Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 2985character she is lovable and sympathetic, commanding1 the respect and esteemof all with whom- she associates, and as a mother is tender and patient, andthe repository ,£f the ambitions, plans and griefs of her children.CAPT. JOHN A. HUTTON. In ' the business history of Georgia a morenotable illustration of the exercise of American energy, ability, integrityand superior skill has never been known than that exhibited by the firm ofBraid & Hutton, which has achieved a reputation that extends throughoutthe South, and by its able management and steady development, has securedto Savannah the undoubted supremacy as regards everything in office furniture, blankh§ok making, commercial stationery, printing, lithographing andbinding. At the head of this concern is found Capt. John A. Hutton, thanwhom, as man and' citizen, none stands higher in the community. Captain'Hutton's career is an exemplification of that self-made manhood of whichAmericans have such a right to be proud. Born in Scotland, he undoubtedlyinherited the thrift and industry characteristic of the sons of Scotia, andto these he added later the initiative, self-reliance, progressiveness and business courage which, it would seem, are products of American education,training and contact with the striving and pushing life which honorablecompetition fosters.John A. Hutton was born February 13, 1863, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland,and is a son of John and Martha (Alexander) Hutton, natives of that country.The family came to the United States in 1867, settling at Columbus, whereJohn Hutton spent many years in various business operations, but latermoved to Savannah, where the father died in April, 1915, aged seventy-sixyears. The mother was sixty-two years old when she died in 1901. Of theseven children in the family, John A. was the third in order of birth.The public schools of Columbus, Georgia, furnished John A. Hutton withhis educational training, and his mastery of the printer's trade was securedin the establishment of -Thomas Gilbert, at that place. In the spring of 1882he came to Savannah, where he 'worked at the trade for eight years as ajourneyman, and in 1890 was founded the present business of Braid & Hutton.The following is quoted from a recent article which appeared in one ofSavannah's leading daily newspapers: "Twenty-five years ago two youngmen came to Savannah in search of employment and opportunity. Thenewcomers found the first without much difficulty, both being skilledmechanics. They were unacquainted at that time. Later they met, becamefast acquaintances, after which they formed a friendship and plan of purposethat later started off in its infancy the present extensive plant of Braid& Hutton, Inc., one of Savannah's solid and most substantial enterprises.Capt. John A. Hutton, who, with W. E. Braid, deceased, founded thepresent business, relates the trials of its beginning with the same pride thatanyone does who starts with scant equipment and sees the undertaking growsteadily and keep pace with science and invention, welcoming into theirestablishment every modern improvement, until their plant is prepared tohandle any character of work offered in line with their business, which nowcomprises about everything in printing, lithographing, binding, blankbookmaking, commercial stationery and office furniture, and to the credit ofSavannah, has extended out hundreds of miles from the city. In 1886 Mr.Hutton was employed in the old T. P. Townsend print shop and bindery,then located in the old Hibernia Hall, Aberdeen and Bryan Streets, wherehe remained four years, having come from Columbus to Savannah in 1882.Mr. Braid had come over from Charleston in 1884, and was connected withthe Morning News bindery. Braid & Hutton became a firm in 1890. Incasting about for a location, they took small quarters in the Hardee Building,on Whitaker Street, which they converted from four sleeping rooms into theirfirst shop. What the concern has accomplished in this respect alone tells the