P. B. Magrane
Patrick Byrne Magrane | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Channonrock, County Louth, Ireland |
| Died | 1933 |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman |
| Known for | Founder of P. B. Magrane department store; president and part-owner of Magrane Houston department store |
Patrick Byrne Magrane (1852–1933) was a prominent Irish-American entrepreneur active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Born on May 17, 1852, in Channonrock, County Louth, Ireland, Magrane emigrated to the United States in 1871 at the age of 18 or 19. He made his home in Lynn, Massachusetts, where he began his career as a traveling salesman offering notions, hosiery, and similar goods. In 1876, he established the P. B. Magrane store, initially occupying a modest 15-foot storefront. Beyond retail, Magrane engaged in various enterprises, ultimately becoming one of Lynn’s most affluent businessmen and a committed member of the local community.
In 1877, Magrane married Mary Thornton, herself an Irish immigrant. Together they raised eleven children, including a daughter, Mary, who became the spouse of New York Governor Martin H. Glynn.
Department stores
The P. B. Magrane department store gained recognition in Lynn for its diverse merchandise offerings such as shoes,[1] draperies,[2] books,[3] and other typical department store products. Their marketing tagline was "The Big Store – 46 Departments".[2] The store maintained its independence until 1954 when it was purchased by Raymond's and converted into that retailer’s second branch location.[4]
In addition to his Lynn enterprise, Magrane served as president and part-owner of the Magrane Houston department store located in Boston, situated prominently at the intersection of Washington Street and Temple Place within the downtown shopping district.[5]
The Boston store originated in 1842 under George Turnbull and Company. It changed hands to Knimouth and Company in 1854, who significantly expanded its size. In 1858, Hogg, Brown, and Taylor assumed control. Ownership transferred to Houston and Henderson in 1892; eventually James A. Houston became sole proprietor and lent his name to the establishment. In 1906, Patrick Byrne Magrane partnered with P. H. Magrane (also from Lynn and co-owner of P. B. Magrane) and P. A. O'Connell from Boston to acquire the store.[6][7] O'Connell departed shortly thereafter to become president of competing retailer E. T. Slattery in 1908.[8]
Initially retaining the James A. Houston name, the store was renamed Magrane Houston in 1912. By 1917, the company committed to continuing salary payments for employees who joined the military during wartime.[9] The Magrane Houston store ceased operations in 1920.[10]
Magrane Houston was central to a significant exclusive dealing legal dispute resolved by the United States Supreme Court in 1922: Standard Fashion Co. v. Magrane-Houston Co.[11] The case involved Magrane Houston’s exclusive agreement to retail garment patterns solely from Standard Fashion while later selling patterns from another manufacturer. Standard Fashion filed suit alleging breach of contract; Magrane Houston countered that the exclusivity violated section 3 of the Clayton Antitrust Act. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Magrane Houston, determining that the exclusive arrangement substantially diminished competition within the garment pattern market.[12]
References
- ↑ "Magrane's Major Carnival Sale Event". The Shoe Retailer. November 7, 1908. p. 83. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Curtain and Upholstery Departments Overview". American Carpet and Upholstery Journal. 24 (9): 67. September 10, 1906. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ↑ "Advertising Leaflet for Juvenile Series (1913)". Henry Altemus Company. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ↑ Charles Boston (October 3, 2012). "Reflecting on Raymond's and Retro Boston with the Esteemed James Schaye". Shopping Days In Retro Boston. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
- ↑ Albert Nelson Marquis. "Who's Who in New England: A Biographical Directory of Prominent Living Men and Women from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut". Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ↑ "Bostons Furriers Industry Report". Fur Trade Review. 47: 242. January 1920. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ↑ "Baggage Handling Discussions: Chats on Baggage Smashing". Luggage and Leather Goods: 19. August 1906. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ↑ Charles Boston (March 30, 2011). "A Retrospective on E.T. Slattery's: A Boston Icon from 1867 to 1957". Shopping Days In Retro Boston. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ↑ "A Patriotic Gathering at the Store". Dry Goods Economist. 71 (3791): 4. March 3, 1917. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ↑ "Notes on Boston and Surrounding Areas". The Furniture World. 1 (1284): 29. January 1, 1920. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ↑ "STANDARD FASHION CO. v. MAGRANE-HOUSTON CO. Case Overview". FindLaw. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ↑ Christopher Brown. "Exclusive Dealing Explained". Econ 4333 Learning Modules. Arkansas State University. Retrieved December 31, 2016.