John F. Denny, Inc. Collection ( DENNY)
Nature and Type of Record: Noncurrent expense and sales ledgers, journals, funeral service records, photographs,promotional booklet, and indexes.Finding
Aids: Within the collection are several index volumes. Two of these index the
Daybooks, Numbered 3-8, for the period, January 1, 1918 to December 29,
1954. It cannot be determined what the third and some of the entries in
the volume for the years 1918-1940 indexed.
Condition
of Records: The
early ledgers and journals are in poor condition. The later volumes, indexes,
and funeral service records are in fair to good condition. We do not allow
any photocopying of the ledgers to insure their preservation.
Administrative History: In 1848 William Armstrong and John Denny began an undertaking and furniture business in South Baltimore. Armstrong & Denny were one of three similar establishments in the City. When William Armstrong retired from the business he was succeeded by his son James W. Armstrong. Later Mr. Denny's son, John F., along with James Armstrong's son-in-law, Milton H. Wagoner joined the firm. At that time they changed the company's name to Armstrong, Denny & Co.
After the senior Denny died the business was incorporated and run by the founder's sons and Milton H. Wagoner. In 1919 John F. Denny purchased his two partners interests and became sole owner changing the name to John F. Denny, Inc. He continued to operate the business until his death on December 21, 1937. John F. Denny was 72 when he died and had been a funeral director for over half a century.
The John F. Denny Funeral Home, Inc. continued to be operated by members of the Denny family until 1970 when it ceased operation. The firm remained at its original location on the corner of Light and Montgomery Streets during the entire 122 years of its existence.