Lines of a Layman

by J. C. Penney

Overview

The history of America's commercial growth is highlighted with the names of a few great men whose contributions to their nation have far transcended ability in business, manufacturing and industry. Elbert Hubbard, John Wanamaker—these men were merchant princes in one sense, leaders of thought and belief in another. Through their autobiographical writings and essays, they have given us a rich, poignant, inspiring picture of their fruitful lives and careers. Their words point the way to meaningful, creative, productive and brotherly living.
Such a man is J. C. Penney, at once the most successful of our times in business enterprise, and the most inspiring in his personal example of courage, wisdom, and service to fellow men and to God.
Faith and fellowship are no mere Sunday things in J. C. Penney's philosophy. You find a twenty-four-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week code of Christian living in such pieces as his Six Principles for Daily Living, The Four Square Man, and The Christian and the Social Order. They are "the measure of the man."
You will find LINES OF A LAYMAN more than a book to read, although its almost 200 thoughtful vignettes are fascinating, swift-paced and stimulating. You will find that it is a book to use, even a book to live by. Its pages are charged with meaning; one cannot read them without finding new ways to happiness and creativity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781789127379
Publisher:	Papamoa Press
Publication date:	12/02/2018
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	110
File size:	504 KB

About the Author

James Cash "J. C." Penney Jr. (1875-1971) was an American businessman and entrepreneur who founded the J. C. Penney stores in 1902.
Born on September 16, 1875, on a farm outside of Hamilton, Caldwell County, Missouri, he was the seventh of twelve children, born to James Cash Penney, Sr. and Mary Frances (née Paxton) Penney. After graduation from Hamilton High School, Penney intended to attend college to study law, but his father's untimely death forced him to take a job as a store clerk to help support the family.
In 1898, James Cash Penney began working for a small chain of stores in the western United States called the Golden Rule stores. In 1902, owners Guy Johnson and Thomas Callahan, impressed by his work ethic and salesmanship, offered him one-third partnership in a new store he would open. Penney invested $2,000 and moved to Kemmerer, Wyoming, to open a store there. He participated in opening two more stores, and when Callahan and Johnson dissolved their partnership in 1907 he purchased full interest in all three stores.
By 1912, there were 34 stores in the Rocky Mountain States. In 1913, he moved the company to the Kearns Building in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. The company was incorporated under the new name, J. C. Penney Company. In 1916, he began to expand the chain east of the Mississippi and during the 1920s, the Penney stores expanded nationwide, with 1,400 stores by 1929. Penney and partner Ralph W. Gwinn had invested heavily in Florida real estate, some of which became Penney Farms, and started Foremost Dairy Products Inc. Most of this work was halted following the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression. However, Penney continued his active involvement in managing the company and its stores, remaining as chairman of the board until 1946, and after that as honorary chairman until his death on February 12, 1971. Until the end of his life, he continued to go to his offices.

Born on September 16, 1875, on a farm outside of Hamilton, Caldwell County, Missouri, he was the seventh of twelve children, born to James Cash Penney, Sr. and Mary Frances (née Paxton) Penney. After graduation from Hamilton High School, Penney intended to attend college to study law, but his father’s untimely death forced him to take a job as a store clerk to help support the family.
In 1898, James Cash Penney began working for a small chain of stores in the western United States called the Golden Rule stores. In 1902, owners Guy Johnson and Thomas Callahan, impressed by his work ethic and salesmanship, offered him one-third partnership in a new store he would open. Penney invested $2,000 and moved to Kemmerer, Wyoming, to open a store there. He participated in opening two more stores, and when Callahan and Johnson dissolved their partnership in 1907 he purchased full interest in all three stores.
By 1912, there were 34 stores in the Rocky Mountain States. In 1913, he moved the company to the Kearns Building in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. The company was incorporated under the new name, J. C. Penney Company. In 1916, he began to expand the chain east of the Mississippi and during the 1920s, the Penney stores expanded nationwide, with 1,400 stores by 1929. Penney and partner Ralph W. Gwinn had invested heavily in Florida real estate, some of which became Penney Farms, and started Foremost Dairy Products Inc. Most of this work was halted following the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression. However, Penney continued his active involvement in managing the company and its stores, remaining as chairman of the board until 1946, and after that as honorary chairman until his death on February 12, 1971. Until the end of his life, he continued to go to his offices.