Thomas F. Purkiss first opened the doors of the Purkiss Store at 1305 Lapeer in about 1895. Thomas’s son Fred, grandson Art, and great- grandson Charles T. “Tom” locked those doors at the same location for the last time in 1957. Between those years, the Purkiss Store continually offered quality service and products, a home delivery service, and credit, enabling the store to garner a faithful customer base and remain in business well after the “Golden Age” of independent grocers had passed.
Frederick & Arthur T. Purkiss in Port Huron Meat Market December 22, 1912
1926 Chevy Delivery Truck
Thomas Purkiss was born near Colchester, England in 1846. He came to America with his father James and three brothers in 1854, settling first in Lexington and later in Worth Township. At the ripe old age of 15, Thomas lied about his age and enlisted for three years as a Private in Company D, 10th Michigan Infantry; serving as an ambulance driver during the Regiment’s many Civil War engagements. Thomas’ “entrepreneurial spirit” became evident in 1867 when at age 20, he purchased 80 acres near Steven’s Landing (foot of Galbrath Road) in
Worth Township. Continuing up to 1884, Thomas was involved in property transactions in Sanilac County no less than 12 times. These included several wooded plots, a meat market on Main Street Lexington, and finally a brewery and saloon in Lexington on the shore of Lake Huron. Shortly after the saloon and brewery burned to the ground in 1888, Thomas moved with his family to Port Huron, opening his meat market in 1895.
Tom Purkiss Store Circa 1900 Pictured are Walter C. Clemo (left) and Otto H. Schuck
Fred Purkiss was born in Lexington in 1876, moving with his family to Port Huron in 1888. Fred had no intention to follow in his father’s footsteps and was supporting his wife by working with the Railway Express at the Grand Trunk. However, when Thomas took sick in 1898 and was unable to run the business any longer, Fred took it over; Thomas passed away in 1901. Fred proved to be an astute butcher and grocer and the business continued to grow. His sons Art and Charlie were brought into the business when they finished their schooling during the 1920s, although they both worked there part-time while still in school.
One of the services provided by the Purkiss Store that generated so much customer loyalty was home delivery. Customers would phone their order in the morning, and receive at no charge in the afternoon.
Purkiss & Sons flourished during the depression, World War II, and the immediate post-war period. The original frame building was torn down and replaced by a brick building in 1933, and additions were completed in 1939 and 1950 to accommodate the ever growing business base. Art’s son Jack joined the business after the war. Charlie Purkiss passed away suddenly in 1952 and his son Tom was brought into the business on a part-time basis shortly thereafter. Finally, in 1957, Purkiss & Sons Grocery succumbed to the ever increasing competition from the chain stores. Fred, at age 81, was working four to six hours a day, every day until it closed; he passed away in 1960.
Purkiss & Sons 1953
The Purkiss Store and the Purkiss family served Port Huron faithfully for over 60 years.
Purkiss & Sons Groceries and Meats 1305 Lapeer Ave Port Huron, Michigan Phone: 6123 or 6124
