Other Entrepreneurs

S. J. Gilpin was born on December 30, 1850, in Richmond, Virginia, to free parents. He received his early education under the tutelage of Miss Elizabeth McCannon for approximately 18 months, after which he attended the public schools following the evacuation of the city. Gilpin was trained in the trade of shoemaking by his father and, in 1873, opened his own shoe shop, where he remained for nearly 14 years.

In the late 1880s, Gilpin entered into a partnership with Mr. T. A. Miles, establishing the firm of Miles and Gilpin. However, around 1889, he withdrew from the partnership and soon thereafter established his own business at 506 E. Broad Street, where he continues to operate to the present day. Over the years, Gilpin has developed one of the largest shoe establishments owned by African Americans in the United States. His success in securing a location on one of the city’s principal thoroughfares, despite the prevailing racial prejudices of the time, is a testament to his entrepreneurial skill and perseverance.

In 1875, Gilpin married Cordelia A. Reese, and the couple raised nine children. They include C. Bernard, Alfred, David,  Joseph S. , a U.S. Postal Service clerk– who resided at 1005 St. Peter Street, across the street from his father's residence at 1009 St. Peter Street, George Mason School teacher and counselor at Maggie Walker High, Katie Gilpin Henderson (wife of Thomas H. Henderson), Moore Street, Booker T. Washington, and Monroe School teacher, Emily Gilpin Chambers, Nellie, and physician, Dr. Zenobia Gilpin. (Actor Charles Sidney Gilpin was a relative as well.)

A man of few words, Gilpin was nevertheless known for his exceptional reliability and integrity in all of his business dealings. His enterprise had grown to become both sustainable and profitable, and he was widely regarded for his quiet, unassuming nature and his commitment to the highest standards of professionalism. With a stock valued at $3,000, Gilpin remained dedicated to the success of his business, which has earned him a distinguished standing in the community. His reputation for honesty and diligence has garnered him a broad network of loyal customers and admirers. As he contributed to the economic and social fabric of the community, his life and career served as a model of determination, business acumen, and civic responsibility. As such, he was on the Board of Directors of the Richmond Beneficial and Insurance Co.

The Easley Ice Cream Company, initially operated by Paul C. Easley and subsequently by his widow after his passing, produced ice cream using steam power. The company prepared fresh batches of ice cream daily, throughout both the winter and summer months.

The building was also home to the Richmond Business College run by Prof. Charles Mitchell.

John H. Braxton was a Richmond Real Estate Agent, Private Banker and Broker with loans negotiated on real estate and interest allowed on deposits, property manager, notary, insuranceman and bondsman.

Benjamin A. Cephas was born in New York City and lived there with his parents until their untimely deaths when he was just five years old. Afterward, he moved to Richmond, Virginia, to live with his uncle, Beverly Boyd. Cephas was educated in Richmond's public schools, attending Baker, Navy Hill, and Moore schools before graduating from the Richmond High and Normal School. In 1901, he married Fannie B. Dixon, a well-regarded teacher in the Richmond public schools, and together they had seven children, whom Cephas took immense pride in.

Cephas initially worked in a clerical role with the True Reformers, before relocating to Newport News, Virginia. There, he founded a sick benefit insurance company, which later merged with the Southern Aid Society, where Cephas became a vice president and served on the board of directors. He also served as a director for the Commercial Bank and Trust Company and was appointed a notary public by the Governor. In 1910, Cephas returned to Richmond to pursue a career in real estate. Despite facing competition from white agents, he built a reputation for accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness, earning the confidence of both Black and white clients. His business flourished, and his two children, Marian B. and B. A. Cephas Jr. (later a city councilman), joined him in the enterprise.

Cephas was particularly proud of the success he achieved in serving Richmond's Black community. His real estate business, located on North Second Street, played a vital role in supporting Black property ownership and real estate transactions in the city. Through his integrity, dedication, and vision, Cephas became one of the most respected and successful real estate agents in Richmond, establishing a legacy of leadership and service to both his family and his community.

Crane came to Richmond around 1892, he from Savannah, Georgia, where he had worked as a notary and edited a newspaper called The Labor Union. In Richmond, he made a name for himself as the city's only Black watchmaker and jeweler, renowned for his meticulous craftsmanship and excellent customer service. His motto, "United we stand, divided we fall," resonated with many in the community, and he counted prominent figures among his patrons, including Rev. J. H. Holmes, pastor of First African Baptist; Rev. R. Wells, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist; T. C. Johnson, an attorney; Rev. Z. D. Lewis, pastor of Second Baptist; R. T. Hill, cashier at True Reformers Bank; A. D. Price Sr., funeral home director; Dr. R. E. Jones; W. I. Johnson, funeral home director; Rev. W. F. Graham, pastor of Fifth Street Baptist; and several other well-respected leaders and professionals. In addition to his successful business, he was deeply involved in the city's politics, even being nominated for the Common Council, a precursor to today's City Council, during a time when Jackson Ward was a Black voting bloc with Black representatives in local government. He was also active in the community through his membership at Leigh Street Methodist Church, where he served as chairman, as well as his roles as a Master-Mason, True Reformer, and Knight of Pythias. His business gained worldwide recognition when a picture of him and his shop was featured in the American Negro exhibit at the 1900 Paris Exposition. His business, however, came to an end in May of 1905, but his legacy as a respected craftsman and community leader remains a significant part of Richmond's history.

Founded in 1900, by Marcellus Carrington Waller, the grandfather of the present owner, who initially worked in real estate, owned a grocery store, and was an insurance man at the Richmond Beneficial Insurance Co, and later the American Beneficial Insurance Co, before focusing on watch and jewelry repairs. M.C. Waller opened his first watch repair shop with his three sons as watch, clock, and jewelry repairmen. A business card from 1928 highlighted their motto, “Let Waller make your watch tell the truth.” The company’s legacy has been carried on for over four generations, consistently offering a wide range of fine jewelry, watches, and repair services.

M.C. Waller’s journey into the jewelry trade began at the age of eight, when he fixed a mantel clock for his grandmother, teaching himself how to repair watches and clocks. Due to racial barriers, Waller had to make his own tools, as stores would not sell them to African-Americans. Over time, he became a skilled and self-taught watchmaker and entrepreneur. His grandson, Richard Waller Jr., followed in his footsteps, learning the trade from a young age and eventually taking over the family business in 1968. Richard relocated the shop to Broad Street in downtown Richmond and later expanded to a second location in a local mall in the early 2000s. Throughout the years, Waller & Company Jewelers has earned numerous accolades, including recognition from the Prime Buyer’s Report for its high standards of value and honesty.

Today, Waller & Company continues to be a trusted provider of fine jewelry, watch repairs, and services for a diverse clientele, including paraphernalia for sororities, fraternities, and Masonic organizations. The family’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction remains steadfast, maintaining the company’s legacy of excellence.