Tup Lucas purchased The Greer Citizen from P. W. Smith on June 1, 1936. He owned it five years until 1941. Tup had formerly been editor and publisher of the Easley Progress, and then was with the Seneca Journal.
In 1938, he began a commercial printing business in Greer called Economy Press.
The Greer Community Council was formed in April 1938, and Tup Lucas was named President. In July of that year Mayor H. J. Lanford appointed Lucas to a committee to study the possibility of bringing a modern hospital to Greer.
In August 1938 he was voted in as one of 12 directors of the Greer Chamber of Commerce. He served as president of the Chamber in 1939-1940.
On August 2, 1941, a Greenville News article reported that Lucas, the former owner of the Citizen, had purchased the Seneca Journal and was moving to Seneca.
In March 1942, Lucas purchased the Greer Citizen for a second time from Reese Combs. He sold the Seneca Journal and moved to Greer. On June 1, 1942 he brought in Edd Burch as publisher and editor; the Greenville News reported that Lucas would "remain connected with the weekly in another capacity." On June 11 the Walterborough, S. C. Press and Standard reported that Lucas had sold the Seneca Journal and moved back to Greer to "resume management of the Greer Citizen" and that he had "found a new editor" for the paper — referencing Burch. In May, 1943, a Greenville News article called Lucas the former owner of the Greer Citizen and reported that he had purchased the Philadelphia, Mississippi Neshoba Democrat, taking over on May 1. The family moved to Mississippi later that year.
Edd Burch was the owner, publisher, and editor of The Greer Citizen from 1942 until his death in 1985. He also started and operated Greer radio station WEAB.
B.A. Bennett was a mayor of Greer, founding partner and president of Bank of Greer, founding partner and president of Citizen's Bank and Loan, and founder and owner of B.A. Bennett Insurance.
Martin Luther Marchant, Sr., his wife Mary Smith Marchant, and their children played significant roles in the founding and growth of Greer and the rest of upstate South Carolina.
Dr. Marchant was one of the earliest doctors in Greer, and the builder of the Greer Drug Company ("Rexall Drug") on the corner of Trade and Victoria streets.
The Littlefields were businessmen in Greer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chaney (T. C.?) Littlefield was involved in the fertilizer and cotton industries and served on the founding board of directors of the Bank of Greers. A heavy investor and dealer in the cotton industry, Chaney committed suicide on November 19, 1920 as the post-war price of cotton had unexpectedly plummeted. J. M. Littlefield was also in the fertilizer industry as well as a seller of Hughes & Bowman.
Simeon Hughes was a resident and businessman in Greer. In 1864 at the age of 17 he entered service in the Confederate Army, Co. C, 22nd Regiment, S. C. Volunteers. After the war, he returned to Greer and throughout his life held a variety of jobs including farmer, shop owner, and fertilizer salesman. He is also listed as a trustees of District 18, East Chick Springs, as well as being a trustee of Greers High School in the 1897-98 at least.
Jacob Hite was a landowner and resident of Greer near the Enoree River around the time of the American Revolution. He and his family were victims of an Indian massacre before the outbreak of the war.
Billy Henson (07.20.1941-11.06.2001) was a local artist who lived in what is presently the outskirts of Greer. Henson was a folk artist who strived to preserve the pottery traditions of his family. As he began his career working in repair shops, Henson's artistic career was relatively short-lived (1988-2001). However, some of his works were completed and sold posthumously as well.
The obituary for Courtney Hannah (May 22, 1872-April 20, 1931) includes the names of his wife (Maggie Hudson Hannah), daughters (Myrtle Hannah Flemming, Frances, and Nell Hannah), and sons (Alton, John, James, and Fred Hannah). The other obituaries include similar family information. The transcribed letter was authored by Wiley Hanna on August 14, 1861 during his time among the 1st regiment of the S. C. Cavalry. Hanna details his experience as the company stayed at Adams Run, where many of the men were sick, and his remembrances of his home in Spartanburg.
The only item in the Families of Greer binder was the newspaper article. o The article is an announcement of the dedication of the new Hammett Bridge in honor of Harold Hammett, a descendent of two of Greer’s founding families, the Hammetts and the Holtzclaws. The new Hammett Bridge replaced a former bridge and is adjacent to the Hammett family farm. The dedication was approved by the state legislature and attended by several state officials.
Dr. Lewis M. Davis, 1919-1997, served as a medical doctor in Greer and was instrumental in the founding of Allen Bennett Memorial Hospital; he was Chief of Staff for the hospital for many years.
Victoria Bailey was the wife of W.C. Bailey, the first intendant (mayor) of Greer. After his death she became a savvy businesswoman and real estate investor. Victoria Street in Greer is named for her.
