Business People of Marion 1890

The 10 November 1890 issue of the Evansville (Indiana) Courier had an article on Marion, Crittenden County, Kentucky, its businesses and businessmen.  The population of Marion at that time was 2,000 and the people were described as "live, wide-awake and hospitable to a fault." There were two flouring mills, one harness and saddler factory, one saw and planning mill, one tobacco stemmery and a distillery, but no saloons. There were four churches for the white population and three churches where the black population worshiped.

G.C. Gray
Engaged in the sale of dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, hats and caps. Began his present enterprise in 1878. Native of Kentucky.

Blue & Blue
Attorneys at law; father and son began practice as a firm in 1884. J.N. Blue Sr. came to Marion 1854 from Union County, where he was admitted to the bar and first commenced practice. Native of Kentucky. J.W. Blue Jr. elected Crittenden County Attorney at the last election on the Democratic ticket. Graduate of the Louisville Law University, Class of  '84.

M. Schwar
Commenced business in Marion in 1881 as a produce commission merchant. In 1889 he opened a grocery story. Came from Owensboro, where he was a commission merchant five years.

D. Woods
Born in Livingston County in 1839. Came to this county at age of 15 and when old enough launched a mercantile business, which he followed up to 12 years ago, when he was elected County Clerk on the Democratic ticket. Re-elected last August for 4 years.

Marion Banking Company
Operates the Marion Bank; R.W. Wilson, President and H.H. Loving, Cashier. Incorporated 1887.

Dr. Samuel D. Swope
Came to Marion October 28, 1889 from Henderson, where he was born and reared. Graduate of the medical department of the Louisville University, Class of '87.

T.J. Cameron
Came from Cadiz and commenced business in 1867. Served in Federal army during the war, and is today a prominent member of the G.A.R. His store is 2-stories high and his stock comprises everything except drugs and whisky. Republican.

R.E. Bigham
Proprietor of the Marion Mills, which first turned its wheels in '78. He was born and reared here.

Dr. J.W. Crawford
Came to Marion 1877 from Livingston County, where he was born and where he commenced the practice of medicine in 1857. Graduate of the St. Louis College of Medicine. Old line Democrat.

J.N. Woods
Probably the pioneer business man of Crittenden County, having commenced business in Marion in 1846. He carries about $8,000 worth of stock. Mr. Woods is aged and wishes to retire from business.

Hillyard & Woods
The only dealers of drugs and medicines of any prominence in Marion. They handle a large line of wall paper and paints and oils. Commenced business January 1, '90 but the house was established by Mr. H. about 12 years ago. They burned out last August, but at once bought out Clark & Co., who had been carrying on a drug trade for some years.

Marion Hotel
Mary L. Barnes is the pleasant proprietress, assisted by J.M. Barnes as clerk. Mrs. Barnes came off a farm to run the hotel.

J.J. Bennett
Furniture and wallpaper business. He is also an undertaker. Born and reared in this county.

J.G. Rochester
Attorney at law. Born and reared here and was admitted to practice 11 years ago. Read law with D.H. Hughs at Morganfield.

Sam Guggenheim
Dealer in dry goods, boots & shoes, hats & caps, clothing and gents' furnishing goods. Came here in 1881 and clerked for Benj. H. Hatfield before going into business for himself.

Pierce & Son
Dealers in hardware agricultural implements, stoves, harness and saddler. Commenced business 1881. Mr. J.P. Pierce, the senior member, came to Crittenden county 1859 from Jefferson county, Tennessee. He was Crittenden County Sheriff 1878-1881 and County Judge 1882-1885. Has been Justice of the Peace and member of the Board of Trustees of this town. A.J. Pierce, the junior member, is 27 years old and a good Democrat. The senior member is also a member of the firm of Pierce & Yandell, dry goods merchants.

Published 7 November 2013, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/