| Sources |
- [S74] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume IV, 1987-1999, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 18 Jun 1997.
Dwight McMahan obituary
- [S75] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume II, 1955-1973, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 10 Sep 1973.
Lucy Newman obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 14 Feb 2011.
Upland Chronicles: Alf Newman, brother found success in business
by CARROLL McMAHAN The Mountain Press
The interior of Newman’s Café in 1956.
Alf Newman standing beside one of his cabs in 1947
Alf Newman in front of Newman’s Café in 1988.
“The only time we were ever separated was the two years he was in the Army,” said Alf Newman, while reminiscing about his older brother, John. The two were business partners in downtown Sevierville for over 40 years.
The brothers grew up in Kodak and Catlettsburg (commonly called Cobtown). They were sons of Luther and Lucy Bales Newman. John was born in 1919 and Alfred, who has been called Alf all of his life, came along in 1921.
In December 1945, when John returned home from World War ll, he and Alf decided to go into business together.
John and Alf Newman’s first business venture was a taxi company which was located on Bruce Street.
While recalling the early days of their cab company, Alf said, “Fred Atchley and Earnest Connor let us put a telephone in the office of Atchley-Connor Motor Company and I could put the phone up over door when they were closed. We paid $1,600 for a new Pontiac and $1,400 for a nearly new Chevrolet. By 1949 we had a fleet of five cars.”
As John and Alf’s business grew, so did their needs to cover more routes and for more drivers.
Alf stated, “In those days a local fare anywhere around town was a quarter. We picked up school children in McMahan Addition and Love Addition and hauled them to school and back for 25 cents a day. We had several good drivers who worked for us such as J.S. Elledge, H.V. Latham, Dwane Romines, Junior Randles, Charlie ‘Bub’ Sims and others. Some of ’em later became millionaires.”
J.S. Elledge recalls working as a cab driver for John and Alf.
“We had a good time in those days. Men who lived around town, such as J.B. Waters, John Temple and Luther Newman would gather in the evenings, sit around and talk about the good old days. We had no problems, it was a good time. I enjoyed working for both of them,” said Elledge.
After 10 years, the taxi business began to slow down and the Newman brothers decided to try their hand at operating a restaurant. At public auction in 1956, they purchased the building at 109 Bruce St. which was formerly called The Sandwich Shop and operated by Lee and Bessie Douglas.
John developed excellent culinary skills while in the Army, where he served as mess sergeant. Alf possessed the congenial personality necessary to work with customers. Together the two brothers operated the popular eating establishment known as Newman’s Café for 30 years.
“John could make a lemon pie with a meringue that would stand up even after it was cut,” recalled Alf.
In every sense of the word, Newman’s Café was a family restaurant featuring a choice of meats, vegetables and desserts daily. Lucy Newman, mother of John and Alf, was cashier, and Alf’s wife Jean waited tables. John’s wife, Wanda, split her time between teaching school and helping out in the restaurant.
Alf remembers many loyal customers who frequented the restaurant and what it was like to work in downtown Sevierville.
He said, “Skip Trotter, announcer for WSEV radio station, had breakfast with us every morning we were open. Lonas Ayers was a regular who became a good friend and business partner. Everybody knew everybody in Sevierville in those days and it was just a good place to be. The railroad track ran right up through Bruce Street back then.
Recalling downtown Sevierville when Newman’s Café was in business, he remarked,
“Our town was a Saturday town. Everybody came out on Saturday and when it rained. The pool room, down the street, would be full of people on rainy days. Town was also very crowded on election night. Sometimes it would take them all night to count the votes. So, we’d stay open all night. We stayed open all night on Halloween too, partly for the convenience of customers and partly to watch the place. Lynn Hatcher and Mason Ogle were the policemen back then. They always kept everything running smooth.”
While operating the restaurant, Alf was a member of the Sevierville Fire Department. When the alarm sounded, he was out the door to help put out the fire.
Kate Stinnett worked as a waitress at Newman’s Café for 31 years.
“They were always good employers. I went to work there in 1957 and stayed until they closed in ’88. Alf used to tell everybody that he’d have to sell the place to get rid of me. I did get upset a few times and head for the door, but Alf would always tell me to go home and take an aspirin and come back tomorrow which I did,” recalled Kate.
Alf was also interested in politics. He supported James H. ”Jimmy” Quillen when he first ran for Congress in 1962. Quillen faced four formidable candidates in the Republican Primary for the seat which had become vacant upon the death of Rep. B. Carroll Reece. Alf activity campaigned for Quillen, allowing him to use Newman’s Café as his Sevier County headquarters.
Eventually, Alf became involved in real estate, primarily through connections made in the restaurant.
He stated, “I’ve often said that I made a good living in the restaurant business but made my money selling real estate. Every dollar I made selling real estate, I gave John 50 cents.”
In 1986, at the age of 67, John Newman passed away. Alf kept the restaurant open for two years after his brother’s death.
Alf Newman did not sit down when he sold the restaurant in 1988. He serves on Tennessee State Bank Board of Directors and has remained active in real estate. Alf is a 32nd degree Mason and a deacon at Alder Branch Baptist Church, where he has been a member since 1934.
In 2002, he was the recipient of the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award.
Alf was married to Jean McMahan Newman for over 50 years. Jean passed away in 2009 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for several years. He has one son, Alfred T. Newman, from his first marriage.
His son lives in Newport and is a United Methodist minister.
Born Feb. 14, 1921, Alf will be 90 years old tomorrow. He is surrounded by a devoted family which includes his niece and her husband, Johnnie Faye and John McClure, and her children, Travis McCroskey and Tonya Kenner. He continues to enjoy his long and prosperous life.
— Carroll McMahan is the special projects coordinator for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. This is part of the Upland Chronicles series, celebrating the heritage and past of Sevier County. If you have suggestions for future topics, would like to submit a column, or have comments, contact McMahan at 453-6411 or e-mail to cmcmahan@scoc.org; or Ron Rader at 604-9161 or e-mail to ron@ronraderproperties.com.
- [S112] Census, 1930.
Name: Alfred Newman
Event: Census
Event Date: 1930
Event Place: District 7, Sevier, Tennessee
Gender: Male
Age: 8
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Birthplace: Tennessee
Estimated Birth Year: 1922
Immigration Year:
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Enumeration District Number: 9
Family Number: 48
Sheet Number and Letter: 3A
Line Number: 7
NARA Publication: T626, roll 2271
Film Number: 2342005
Digital Folder Number: 4547919
Image Number: 00768
Household Gender Age
Parent L T Newman M 34
Parent Lucy Newman F 27
Johnnie Newman M 10
Alfred Newman M 8
- [S112] Census, 1930.
Name Alfred Newman
Event Type Census
Event Date 1930
Event Place District 07, Sevier, Tennessee, United States
Gender Male
Age 8
Marital Status Single
Race White
Race (Original) White
Relationship to Head of Household Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Son
Birth Year (Estimated) 1922
Birthplace Tennessee
Father's Birthplace Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace Tennessee
Sheet Letter A
Sheet Number 3
Household
Role
Gender
Age
Birthplace
L T Newman Head M 34 Tennessee
Lucy Newman Wife F 27 Tennessee
Johnnie Newman Son M 10 Tennessee
Alfred Newman Son M 8 Tennessee
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 3 Nov 2016.
February 14, 1921 - November 3, 2016
Resided in Sevierville, TN
Alfred Newman, age 95 of Sevierville, passed away Thursday, November 3, 2016.
Mr. Newman was a member and Deacon of Alder Branch Baptist Church. He served as Vice Chairman on the Tennessee State Bank Board of Directors and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a charter member of Sevier County Volunteer Fire Department.
Mr. Newman began his business career in Sevierville when he opened Newman's Taxi Company on Bruce Street with his brother John. Mr. Newman and his brother also owned and operated Newman's Café until its closure in 1988.
Mr. Newman was recognized in 2009 for his service of more than 20 years as Sevier County Jury Commissioner, serving under 3 Circuit Court Clerks. He received the Sevierville Citizen of the Year Award in 2002 and was later granted the "Living Treasure Award" by the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.
He lived the last 6 and a half years with his great-nephew Travis and his caregiver wife Cynthia, along with their children, Spencer, Shelby and Sylas, who brought so much joy and happiness to "Unkie's" life while living on the farm. He became a game player, homework helper, advisor, and most of all he continued to touch and influence the lives of many.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Jean McMahan Newman; parents, Luther and Lucy Newman; brother and sister-in-law, John and Wanda Newman.
Survivors include his niece, Johnnie Faye Newman McClure and husband John; special great-nephew and caregiver, Travis L. McCroskey and wife Cynthia and their children, Spencer and fiancée Courtney Kirby, Shelby and Sylas; special great-niece, Tonya McCroskey Keener and her children, Caleb and Wil; son, Alfred L. Newman; his special Tennessee State Bank family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alder Branch Baptist Church, 1180 Lindsey Drive, Sevierville, TN 37876.
The family will receive friends 2-4:45 PM Sunday with funeral service to follow at 5 PM in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Hutson officiating. A procession will leave Atchley Funeral Home at 10:30 AM Monday for graveside service and interment in Alder Branch Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Tennessee State Bank Board of Director. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.
- [S147] Find a Grave, (Memorial: 172244741).
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