As one of Tennessee’s oldest cities, Clarksville is where history and modernity intertwine, offering a unique blend of small-town charm and urban vibrancy. With its storied past, Clarksville has evolved into a thriving community, all while maintaining its connection to its historical roots.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Clarksville’s legacy is the presence of century-old businesses that have stood the test of time. These establishments are more than just places of commerce – they are living testaments to the city’s enduring spirit and commitment to tradition.
Each of these businesses tells a story – of humble beginnings, perseverance through challenges, and a steadfast commitment to serving and employing the people of Clarksville. In this series, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board and the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce highlight these establishments, their journeys, and their role in shaping our community.
American Snuff Co.
American Snuff Co., headquartered in Clarksville, has been the fastest growing smokeless tobacco product manufacturer over the past decade, with Grizzly, their flagship brand, becoming one of the best-selling brands. American Snuff traces its lineage back to 1782. Among their many achievements, they’re proud owners of the Garrett Scotch Snuff trademark – the seventh trademark issued by the U.S. Patent Office in 1870 – and the only one that has remained in continuous production in the United States. Today, American Snuff is the second-largest smokeless tobacco products manufacturer in the U.S., and a subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc. Their moist snuff brands are some of the top brands in the U.S. market.
“American Snuff Company is proud of our 125 years of operation in Tennessee, and we continue to invest in our employees and our business through environmentally conscious facility improvements and upgrades and a dedicated focus on training and development for our growing workforce,” the company said. “With a dedicated team of over 200 full-time employees and nearly 100 contractors, ASC is committed to the communities where our employees work and live and proudly supports many local organizations, including the American Red Cross, Toys for Tots, Manna Café Ministries, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Clarksville, the Montgomery County Veterans Coalition, and The United Way to name just a few.”
Today, American Snuff Co. is located at 4583 Guthrie Highway.
Conroy, Marable & Holleman Real Estate
What we now call Conroy, Marable & Holleman is the descendant of two family lines: The Conroy and Marable insurance line, and the Holleman real estate line.
In 1869, local banker David N. Kennedy opened an insurance agency, and for the next 30 years, the business changed hands and names several times, according to Historic Clarksville. At the turn of the century, it was purchased by Hart M. Caldwell and became Caldwell & Company. After John J. Conroy Jr. and Lane Marable came on board, in 1928 and 1938, the company became Caldwell, Conroy & Marable. Meanwhile, as Kennedy was getting his start, James A. Holleman was building custom-made carriages. He decided to shift gears and go into real estate. When he died in 1917, he left the business to his son, James G. Holleman Sr., who was joined by his son, James Jr. in 1953. The companies merged in 1960, becoming Conroy, Marable & Holleman, a name it would retain into the next century, despite Marable and Conroy’s decision to sell the firm to James Holleman Jr.
In 1989, James Jr.’s son, Mark Holleman, became the fourth generation to operate the family business. Mark Holleman has also continued the family tradition of community involvement, serving 12 years on the Clarksville City Council, pushing hard to create and develop the Rails to Trails and Greenway initiatives, which he continues to advocate for to this day. In 1998, Conroy, Marable & Holleman joined the national corporation Coldwell Banker (no relation to the earlier Caldwell name), becoming Coldwell Banker Conroy, Marable & Holleman. Mark’s brother, Rob Holleman, has also joined the company, continuing the family tradition in real estate.
“I tell my agents that Clarksville is the best place to live, and half our job is to sell houses and the other half is to sell our community and get these families moving here to love the community as much as we do,” Mark Holleman said.
Today, Coldwell Banker Conroy, Marable & Holleman is located at 111 S. Riverside Drive and at 2147 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. Holleman can be reached at 931-552-1700.