Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-14
WHOLESALE HARDWARE.
The JObbIBg House Of Gray, Kirk
man & Co.

man a Co.
An epitome Of the past and present of
the above named house, or sketches Of the
identity Of the eO-paTtners with the busi-
ness interests of Nashville would, if elab-
Grated, ill several columns. Its real origin
dates back 70 the long ago. Mr.. JEO. Kirk
man is now the Oldest hardware dealer in
the city, and his father was in the same
line Of trade before him, and there has been
almost a lineal descent from the old house
to the present one. As now constituted,
the firm comprises J. n. Gray, JnO. Kirk
man and J. II. Fall.
Mr.. Gray came to Nashville in 1858, and
for some time was connected with the house
of Fall & Cunningham. In 1862 Mr.. Al
exander Fall and Mr.. Gray formed part
nership and continued together until Mr..
Falls death, and in 1866 the firm of GRAY
& Kirklnan was formed. Upon the death
Of Mr. J. p. Kirkman, his father purchased
his interest, the firm style remaining IN
changed until nearly five years ago, when
Mr.. j. III. Fall became a cO-partner.
The business Of the house continued
largely at retail until about two years ago,
since when jObbing has been its specially,
and the result Of operations for 1874 is
briefly told in the statement that the sales
for that year were in excess of 100000.
In addition to hardware of every con-
ceivable kind, the house makes a specially
Of Avery's steel and cast plows OF this
last named article alone, the sales foot up
about $4,000 per annum, the demand con-
tinuing throughout the entire year.
The general course Of trade Of the house
does not differ materially from that Of the
other jObbers Of the city, being mainly in
Tennessee, while Alabama, Georgia, Mis-
siSsippi and Kentucky come in for fair
share of attention at the hands Of the four
or FIVE gentlemen whom the house employs
as travelling statesmen.
The place Of business occupied by
Messrs. Gray, Kirkman & Co., is one of
The handSOmest and best in the city. The
building is IS5x30 feet, four floors, and was
built by the firm in 1872, with special
view TO its present occupancy. The entire
premises are used, the basement being
filed with horse shoes, chains, nails. cord
ace, etc; the first floor is for general sam
pie and salesrOom aud Office purposes; the
second for bulky goods, small agricultural
implements and boxed goods, and the
fourth is chiefly devoted to the Avery pillow.
An elevator connects these various floors,
so that time and labor are alike economical.
4 survey Of the premises disclOses the fact
that the house is well equipped for doing
business. The stocks carried are not only
well selected but ample, and the large bust
ness that has been built up speaks loud
er than words Of the favor it has met with
at the hands Of dealers elsewhere.
The management Of affairs is chiefly with
Messrs. Gray and Fall, who evidently
place their services where they will DO the
most good. At all events, the firm can,
with no little pride, reflect upon the large
establishment and large trade which they
have created, and in contrasting its present
with its past there must be every reason
for qualification,