George Nolon Papers

Collection

Identifier: 2020.033

Staff Only

Content Description

The George Nolon Papers house the business, family, and personal records of George Nolon and his family. This collection, which dates from 1856 to 2004, consists of photographs, newspaper clippings, checks, letters, ledgers, licenses, advertisements, and magazines, evidencing the business correspondences and personal life of George Nolon. These materials pertain to the experience of owning a grocer business through the Great Depression and Second World War while also providing much research on the Nolon family itself. This collection is unique in that it evidences the life and work of a small business owner focusing on the trade of clothes, materials, and auto repair through a great period of tumult in American history. While this collection lacks a personal recognition of those struggles from George Nolon himself, documents such as a war bonds pamphlet and various business correspondences remark on the distinct hardships that a small business owner faced during the period. Additionally, records in this collection depict the lineage of a local Montgomery County family and how their business changed through time. Researchers interested in the economic history of small businesses and the Montgomery County community will find the George Nolan Papers collection a valuable resource.

Scope and Contents

The George Nolon Papers house a mixture of personal and business papers of George Nolon and his family. This collection, which dates from circa 1856-2004, consists of photographs, documents, and advertisements that detail the social engagements and the business activities of George Nolon throughout his life in Palmyra, Tennessee. As a small business owner, George Nolon owned and operated a general grocer business. This collection provides a window into the social and economic dynamics of that business, particularly through the Great Depression and the Second World War.

Dates

1882 - 1970

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Biographical / Historical

Born on February 17, 1867, George Nolon was a lifelong resident of Montgomery County who worked as a merchant in Palmyra where he was also a member of the local Baptist Church and the Palmyra Masonic Lodge. In 1890 George Nolon married Lillie Elma Dillon with whom he had three children; a son, Noxon Nolon; and two daughters, Hildah Manolah Layman and Lena Elma Bartee. The business of George Nolon worked with various distributers in selling their grocery products. Most notably, these distributer contacts included the International Harvester Company, a manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment. George Nolon ran a long and moderately successful business up until his retirement and death in 1955.

Extent

0.417 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Arranged in two series: I. Business Papers, 1884-1970. II. Family Research, 1856-2004.

Custodial History

The materials in this collection were donated to the Montgomery County Archives by Raymond Rosado representing the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library in 2020. The original ownership of the materials before then is unknown.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on September 29th, 2020.

Separated Materials

Photographs have been transferred to the Montgomery County Archives Photograph Collection.

Processing Information

Materials were placed in new acid-free folders and boxes. Original caption information, when available was transcribed onto the folders. Where captions were illegible, the archivist's interpretation is enclosed in square brackets. The collection was arranged into series based on whether the document in question related to the personal life or business life of George Nolon. Routine duplicates with sensitive personal information were removed while photographs were transferred to the Montgomery County photograph collection.