Grover Cleveland Jarvis was born on this day in 1885, in Courtney, to Bryant and Mary Baity Jarvis.
Grover came to Winston-Salem as a young boy. He took a job at the Salem Iron Works as a master machinist in 1904. He left the company in 1910, and worked for the Motor Company. This business was located on North Main Street, and was one of the first garages in town.
Grover organized his automotive service in 1916, and after building the first Jarvis battery, he formed the Jarvis Storage Battery Company in 1919.
The name of the company was changed to the Jarvis Battery and Electric Company in 1922. The business relocated to North Liberty Street.
Grover was active in the business until his retirement in 1962.
He was married to Lona Chatman. Grover passed away in 1967.
The photograph above shows Grover with an electric car that he built.
Photograph courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
You are so kind to remember my grandfather on his birthday! Thank you for recognizing his contributions to the early business development of Winston-Salem.
A grateful grandson