USA > North Carolina > Historical and descriptive review of North Carolina, volume 1 > Part 16
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Visiting the establishment we see every device that money can procure for the easy and proper handling of the weed. The house is 45x100 feet. 4 stories high ; the first floor is given up to the sorting and prizing depart- ment, the first and last stages the leaf goes through before shipment. Here the green tobacco is selected, put on the sticks and sent up to the floors above to dry out, which is known when the stem of the leaf breaks crisp. In the centre of the building is a large elevator which runs with speed and ease ; diverging from it on each floor are pathways which at all times are kept clear so that the so-called trucks or barrows can pass from end
to end through the woods of tobacco. The second floor is used for storing or drying the bright cutters and smokers, which fill respec- tively two sides of the space. The third floor is filled with fillers and wrappers similarly all up to dry. The top floor is used for trash and racking the green grades. When the tobacco is re-ordered and the weather season- able it is taken down and what is termed bulked or stored away, covered with heavy blankets, and in this state will keep for ever. From here, when sold, it is packed carefully in large hogsheads, about a thousand pounds a piece, and pressed or technically prized tightly down therein by means of large screws. A corner of the first floor is laid off for the office. where callers are well enter- tained. The whole building is provided with the new style of swinging windows, which, when open, allow a full draft of air in ; the house is admirably built and is tight as a ship at every corner. Mr. Parker has lately added a tobacco orderer, which can be used at any season for ordering the leaf. The apparatus is the only one of the kind in Oxford. It can steam or put in order about 3.000 or more pounds in a day, and in dry weather proves of the greatest possible advantage. It is economy to use it, as it answers at the same time the purpose of a stove for heating the building : accommodation for all the hands employed is also furnished on the premises.
Mr. S. W. Parker, who is the active partner in the concern, Dr. Herndon being president of the bank, has arranged everything in a first class manner. His residence is on the other side of a large garden which surrounds the prize house, and here he grows fine crops of corn, oats, fruits and vegetables. He has also adjoining lots on which he can extend his business accommodations when trade may lemand it. This excellent gentleman is a native of Halifax County, N. C., is son of J. H. Parker, and was many years engaged as a successful cotton planter. Looking for other and more lucrative chanels to embark his capital in he chose two years ago to come to Oxford and handle the world famed Gran- ville bright leaf. In business Mr. Parker is prompt and reliable : personally he is a pleasant gentleman. He married in 1873 Mary, daughter of D. A. Hunt. of Oxford, is active in the Baptist church, and is an ac- quisition to the progress of this growing town. Mr. Parker is a dealer in shingles, carrying a good stock of W. F. Parker's favorite brands of Eastern N. C. cypress.
ALF. HOBGOOD,
PROPRIETOR OF THE JOHNSON TO- BACCO WAREHOUSE.
These men. who have aided in building up the tobacco interest of this section of country may be looked upon as the most important factors in the progress and welfare of the community. Among such our readers will admit that the proprietor of the Johnson tobacco warehouse of Oxford commands
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special attention at our hands. Mr. Hobgood is a native of Granville county, was among the first to engage in the successful raising of tobacco, which he carried on many years. In 1880 recognising the necessity for increased selling facilities, he discontinued farming and took in hand the running of the warehouse, which under his management has grown to be most popular with the planter. The floor,
LEYS
of solid oak. is 50x200 feet in extent and this year between 3,000,000 and 4.000,000 lbs. of leaf tobacco will be sold upon it. The premi- ses are provided with ample facilities for loading and unloading, and with stalls for the comfort and accommodation of 50 or 60 mules, besides lodging conveniences. He is ably assisted by J. R. Cutherill, auctioneer, and W. Y. Brogdon, book keeper. About 10 or 12 hands are employed, sales are conducted every day, and highest prices are granted to farmers. Mr. Hobgood is also a large buyer of tobacco, handling on speculation about half a million pounds. He is a man cut out for this line of business, makes everybody feel at home, and liberal and square in his dealings he holds the confidence of the people who trade in this market In the war he served 4 years as Sergeant in the 23d N. C. regiment. and was twice wounded, at Seven Pines aud at Winchester. He is a mason, a Baptist, and married in Oxford in 1867, and as an influential factor in the community and the friend of the farmer, well merits the im- portant place he holds in the solidity and ad_ vancement of this thriving city and county.
THE BANK OF OXFORD, H. C. HERNDON, PRESIDENT. W. B. GULICK, CASHIER.
A bank being the great avenue through which the financial transactions of a business centre are made, and without whose facilities for exchange and handling of money an in-
dustry can advance but slowly and insecurely, it involves upon us to give a prominent men- tion in commenting on the industrial history and growth of a country to the fiduciary in- stitutions which tend so indisputably to aug- ment and sustain her progress.
Oxford Is happily not behind hand in the possession of such an institution, which was founded here in July, 1882, on a capital of $24,000. From the commencement the busi- ness rapidly grew, which shortly necessitated the increase of the capital to $40,000, and this July $10,000 stock will be added thereto.
The bank occupies a part of the finest building in Oxford; it is 20x70 feet in extent, furnished with all conveniences for carrying on operations, and is well divided into office and President's and Director's rooms. The bank has been conductcl in a systematic manner, has proven a boon to the community and is patronized by all the business men of the town and county. The deposits show an immense surplus and daily increase; every facility is offered the public for collection, transmission and handling of money and its equivalents, and correspondence is carried on with the principal buiiness centres of the U. S. and Canada.
H. C. HERNDON.
Its stock is held by the solidest and best known men of the county, and the general popularity of the institution reflects great credit on its management. In connection herewith it would be but just to notice the life of the gentlemen by whose agency the bank was originated, and under whose care it has been fostered.
Dr. Herndon was born in Orange and is a son of Zechariah Herndon of Herndonsville, in that county; his oldest brother, R. N. Hern- don, moved to Oxford about 70 years ago, and commening business here was one of the most successful merchants. For 30 or 40 years he was of the firm of R. N. & D. C. Herndon -
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who largely tended to build up this town; he accumulated a large fortune, was the largest tax payer in the county aud died in 1863. abont 70 years of age.
D. C. Herndon died in 1872. The celebrated physician Jno. R. Herndon who for many years was the best known practitioner in this section of the country, was also a brother of the foregoing: he died in 1865. Dr. H. C. Herndon the most prominent living repre- senative of this family came to Oxford a boy, took his first course in medicine at Pennsyl- vania University, then at the University of N. Y., from which he graduated in 1849. For 15 years he conducted a successful practice in Granville and in the war served as army sur- geon. A physician's life did not, however, afford the opportunities for amassing wealth which was the desire of his ambition. In 1865 he consequently embarked in business as a general merchant; for many years he was the foremost merchant in this town and in April. 1881, retired on the fortune he had made by constant hard work. honesty and liberal deal- ing. He was the first president of the Oxford and Henderson R.R. The bank now occupies the larger portion of his time, though he still gives his personal attention to his numer- ous investments. He is president of the newly organized R. R. Co., which in a year or two will complete a line from this point to Clarks- ville, Va. Active, energetic and far seeing in business, he is a foremost figure in the finan- cial growth and progress of the city of Oxford. Temperate in habits he enjoys the possession of a clear and steady head.
He is a member of the Masonic order and as a factor in the public welfare and advance- ment enjoys the confidence of the community.
EDWARDS & ROGERS, HARDWARE, TINWARE, CROCKERY, GLASSWARE, STOVES. SEWING MA- CHINES, SPORTING GOODS, ETC.
There is no trade that advances more as a country becomes richer or more thickly settled than the hardware business, and in Oxford, a town which has grown with enormous strides during the last decade, we see this truthfully emplified in the extension and progress of its great hardware firm, whose familiar name forms the caption of this sketch. The house was founded in 1868, as Wylie & Edwards, in '71 the senior partner retired, Mr. Edwards continuing his career aloue till joined by his present partner in 1880. From its commence- ment the business has steadily continued to grow in breadth and stature with each suc- eecding year, till it now is one of the largest establishments of its kind in the State. The premises occupied form the handsomest store building in town; they are 30x70 feet in extent, 3 floors with basement, all arranged and spe- cially adapted for carrying out the many transactions and handling the large quantity of goods annually sold here. The basement is used for the storage of paints, oil, lime,
cement, plaster, and such heavy hardware and farming implements which do not easily spoil. From the street we enter the busi- ness floor and here goods are well displayed on counters and shelves: above are more store and also sleeping rooms for employees and on the topmost floor is the workshop, where 3 skilled bands, lock and gunsmith, tinner and machinist are always busy filling the large orders constantly pouring in for repairing work and manufacturing.
EDWARDS & ROGERS
HARDWARE
The stock of goods averages some $10,000 iu value aud contains everything classed under the comprehensive terms, shelf and heavy hardware, machinists' carpenter's and build- er's tools, mill findings, bar iron and steel, imported and domestic cutlery of all kinds, also tinware, a fine line of foreign aud home made crockery and glassware, all sizes of coal, wood and oil parlor and kitchen stoves, guns and pistols in great variety, hand and treadle sewing machines, of the best manufacturers, lamps, oils, paints, sporting goods, in fact everything used in farming, in business or about a house, and nothing in the shape of wearing apparel or eatables. They also sup- ply this county with tobacco flues, using 40 to 50,000 pounds of sheet iron annually. As already mentioned they do all kinds of repair- ing of guns, locks, roofs, plumbing and the like.
The owners of this establishment, one of the pillars of Oxford's strength and standing are J. F. Edwards and W. F. Rogers. The first is a native of Franklin county, was raised in Wake where he learned his trade as a gun- smith, is widely known for his experience and proficiency in his line of business. He is an influential Odd Fellow in his lodge,
The second is from Richmond, was 3 years in Durham before coming to Oxford 4 years ago. He is a tinner by trade, an Odd Fellow and Mason. He is one of the leaders of the Democratic party, is at present serving his second term as Mayor of the city.
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TOWN OF OXFORD.
McGUIRE & BRYAN,
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL GROCERS, FERTILIZERS, FARMING IMPLEMENTS, ETC.
The first and most important of staples are those which supply to man his daily food and consequently we find in any community large mercantile concerns handling food sup- plies. In Oxford, the supplying centre for a large section of fertile and well cultivated country, in this line, we note the well known firm McGuire & Bryan. This concern has grown up with the town during its rapid advancement from the crippled state the war left it in. The present firm three years ago succeeded Williams & Bryan who carried on a successful trade for about thirteen years. They occupy a store 30x60 feet with base- ment. It is the best known site in town, not only on account of the large custom the busi- ness itself enjoys, but on the premises are lo- cated the telegraph and express offices and also the business of the railroad is transacted here. They carry a very full stock of every- thing included under the comprehensive term staple and fancy groceries and supply- ing everything looked for on the the table of the log cabin or the palace, enjoy a standard reputation for their goods and do a business of some $40,000 yearly. They also handle the famous Stonewall tobacco plow, and other farming implements. In fertilizers they do business of some $12,000 annually, chiefly Allison & Addison's celebrated special tobacco manure. They have ten competent hands em- ployed, keep a wagon busy, their trade is al- most all cash, steadily increases all over Per- son, Orange, Vance, Wake, Durham. Gran- ville and the adjoining counties. The own- ers of this prosperous house are R. H. Mc- Guire and H. Bryan. The first is a native of Halifax, has been in the mercantile business all his life, is a K. of H., a Baptist, one of the original directors in the O. & H. R. R., and has a family of four children. The second was born in Edgecombe came to this county six- teen years ago, was formerly in tobacco manufacturing, is a Baptist.
Mr. McGuire also employs six hands in the manufacture of hogsheads of which he sup- plies the larger quantity used for the package and shipment of tobacco from this market.
These gentlemen are far-seeing and pro- gressive and their house is a bulwark of the material welfare and advancement of this solid and thriving centre of trade.
J. M. CURRIN,
LEAF TOBACCO DEALER.
The tobacco interest having, as is generally acknowledged, resuscitated and built up the material importance of this country, a notice of those men who have brought about and maintained this prosperous state of affairs forms an intrinsic part of our review of this great mdustry.
Oxford it is known handles all grades of bright leaf tobacco, but it has obtained a spec- ial reputation for the fine qualities of this same bright leaf. Those then who confine their attention more particularly to handling high grades occupy a high place in her well being, so it is with no apology that we put on these pages the name of the above gentle-
man who is one of the largest speculators on this market. Mr. Currin after several years as the most successful farmer in the county first started in Henderson, where he remained nine years and has been now on this market three years. He occupies the largest prize house in Oxford located near the depot. It is five stories, 50x100 feet in extent, newly built and arranged with all the conveniences for handling the leaf. He buys entirely on his own account, this year he calculates on buy- ing between 600,000 and 700.000 pounds, and in his house he has at all times a large stock of smokers, wrappers, fillers and cutters from which manufacturers and Western and North- ern commission merchants can be readily suited. He also purchases a large quantity of Virginia mahogany leaf having his son lo- cated at Clarksville in that State. Mr. Cur- rin is a native of Granville co., has spent his life among tobacco and tobacco men and few have been as successful.
He is a Mason, Vice President of the To- bacco Trade, is a member of the Board of Town Commissioners, of the Baptist denom- ination, and has a wife and seven children. Mr. Currin has established a reputation with manufacturers for being reliable and square and every package which goes out from this honse is guaranteed uniform.
JOHN MEADOWS, PROPRIETOR OF MEADOWS WARE- HOUSE.
In a tobacco market the warehouseman forms one of the most important factors in
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handling the leaf, and when he adds to his responsibility vim, energy and business tact, he becomes a very weighty personage indeed. Oxford possesses such a warehonseman in the person of the above gentleman, who has ad- vanced the popularity of his establishment to its present marked extent. Mr. Meadows though in the business some 5 years, may be said to have commenced with new enter-
prise when he again took his present position on the first day of Nov. last. His warehouse floor is 50x290 ft. in extent, and is conveni- ently divided so that one end of the building may be used for selling low grades in. He has also built all the necessary arrangements for re-ordering. bulking and prizing on the premises, which facilities he offers to the smaller dealers free of charge. His floor is one of the largest in tho State, and this year between three and four million pounds will be sold upon it ; these consist of all grades of tobacco, though in our visits to the sales we specially noticed that very high prices are as a rule paid. The facilities for handling the weed are very perfect and complete, about 16 competent hands are always in attendance, and 10 wagons can be unloaded at a time. Mr. Meadows is himself a spirited buyer. lends life to the daily auctions on his own floor, and as a dealer will handle about 600,000 lbs. in the season. He is a native of Person county, is an Odd Fellow and Methodist, and planters can have their interests in no way better con- served than by trusting their tobacco in his hands.
WILLIAMS & FURMAN, DRUGGISTS.
In descanting on the resources of the city of Oxford. with the view of conveying to the ontside world a knowledge of its increasing importance, and the men who contribute in
maintaining its prosperity, we are called upon to note the well known drug establisment of Williams & Furman, who three years ago succeeded the firm of R. J. Mitchell & Son. The store has been favorably known to the people of this section over 40 years, and under the last co-partnership has taken a still greater prominence, and enjoys a steadily growing popularity. The premises, well located on the main street are of briek, are 24x75 ft. in ex- tent, have handsome glass front which at night admits a full stream of light illuminat- ing the whole surroundings. The stock aver- aging some $3000 in value, is displayed on the various shelves and elegant show cases, so as to attract attention. This contains besides a full line of imported and domestic drugs and heavier chemicais, all the latest proprietary medicines, French pefumery, toilet necessa- ries, and a good selection of holiday presents and fancy articles. Two competent assistants are employed, and careful attention is given to the prescription department. The individ- ual owners of this flourishing establishment are Dr. J. B. Williams and H. O. Furman. The first is a native of Warren county, served in the Confederate army with the 43d N. C., and in the heavy artillery, and also in the signal corps, graduated from the University of N. C., in 1864 pursued the study of medi- dine at the University of Md. receiving his de- gree in 1868. He practiced 10 years in Franklin county, and now for 6 years has been in Ox- ford where he does a large and growing busi- ness, and is recognized as a medical practi- tioner of skill and experience. He is Supt. of the State Board of Health for this county, is a K. of H., K. of P., and Mason, also belongs to the Methodist denomination, and has a family of 7 children. Mr Furman is a native of Franklin county, and came here in 1879 : he has been upwards of six years in the drug business, the store being under his immediate care is in competent hands ; he is one of the popular young men of the county, is a K. of P., Methodist. and this year mar- ried Miss Hayes of Oxford.
JOHN WEBB, LEAF TOBACCO DEALER.
ORDERS SOLICITED.
The above gentleman one of the most pusli- ing of Oxford's tobacco men. has been now favorably know on this market since Novem- ber. 1882, and has established his reputation as a good and safe jndge. He handles mostly on order as well as for speculation and this year will pass throngh his house abont half a million pounds. His prize house, one of the best appointed in Oxford. is located near the depot, is 40x80 feet, four stories with base- ment, and here he has always on hand a large stock of all grades of bright wrappers, fillers, cutters and smokers. He buys considerable tobacco. chiefly bright fillers. for export through the Richmond market. He employs eight hands on an average, handles the leaf with ease and rapidity and pays strict atten-
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TOWN OF OXFORD.
tion to packing full weight and grades in the hogsheads when shipped.
Mr. Webb was born and raised in Granville coanty and was two years at Chappel Hill University. His father is a large tobacco farmer and the subject of our sketch has grown up in a tobacco atmosphere and may be said to be as thoroughly acquainted with the quality of the leaf as it is possible. He is an Odd Fellow and as a young man of euergy and judgment well merits the success he has met with. He is ably assisted by his brother, J. A. Webb, who is also commencing in the fertilizing business. He is agent for Ober's tobacco compost acknowledged one of the best in use in this State, and for the Anchor Brand. He carried on a successful trade ten years as a general merchant at Tally Ho. He was educated at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y .. has a wife and three children.
JOHN B. BOOTH, LEAF TOBACCO BROKER.
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The rapid growth of the Oxford tobacco market is largely owing to the enterprise of her order buyers, prominent among whom we note the above gentleman who has now been in business some four years. Mr. Booth buys for some of the largest plug and cigarette fac- tories in the country, and soliciting corres- pondence with commission merchants and manufacturers everywhere, is having his patronage rapidly augmented. With good prize house accommodations che is prepared to re-order tobacco at small cost as well as ship direct from the warehouse door. He handles, we need hardly say, al Gastos of the famous bright leaf sold on thi, market, in- cluding finest wrappers, cutter Files and
smokers. Deservedly marked his business associates. on several committees of the tobacco trade. Mr. Booth is tive socially. He is a Virginian by birth came to
North Carolina five years ago, is a K. of P., and is at present Noble Grand of the Oxford Lodge of Odd Fellows. He is corporal in the newly organized military company the Gran- ville Grays.
T. N. BURWELL & CO., LEAF TOBACCO DEALERS.
Among the tobacco men of this market is the above house. Mr. Burwell commenced business in March 1880, continued alone two years, then took his brother. A. R. Burwell, Jr., into partnership, the style name remain- ing as T. N. Burwell & Bro. till the latter's death on 31st May, 1884. On 1st of December Mr. W. A. Burwell was taken into the firm, the present style being adopted. Commen- cing on a small basis this house rapidly grew, and now handles about half a million pounds annually of the famous Golden Belt bright leaf. They buy almost all their tobacco on their own account, have always on hand a large stock of all grades of wrappers. fillers, smokers, cutters as well as scrap, and can snit manufacturers or exporters at short no- tice. Their substantial prize house, the only brick one of any size in Oxford, is 40x63 feet in extent, and has four floors. Six hands are employed. Mr. Burwell is a native of Gran- ville county, understands thoroughly how to take care of tobacco from the seed till made ready for the manufacturer, and orders placed in his hands will be promptly and correctly filled. He is a member of the K. of P. The junior partner was born in what is now Vance county, and though young in the bus- iness, is a valuable addition to the firm. These gentlemen do a steadily increasing trade throughout the north, the west and in Canada, and solicit correspondence with manufacturers and dealers everywhere when they want reliable grades of this popular and mild yellow leaf tobacco.
N. B. CANNADY, ATTORNEY AT LAW. AND
N. B. CANNADY & CO.,
INSURANCE AGENTS,
The above gentleman who has gained a prominence based on his own energy, was born in the county of Granville, was educated at Wakeforest College, where he gained con- siderable distinction among his fellows and graduated here in 1873. He studied law with Hon. Jos. J. Davis, at Louisburg. and was admitted to the bar in 1875. The following year he settled in Oxford, with hardly a dollar in his pocket, made known to the public that he was prepared to undertake all the duties of adlawyer, soon worked himself into their confidence by his success in the courts and his advice as a counsellor, and with a large and growing practice, is to-day
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