Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



George H. Knollenberg

George H. Knollenberg, merchant, 809 and 811 Main street, Richmond, Ind., is a native of Richmond, born in 1847. When fourteen years of age he began clerking in the store of Messrs. Emswiler & Crocker, with whom he received a practical business education. After three years' experience as a clerk, he began business for himself in a small one-story frame building, on the site of his present place of business. The salesroom was but 18 x 24 feet in size, and he employed one clerk. His business gradually increased until he leased the room adjoining on the east. In 1877 he erected the largest and handsomest business house in the city. It is a three-story brick, thirty-six feet front by ninety feet deep, the front of iron and stone. The building is specially designed for the dry-goods business, and its internal arrangements like its external appearance will compare favorably with leading drygoods houses of larger cities. From the one-story frame building, in which was employed one clerk, has grown the leading industry of the city, giving employment to thirty-five people, and drawing trade from miles around. Mr. Knollenberg's enterprise and business tact has proved of lasting benefit to the city, and is deserving of especial commendation.

Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2