J. A. Budlong & Son, Providence, R.I.
[From Florists Review, January 18, 1906, p. 551] Death of J. A. Budlong. On Saturday morning, January 13, Joseph A. Budlong, the widely known Chicago grower and wholesaler of cut flowerp, while riding his bicycle past the greenhouses of Peter Keinberg, at Robey street and Foster avenue, was struck by an electric car, sustaining a fracture of the hip and internal injuries from which he died on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. No one but the motorman witnessed the accident and it is impossible to say just how it occurred. Mr. Budlong was removed from the scene of the accident to the Swedish hospital only a few blocks away, but his injuries were beyond the reach of medical science. Joseph A. Budlong was born at Providence, R. I., in 1841. He removed to Chicago in 1862 and has been an active and influential figure in his section of the city for nearly half a century. A number of years ago he was engaged in market gardening and the pickle packing business with his brother, but for twenty years he has devoted his energies to the growing of cut flowers. For nearly a dozen years his product was consigned to leading commission houses, the range of glass being added to until, in 1898, it afforded suflBcient resources for the backing of a wholesale store, which was opened at 37 and 39 Randolph street and was at that time under the management of John Zech, the present manager being Philip Schupp, who is Mr. Budlong's son- in-law. The business has developed both steadily and rapidly and is now among the largest in the city, handling besides the cut from the Budlong range, the consignments of a considerable number of other growers. The greenhouse establishment has been added to until the glass to be erected this spring will completely cover the city square on West Berwyn, near Lincoln avenue. The very best of methods have been followed in all departments and the best of results achieved. Mr. Budlong never departed from his New England conservatism and whatever he undertook was well consid- ered and eminently practical. In recent years he has practically given over the management of his greenhouses to his son, A. H. Budlong, in whose hands the prestige of the establishment has suffered not at all. Mr. Budlong was good natured, kind hearted and generous to a degree which won him not only the respect of everyone who knew him, but the friendship of all with whom he was thrown in contact. His business integrity was a maxim. Since giving over the active management of his business he has devoted a large part of his time to the outdoor recreations of which he was so fond. Principal of these were bicycle riding and skating. Annually for twelve years he has made a bicycie pilgrimage to his old family home near Providence. It is 1,150 miles by the shortest route and the trip occupied two to three weeks. He invariably wheeled the entire distance one way. Mrs. Budlong survives, with one son, Albert H., and one daughter, Mrs. Philip Schupp. The business will be carried on by the estate without change in the management. In the picture J. A. Budlong is at the left. At the right is Lyman A. Budiong, the well known pickle packer and largest onion set grower in the United States. In the center is Wm. H. Budlong, of Providence, the younger brother. The funeral was held on Wednesday afternoon and was attended by a large number of those in the trade, the floral remembrances being very numerous. Interment was at Rose Hill cemetery. Sterling, III.—The Sterling Floral Co. will erect a carnation house 28x120 this spring.
