Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-14
WHOLEsALE CLOTHING.
The Extensive establishment OF Ger
don, Rankin a. Go.

In February, 1869, another important in |
terest was added to the numerous jObbing |
enterprises already clustered Eere. We re-
fer 20 the establishing o. The wholesale and
manufacturing clothing house Of Gordon,
Rankin q Co.. then under the firm name
of Gordon, Rankin & OTdWay, which was
changed to its present style three years ago
by the admission 10 cOpartnership Of A. w.
Hogin aud c. w. McLester.
As a general rule, wholesale houses do
not give employment to any considerable
number Of persOns-certainly not in pro-
portion TO the capital employed. Such
statement viii not hold good, however, in
commenting upon this house, for its en-
ployes number from seventy five to a hun
bred or more, and it becomes one of the
most prominent OF our manufacturing as
well as jobbing interests. The action of
the house in relying upon manufacturing q
large per cent. Of its clothing chronicled a
new departure in the history Of the whole
sale clothing trade Of the South, and to-day
this is by far the largest, and We are not
sure but that it is the only, wholesale cloth
ing house south Of the Ohio that is at all
extensively engaged in manufacturing.
We find the firm located at No. Inn
4JA0[hT nOANA 1AAI u lAAI 4DAAL DAAaLGf
where they have very spacious quarters,
occupying the entire five floors Of the
building. The basement is used for gen
eral storage, the first and second floors for
salesrOOms, and the third and fourth for
manufacturing. All Of the cutting is done
/ in the house, and much Of the other work,
and at the same time large quantities of
material are given cut 20 parties in town
and country, a very considerable amount Of
work being done in Murray county. When
the house began manufacturing in 1869 the
business was to a certain extent expert
mental. II has long since passed that
stage, however, and inasmuch as trade has
more than doubled during the past four
years, we are justified in speaking Of it as a
decided success.
The simple fact Of manufacturing gives
the house some decided points Of advan-
tage. 1t can provide TO its custom
ers such goods and sucL only as the
trade Of the country demands, made IN
keeping with the wishes and tastes Of that
trade. It's desire and intention is to sup
ply dealers in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mis-
sissippi, Alabama and Georgia with class
of goods made at home, and a class too
that can be relied upon. The very life Of
| the mouse 0epeluS upon us never l0Werl0g
its standard of excellence in manufacture.
From four to six gentlemen devote more CT
less of their time to the road in the inter-
ests Of the house, among whom may be
named Messrs. Ordway, HOgin and Nc
| Lester.
The senior member of the firm, RI. Cor
don, is from Pulaski, Giles county, this
State, where he was formerly engaged in
mercantile operations. he is also well
known as having been one of the firm Of
Gilbert, Parkes & Co., of this city, cotton
and commission firm. Mr.. D. P. Rankin
was formerly connected with the retail
trade Of Nashville for some years, and the
other members Of the firm, we believe, date
their identity with the trade Of town from
the organization Of this house.
Gordon, Rankin & Co. have worked up 3
successful and large business in the face Of
many obstacles. They have entered into a
successful competition with st. Louis,
Louisville, Cincinnati and other cities
and they have demonstrated not only
their ability 70 attract, but to hold
trade. The firm is confident Of no dimin
ished prosperity in the future, and certainly
they have deserved the smiles Of fortune.