George Gilman

George Gilman

George Francis Gilman (1826-1901) founded The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company. A native of Waterville, Maine, he moved to Manhattan when he joined his father's leather tanning business. By age 30, he had his own leather business in New York. After his father died, Gilman decided to enter the more respectable tea and coffee business and started what would ultimately become A&P.

Gilman had a flair for marketing and pioneered many sales techniques that are now commonplace retailing. Initially he opened stores in New York City and also operated a nationwide mail order business selling tea and coffee. In 1871, he opened a store in Chicago, Illinois and within a few years operated stores in 16 cities.

In 1878, Gilman retired to his mansion in Bridgeport, Connecticut where he became known as an eccentric. The firm was operated by George Huntington Hartford who had been responsinle for the company's business affairs. Under the unwritten understanding, Hartford received half of the profits. Gilman never had children and died without a will. Hartford asserted in court that he was entitled to half of the company and Gilman's estate agreed to a settlement that allowed Hartford to ultimately buy out the Gilman interests.