Benjamin Morton Pedigo Page 259-260 - Benjamin Morton Pedigo, secretary of Martin Stores Corporation, was born in Barren county, Kentucky, November 4, 1888, a son of John and Margaret (Runyan) Pedigo, who moved from Kentucky to Indiana in 1902, where they now reside. Benjamin M. Pedigo obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of Kentucky and started upon his business career at the age of fourteen as a cash boy in a department store in Indianapolis, Indiana. After four years’ experience there he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and engaged in the same line of work. Steadily advancing in the department store and merchandising field, he came to Grand Rapids in 1911 to serve as a buyer for the important institution of Paul Steketee & Son, and was with them eight years. In 1919 he thought that a broader field of opportunity presented itself by forming an association with the Martin Stores Corporation and has since been secretary and general manager of that institution. This has given him not only a merited rise in his line of life work, but an opportunity to assist in formulating the policies that have enabled Martin Stores Corporation to meet with its success in this community and surrounding territory. In addition to a successful application to his business activities, Mr. Pedigo has found time to respond to fraternal, religious, commercial and civic activities of the community and in so doing is an active member of Malta Lodge, F. & A. M., the Central Church of Christ, the Association of Commerce, and the Grand Rapids Advertising Club. He was married Nov ember 30, 1911, to Miss Henrietta Biddle, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and they have one daughter, Betty Jean, born January 28, 1921.

Transcriber: Nancy Myer
Created: 20 June 2003