Green & Chavis Taxi
Green & Chavis Taxi was advertised in the Green Book from 1939-1941 and 1947-1955. In 1939 it was listed as “Green & Chavis – 720 Eaton Street” under the “Taxis” category in Greensboro, which was a typo. From 1940-1941 and 1947-1955, the business was listed as “Green & Chavis - 720 Eaton Street” under the “Taxicabs” category in Henderson. Clarence L. Greene (also Green) operated a taxicab business from this address; research has not yet revealed where the “Chavis” in the business name comes from.1
Green & Chavis Taxi was a business operated from the home of Clarence L. Greene, a World War I veteran from Henderson, North Carolina. He married his first wife, Beulah Baptist, in 1920. Clarence L. Greene was enumerated as a taxi driver who worked from his home at 730 Water Street in 1930. He moved his family and his taxi business to 720 Eaton Street by 1938.2
In addition to operating a taxi, Greene worked a number of odd jobs over the years, including as a janitor at Rose’s, a tobacco worker, a painter, and a general laborer. In 1940 he worked as a truck driver for a farm supplier.3
Clarence and Beulah Greene built a new home at 720 Eaton Street in 1951. Beulah passed away in 1965 and Clarence later married Louise Taborn. Clarence continued to live at 720 Eaton Street until his death in 1973; his occupation was listed as “Cab Driver" on his death certificate.4
Clarence Greene’s home is still standing and is a private residence.5
Essay by Brandie K. Ragghianti, 2022
Notes
1. Victor Green, 1939 Green Book, 33; Hill’s 1939 Greensboro City Directory, 655; Victor Green, 1940 Green Book, 35; Green, 1941 Green Book, 35; Green, 1947 Green Book, 65; Green, 1948 Green Book, 62; Green, 1949 Green Book, 57; Green, 1950 Green Book, 63; Green, 1951 Green Book, 54; Green, 1952 Green Book, 54; Green, 1953 Green Book, 54; Green, 1954 Green Book, 53; Green, 1955 Green Book, 53.
2. 1930 United States Federal Census, 730 Water Street, 4th Ward, Henderson, North Carolina, digital image s.v. “Clarence Green,” accessed from www.ancestry.com; Clarence Green, July 17, 1918, Kittrell, Vance, North Carolina, World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919, accessed from www.ancestry.com; Miller’s Henderson, N.C. City Directory, 1938/1939, 159, alphabetical directory, accessed from www.archive.org.
3. Miller’s Henderson 1940 City Directory, 158, 285; Miller’s Henderson, N.C. City Directory, 1938/1939, 159 (alphabetical listing), accessed from www.archive.org; 1940 United States Federal Census, 720 Eaton Street, Henderson, North Carolina, digital image s.v. “Clarence Greene,” accessed from www.ancestry.com; Miller’s Henderson, N.C. City Directory, 1947/1948, 165 (alphabetical listing), accessed from www.archive.org;Miller’s Henderson, N.C. City Directory, 1955/1956, 159 (alphabetical listing), accessed from www.archive.org.
4. Beulah Baptist Green, January 4, 1965, Vance County, North Carolina Death Indexes, 1908-2004, accessed from www.ancestry.com; Clarence Lee Green, May 22, 1973, Henderson, Vance County, North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976, accessed from www.ancestry.com; “720 Eaton Street, Henderson, NC,” Realtor.com, https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/720-Eaton-St_Henderso….
5. “720 Eaton Street, Henderson, NC,” Realtor.com, https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/720-Eaton-St_Henderso….