SOME FAMOUS GROCERS

Shannon News, 7 May 1926, Page 2

SOME FAMOUS GROCERS

LINCOLN, LIPION. PEABODY. Judging by a booklet just issued m the United States by Bartleet Arkell some famous men started their careers behind the counter of grocery stores. The name of the booklet is “Grocery Clerks Who Have Becomes Successful.” The first instance cited is that-of the great president of tne United States, Abraham Lincoln. After leaving his father’s home -to make his way in the world, Lincoln started work in Orcutt’s store. It could not have been a big concern for the edifice consisted of a oneroom log structure. “Honest Anc" once inadvertently charged a customer six and a quarter cents too much for an article. As soon as the store closed, he walked a- distance or three miles to return the money. H is worthy of special note that Lincoln made the reparation in Ills own time, although the mistake occurred "in the boss’ time.” Of course there were no ti-aue unions in those days, to define the hours a man should worn. Lincoln did a lot of study during tne spare time he hail at Orcutts stores, but at last the business, petered out and he wanted another job. The war with the Black Haws Indians brok out at that juncture, i-u Lincoln volunteered for active service. Ho was elected captain by his company and served through the campaign. Later he returned- to his out trade, and became a partner in >» grocery store at Now Salem, this did not prove a success and ultimately Lincoln went into the law. His subsequent career needs no detailing. Sir Thomas Lipton, states the booklet. went to the United States wnen a lad as a stowaway. He endured many hardships, but managed to scrape together 500 dollars. Wiln that sum he returned to Britain ,anu when only nineteen years of age started a grocery store in .Glasgow. From that modest beginning developed the. great business in I.ipton’s teas and incidentally building of several Shamrocks to try and bring tne yachting cup from America-. ( Another famous man who starteu his career in a grocery store wiih George Peabody, the groat philanHe began work in a grocery Store ‘at Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S.A. latter he went to London and became a great banker. Upon the death of tlie former grocer a funeral service was held in Westminster Abbey after which liis remains were conveyed to America by a British frigate.