The George Tilley Family

By Mable Clark Tilley

George Tilley and his wife, Virginia (Nelson), lived on the old Mt. Selman Road, beyond the Lincoln Park Addition. The property was sold to Dr. John Lang in the early 1920s, and now is the home site of Dr. and Mrs. B. J. Sanders, Mrs. Sanders being the former Ruth Lang.

Old business invoices show a hardware business, Tilley & Settles (George Tilley and W. R. Settles), operated here in 1883. They bought from A. F. Shapleigh & Cantwell Hardware Co. of St. Louis, who sold cutlery, guns and hardware, as well as Bridge & Beach Manufacturing Co., St. Louis, who sold stove ornaments, cake cutters and dripping pans.

The George Tilley's were parents of five sons, including Less, John, Harry, Goss and Emmett, none of whom is living, and a daughter, lone (Dinah), who resides in Portland, Oregon.

Only one son, Harry Park (Pat) Tilley spent his life in Jacksonville. He was a pharmacist and in 1904 bought Crown Bottling Works from Ambrose Johnson. He operated the bottling plant for a number of years from May through September, and then went back to filling prescriptions during the winter months, because, at that time, there was no demand for cold drinks in cold weather. The bottling company has operated in three locations. It first was located back of a drug store at the corner of Main and Wilson streets, moving in 1908 to 224 South Bolton Street. In July, 1937, it was moved to the present location at Main and Nacogdoches streets. An interesting item is the old bar and cabinets from a former Jacksonville saloon which decorate the entrance.

Harry Park (Pat) Tilley was active in all state and national bottling organizations and was a member of the Jacksonville Rotary Club. An interest of his was Franklin automobiles, and he drove them as long as they were produced.

In 1928, Frank Gordon Tilley, whose wife was the former Mable Clark, joined his father in the bottling business and assumed the presidency of Crown Coca-Cola Bottling Company upon the death of the elder Tilley. Everything of civic nature interested Gordon Tilley. He was an ardent worker in the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club, a director of Texas Bank & Trust Company, and one of the founders of Circle W Supply Company.

Harry Gordon Tilley, whose wife is the former Peggy Glover, joined his father in the bottling business upon graduation from Texas A. & M. University and two years of service with the U. S. Army. He and Mrs. Tilley have a daughter, Debra Ann. Upon the death of F. Gordon Tilley, he assumed presidency of the bottling firm.

Frank William Tilley, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Tilley, is vice-president of the bottling company. He is a graduate of Texas A. & M. University, and is continuing his education at Harvard School of Business.

Second son of Harry Park (Pat) Tilley is Henry Patrick Tilley, a Nacogdoches businessman. Mr. Tilley's daughter is Mrs. Helen Jane Tilley Austin of Dallas.

Mrs. Virginia (Nelson) Tilley, wife of George Tilley and mother of Pat Tilley.

John Tilley, son of George Tilley, in 1894 photo.

Harry Park (Pat) Tilley, September, 1941.