The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-03-24
FLoURIsHING AND
UP-TO-DATE FIRM

ured by the success that marked the
humble beginning of the business
twenty years ago. it becomes an epoch
in their lives and in the history il has
made during these years in that ag-
riculturaI and trucking section Of Ma
rion county, without doubt one OF the
best and most productive sections or
the state. The fact remains and IS
worthy of note that great trees from
little acorns grow" and illustrates
anew that certain fundamentals close
ly, scrupulously, faithfully and honest
ly adhered to bring success, which IS
the history of that sterling firm in the
growth and success that has attended
their untiring labors to build up
business that is an honor to the men
who conduct it and the town in which
it is located.
Mr.. F. w Bishop came to Anthony
twenty years ago from West Virginia.
In sense he was seeking a home as
a young man to grow up with the
country. He thought he saw a bust
ness opening and with the small cap
ital he possessed and with habits of
industry, thrift and economy and the
principles that fair and square dealing
with ones fellow men j sure sesame
to success, he opened his doors to the
trade of Anthony and the surrounding
country and the years that have since
passed, demonstrate that his Judge
ment was not a I fault, and gratifying
success has SO far attended the same.
As business grew, new capital and
new energy was added to the business,
in the person of Prof. George Stuart,
who for years had been a successful
teach in Marion county and in ideas,
thought and purposes he was akin to
Mr.. Bishop, making a splendid COM
bination and bending all their ener-
| gies to conducting their business III a
| progressive and Up to date manner,
grow in favor with the public and ex-
| tended their trade, adding to their
stock and creating out of a small
stock of groceries, a department store
| that now includes about everything
! kept in an establishment of that char
dcter, until their reputation extended
| far and wide, not only as having the
most varied collection of merchandise
to be found anywhere in the rural sec
tions, but comparing favorably with
similar stores in large towns and
small cities 1t was the ambition of
| these men to succeed and to do this
they bought their goods right and Civ
|
counts which they saved themselves by
paying cash for their goods. The repu-
tation of the firm was so fixed in the
minds of the big jobbers and manufac-
turers that their orders were invaria-
bly, sought and with these favorable
conditions in buying goods, it is not
surprising that by the close and at
tractive prices this Anthony firm held
their old customers, made new ones
and thus year by year, their business
grew until now there are few business
houses in Marion county that do
larger volume of trade.
| In these years of success Messrs
bishop and Stuart believed that the
money they made and saved by eco
nomical management Of their affairs
over and above the needs of the bust
mess, should be invested in a business
home, so they purchased for spot cash
the best and most imposing store
building in the town, large and com
modious, to meet the growing require
ments of their expanding trade TC
this they have added comfortable
homes for themselves and firmly be-
lievirg that real estate is the basis OF
all values, they transferred some OF
their surplus cash into Jacksonville
lday of their ownership and which they
sold a few years ago at a very hand
some profit.
1t was ever the purpose of Messrs
Bishop & Stuart to so conduct thei1
business that they in reality would bt
more than mere eXchangers of mer
chandise, but become promoters ant
real beneficiaries of the community O
which they were a part and to this enc
they purchased lands, improved ant
cultivated them in the staple crops o
that section, including melons, canta
lOupes, velvet beans, etc, also aidins
deserving young men and relia bic far
mers and truckers to increase thei
acreage and out put and to such men o
character and re1ia bility they EXTENDED
reasonable credit and in the main witt
gratifying success to their own pc
cuniary interest and those to whom
such advances were made.
In 1908 the firm of BIZ hop & Stuar
sold to Nj. George D. Pasteur, brothe
of our late 1amented county treasurer
and son of Mr.. George Pasteur, one 0
the pioneer settlers of that section.
young man OF fine business promise,
third interest in the business. A shor
time afterwards Mr.. Stuart retire
interest to Mr.. Albert Sidney johnson
son of the late Captain Johnson, pic
: neer settler several miles north o
!, Ocala. Mr.. A S. Johnson, like MI
2 Stuart had devoted a number of year
to teaching in Marion county and wit
, credit6ble success Later entering tn
service of the Seaboard Air Line Rail
way at AlaChua, in our neigh BORN
county to the north, but realizing a
the years passed that there was n
' county like Marion and with the mem
cries of youth and young manhood sti
5 fresh in his mind, he returned to tn
. county of his birth, determined t
0 spend his remaining days here. TIL
$ name CT she firm since Mr.. JOhnso
e became association with Messrs Bisho
0 and Pasteuf, is Bishop, Pasteur
Johnson.
A pleasing feature of this youn
: mans career is the fact shat he too
( service under Messrs. Bishop 4 Stual
when quite lad and took such an in
= aptitude for it and made himself 5
. useful that he became a valuable ad
y junct of It and for which he was er
couraged TO secure an interest in III
firm. 1t is another example II youn
: men what laudable ambition and de
n termination to win Will accomplish.
n Messrs Bishop and Pasteur look al
= ter the buying and selling of the good
n and Mr.. Johnson, who is a splendid az