In 1878, Alfred M. Chesmore founded the Chesmore-Eastlake Mercantile Company in St.
Joseph, Missouri, as a seed, farm implement, wagon, and buggy business. By the end of 1900,
the company had been renamed the Chesmore Seed Company and had sold the farm implement,
wagon, and buggy business and expanded to include bulk farm and garden seed, as well as
Christmas trees. The same year, a retail shop was opened in the 400 block of Felix Street, by
Chesmore’s son, Carlton R. Chesmore.
Carlton R. Chesmore ran the company from 1900 until 1949 when illness compelled him
to retire. The company was then reincorporated and managed by his son, Carlton R. Chesmore,
Jr., a 1929 graduate of the University of Missouri, College of Agriculture. Carlton, Jr., expanded
the seed business in 1953 to include a nursery and garden center on Belt Highway in St. Joseph
and continued to run the business as a wholesale operation.
The company sold Chesmore and other popular brands of farm and garden seed,
fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, peat moss, cattle and sheep manure, Christmas decorations, and
pet supplies. It maintained a wide distribution throughout Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and
Nebraska. When the company was sold in 1986, it was one of the oldest seed companies in the
United States.
Photo #1 - Circa 1960's to 1970
Photo #2 - Early 1900's packets of seeds
Photo #3 - Early 1900's packet of seeds
Photo #4 - Chesmore was located in the old Dolan Merchantile building
Photo #5 - 1967 Advertisement
Photo #6 - Photo of seed packet submitted by Cindy Kenny
Photo #13 - 1902 St Joseph Gazette advertisement
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