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J. C. Penney: Missouri Man, Wyoming Institution, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

Traces the business career of James Cash Penney (1875-1971), founder of the national chain of J. C. Penney stores. Born in Missouri, Penney came to Wyoming in 1902 and became partners with Guy Johnson and Thomas Callahan, owners of the small chain of Golden Rule stores. Penney opened a store in Kemmerer, Wyoming, that was immediately successful. A deeply religious man, Penney believed in making his store a part of the community rather than exploiting the customers. Business quickly expanded and more Golden Rule stores opened, and, eventually, Penney bought out his partners. At its peak the Penney chain numbered …