Title
John Frederick Mullenix, Watkins Man with audio
Subject
Traveling sales personnel
Mullenix, John Frederick, 1887-1972
Mullenixx, Effie Mae Fendley, 1891-1974
Mullenix, Searcy Leon, 1933-
Description
John Frederick Mullenix is pictured in 1938 with his 5-year-old son, Searcy Mullenix, beside his 1927 Model T that he used to deliver Watkins products and other goods to rural families in northern Tuscaloosa County.
A longtime resident of Echola, Mullenix was born in Gordo, in 1888. He contracted polio at the age of 18 months and was severely crippled, losing the use of one leg. Despite his disability, he attended business school in Columbus, Mississippi. He began keeping the books for his uncle, Jim Free, and learned the lumber business and became part owner of some sawmills. He owned and operated J. F. Mullenix Merchantile in Gordo until the Depression.
Mullenix began farming to support his growing family and when the boys were mature enough to manage the farm, he began his Watkins Products route to areas around Brownville and Moores Bridge. He often traded products for eggs or chickens, which were put in coops tied to the running board of his Model T. Another son, Clifton Mullenix, (not pictured) often went along to catch the chickens. A five-gallon can of fly spray was tied to his running board.
John and his wife, Effie Fendley Mullenix, had 10 children, one of whom died in infancy. Mullenix died in 1972.
A longtime resident of Echola, Mullenix was born in Gordo, in 1888. He contracted polio at the age of 18 months and was severely crippled, losing the use of one leg. Despite his disability, he attended business school in Columbus, Mississippi. He began keeping the books for his uncle, Jim Free, and learned the lumber business and became part owner of some sawmills. He owned and operated J. F. Mullenix Merchantile in Gordo until the Depression.
Mullenix began farming to support his growing family and when the boys were mature enough to manage the farm, he began his Watkins Products route to areas around Brownville and Moores Bridge. He often traded products for eggs or chickens, which were put in coops tied to the running board of his Model T. Another son, Clifton Mullenix, (not pictured) often went along to catch the chickens. A five-gallon can of fly spray was tied to his running board.
John and his wife, Effie Fendley Mullenix, had 10 children, one of whom died in infancy. Mullenix died in 1972.
Source
Wanda Winters
Date
1938
Contributor
Betty Slowe (Description)
Type
Photograph
Audio
Identifier
462
Coverage
Tuscaloosa County (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
3 inches by 5 inches