Henry Slayton knows the first rule of business...give people what they want.

Henry Albert Slayton was born on this day 1851 in Calais. He would attend Morrisville Graded School and Peoples Academy, and then set up his business in Morrisville.

Slayton opened H.A. Slayton & Co. in 1878, selling flour and feed. His shop on Portland Street continued to grow to meet demand. Slayton paid close attention to his cutomer's needs, and as public tastes and needs became more varied, so did Slayton's inventory.

He expanded the building, making room for sugar, oil, lime, cement and other popular commodities. Slayton sold at retail for small quantities and at wholesale for his larger accounts.

Photo courtesy Images Of America: Around Morristown by Shaun C. Bryer.

Special thanks also to Guy's Farm & Yard who allowed us to photograph inside the store, including Slayton's old safe.

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