Joel Owsley Cheek (December 8, 1852 – December 14, 1935) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Maxwell House coffee brand.
Jo-El Owsley Cheek | |
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 | |
| Born | December 8, 1852 Burkesville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | December 14, 1935 (aged 83) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Transylvania University |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse | Minnie Ritchey |
| Children | 11 |
Early life edit
Cheek was born on December 8, 1852, in Burkesville, Kentucky.[1][2] He attended Transylvania University in 1868.[1][2]
Career edit
Cheek began his career as a school teacher for two years.[1][2] He subsequently became a peripatetic salesman for the Webb Wholesale Grocery Company Tennessee and Kentucky.[1] Cheek invested in the company, and it became known as Cheek, Webb & Co.[1]
With investors L. T. Webb, J. J. Norton and J. W. Neal, Cheek opened a coffee shop in Downtown Nashville in 1901.[1] They persuaded the owners of the Maxwell House Hotel to serve their coffee, and they use the name of the hotel as their coffee brand.[1] They began using the slogan "good to the last drop" in 1917.[1] In 1928, Cheek sold the brand to Postum Co. for $42 million; it was subsequently purchased by General Foods.[1] However, he was featured in Maxwell House advertisements until his death.[1]
Philanthropy edit
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Cheek gave away much of his fortune to educational institutions, civic improvement campaigns, recognized charities and other worthy causes."[3]
Personal life, death and legacy edit
Cheek married Minnie Ritchey in 1873.[1][2] He had eleven children.[4] He resided in Nashville, Tennessee: first at 513 Woodland Street in East Nashville and later 209 Louise Avenue near Centennial Park and Vanderbilt University.[4] His cousins were the owners of Cheekwood, which later became a museum.[1] Cheek was a Christian, and a strong advocate of prohibition.[3] He never smoked or drank.[3]
Cheek died on December 14, 1935, in Jacksonville, Florida.[4] His portrait hangs in the Cumberland County Library in Burkesville, KY.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Walter, Jeff (July 22, 2003). "Maxwell House-Cheekwood saga began with young teacher in debt". The Tennessean. p. 48 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Crawford, Byron (February 15, 1985). "Coffee ended grind for traveling salesman". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. p. 3. Retrieved May 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Joel Cheek, 83, Coffee King, Is Called By Death". The Leaf-Chronicle. Clarksville, Tennessee. December 14, 1935. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Coffee Merchant Dies". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. December 15, 1935. p. 12. Retrieved May 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Waggener, Ed (October 28, 2016). "He's Everywhere in Cumberland County, KY: Joel Owsley Cheek . . ". Columbia Magazine. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
External links edit
- Joel Cheek biography at Kraft Foods Inc. (archived, 24 Jul 2003)
- Joel Cheek at Findagrave.com
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