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12 THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA CATHOLICS IN GEORGIA J. J. HAVERTY When “big business” is mentioned to a Catholic in Georgia, he unconsciously turns his thoughts to Mr. J. J. Haverty, vice-president of the Catholic Laymen’s Association and chairman of its finance committee, perhaps the leading Catholic business man in the state. Mr. Haverty is a native of Atlanta, being born there in 1858, the youngest of a large family. His parents were from County Clare, Ireland, and when they came to America in the early 40’s their wealth consisted only of their Catholic faith, their boundless hope in the wonderful new land of the free, abiding love and forbearance in the family circle, good health and the courage of their convictions. One of Mr. Haverty’s uncles was Crown Counsellor to Australia under Queen Victoria; another, Martin Haverty, was a historian of renown. Mr. Haverty’s earliest recollections are of Sher man’s siege of Atlanta, of Yankee shells and the burst ing of bombs, and of the visits home of his brother Michael, who was a soldier with Lee’s army in North ern Virginia. At an early age. Mr. Haverty entered business life, first as a dry goods clerk with the old Keely Com pany, later becoming manager of Rich’s Carpet De partment. In 1880 he married Miss Clara Malone, the eldest daughter of Thomas J. Malone, Atlanta’s tax assessor for thirty years. Ten children blessed the union, all but one of them now living. Three of his sons served in the World War, two of them as officers of the line in France for a year. Mrs. Haverty died in 1918 after eight years as an invalid. In 1889, Mr. Haverty embarked in business for him self. He and his brother Michael opened a modest store on East Hunter Street, Atlanta. Two years later he formed a partnership with A. G. Rhodes, then a successful and wealthy merchant. The partnership, known as the Rhodes-Haverty Furniture Company, resulted in a chain of stores which operated in seven teen cities, mostly in the South. In 1908, the part nership was pleasantly dissolved, each partner taking eight of the stores, and Mr. Haverty and his son, Clarence Haverty, purchasing the odd establishment that at Atlanta. The new arrangement prospered as the old one had, and the Haverty Furniture Company, of which he is president, now has stores in Savannah. Atlanta, Charleston, Columbia, Birmingham, Memphis, Houston and Dallas. In 1920, the concern did $5,000,000 worth of business. His sons are his busi ness partners, all of them occupying responsible posi tions with his various companies. Mr. Haverty is wrapped up in his business, yet he is even more interested in his family. His beautiful home is presided over by his eldest daughter, Mary His youngest daughters, Dorothy and Katherine and a son, John R., live with him. His second daughter, Maude, now Mrs. McMichael, lives at Garden City, Long Island, and one of Mr. Haverty’s greatest de lights is to visit her and his little grandson. Another married daughter, Margaret, now Mrs. McGaughey, lives near him, and here Mr. Haverty has a grand daughter to entertain. His second son, Robert, and his wife live in Memphis, and the youngest boy, James Joseph. Jr, lives in Birmingham. Another son, Clarence, is married and lives in Atlanta. Mr. Haverty’s interests outside of his business are the pursuits of a student. He is a lover of art. and owns one of the most complete private collections in the South. He is a student of dramatics, and is thoroughly versed in literature, economics, history and current occurrences. Such hobbies as he has he rides hard, as he does everything he comes in contact with. He is a man of deep religious feeling and knowl edge, and has assisted his Church not only financially but by giving up much of his time to further its in terests. His work as Vice-President of the Catholic Laymen’s Association and as chairman of its commit tee on finance is in a great measure responsible for the strength of our organization today. Successful in business, eminently happy in his home life, a man who finds pleasure in the finer things of life, held in high esteem by his associates and the public in general, an American of Americans, a staunch son of the Church, Mr. Haverty is a fitting representative of that type of man the world so needs today—a Christian gentleman. THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF GA. (Continued from Page 6.) Other Missions 81.28 Marist Brothers’ Chapel 50.00 Linen bought for Missions 75.34 Subscriptions to papers 72.70 Stationary, newspaper wrappers and postage 23.63 Catechisms 9.92 Miscellaneous 57.75 Balance 282.89 Total $1718.51 I was simply astounded when these figures were read at the meeting. If a Missionary Society in one City of the Diocese can do so much for the Missions, what would be the good done if every City in Georgia, or at least the principal ones, had branches of the Society. Hence, I have addressed a letter to all the Pastors in Atlanta, Augusta, Macon and Columbus, directing them to establish such societies in their respective parishes. Our Divine Lord has promised that the slightest thing done for Him will not be forgotten. Unfortu nately we find at times much of self even in our charities. But here is one in which there is and can