Published: September 29, 2008 03:45 am         

96 years and 65,000 cars

You know you've got the gift of salesmanship when you sell your first automobile to your second-grade teacher "" while you're a second grade student.

That's what happened with Glen E. "Whit" Whitaker while a student at Sidney Elementary School. He sold a Buick Opel to his teacher, Julia Kyker, from Whitaker and Son.

"I got a whole $5 commission," Whitaker said, as he recently recalled the history of the longtime car dealership, which closed its doors last December.

Although the business had been located in Sidney since 1920, it began in Unadilla in 1911, according to Whitaker. The automotive sales dealership was the outgrowth of a livery stable operation founded by George E. Whitaker, Glen's great grandfather.

George E.'s son, Glen S. Whitaker, set up a business in Sidney and originally sold the Stoddard-Dayton car. In 1914, it switched to selling Ford and Lincoln cars, which lasted until 1927. In 1919, it took on the first franchise in the area of Buick cars, and finally, in 1928, it received the Chevrolet franchise, which continued through 2007.

Whitaker estimated that about 65,000 cars were sold during the dealership's 96-year history, though not all were sold in Unadilla and Sidney.

Whitaker said his grandfather sold many cars in Manhattan and brought them downstate to the customers. Some of those customers were famous, including Roy Rogers, Tom Mix and Max Schmeling. They had been in Sidney to visit state police Troop C, as friends of Captain Daniel E. Fox. The Whitakers became friends with Fox and his visitors and developed a good business relationship with each of them.

Glen S. also frequented a bakery in Manhattan and sold cars to the baker, who in turn referred Bernard M. Baruch, financier, stock market speculator, statesman, and presidential adviser to Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt, to Whitaker.

The tradition continued with "Whit," as good business relationships and acquaintances led to the sale of a Camaro to one-time New York Ranger star Bobby Holik, and then through Holik's reference to one-time New Jersey Devil Scott Gomez.

For the Whitakers, success was all about good business relationships. Being honest and giving good service led to new and repeat sales. "Whit" Whitaker said he was always happy the dealership remained small, so he and his staff could maintain those good relationships.

Whitaker recalled how when he started at the dealership, he went door-to-door, talking to people about cars.

"No one had ever asked," was the usual response when Whitaker asked customers if they wanted to talk about a car at their front door. He sold his first that way, in Franklin.

Regarding the sale of the Opel to Julia Kyker, Whitaker said, he started talking about his dad one day in the second grade classroom, and one thing led to another.

Some lengthy business relationships with the dealership that spanned generations with a couple, Howard and Irma Pierce of Unadilla, who repeatedly purchased cars from the Whitakers for nearly 70 years. Another customer in New York bought from the Whitakers for 59 years, including serial No. 39 of a Corvette when these were first introduced in 1953. "Whit" said his father probably personally delivered the car.

Those who worked at Whitaker's usually stayed for a long time. "Whit's" aunt, Virginia W. Tiffany, worked at the dealership for 65 years, through 2007, and joined as a business partner with his grandfather. Chester Jewell was a salesman for 55 years. Betty Beers was an office manager for more than 30 years.

The dealership was hit hard twice with tragedy, first in 2006 with the major flood and then on Aug. 30, 2007 when fire destroyed the Main Street parts and service building near the Congregational Church.

"The flood was bad, but the fire was worse," Whitaker said. "We were fortunate to go out on top, and that was because of dear, wonderful, dedicated employees."

This weekend: A 1925 meeting on the football field led to a long rivalry between Norwich and Oneonta.

City Historian Mark Simonson's column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression.

If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or e-mail him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com.