Erastus Radford Messick was born on this day in 1864, in Pamlico County, to Shadrick R. and Sarah Rebecca Harris Messick.
He was educated in the Pamlico County schools, and worked on his father’s farm to earn money for business school.
His first job was as a clerk in a general store in Pamlico County. Then he worked in his brother J. W. Messick’s retail grocery store. He saved his money and learned bookkeeping, desiring to own his own business.
He attended Bryant-Stratton Sadler Business College in Maryland, furthering his bookkeeping abilities.
He loved to read and study on his own, especially the Bible. He had a mastery memory of Biblical passages.
He came to Winston-Salem in 1889 and opened a retail grocery store on Main Street, working with his half-brother, S. O. Bennett. They dissolved the partnership in 1897 and Erastus became engaged in the wholesale grocery business for himself. He built his business and advised budding businessmen based on his years of experience and his desire to share his knowledge.
Erastus married Rebecca Jane Stone in 1891.
In 1920, Erastus retired from the grocery business and sold it to Hauser Brothers. He piloted the business for a year for the new owners, to give it a good start.
He was vice-president of Piedmont Building and Loan Association. He served as an alderman, and was asked several times to run for mayor, but he declined.
Erastus was active in his church, Fourth Street Church of Christ, and served in many capacities.
He passed away in 1927.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
