The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-10-22
Fifty Years of the Mercantile
Career of George H. Knoll
lenberg Is Fifty Observed
Last Night.
RUPE
RECALLS OLD DAYS
Mr.. Knollenberg Reviews the
Elements that Made for
His Success in the Dry
Goods Trade.

Il like to see a man proud of the
place in which he lives. like to see
man live in it so that his place will be
proud of him"
The sentiment expressed in this OBJ
servation of Abraham Lincoln was ex-
emplified last evening when the Com
mercial club paid honor to one of the
pioneer merchants of Richmond, and
the man in whose honor the celebra-
tion was given paid rich tribute in re-
turn to the city in which he attained
commercial success and an enviable
reputation for probity and good citi-
Zenship.
Not since the entire city few years
ago paid homage to another venerable
merchant Timothy Nicholson has
| there been a gathering Of business
, and professional men and city officials
such as last evening met in the Com
mercial club rooms to help observe
the fiftieth anniversary of the begin
ming of the business career of George
H. Knollenberg in Richmond.
| 1t was a happy occasion. All the
elements that conspire to make for
felicity and the exchange of courtesies
and good will were present, and both
the guest of honor and his many
! friends were under the spell of fra
ternal cheer. Back of the convention
al compliments and wishes for many
| more years Of business activity was
sincerity and honesty of purpose that
impressed every guest.
Tells Of cfty's Growth.
| The principal address of feiicitation
was made in behalf Of the CONNER
cial club by Attorney John L. Rupe,
| who reviewed the business growth of
Richmond since the days when Mr..
Knollenberg first embarked in the dry
goods business. He gave a survey of
Main street as it was fifty years ago.
describing the fronts of the old stores
with their projecting wooden porches.
! and the manner in which business was
conducted then.
From an old city directory Mr.. Rupe
read advertisements that were con-
! sidered drawing cards years ago. He
said that he worked for $50 a month
/ in a dry goods store and sold calico
/ for six and seven times as much mo-
ney per yard as is the case now.
Adam H. Bartel paid a glowing tri-
butte to the sterling qualities Of Mr..
Knollenberg. Fred Kennedy added
variety to the program with readings
that were we'll received. Music was
furnished by the Apollo Glee club. A
letter was read from Timothy Nichol-
son who was unable to attend because
of injuries received in an accident at
indianapolis. Mr.. Nicholson praised
the charitable and Christian spirit of
Mr.. Knollenberg. S. E. Swayne pre-
sided over the meeting.
Mr.. KnoiIenberg's Address
| The address Of Mr.. Knollenberg is
appended:
! "On this occasion 1 embrace the op-
portunity to express my gratitude.
| First, to a Divine Providence for
directing my people to this part of
our goodly land in which it was my
privilege to be born and reared.
| Second, for conscientious, frugal,
and honorable parents and my instruc-
ton in right principles of life and ear
ly associations with men and women
of Christian life and character.
| Third, for home and devoted wife
and children.
Fourth, for a thorough business
| training in habits of industry, order.
promptness, exactness and fairness in
trade; and to be over courteous and
accommodating to all men.
Fifth, to my brothers and sisters
and many other employees of the past
and present who so faithfully and
/, Loyalty co-operated with me.
Sixth. to my fellow-citizens in city
business activities great encourage
ment by loyal and generous support
| Seventh, TO you my fellow-citizens,
| friends and members of the CONNER
cial club for this testimony of apprecia-
ton Of my citizenship and given in
honor of my advent half century ago
to join in the commercial activities of
our fair city.
| Your program indicates a desire
tonight for reminiscense. Surely not
because Mr.. Rupe and l are supposed
to have reached the age when We dwell
only upon the past, for we still think
ourselves boys; for did not Moses
reach the age of 120 years; and Ne
thuselah became a father at the age
of 1S7 years, live 1872 years after that,
and die at the age of $50 years? For
confirmation Of this statement read
Genesis S and doubt not Un those an
te-diIuvian days good men were prob
/, ably scarce and the good Lord had
r.nI of shovvn lapo~r nm dn.rht than AT
later period.l
"But l will proceed: Ny birthplace
/ is still my home on South Fourth
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