Thomas Martindale

Thomas Martindale (1845–1916) was an English-born American merchant, grocer, tea importer, and author. He founded Martindale and Johnson Thomas Martindale Company, and Martindale's Natural Markets, his stores are thought to be the first natural foods store in the United States.[1] He might be one of the best known grocers in the United States, and in his local city of Philadelphia.[2] Martindale was an advocate of health foods and physical activity, who also supported infrastructure investments and innovations.[2]

Thomas Martindale
Born1845
County Durham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (now England)
Died1916
British Columbia, Canada
Occupation(s)Merchant, grocer, tea importer, author, community leader
Known forFounder of an early natural foods store in the U.S., health food advocate, and promoter of physical exercise
SpouseRosie Crum

Biography

Thomas Martindale was born in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (now England) in 1845, and spent early years in Canada.[3] At the age of eight he moved to the United States with his family.[4]

Martindale founded a grocery store in Oil City, Pennsylvania in 1869,[3][5] and eventually expanded. Some sources state he co-owned the first grocery store in Oil City in 1869, but then bought out his partner.[4] Six years later he established a second store in Philadelphia.[3] The store advertising included educational and instructional content.[3] His grocery store operated as a retail establishment but also had a substantial wholesale business, including imported tea.[3] In 1916, he was one of the largest importers of teas in the United States.[3]

In 1883, Martindale teamed up with William Johnson to open a new grocery store called "Martindale and Johnson" in Philadephia.[4] They sold liquor in custom decorative whiskey jugs called "Hunter Jugs" produced for their business.[4] Martindale and Johnson stopped producing the liquor jugs in 1920 during prohibition, and they are now collectibles.[4]

Martindale served as the Poor Richard Club's first president,[3] and was a founder of the Philadelphia Trades League.[2] A Strawbridge and Clothier publishing department had published his book, Royal Sport, I Warrant You (1897) and the book was displayed it amongst his "hunting trophies" in the department store window.[6] Martindale was active in political issues facing grocers, such as a proposed bill requiring products be sold by weights and measures in 1911.[7]

Death and legacy

He died on a hunting expedition in British Columbia.[3]

A Martindale's Natural Market store in Springfield, Pennsylvania was founded in 1971, and continues in existence.[1][8] The Martindale family maintained a presence at the store until 1991.[1]

Martindale's former home at 413–415 33rd Street in Philadelphia is listed as part of the Powelton Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places since 1985.[9][10]

Publications
  • Martindale, Thomas; Wiman, Erastus; Haupt, Lewis M. (1892). The Proposed Ship Canal between Philadelphia and New York (via Trenton). New York Board of Trade and Transportation. New York City, NY: New York Board of Trade and Transportation.
  • Martindale, Thomas (1897). Sport Royal, I Warrant You! -Twelfth night. Philadelphia, PA: H.W. Shaw. ISBN 0665098472.
  • Martindale, Thomas (1901). Sport Indeed. Philadelphia, PA: G. W. Jacobs & Co.
  • Martindale, Thomas (1910). With Gun and Guide. Philadelphia, PA: G. W. Jacobs and Company.
  • Martindale, Thomas (1913). Hunting in the Upper Yukon. G.W. Jacobs & Co.
  • Martindale, Thomas (1919). Sport Indeed. Toronto, ON: Musson. ISBN 066575146X.[11]

See also

References
  1. DeGrassa, Peg (August 23, 2021). "Martindale's Natural Market celebrates 150 years". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 2023-10-09.
  2. "Obituary: Thomas Martindale". Simmon's Spice Mill: Devoted to the Interests of the Coffee, Tea and Spice Trades. Spice Mill Publishing Company. June 9, 1916. p. 1136 – via Google Books.
  3. "Death of Thomas Martindale". Printers' Ink. Printers' Ink Publishing Company. June 9, 1916. p. 10 – via Google Books.
  4. Sullivan, Jack (July 12, 2022). "Thomas Martindale and Hunter Jugs". Antique Bottle & Glass Collector. pp. 11–13 – via issuu.com.
  5. Martindale, Thomas C. "A Health Food Store is Founded", Physical Culture Magazine, New York, October 1938.
  6. Printers' Ink; the ... Magazine of Advertising, Management and Sales. Vol. 21. June 9, 1897. p. 34 – via Google Books.
  7. "Strong Hearing Against Weights and Measures Bill". Grocery World and General Merchant. Grocery World Publishing Company. June 9, 1911. p. 6 – via Google Books.
  8. Hostutler, Mark (April 17, 2019). "One of America's First Health Food Stores, Martindale's Natural Market in Springfield Turns 150". DelCo Today.
  9. "Powelton Village Historic District Inventory" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places Inventory. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  10. Thomas, George; Carol Benenson (1984). "Powelton Village" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  11. "Martindale, Thomas, 1845–1916 | The Online Books Page". onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu.
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