Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 5 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 22

A young man of such ideals that his numerous customers not only get the best there is to be had but always find him courteous in his attention to their wants, is W. H. Dewhirst, the wide-awake manager of the Selma Rochdale Company store, the famous emporium for general merchandise. His father was the Reverend A. Dewhirst, a Methodist minister who died a few years ago, and a member of a well-known family reaching back several generations in Lincolnshire, England. His mother was Miranda Byrne before her marriage; and she is still living at Selma. His father belonged to the Southern Illinois Conference, and following the itinerary assigned him, he moved with his family from place to place, having at different times a church and a home at Olney, Claremont, Sumner, Flat Rock, Louisville, Belmont, Oblong and Bone Gap. In all these places, the good influence of the Reverend Dewhirst's unselfish work is still felt today; and in each of these places his excellent wife and attractive family soon found a circle of steadfast friends.

Born near Olney, in Richland County, Ill., on August 22, 1883, the subject of our sketch began his education at the public schools and continued his preparation for life in the rough school of experience. At the age of nineteen, he had so far progressed that he was teaching with a second grade certificate; and two years later, he used a first-grade certificate. Abandoning the class-room for the counter, he went into a general merchandise store at Passport, Ill., and for two years he patiently acquired the numerous details of the exacting business. Then he bought the proprietor out, and for two years conducted the store himself. Disposing of his entire interest there, he acquired a farm in exchange, and next experimented in the field of agriculture.

In March, 1910, attracted to Selma by its wonderful development, Mr. Dewhirst sold his farm and left the state in which he had spent some of the best years of his life. He at once engaged as a clerk with the Selma Rochdale Company, a mercantile house with a history of unusual interest. The old company was organized in 1900 as one of the first cooperative stores in the San Joaquin Valley. There were one hundred eighty-eight members when the company was most prosperous, and the shares were taken principally by ranchers and horticulturists of the vicinity. However, the death of the principal supporters led to its dissolution, the company paying its debts, one hundred cents on the dollar, and also paying the shareholders in full. In 1912, Mr. Dewhirst was made manager, and he continued with the old company until it sold out, on December 22, 1917, to J. M. Byrne.

On January 1, 1918, the present firm, also known as the Rochdale Company, was organized and its store opened on High Street, Selma, since which time the public have come more and more to appreciate its service. Being a very careful business man, Mr. Dewhirst not only selects with a special view as to what his patrons want, but when he has been successful in securing what usually cannot be found with his competitors, he exercises adequate care to see that it is well displayed. From first to last he applies those business ideals, to which reference has already been made, with the result that it must be an odd customer who is not eventually and generally satisfied.

In his twenty-first year, Mr. Dewhirst was married to Miss Grace Dewhirst, by whom he has had four children, Victor, Roy, Fred, and William; and more than ever today his good helpmate shares his popularity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dewhirst are members of the Methodist Church, and with their children they attend the First Methodist Episcopal congregation. Lately, Mr. Dewhirst purchased his former home on Second Street from W. R. Dale, where hospitality marked the family life, and once again drew together a wide circle of friends.