The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-28

One OF WaShingtOn'S Largest and
Most Progressive Wholesale
Grocery Houses.

It is hardly probable that any other
business house in Washington has had
a more remarkable growth than that or
the Semmes- Kelly Company The up
building or this house from very small
beginning is OF very general interest for
the reason that il marks the develop
ment OF another important enterprise In
Washington. On September /, 1900, Mr..
Charles w. Semmes entered the whole
sale speciality business in a warehouse
of meager dimensions. situated in the
rear of No. Z Seventh street northeast.
After remaining here for a short time
he removed to the corner OF Tenth and
& streets northwest.
In June. 1902, the business was in
corporated under the firm name of The
Semmes- Kelly Company, with an au-
nhorized capital of S100.000. The incor-
unorators were Charles w. Semmes. f.
J. Kelly. and w. c. Tappan, the last
named OF Attleboro. Mass.
The business gradually expanded IN
I'll in October of the same year ii was
found advisable TO remove TO still Iarg-
er quarters. 4 lease was obtained on
the old Barber & Hamilton building. at
Nos. 6l4-6l6 Pennsylvania avenue north
west. The firm still occupies this place.
but even with it's four stories and base
ment and with depth Of IT'S feet. there
Is now scarcely sufficient room for the
ever increasing amount of trade han
died.
In June. 1904, the stockholders of the
company took into the firm Mr. B. f.
Board, Of Riply, w. Va. and TO their
already large interests was added u
vinegar and cider mandatory The
Semmes-Kelly Company today has the
most extensive vinegar and cider bust
ness in this section of the country. Be
sides having their own plant. they con-
troll the output OF several large mills
in New York State.
On January !, 1906. Mr.. David ]. VII
son was admitted TO the firm, thus com
plotting the list of stockholders.
The success Of this firm has been little
short OF phenomenal. When Mr.. Semmes
airst began business he met with dis
couragement from his friends. who were
OF the opinion that Washington was not
the place for such d house as he pro-
posed TO establish. The first year he
was in business his sales amounted TO
about sixteen thousand dollars. During
1870 the sales exceeded thTee-quarters of
million dollars, exclusive of the vine
gar and cider trade, which is run under
separate department These figures
tell better than any words the growth of
The firms patronage, and demonstrate
beyond possibility Of contradiction the
fact that Washington can be ana is
the home OF a great wholesale grocery
firm. shipping to all points in Maryland.
Virginia, and West Virginia and North
Carolina
The Semmes-Kelly Company carries
probably the largest stock of staple and
fancy groceries of any house south of
Philadelphia, not even Baltimore ex-
cepted Fifty-five men are employed
hy the house, and of this number TWEEN
i statesmen are kept on the road all
the year.
The success of this firm has been due
20 more than mere fortuitous circum-
stance. It may be attributed almost
solely 10 the fact that the proprietors
have been men of the keenest business
z:cumen, and managers OF experience
and untiring energy. Mr.. Semmes. the
founder Of the house, was for some
years travelling salesman for the II. J.
Heinz Company. He was promoted 10
1he position of assistant manager Of the
Baltimore branch, and was later placed
In full control of the Cleveland house
During his years of travelling through
the country. he had met Mr. Kelly and
The two had decided to open a wholesale
grocery business in Washington as soon
as the opportunity presented itself. The
time came and Mr.. Semmes started out
alone. He was soon joined by MIR. Kelly
The latter had for several years been
she leading salesman for che OF the
largest vinegar houses in the country,
located at Louisville. Ky. Mr.. Kelly
had made such a success in this line of
work that he was offered every induce
ment TO remain with the house, but he,
Hike Mr.. Semmes, believed in the future
of Washington. Mr.. w. c. Tappan the
third member OF the firm, IS half owner
OF the d. +. Briggs Company, the
largest watch chain manufacturing
plant in the world. He visits Washing
ton several times a year, but does not
take any active part in the manage
Dlent
Mr.. b. +. Board is an experienced
man IN the vinegar line and has baen
with several Of the largest plants of
this character in the country. He has
the management of this department
Mr.. David j. Wilson, the most recent
acquisition 10 the firm, was for several
years connected with d prominent
wholesale grocery house of this CITY
At the meeting of the board Of directors
in January, 1905. it was decided that
his services had been of such value
that he was entitled TO more than a