Union City
Its Commercial and Industrial Advantages (1912)

The Feild Publishing Company, Press of Mcowat-Mercer Printing Co., Jackson, Tenn., 1912, reprinted 1976 Pioneer Press and Sponsored by Obion County Historical Society.  Extract Copyright by Jane N. Powell, June 17, 1998.   Businesses, Companies and Individuals, listed in order of appearance in booklet.

• Morgan-Verhine Co., The Big Store, 518-520 S. First St., began 1880.
• H. O. Head, Jr., Farmer
• J. C. Burdick, Dealer in fish, oysters and game.
• Farmers Exchange Bank, youngest bank in the city: officers, W. C. Harris, N. W. Whipple, Harris Parks, R. E. White
• Ligon Furniture Co, Est 1910 on West First Street: officers, Hardy Ligon, Gus B. White, Enloe Chiles
• W. H. Harris & Co., 308 Main Street, Est. 1907, Complete line of seed grain, lime, cement, sand and fertilizers.
• R. T. Curlin, Complete line of dry goods, Est. 25 years ago (circa 1887)
• A. J. Stephens, Wholesale Yellow Pine Lumber, Located in Nailling Bldg
• M. G. Downing, Est 1910 at 227 South First St., Latest Books, Magazines and daily papers, complete stock of office supplies, and a circulating library.
• Dahnke's Cafe, Wholesale and retail bakery and confectionery; manufacturers of Velvet Ice Cream and turns out 3,000 loaves of bread daily. Presently installing 16 ft. Robert M. Green Sons Fountain. Officers: Geo. Dahnke, A. C. Montrous, A. F, Montrous, G. F. Schlerifer.
• H. P. Taylor, Architect and Builder, located in Nailling Bldg.
• The Toggery Haberdashers, Est. 1911 at 218 S. First Street, Distributors of Wilson Bros.' Gent's Furnishings and carry a complete line of ladies' shoes. Owned by: E. K. White, J. W. Pardue and J. A. Prieto.
• Oliver's Red Cross Drug Store, H. M. Oliver, Prop., pharmacy, 14 ft. Lippincott "Leader Iceless Soda Fountain," tobacco, toiletries, sales handled with a National Electrically Operated Cash Register.
• Bransford & Andrews, Jewelers, Est. 1906, 313 S. First Street, diamonds, jewelry, cut glass, watches, silverware, hand painted china, musical instruments. Management: H. A. Bransford, C. L, Andrews.
• D. D. Forrester, Tin and Sheet Metal Work, Est 1909, 310 First St., exclusive tinning business, roofing, guttering and installing furnaces.
• Dietzel Jewelry Establishment, Est. 1909, located in heart of business district. Proprietors, F. L. and Charles Dietzel.
• Forester & Forester, Live Real Estate Men, office in Nailling Bldg.
• W. H. Gardner, retired capitalist, father of Russell Gardner, "The Banner Buggy Man," Mrs. Ex-Governor Patterson, F. D. Gardner, owner of the Missouri Coffin Co., W. A. Gardner, member of the Board of Trade of Chicago and St. Louis.
• Old National Bank, in heart of business district. Officers and Directors: L. S. Parks, R. P. Whitesell, A. J. Corum, Sid Waddell, J. A. Wheeler, J. S. Roberts, Dr. A. Edwards, E. V. Caldwell, J. A. Hefley, H. A. Beck, Walter Howell
• R. F. Tisdale & Son, Est 1893 at 106 S. First St., grain, field seeds, harvesting machinery, gasoline engines.
• J. F. Carter, High Grade Buggies, Est. 1902, located 205-207 Washington Ave. 3500 sq. ft. of floor space.
• Stone & Rainer Grocers, staples, fancy groceries, table delicacies, coffees, spices. Proprietors: A. J. Rainey and I. W. Stone.
• J. C. Reynold Opera House, ground floor, seats 800, managed by J. C. Reynolds who was previously a passenger conductor for M & O RR for eighteen years.
• E. P. Grissom, Grocery, Est 1898, on corner of Washington Ave and First Street. General groceries, canned goods, fresh meat and country products presided over by 2 experienced meat cutters.
• Corum & Jackson, Exclusive Dry Goods, est. abt 1909, Ladies, Misses and children's garments, dry goods, carpet, rugs and mats. Proprietors, Z. W. Corum and J. W. Jackson have 12,000 sq. ft. for storage and display and 6 courteous clerks.
• A. E. Caldwell & Co, staple grocers, meats, teas, coffees, spices, etc., Est. 1907, Three clerks and prompt delivery.
• Dahnke-Walker Milling Co.: Officers: Geo. Dahnke, J. A. Coble, D. N. Walker, S. D. Chandler
• J. A. Coble & Con, Clothing and Shoes succeeded H. T. Robinson & Son, August 1, 1909. Carry Regal and Hanan shoe, Michael-Stern clothes and Cluett shirts. Firm is headed by the Mayor of Union City.
• Third National Bank, succeeded the Commercial Bank several years ago. Officers: John T. Walker, H. Dietzel, D. N. Walker, Hunter Elam.
• B. C. Bramham & Co, grain dealers, annual output is 200 cars, receiving is 250 cars.
• Obion County Land & Investment Co, Organized to acquire thousands of acres of Obion River bottom land, prospect of being reclaimed, 67,000 acres. Now selling at $10-$20 an acre, improved land in that section selling at $75-$150 per acres. Land owners appointed F. J. Smith, Geo Dahnke and F. O. Morris as commissioners to carry on this drainage work and it is now practically an assured thing.
• Beckham, Jones & Murphey, complete line of gentlemen's, women's and children's ready to wear. 24,000 sq. ft. of floor space.
• W. B. Gibbs, Livery Stable, located on Main Street. Oldest stable in city, Mr. W. B. Gibbs became manager 3 yrs. ago (circa 1909) has complete livery stable, prepared to furnish vehicles of every description and has a private parlor for ladies.
• W. G. Clagett & Co, Est 1907, at 222 S. First St, gent's furnishing establishment, home of Hart, Schafner & Marx and Ederheimer-Stein clothing for boys, also Stetson, Gimble and Worth hats, Manhattan and Ide shirts, Carhart overall's, working men's clothes, Edwin Clapp and Correct Shape shoes for men and Queen Quality for women.
• A. E. Kirkland, Lunch Room. Located in city for 10 years, a la carte or short order lunch room and during dinner hour serves a 25 cent meal for business men. Ladies are cordially invited to try this place.
• Bransford Lumber Co, wholesale and retail, yellow pine, lumber and building material, planing mill run by electric power. Proprietors, John W. and R. P. Bransford.
• G. B.. White Coal Co, corner of First and Main Streets.
• G. A. B. Allen Grocery Co, Est 1910 on corner of First and College Streets, staple and fancy groceries, teas, coffees, etc. Delivers.
• Union City Grain & Feed Co, on tract of Mobile & Ohio Railroad, capacity of 2,000 100 lb. Bags per day, employs 25 people. Also has large elevators and warehouses.
• White & Burchford, Druggists, at Owl Drug Store. Two registered pharmacists. Mr. P. Y White has been in drug business 40 years, and C. M. Burchford, active manager, has been with the firm for 8 years.
• Reynold Packing Co, 203 Washington Ave, Est 21 yrs ago (circa 1893) by W. G. Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds is President of Board of Officers of First Christian Church.
• Singer Sewing Machine Co, 106 S. First Street, est. in city for 10 years, managed by J. A. Hassell. Also has Wheeler and Wilson makes of machines, needles and supplies for all makes.
• Harrison Electric Co, Telephone batteries, electric fans, dynamos, motors, novelties, typewrites, talking machine and gasoline engines. Also a complete line of bicycles and bicycle supplies. Proprietors: J. A., C. E, and W. D. Harrison.
• Jimmie Boyd, Tailor, cleaning and pressing. He is also the trap drummer at Gen Theatre.
• Matthews-Morris Piano Co, est. April 1, 1911, located on Washington Ave., distributor for Mehlin & Sons, Henry & S. G. Indeman, Marshall & Wendell, Weser Bros., Holmes & Son Pianos and others. Also sheet music and organs. Proprietors: Walter S. Matthews and Walter C. Morris.
• Becham-Jones Real Estate Co., general farm and city property business, complete line of life, fire and accident insurance. Proprietors: B. F. Beckham & C. R. Jones.
• Home Furniture Co, est. 1910, complete stock of furniture, window shades, picture frames, moulding; also maintain an undertaking department and make a specialty of embalming. Four clerks are in attendance. Proprietor: Whitesell Harpole.
• White Bros. Grocery Co., staple and fancy grocers, Plansifter Flour and Capital Blend Coffee, meat dept preside over by A. L. White; grocery dept managed by O. S. White.
• Bob's Place, First Street, Barber Shop. R. E. Craig, assisted by five expert tonsorial artists making this one of the leading tonsorial parlors of the city.
• Haynes-Gregory Hardware Co, 302-304 S. First Street, Est. 1901. Hardware, queensware, wagons, full line of farm implements, Webber wagons, Majestic ranges, full line of well known brands of stoves. Officers: H. T. Haynes, E. B. Little, J. F. Gregory. 21,000 sq. ft. of floor space.
• Dr. G. H. Niles Drugs Co., located at corner of Church and Marry Streets for 5 yrs. Dr. Niles was formerly from Henderson KY where he was in business for a number of years.
• Union City Fair Association. Half mile race track with 200 horse stalls, agricultural bldgs, floral hall, native growth hall, woman's building on 37 acres. Company was incorporate in 1903. Present officers: W. C. Farris, J. W. Woosley, H. Dietzel.
• Mrs. F. E. Arnn, Millinery, located at 219 S. First St for sic seasons. Only exclusive millinery establishment in city.
• J. A. Coble, Jr, 16 years as special agent for W. S. Peck & Co, high grade clothing for gentleman, Dauchchouhn Clothing, Hercules all woolen clothing for children. Carries Robert Johnson Rand Shoes and Star, Society and "Stronger Than The Law" shoes, and special brand of J. A. Coble, Jr's shoes for boys and girls.
• The Place Hotel, J. C. Reynolds, Prop. Opened 16 yrs ago (circa 1896). Fifty rooms with private and public baths, steam heat, electric lights. Table for the most fastidious, courteous help, prompt service. Addition is under construction.
• Nailling-Keiser Hardware Co., Est. 40 yrs ago (circa 1872) by H. Dietzel, incorporated under this name in 1906. Hardware, implements, wagons, buggies, oils and paints, chinaware, cut glass, hand painted china, tin repair dept., 12,500 sq. ft. floor space, 10 courteous attendants. Personnel: W. M. Nailling, F. C. Wehman, C. E. Keiser, J. C. McCree.
• Union City Ice and Coal Co., Est 1894 by Geo. And Henry Dahnke, manufacturers of pure ice and distributers of Bon Air coal, maintain a wood yard in connection.
• Union City Coca-Cola Bottling Works, 212 R. R. Street, Est. 1908. Firm is composed of: J. B. Clark, John E. Church. Wholesale for NW TN and W. KY. 12,500 sq. ft. of floor space.
• R. E. Craig, Contractor for 21 yrs., specialty of paper hanging, painting and decorating interiors.
• Chester Craig Tailoring and Pressing Co, 218 S. First St., modern tailoring. Chester Craig, proprietor and Mr. Heppner, an artist in tailoring business.