Rare C. L. Byrd & Co. Sterling Serving Fork

C. L. Byrd & Co., the most extensive jewelry establishment in the South, dates its origin back to 1841. The business was established by Merriman & Clark, by whom it was conducted for seven years. It then took the firm title of James E. Merriman & Co. About 1865 it assumed the title of Merriman, Byrd & Co., and in 1870 Mr. W. C. Byrd, of the, firm, took charge of the business, which he successfully conducted up to the time of his death in 1874. Our subject became his successor, and the firm became C. L. Byrd & Co. C. L. Byrd is a native of Ohio, as were also his parents, Charles and Mary Byrd. Of their family only two sons, both residents of Memphis, are now living. Our subject came to Memphis in 1867, and for many years was a bookkeeper. In 1875 he married Alice Bruce, daughter of W. S. Bruce. Mr. Byrd’s establishment at Memphis is a perfect wonder in completeness of arrangement, in magnitude and in richness of stock.