The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-14
4 FLOURISBING House.
gIcHMoND's LARGEST WHOLESALE
FIRM.

sketch OF the Business of Davenport
Morris from Its Foundation to the
Pr.,.ut rime-The Goods that are I'm
ported.
Richmond people who are not in the habit
OF visiting the portion OF the city occupied
by the wholesale trade have no idea OF the
euormity Of the business which is trans
acted in this city. A walk down Cary
street from Eleventh. made difficult, indeed,
by the blockade Of draws and wagons,
would. however, give an idea of the push
and prosperity Of V snia's metropolis but
not until Seventeenth street was reached
would the full truth be reelized.
There. facing directly on the dock, is the
largest and most prosperous house OF It's
kind south Of Baltimore, and its name Is
one OF the city's landmarks. Hardly Is
there village within the limits OF the
Southern states where the firm OF Daven-
port & Morris is not known, aud the history
Of Richmond would be incomplete were
that name erased from lis pages.
In the year 1914 Mr.. Isaac davenport, ST.,
moved 10 Richmond from Massachusetts,
and during the following year the business
was first started under the firm name OF
Davenport 4 Allen, and was situated at the
corner Of Fifteenth and Cary streets. Ine
business at first was comparatively small,
but Dame Fortune smiled sweetly upon the
venture, and il thriyed beyond all eXpecta-
ton.
This firm continued in business until the
day Of evacuation. when Mr.. Isaac DaNen-
port. ST.. met with an accident which result
ed IN his death. Shortly after this Mr.. Allen
died, and the firm then consisted oi Isaac
Davenport, Jr., aud G.. -. Davenport, under
the name of |. 4 G.. b. Davenport. THIS
last firm continued until after the close OF
the war. when the firm Of Davenport q
Morris was formed, consisting OF Mr.. &.
b. Davenport, Isaac Davenport, Jr., and
Junius A. Morris. Mr.. G.. d. Davenport
died on the 9Th Of June. 1889, and hi. two
sons. Isaac and Frank A., took his interest
| in the business, - that the trm Is now
composed Of Mr. Isaac Davenport, Jr., Mr..
Junius A. Morris, and Messrs. Frank
A. and Isaac Davenport.
The senior member Of the firm, Mr.. Isaac
Davenport. Jr., is too well known In Rlch-
mOnd TO need any introduction to the peO-
ole Of this city, or even OF the South. lie
IL president Of both the First National and
the Union bank Of Richmond. In the busl-
|
| man.
The second member Of the firm has
record a. a financier and an energetic busl-
ness man that stands high up the ladder ol
commercial fame. The two younger mem
| bers Of the firm, Frank A. and Isaac, while
still Young are men OF push and energy
thoroughly practical, and both already have
a business reputation that might well be
cnyied by men many years their senior.
Every man connected with the house
| thoroughly understands the business
and the energies OF AZ are directed
~ one point-the success. OF TIT
the tremendous enterprise, and well indeed
are tbev repaid for their labors. They are
Importers. Wholesale GrOcers and Com
mission Merchants. and as such import and
handle COhce from Rio and santos. wines
brandies, salt, licoree, -four, grain, and
many other com0dities.
The warehouses which they own and Oc.
cupy cover nearly a whole square and
i've stories high. with 3l2, 500 square feet OF
| floor surface Besides this they have large
warehouse for storage purposes located
| near the Chesapeake and Ohio depot, and
| immediately on the line Of the road. SIX
teen travelling statesmen are kept on the
road and they cover thoroughly every South.
err and Southwestern state.
| The scene around tue house il indeed one
OF activity In the large and spacious
Office with several private Offices cut of
here and there for the use Of the members
Of the firm. the merry click Of the type
writer keeps time TO the scratching Of a
score or more Of pens and the rustling Of the
leaves Of the ledgers.
Outside everything is in a rush. A small
brigade Of white-aproned pOrters are dart
ing here and there amid the hustle and
noise created 10y the heavy trucks as they
roll the barrels Of -four and sugar from the
doors 70 different parts Of the building. A
train Of boX-cars can nearly always be
seen standing at the side OF the
building as the load and unload
by means Of g2ng-plank right from the
doors, while in front Of the building great
ships are standing with their bOwsprits al
most touching the side Of the house. 50
many signs Of life and activity are seen
there during the whole day that an observer
GIT well imagine that he was standing on
one Of the piers OF New York. IL is simply
immense, and shows what push, public
spirit and enterprise will do.