and is procured from the best sources. Mr. Ellis gives his personal attention to consignments of cotton on storage or for sale. He offers special in- ducements on car load lots of corn, meal, bran, oats, or hay. He employs four assist-
ants and two wagons. His goods are in increasing demand over the State, his sales averaging about $125,000 annually.
Mr. Ellis is a native of Johnson county. He came to Raleigh in 1870 ; has by strict attention to his affairs risen to be an impor- tant factor in the city's financial standing and commercial progress.
STATE NATIONAL BANK, OF RALEIGH.
There is no one subject in the whole cate- gory of human events of more vital impor- tance to the business community at large than that of a highly perfected and reliable banking system, and of such 'a system the institution under notice is a prominent and solid representative, and its career in this city has been attended with well won and merited
success. The bank was established in 1868. under the National Banking act, its number being 1682 on the register, and was the suc- cessor of the old private banking house of John G. Williams & Co., the senior partner of which was the first President, and whose family still hold almost the entire stock. The capital. $100,000, has not been increased. The surplus is $47.000 and the deposits aver- age $300,000. The building is specially built for the purpose. At the head of this institu- tion is Mr. E. R. Stamps, who has been Presi- dent since May, 1883. He is a native of Mecklenburg county, Va. At the age of seventeen he joined the Thirteenth North Carolina Regiment, serving with them fifteen months, and later in Artillery Company A. Garnett Battalion. He was in prison several months at Point Look Out, being exchanged on the 4th of March, 1864, serving the Con- federacy till its close.
The war ended, he returned to Tarborough, N. C., where he studied law with Judge Howard, and was admitted in 1867. He prac- ticed in Tarborough two years, then at Wil- son, and returned to Tarborough, where he edited for four years the Tarborough Southern. In 1875 he came to Raleigh and has since conducted a successful practice here, and has become a prominent factor in social and busi- ness circles, He is chairman of the Board of Directors of the State Penitentiary. He is assisted in the bank by Cashier Sam. C. White, who has been some ten years in the institution, and Leo D. Heartt, assistant cashier, who has also had much experience in financial matters.
J. P. CULLEY,
DRY GOODS, CLOTHING, SHOES, HATS, ETC.,
CORNER FAYETTEVILLE STREET AND EX- CHANGE PLACE.
By nothing can the commercial history of a city be so well determined as by noticing in detail the career of her successful and lead- ing business men, and among such in Raleighi
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
the gentleman in question is worthy of a prominent place. Mr. Gulley started busi- ness in 1869 as Gulley, Barnum & Co., the fol- lowing year the name was changed to J. P. Gulley & Bro .. and since 1874 he has con- ducted the establishment alone, gradually ex- tending his trade and custom till his name is familiar not only in Raleigh, but in every village and hamlet of the surrounding coun- try for the reliability and cheapness of the goods he handles. These consist of foreign and domestic dry goods, fancy and dress goods, American notions, gents and boys clothing in the latest and most fashionable styles, also all shapes in hats and caps, trunks, valises, white goods, boots and shoes in all sizes, including Boyden's, Miles' and Hannan's celebrated hand-made goods. The stock averages in value from $25,000 to $30,000 and is being constantly replenished from the leading manufacturers and jobbers of the North and East. The store 20x65 feet, three stories, one of the busiest places of busi- ness in town, is well located on Fayetteville corner Exchange, from seven to nine compe- tent hands being required to attend to the multifarious demands of a constant crowd of customers. Mr. Gulley was born in the the city of Raleigh but raised in the country and at an early age was left without a mother. In the war he served the Confederacy 3} years in the 53d N. C. Infantry, and was present at most of the big fights in Virginia. When peace returned he took to farming and also went to school for six months. He came to Raleigh in 1866 and was three years clerking with Len H. Adams before he com- menced a business which by his enterprise, reliability and ability has since been an im- portant and progressive factor in the general moral welfare and material advance of the capital city.
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