Business Biographies N-Z

This list of business and professional men of Knoxville was extracted from the Knox County Republican newspaper of September 3, 1914.  If you know of other professional men from this time period that you would like to add to this list, please email me. Thank you!

N. O. Nelson -- The City Book Store


The City Book Store has just been remodeled, refitted, and refurnished, and Oscar Nelson, the genial proprietor, is putting in a fine line of new and attractive goods. He makes the wants of his patrons a study and his trade is constantly growing in volume. We have never seen a more complete line of school supplies and in this department he is drawing trade from other towns. He has for sale a choice line of the latest and most popular books, with the current numbers of the magazines and the city dailies. We can assure our readers that they will always be well satisfied if they patronize the City Book Store. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 2, submitted by J. Crandell)

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J. M. Nisley -- Private Bank

Among our many lines of business none are more stable than that of the private banking house. The bank was established by the late Cornelius Runkle, but has been conducted by Mr. Nisley since the year 1890, with Nathan Anderson as cashier and bookkeeper. The deposits and capital of this bank are sufficiently large to meet all demands upon it, and it is a big asset in making the business of the south side successful.(Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 2, submitted by J. Crandell)

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Louis Palmquist -- Furniture Repairs

Louis Palmquist, who makes a specialty of repairing and refitting furniture, may be found on the southeast corner of the public square, in the same building in which, with his brother, he began business March 15, 1861, more than fifty-three years ago. Although 80 years of age, Mr. Palmquist is still able to do good work.  In former times he did an extensive business in manufacturing furniture, there being many pieces now in use in Knoxville which has successfully withstood the onslaught of half a century of use. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 4, submitted by J. Crandell)

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N. Peterson -- Groceries and Provisions

Nick Peterson, the East Main Street grocer, is a Knoxville boy, born and bred here. For fifteen years he was proprietor of a fine grocery store in Chicago, and when his business there had grown out of all proportion compared with its humble beginning, he grew tired of the turmoil and bustle of city life, and his thoughts turned longingly to the beautiful city of his birth and his days of real sport. It was not long until he was in his old home again enjoying life with the friends of his youth. After a good rest he looked about and concluded that the good people wanted and would appreciate a modern first-class grocery store. The prosperous trade his establishment is now enjoying proves that his judgment was right.

Think of a grocery store with its walls adorned with thousand dollar oil paintings with an immense plate glass mirror, and choice condiments secure from dust and dirt behind glass doors, and the whole store building filled from cellar to garret with the choicest goods money will buy. If there is anything better anywhere than that which Nick Peterson is selling, tell him about it and he’ll have a supply on hand next week. Having no bad accounts and an appreciative clientele makes doing business in this store both to buyer and seller a particular pleasure. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 2, submitted by J. Crandell)

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Charles Pihlblad -- Harness Shop

Charley Pihlblad's harness shop on the south side of Main street, is first-class in every particular and is fitted up with modern machinery for the manufacture of light and heavy harness. A very choice line of horse jewelry is kept in stock.  (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 4, submitted by J. Crandell)

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John Pihlblad -- The Monarch

The Monarch is one of the show business rooms of the town, where ice cream, tobacco and soft drinks are offered for sale. The second floor has been fitted up for a hall and is rented for all kinds of public meetings.
(Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 2, submitted by J. Crandell)

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W. I. Ray -- Blacksmithing and Repairing

W. I. Ray, who succeeds Wm. Lessig, at the East Main street blacksmith and repair shop, is doing a business which has increased so rapidly that he is arranging to build a third forge in his shop. He does all kinds of repairing in wood and iron, and pays especial attention to the shoeing of horses, no matter whether they are track, road or farm horses. His long experience in this class of work enables him to guarantee every job entrusted to his care. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 4, submitted by J. Crandell)

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P. F. Rice -- The Knoxville Pharmacy

One of the late additions to Knoxville's enterprising business men, is Mr. P. F. Rice, who purchased the Knoxville Pharmacy of the Dickinson Drug Company, and his place of business on East Main street is not excelled in neatness and cleanliness by any drug store in the county. Mr. Rice is a registered pharmacist and gives his personal attention to the compounding of all prescriptions prepared and sold at this store. Everything usually kept in a first-class store may be found here, of the best kind and sold at the most reasonable prices. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 4, submitted by J. Crandell)

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J. C. Ruland's Barber Shop

J. C. Ruland is located in his own building on the north side of the public square, where he has had a good list of customers. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 4, submitted by J. Crandell)

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Ralph Ruland -- Restaurant

Ralph Ruland has opened a restaurant in the room on the northeast corner of the square and asks for a share of the patronage of the public. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 3, submitted by J. Crandell)

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J. F. Sanford -- Real Estate and Insurance

John F. Sanford has opened a real estate and insurance office in the Dean undertaking establishment. He has some choice bargains in city and farm property and represents the leading fire insurance companies. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 4, submitted by J. Crandell)

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G. K. Sherman – Field and Garden Seeds

Our people are quick to see and appreciate a good thing, and the new Sherman Seed House, established last year on the north side of the public square by Mr. G. K. Sherman, has certainly been approved and made use of by a large number of our gardeners and farmers. Mr. Sherman sells at wholesale and retail all kinds of garden and field seeds, grown so far as possible in this locality in order that they may be fully acclimated and of proven quality, clean and pure and of the strongest germination. The sale of the bulk garden seeds at this store has been almost beyond belief, and the splendid growth of the seeds warrants Mr. Sherman in still further extending his field of usefulness in this direction. The Republican believes the Sherman Seed House to be a public benefaction. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 2, submitted by J. Crandell)

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Chas. E. Tate -- Groceries and Provisions

Charles E. Tate, who has for fourteen years been engaged in the grocery trade on the corner of Main and Broad streets, has inaugurated a new and novel plan of conducting the business, adopting a plan known as the "Ingle" system, whereby customers purchase checks which are exchanged for purchases at the store. Cash customers are able to secure a very liberal discount, and as Charley always carries a fine line of goods, this is a splendid feature. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 3, submitted by J. Crandell)

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Frank M. Tate -- Hardware and Implements

For completeness in all lines and in variety of goods kept in stock, Frank Tate's hardware store is certainly a wonder, although he makes a great specialty of selling and putting in furnaces and hot water systems, roofing, guttering, etc., he carries a very extensive line of heavy hardware and shelf goods, machinery and household goods of every description, including farm and household implements, heating and cooking stoves, hollow ware, linoleums and in fact a line of goods so extensive that all cannot be enumerated. Mr. Tate and his helpers are affable and accommodating and his business has grown to immense proportions. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 4, submitted by J. Crandell)

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Frank A. Thompson – The New Hebard House

For more than four years Frank A. Thompson, mine host of the New Hebard House, has shown the people and the traveling public that a first-class hotel can be conducted in a town of this size.

Nothing advertises so well, puts it on the map as it were, as a first-class hotel, and we feel particularly grateful to Mr. Thompson and his good wife, who so ably assists him, for the unequalled service they are furnishing their guests. Their Sunday dinners are famous and the manner in which they serve banquets and suppers has made this a most popular hostelry.

Mr. Thompson conducts a high class restaurant in connection with the hotel and the quality of goods sold is always of the best. No praise is too high for Mr. Thompson’s treatment of his guests. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 2, submitted by J. Crandell)

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Nels Tulin -- Wagon Repairer

Nels Tulin, whose wagon and repair shop is on Timber street, just north of the public square, has been in business for fifteen years and he still keeps his forge glowing in two languages. No one who ever gave Nels a job of work felt as though he did not get his money's worth, and a little more. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 2, submitted by J. Crandell)

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Mart Varner -- Express and Drayage

Mart Varner, expressman, is one of the busiest and most necessary men in Knoxville.  He is prompt in responding to calls, reasonable in his prices and deserves the large patronage he receives. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 4, submitted by J. Crandell)

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C. M. Weeks -- Grain, Seeds, Flour & Feed

Mr. Charles M. Weeks, whose grain and seed store is located on the northeast corner of the public square, has the honor of having been longer in business than any other man in trade in Knoxville. Nearly half a century ago Mr. Weeks, with his father, bought and sold grain and live stock in a building which still stands on the C. B. & Q. right-of-way. For a number of years they were also engaged in the lumber trade. The stock now carried, including a number of the best grades of flour in the market, and a complete line of ground feed, hay, and straw, chicken feed, etc., makes this store of great convenience to the people. Mr. Weeks buys in large quantities and gives his customers the advantage of close buying and cash selling. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 2, submitted by J. Crandell)

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F. E. Wilson -- Knox County State Bank

The Knox County State Bank which began business as a private bank with Mr. F. E. Wilson as President, increased its business so rapidly that the officers soon felt justified in organizing as a state bank This business continued to grow until the building in which they started seems inadequate and arrangements are being made to build a commodious, modern bank building on the corner recently purchased for that purpose and known as the Burnside building. This is considered the best business site, and a structure is to be erected that will be an ornament to the city and ample in size to meet all the demands of their increasing business. With a capital of $72,000, and deposits of nearly a quarter of a million dollars the Knox County Bank has ample funds to meet every call. They have a large number of safety deposit vaults to rent, and make a specialty of the savings department of the bank. The officers of the bank are:

President—F. E. Wilson.
Vice President—Mark Burnside.
Cashier—G. F. Hebard.
Asst. Cashier—F. S. Wallich.

   F. S. Wallich

(Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 4, submitted by J. Crandell)

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L. C. Wilson -- Livery and Live Stock Dealer

Our farmer friends will do to see L. C. Wilson at the livery barns when they have any kind of live stock for sale, for he is willing to handle everything raised on the farm, on the smallest of margins of profit to himself.  His livery stable is a credit to the town, having a large number of good rigs, kept up in first-class shape.  The rigs he furnishes for weddings or funerals will compare favorably with that of much larger towns. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 2, submitted by J. Crandell)

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Charles Wyman -- The Knoxville Elevator

Mr. Chas. Wyman, who came here from Persifer township fourteen years ago, is proprietor of the Knoxville Grain Elevator and ships nearly one hundred and fifty cars of grain out of this station each year. He also deals extensively in live stock and is considered one of the best judges of animals in the country. He has now added the buying and shipping of poultry to the business. Mr. Wyman deals largely in flour and feed, shipping in by the car load, and he is prepared to furnish farmers the best brands of stock food on the most favorable terms. The buying and selling of sand, crushed rock and gravel is an important side line at this elevator, and although this is one of the busiest places in the county, Charley Wyman always has time to discuss each of his lines of business, and there is no man in the county better prepared to advise producers and consumers in regard to the feeding, handling and sale of the products of the farm. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 3, submitted by J. Crandell)

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J. A. Youngquist -- Restaurant and Barber Shop

J. A. Youngquist's restaurant and barber shop is just now in the old postoffice building on Main street, but ground is being broken for a new and modern building on the east side
of the public square, where a first-class restaurant and shop will be fitted up. (Knox County Republican, Thursday, September 3, 1914, page 4, submitted by J. Crandell)

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