GEORGE MORROW CARLTON
G. M. CARLTON BROS. & CO.
Located on the Southwest corner of the square, phone 68
and 168. A mercantile firm with many years of service to Hamilton county.
Women’s wear, men’s wear, hardware, groceries. G. M. Carlton, owner.
_____
G. M. Carlton is one of the many men who has lived a
life of usefulness and has marked the course of events with the strength
of his character. He has been an outstanding character in the business and
civic activities of Hamilton and the surrounding communities for half a
century.
Mr. Carlton came to Texas from Mississippi as a young
man 58 [about 1876] years ago. He opened a small general store 51 years
ago [about 1883] in the little town
that now bears his name. There he established the business foundation
and chartered the course for what later became one of the strongest and
most widely known mercantile houses in Central Texas. He continued his
business there for several years, working out the plans and principles of
the career he had marked out for himself. In 1855 /sic--maybe
1885/ decided to find a wider field for his activities and
moved to Hico. Hico, at that time, was the only railroad point in the
county. [The railroad did not reach Hico until 1880.]
It had become a town of importance and was widely advertised for its
progressiveness. The name G. M. Carlton was a moving force in the growth
and development of the town, since he took a keen interest in he moral and
social life of the fast growing railroad center. The business increased to
such an extent that three brothers Rufe, Tom, and Bob became associated
with the founder as stockholders. In 1907 they were incorporated under the
firm name of G. M. Carlton Bros. & Co. After the consolidation of the
stockholders, the business continued to grow and give the highest
satisfaction to its customers and the ones connected with it.
In 1911 this enterprising firm concluded to increase
their trade territory. They came to Hamilton, the county seat, and opened
a dry goods house that would rank with anything in the town. Shortly
afterward, G. M. Carlton moved to Hamilton to make his home and manage
this branch of his extensive business. Branch houses were also opened at
Gatesville, Walnut Springs, Stephenville, and Iredell. The combined stocks
of these houses were worth over a quarter million dollars. The changing
conditions of that period caused him to discontinue all of their stores
but those located at Hico, Stephenville, and Hamilton enabling
concentration of their activities in these three substantial points of the
firm.
The firm of G. M. Carlton Bros. and Co. early entered
the Hamilton field as buyers and shippers of farm and ranch products. They
are sharp bidders for everything offered for sale; their solid financial
standing enabling them to offer merchandise at the lowest prices to their
customers. They have bought as high as 12,00 bales of cotton a year from
the cotton growers and 10,000 dollars worth of poultry during good
seasons.
Every department of this big business is thorough and
systematic, revealing the master mind that is behind it. Such an
establishment means much to the farmers, ranchers, and producers of the
country. A firm with as high sense of moral and financial integrity is a
direct benefit to all.
This firm handles all kinds of merchandise. Everything
for men, women, and children. In the grocery department there is to be
found stocks of choice fresh groceries of every line and all standard
lines of staple goods. The hardware department is complete with all
implements for the farm, ranch, and home. This corporation realized that
its future was bound up with the people of its trade area and it has
continued to spend its time, energy, and money in constantly enlarging its
field of operations. It will continue to grow in its chosen field and
fulfill the dreams of its founder by the use of the same principles it was
founded on.
C. C. Carlton, a nephew, assists in the management of
the Hamilton branch. He has been with the firm for 27 years. He married
Miss Oda Jones, daughter of Mr. and Ms. E. K. Jones of Stephenville. He
gives careful attention to every detail of the business and to the wants
of the firm’s customers. He was born in the state of Oregon but has
adopted Texas as his home state.
The Historical and Trade Expansion Edition of the News
feels sure that most of its readers know Carlton Bros. If you have not
visited them recently, go in and renew your old friendship. You will be
sure to find what you need in this splendid store.
The Hamilton County News, Vol. IV, Number
11--Section One
Historical and Trading Expansion Issue
W. F. Billingslea, Editor-Publisher
Subscription Price ONE YEAR ..$1.00
June 29, 1934
