Chester F. KORN

1871 - 1954  (83 years)

• Name	Chester F. KORN  [1]
  Birth	1871	Cincinnati, Ohio
  Gender	Male
  HIST	Many early citizens aided in Sumter's development Posted: Sunday, November 16, 2014 6:00 am BY SAMMY WAY ITEM ARCHIVIST The term "Founding Fathers" identifies those connected with the establishment of an institution, company or community. Sumter is blessed with a number of individuals who possessed skills and assets they used to promote the growth of the common cultural and historical heritage of our city and county. This Reflections article and that of Nov. 23 will highlight the contributions made to the Sumter community by some of its most outstanding citizens and those who advocated its advancement and growth. Only a brief synopsis of each individual's achievements is given, as there is a large number of people who made significant contributions to the community. Antonia Gibson - She was born in Charleston on Sept. 22, 1875, and moved to Sumter when she was 12. A graduate of the Sumter Institute, she later entered Sumter Hospital Training, receiving her degree in 1902. She became a nurse in 1906 and later served as a city health nurse. Hamilton Carr Bland - He supervised the development of the world famous Iris Gardens at Swan Lake. His efforts made the gardens nationally known; they are frequented by thousands of visitors each year. Bland came to sell autos in Sumter in 1917 at the Hudson-Essex franchise after moving from his home in Mayesville. He became an authorized Ford dealer in 1922 and turned his attention to expanding his hobby of gardening through which he succeeded in making Swan Lake one of the most beautiful garden spots in South Carolina. Fulton Bethune Creech - He came to Sumter in 1909 with the Trexler Lumber Company of Allentown, Pennsylvania. He formed the Imperial Lumber Company, which operated under his name until 1921 when he formed the Creech Lumber Company. Creech was awarded the order of the Palmetto by Governor "Dick" Riley. He assumed a leading role in the Sumter community, serving on city council, as mayor from 1932 to 1944 and participating in a number of civic and fraternal clubs. He played an important role in helping "Sumter (get) selected as the site for Shaw Air Force Base. John J. Riley - Riley served two terms as a United States congressman in 1945 through 1948. He was a veteran of World War I and served as post and district commander of the American Legion. He operated a successful insurance and real estate business and was always active in Sumter's civic affairs. He served as coach of the Sumter Legion Juniors, winning countless games and a state championship. The local baseball stadium is named Riley Park in his honor. A.T. Heath Sr. -Heath was born in Roswell, Georgia, in 1881. He attended Georgia Tech and became involved in the Coca-Cola Company in 1913. He moved to Sumter in 1918 after purchasing the Sumter Coca-Cola Bottling Company from Ed Cole. In 1920 the name of the company was changed to the Carolina Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Heath rapidly expanded the business, acquiring franchises in other sections of the state. Heath was "active and generous in community activities and was a prime mover in every project for the betterment of the community. "Probably the greatest monument to the memory of Mr. Heath is the Heath Gardens. This property, located across the highway from Swan Lake Gardens, was later given to the city." C.G. Rowland - Born in Henderson, North Carolina, on Aug. 19, 1862, Rowland came to Sumter in 1887 as a station agent and telegrapher for the Atlantic Coast Line at Mayesville. He organized the Farmers Bank and Trust Company in 1902 and later changed its name to the National Bank of South Carolina where he remained as president until 1944. He was a great believer in the Sumter community in which he became an extensive land owner and businessman. Under the new plan of government, he was one of the original three council members. He also served as the chairman of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners. Edwin B. Boyle - Boyle became president of Boyle Road and Bridge Company, vice president of Boyle Motor Company and director of the National Bank of South Carolina. In addition to his involvement in a number of other business interests, he served on City Council and as a colonel on Gov. Olin D. Johnson's staff; he was one of the organizers and first president of the Boyle Bible Class of Trinity Methodist Church. He also served on a number of community civic and fraternal organizations. O. L. Williams (1865-1952) - Born at Fork, North Carolina, he attended the University of North Carolina and began his business career in a plug tobacco factory. He later switched to the furniture industry and started a veneer plant. In 1919 he organized the Camden Veneer Company of Camden and in 1920 founded the O.L. Williams Veneer Company at Sumter. The Williams Corporation became a leader in the furniture business, and he served in a number of civic and business organizations including 50 years as a Mason. He also served as director of the National Bank of South Carolina. Chester F. Korn (1871-1954) - Korn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio; arriving in Sumter in 1920, he established the Sumter Hardwood Company and in 1929 the Sumter Cabinet Company. He began his business career as president of the Winton Savings Bank and treasurer of the Businessmen's Club of Cincinnati. He started his lumber business in Ohio prior to moving this concern to Sumter. He served as a Mason for 60 years and was a generous contributor to local civic and church projects. Dr. C. W. Birnie - Charles Wainwright Birnie, was born in Charleston on May 15, 1874, and served as a respected physician in Sumter for 40 years. His father was a successful businessman who was able to provide an education for his family. Birnie came to Sumter in 1898 after receiving his degree in medicine and became the first black physician in Sumter County. He and his wife operated a drug store, the People's Pharmacy, located on West Liberty Street until he died. He helped many black medical students gain experience and researched black history before Reconstruction, publishing valuable articles on the subject. He was very interested in improving school facilities for blacks. The Birnie Community Center and Birnie Apartments were named in his honor. Reach Item Archivist Sammy Way at waysammy@yahoo.com or (803) 774-1294.  [1]
  HIST	Many early citizens aided in Sumter's development Posted: Sunday, November 16, 2014 6:00 am BY SAMMY WAY ITEM ARCHIVIST The term "Founding Fathers" identifies those connected with the establishment of an institution, company or community. Sumter is blessed with a number of individuals who possessed skills and assets they used to promote the growth of the common cultural and historical heritage of our city and county. This Reflections article and that of Nov. 23 will highlight the contributions made to the Sumter community by some of its most outstanding citizens and those who advocated its advancement and growth. Only a brief synopsis of each individual's achievements is given, as there is a large number of people who made significant contributions to the community. Antonia Gibson - She was born in Charleston on Sept. 22, 1875, and moved to Sumter when she was 12. A graduate of the Sumter Institute, she later entered Sumter Hospital Training, receiving her degree in 1902. She became a nurse in 1906 and later served as a city health nurse. Hamilton Carr Bland - He supervised the development of the world famous Iris Gardens at Swan Lake. His efforts made the gardens nationally known; they are frequented by thousands of visitors each year. Bland came to sell autos in Sumter in 1917 at the Hudson-Essex franchise after moving from his home in Mayesville. He became an authorized Ford dealer in 1922 and turned his attention to expanding his hobby of gardening through which he succeeded in making Swan Lake one of the most beautiful garden spots in South Carolina. Fulton Bethune Creech - He came to Sumter in 1909 with the Trexler Lumber Company of Allentown, Pennsylvania. He formed the Imperial Lumber Company, which operated under his name until 1921 when he formed the Creech Lumber Company. Creech was awarded the order of the Palmetto by Governor "Dick" Riley. He assumed a leading role in the Sumter community, serving on city council, as mayor from 1932 to 1944 and participating in a number of civic and fraternal clubs. He played an important role in helping "Sumter (get) selected as the site for Shaw Air Force Base. John J. Riley - Riley served two terms as a United States congressman in 1945 through 1948. He was a veteran of World War I and served as post and district commander of the American Legion. He operated a successful insurance and real estate business and was always active in Sumter's civic affairs. He served as coach of the Sumter Legion Juniors, winning countless games and a state championship. The local baseball stadium is named Riley Park in his honor. A.T. Heath Sr. -Heath was born in Roswell, Georgia, in 1881. He attended Georgia Tech and became involved in the Coca-Cola Company in 1913. He moved to Sumter in 1918 after purchasing the Sumter Coca-Cola Bottling Company from Ed Cole. In 1920 the name of the company was changed to the Carolina Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Heath rapidly expanded the business, acquiring franchises in other sections of the state. Heath was "active and generous in community activities and was a prime mover in every project for the betterment of the community. "Probably the greatest monument to the memory of Mr. Heath is the Heath Gardens. This property, located across the highway from Swan Lake Gardens, was later given to the city." C.G. Rowland - Born in Henderson, North Carolina, on Aug. 19, 1862, Rowland came to Sumter in 1887 as a station agent and telegrapher for the Atlantic Coast Line at Mayesville. He organized the Farmers Bank and Trust Company in 1902 and later changed its name to the National Bank of South Carolina where he remained as president until 1944. He was a great believer in the Sumter community in which he became an extensive land owner and businessman. Under the new plan of government, he was one of the original three council members. He also served as the chairman of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners. Edwin B. Boyle - Boyle became president of Boyle Road and Bridge Company, vice president of Boyle Motor Company and director of the National Bank of South Carolina. In addition to his involvement in a number of other business interests, he served on City Council and as a colonel on Gov. Olin D. Johnson's staff; he was one of the organizers and first president of the Boyle Bible Class of Trinity Methodist Church. He also served on a number of community civic and fraternal organizations. O. L. Williams (1865-1952) - Born at Fork, North Carolina, he attended the University of North Carolina and began his business career in a plug tobacco factory. He later switched to the furniture industry and started a veneer plant. In 1919 he organized the Camden Veneer Company of Camden and in 1920 founded the O.L. Williams Veneer Company at Sumter. The Williams Corporation became a leader in the furniture business, and he served in a number of civic and business organizations including 50 years as a Mason. He also served as director of the National Bank of South Carolina. Chester F. Korn (1871-1954) - Korn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio; arriving in Sumter in 1920, he established the Sumter Hardwood Company and in 1929 the Sumter Cabinet Company. He began his business career as president of the Winton Savings Bank and treasurer of the Businessmen's Club of Cincinnati. He started his lumber business in Ohio prior to moving this concern to Sumter. He served as a Mason for 60 years and was a generous contributor to local civic and church projects. Dr. C. W. Birnie - Charles Wainwright Birnie, was born in Charleston on May 15, 1874, and served as a respected physician in Sumter for 40 years. His father was a successful businessman who was able to provide an education for his family. Birnie came to Sumter in 1898 after receiving his degree in medicine and became the first black physician in Sumter County. He and his wife operated a drug store, the People's Pharmacy, located on West Liberty Street until he died. He helped many black medical students gain experience and researched black history before Reconstruction, publishing valuable articles on the subject. He was very interested in improving school facilities for blacks. The Birnie Community Center and Birnie Apartments were named in his honor. Reach Item Archivist Sammy Way at waysammy@yahoo.com or (803) 774-1294.
  _UID	B7FC94222D044455913377CBC702B7C57EF6
  _UID	B7FC94222D044455913377CBC702B7C57EF6
  Death	1954  [1]
  Person ID	I297446	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	28 Nov 2014

  
  

  Father	KORN
  _UID	1355A82998CA4FF6A5A3CD69B67867483BC8
  _UID	1355A82998CA4FF6A5A3CD69B67867483BC8
  Family ID	F199485	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  [S21834] Many early citizens aided in Sumter’s development.