Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-07-26
So YEARS IN THE
JEWELRY BUSINESS
Millard F. Davis, Successful
From the Start, Observes
Anniversary
HAS BEEN PUBLIC
SPIRITED CITIZEN

Willard +. Davis, ieweler, is cele-
brating his thirty-sixth year IN bust
ness in Wilmington, having located
here in 1879 He began in a small
way. but has made a success of his
venture.
Mr. Davis now conducts the largest
iewelry business in Delaware. He
also has been a public spirited man
all his life, and at one time was a
candidate for the nomination Of
Governor on the Democratic ticket.
On July &c. 1879. Mr.. Davis opened
his store at No 3 East Second street,
where he is still in the same business.
but his store now includes No. II East
Second street and he also has an
other iewelry store in the Ford Build
ing at Tenth and Market streets.
Mr. Davis learned the trade Of
Matchmaking with J. c. Massey, who
had a iewelry store at No 404 King
street, where Gilpin Massey. a
nephew of J. G. Massey, Is now To-
Gated After finishing his trade, Mr.
Davis opened his store at No. 3 East
Second street, which had been unoc-
cupied for some time, but had for
merly been a trimming store. When
Mr.. Davis opened the store he started
on a very small scale. All he had IN
the store was his work bench and a
few tools. with which 10 carry on
the business OF Matchmaking By
hard work he managed 10 do $4,000
worth Of business the first year,
S4 1000 the second year. and the third
year his business increased $4,000.
1. Do Hn
each year. and while the first year
he did not employ any one 10 assist
him in his business, now he employs
90 persons steadily, and in the holt
day season he nearly doubles this
number
When Mr.. Davis started in business
there were very few business houses
on Market street above Fourth and
only two Of them were jewelry stores,
one being conducted by Benjamin
Clark and the other by Edwin Hirst
The local jewelers. at that time did
not carry much stock, most of their
business being upon the order plan
II a man wanted a watch for in
stance. the ieweler would send TO the
factory or wholesale house after It.
Mr.. Davis now conducts the largest
iewelry business in the city. All the
jewelers. who were in business when
he began are now deceased, or have
retired from business.
In 1884 Mr. Davis purchased the
East Second street building, where
he still has his store. At the time he
was also negotiating for a building on
Market street above Seventh. but
later decided TO purchase the East
Second street store instead, although
now he wishes that he had purchased
iho other stons. for property in thai
hlC%k has increased FIVE 10 one. Will,
the Nroperty where he is now located
Viii pNohably never increase In value
Notwithstanding that he has been i
business so maRy years. Mr.. Davis i
still able 20 do an good days work whei
it comes 10 repairing watches and othe
lines of work in that business, and near
~ every day he can be seen at his worl
bench at his Second street store.
Seven years ago Mr.. Davis opened I
store in the Ford Building. at Tenth an'
Market streets with his son, Elwoo'
Davis in charge While the business O
that store was not success the frs
few years, 1t has now developed into al
most as good a venture as the East Sec
md street store.
When Mr.. Davis was asked YESTERDAY
if.he was thinking Of retiring from busi
ness. he smiling replied mo- that h
feels now as If he could continue IN bust
ness several years longer. providing nj
health does not fail him.