DONSKY, Nathan (b. 1906) | Oral History

DONSKY, Nathan (b. 1906)

Profession: Founder and owner
Employers: Nathan’s Jewelers

Oral Histories

Founder and owner, Nathan’s Jewelers, San Angelo, Texas; and co-owner of Sterling Jewelry & Distributing Company, Dallas and Houston, Texas. Family background; description of fire at Gardner Park, Dallas; employment as secretary for Dallas lawyer Alvin M. Owsley; establishment of Ray Don concessions, San Angelo, 1928; employment in dry goods stores in Forsan, Texas and Hobbs, New Mexico, 1930; co-owner of pawn shop in San Angelo; opening of Nathan’s Jewelers, 1938; discussion of profit margin; opening of stores in Brownwood, Big Spring, Odessa, Paris, and Denison, 1940s; involvement with 4-H, FFA, and area sports teams; comments on scholarship funding and athletic scoreboard donations; discussion of operation of branch stores; brother’s founding of Sterling Jewelry & Distributing Company, 1948; Nathan’s Jewelers promotional activities; expansion of San Angelo store; discussion of credit business; experiences during Depression; comments on personnel; market share in Texas; expansion of Sterling Jewelry & Distributing Company; personnel practices; civic and trade association activities; factors in developing successful business.
Date of Interview: September 11, 1982

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