FLVC logo

Drew Family Papers, 1888-1997

 

Summary

Extent:
6.00 Linear Feet 2 flip-top boxes, 4 flat boxes, 1 wrapped oil painting
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Drew Family Papers, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of printed materials, artifacts, and memorabilia relating to the Drew Family and their businesses in the Jacksonville area. Many of the items in this collection belonged to Horace Rainsford Drew, Jr. The collection is divided into two series: personal papers and business records.

Series 1 Drew Family Personal papers Sub Series 1 Dr. Horace Rainsford Drew, Sr. Sub Series 2 Horace Rainsford Drew, Jr. Sub Series 3 William B. Drew Sub Series 4 Marguerita Drew Boudin [sic] Sub Series 5 Marrietta Hume Robertson Drew Sub Series 6 Drew Family (general)

Series 2 Drew Family Business Records Sub Series 1 The Drew Press/H. and W. B. Drew Company Inc. Records Sub Series 2 Drew Orange and Fruit Company

Biographical / historical:

The H. and W. B. Drew Company, Inc. was an historic Jacksonville (Florida) printing company. The founder, Columbus Drew, was born to British parents Solomon and Elizabeth Glyuas Drew on January 6, 1820 in Washington, D. C. His early education and training was in journalism and printing. In 1844 he married Marietta Hume Robinson of Richmond, Virginia. Their first son, Columbus, was born on December 3, 1847. Drew brought his family to Jacksonville in 1848 to establish a newspaper, "The Florida Republican." The newspaper's plant was destroyed in 1854. One year later Drew opened the Columbus Drew Stationery Printing Company at the corner of Bay and Newnan Streets. The business moved a few years later to 60 West Bay Street and later to 49 West Bay Street.

During the Civil War, Drew served in the Confederate Treasury Department in Richmond, Virginia. For a few months in 1862, his eldest son Horace oversaw the business for his father until the family was forced to leave Jacksonville; they stayed in Lake City for the duration of the war. After the war, Drew returned to Jacksonville and with his son Horace, began the rebuilding of his business. In 1876 Columbus Drew was appointed Florida Comptroller by Governor George Drew (no relation) and sold the business to Horace. At this time, Drew brothers William B., John Braeme, and Julius partnered with Horace on a new printing plant located on West Bay Street. A fifth brother, Dr. Columbus Drew, did not join the business. The firm was named "H. Drew" or "Horace Drew."

In 1886, brother William became a full partner and the name of the firm was changed to "H. Drew and Brother," and operated at 49-51 West Bay Street. Two other major family events occurred during this time period: Horace Drew married Gertrude Fairbanks, the daughter of Major George Rainsford Fairbanks, and in 1891 Columbus Drew died. He was buried beside his wife in Jacksonville's Old City Cemetery. In 1893 the company was incorporated as the H. and W. B. Drew Company, Inc. Several years later, the Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901 destroyed the company's plant. A new two story building was soon erected at 45-47 West Bay Street. Horace Drew continued as company president until his death in 1926.

Horace Rainsford Drew, Jr., a fourth generation Floridian and great-grandson of Columbus Drew, was born on January 1, 1918 in Jacksonville. His father was Dr. Horace Rainsford Drew, a physician and grandson of Columbus Drew. Drew Jr. attended local schools and graduated from the University of Florida in July 1941 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an LL.B. degree. After serving in the Army in World War II he practiced law for fifty years until his retirement in 1994. An active civic and community leader, he was a foundng member of the Southern Academy of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, a trustee of the Children's Home Society, and a trustee of the American Cancer Society. He was also the family's chief genealogist. In his publication "Our Story" [1998], he documented the saga of the Drew and Fairbanks families in Florida in the 1920s, 1930s, and the World War II era. Although active in law practice and a Lt. Col. of the Army Reserves, his first love was a family citrus grove in Cross Creek, Florida. He died on October 19, 2004.

The H. and W. B. Drew Company, Inc. remained primarily in family ownership for most of the twentieth century. As a result, it was known as the "oldest family business" in Jacksonville. It provided engraved stationery and office supplies to professionals across the country. In 1997 Wells Legal Supply, Inc. acquired the company to form the Wells and Drew Companies.

Acquisition information:
The collection was acquired through purchase from estate sale, 2010. The H. and W. B. Drew Company sign was acquired through donation from Tom Sims, 2012. The De Soto Diary was acquired through donation from Maria Thompson, 2015.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research by appointment only. Please contact lib-special@unf.edu to schedule an appointment.

Terms of access:

Materials in the collection may be subject to copyright and are to be used for private study, scholarship, or research in accordance with the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Use of reproductions of copyrighted works in excess of " fair use," may result in the user's liability for copyright infringement and be subject to the civil and criminal penalties of federal law. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for further information

Preferred citation:

Drew Family Papers, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida

Location of this collection:
Thomas G. Carpenter Library
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville
FL
32224
USA