Businessman Was A Pallbearer At President's Funeral

Even though the town of Bristol was strongly pro-Confederate during the Civil War, Andrew Johnson (who was just as pro-Union) managed to maintain a strong friendship with several persons here.
Despite his politics, through the years that followed the war, many Bristol citizens were still very favorable toward Mr. Johnson. As there had been celebration here early in his political career when chosen for Congress (he served in both the House and Senate), there was much sorrow here when he died, with many of the storefronts draped in mourning.
Doubtless, many of my readers have visited the gravesite of President Johnson in Greeneville, Tenn. It is not likely that many know that a man, who was later a well-known Bristol resident, served as a pallbearer at the funeral and burial of this ex-President.
This man’s name was Charles Lyman (C.L.) Sevier. Mr. Sevier was born in Greeneville, Tenn., on April 30, 1847. He was a son of Valentine Sevier and his second wife, Vinerah Cannon Sevier of Wallingford, Conn.
Miss Cannon had come to Greeneville to teach school. She was also a very accomplished artist. The Seviers ancestry goes back to Robert Sevier and his wife Kesiah Robertson Sevier (this lady was a distant cousin of this writer). Robert Sevier was a brother of John Sevier, who was the first governor of Tennessee. In Greeneville, C.L. Sevier was married to Julia Brown, a member of an old and prominent family of that city. She was born Oct. 1, 1849.
Valentine Sevier and Andrew Johnson were very close friends. Johnson died in 1875. Valentine’s son, C.L., was chosen as one of the pallbearers for the ex-President.
C.L. Sevier moved to Bristol in 1880. He soon established his home at 326 6th St. The house no longer stands, but it stood almost directly across from the present Troutdale Restaurant.
As a note of interest to my readers, let me say here that Mr. Charles Robertson Vance, a prominent Bristol lawyer, who long occupied the house in which the Troutdale Restaurant is now located, was a nephew of this C.L. Sevier even though he was some 10-12 years older than this uncle.
This happens often when families have children with a wide gap of ages among them.
Mr. Sevier was an active businessman, and in 1881, established C.L. Sevier Hardware Company in Bristol. This later became a part of the Mitchell Powers Hardware Company. In 1891, he helped organize the Twin City Milling Company.
In 1896, he opened the Ideal Steam Laundry in the old YMCA building at 20 5th St. At that time, there was a partner in the firm, Mr. Alvin L. Bauhard; however, Mr. Bauhard soon left the firm and became associated with the Sparger Milling Company.
In 1897, the laundry was moved to the corner of Water and Sycamore streets in Bristol, Va., (Water Street no longer exists). The plant operated there until 1901 when it was moved into a new brick building Mr. Sevier had erected at 517 Sycamore St. It was still operating there when I came to Bristol in 1953. At some point, the business had become both a laundry and cleaners.
C.L. Sevier retired from active management of the plant in 1916. His son, Wilbur, then took charge and continued until his death in April 1931. Wilbur’s son, Lyman, then took charge and continued until his death in 1967. The business operated on until 1970, then closed after 74 years of operation.
C.L. Sevier died on Jan. 15, 1927. This pallbearer at the funeral of Andrew Johnson is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Bristol, Tenn. His widow died on Dec. 22, 1943.
Before ending this article, perhaps it would be of interest to my readers to know the cost of laundry here around 1914.
In an old desk here at Pleasant Hill is a laundry price list from this old Bristol establishment dated 1914.
It shows that during that period, plain shirts were washed and ironed for 14 cents (if it had cuffs, then one must pay 4 more cents). Heavy overalls were handled for 50 cents.
A pair of long handled underwear was done for 8 cents and a suit of pajamas was 25 cents. A pair of hose was laundered for 5 cents, while a handkerchief, the lowest priced item of all, was done for 3 cents.
Men’s ties were steamed and pressed for 6 cents, and a lady’s shirt was 30 cents (if fancy or pleated then add another 10 cents).
Even at these low prices, the owners of this laundry prospered. C.L. Sevier was among those many young men who came to Bristol and found it to be truly a good place to live.

BUD PHILLIPS is a local historian and author. He can be reached at (276) 466-6435.