Joel Owsley Cheek | |
---|---|
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 |
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.
Cheek was born on December 8, 1852, in Burkesville, Kentucky. [1] [2] He attended Transylvania University in 1868. [1] [2]
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]
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Cheek gave away much of his fortune to educational institutions, civic improvement campaigns, recognized charities and other worthy causes." [3]
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]