The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Jan. 27, 1870 – “A fire in Chester last Sunday, Jan. 23rd, began in the Carroll Building, occupied by M.B. Friedberger and Co., and by Mrs. Carroll. This wooden building was soon consumed and fire reached the three story brick building owned by Mr. E.H. Abell and occupied on the first floor by I. Heyman, a dry goods store, on the second floor by the Chester Reporter, and on the third floor by the Masonic and Odd Fellows Hall. The fire destroyed these two building and furnishings. Almost all the materials of the reporter, including considerable personal of John A. Bradley, Jr., Esq., one of the editors was lost. A number of men mounted the roof of the Augurs building and spread wet blankets over it arresting the flames. Among this group were many colored men who behaved admirably. The property damage is estimated at $20,000.” On Feb. 3rd an update was printed – “Smith and Melton have purchased the site from Mr. E.H. Abell where his building stood and have had an architect from Columbia begin work on designing a new brick building. Mrs. Carroll, the owner of the building where the fire began has received substantial aid from our citizens. The Odd Fellows managed to save the books, regalia, and jewels of the lodge. Editors McClure and Bradley are working very hard to resume the publication of the Reporter. “
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on May 18, 1887 – “The colored people of Chester are now occupying the building erected by them as an Odd Fellows Hall. It is of good size and reflects credit on their enterprise.”
City Directories and History: 1884 – Masonic Hall, 1908 – W.R. Nail, Red Racket Store, (101.5) Red Men’s Hall, 1940 – Carolina Candy Kitchen (Haddad Family), (101.5) Odd Fellows Hall, Woodmen of the World, 1958 – Vacant, 1978 – Hank Robbins
Insurance The City Directories of Chester give a complete listing of most of the activates at this location. For information on the occupants click on the links listed below. Originally the home site of Major John Kennedy’s house and tavern, this is one of Chester’s most historic sites. In circa 1873, the Richard Nail building was constructed on the site. One report suggests the tin-work on the front of the building was added in circa 1904. The 1930 U.S. Federal Census states he (Mr. Nail) was listed with a net worth of $6,000., and living at the Caldwell home at 133 York Street, Chester, SC. Informative links: Woodmen of the World Odd Fellow Society
The Haddad’s Carolina Candy Kitchen was the family business of the Haddads who resided at 122 Church Street.
Joseph Haddad and his son Charles (Khalil) Haddad left Roum, Lebanon and traveled by ship to the U.S. in 1911. They landed at Ellis Island, N.Y. and proceeded to Quincy, Massachusetts where people from their homeland lived and worked. Charley got a job at the US Naval Shops and married Helen Nawas Khowy who came from Kaitoulie, Lebanon and lived in Quincy with her brothers.
Their marriage was blessed with a son, George Charles Haddad and at age two, his parents moved to Winnsboro, S.C., where other families from Roum, Lebanon lived. They operated Carolina Candy Kitchens, a predecessor to Lance’s factory. In 1927, Charles received his naturalization papers. With the outbreak of WW I, Joseph and Charles Haddad were unable to return to Lebanon. The banks closed in 1932 and they lost their savings. They moved to Chester, S.C. and started a new business. Their home is the present site of the Peoples Bank Building on Church Street. The children of G. Charles Haddad are: Elizabeth, George, Louise, Margaret and Josephine.
– Elizabeth Haddad married Louis Raad and have four children: Dr. Thomas Raad, Dr. George Raad, Joseph Raad, Esq., and Rosemarie Shaia a CPA
– Louise taught choral music in Manhasset, Long Island, NY until her retirement to Chester, S.C.
– Margaret lived at home with her family.
– Josephine married Musa Marto a native of Jerusalem and became an IBM engineer.
– George graduated from the US of SC and Emory Dental School in Atlanta Georgia. He served on the USS Missouri Ship and was present at the signing of the peace treaty ending WW II. He practiced dentistry in Rock Hill, S.C. until his death on Dec. 30, 1993. In 1960, he married Maggie Choson, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Wadih Ghosn from Dhour – Shweir, Lebanon. Maggies is a bioChemist and taught at the American University in Lebanon and later at Winthrop University. Dr. and Mrs. Haddad have three children: Helen, Marie Louise, and George Haddad, Jr., who practices pediatrics in Spartanburg, S.C. [Information written and shared with R&R by Maggie Haddad – 2014]
Click on the More Information link, found under the primary images for added data.
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