The Harry G. Poole company was the namesake funeral home business in Atlanta, Georgia. Harry starting working as an undertaker in the late 1800s, continuing with success until his death 8 Jun 1936. The company continued on with his son until Novemeber 1946.
The earliest mention I find of him in the newspapers is the announcement of his marriage with Miss Jimmie Stewart on 22 Aug 1901. He is described as “…a well-known young man and a member of the firm of Hilburn & Poole, undertakers….”
The firm changed to “Harry G Poole & Co, (Successors to Hilburn & Poole)” as revealed in an advertisement from 15 Dec 1905. It was not long before he did not need to advertise very much.
There was a prominent write up about his in the 11 Feb 1906 issue of The Atlanta Journal.
At some point, he dropped the use of “& Company” and was referred to as simply “Harry G. Poole Funeral Director.” In 1913, he announced a new “Funeral Home” at 96 S. Pryor Street in Atlanta.
This funeral home served many, many families. For example, the 20 Oct 1918 issue of the Atlanta Journal has 24 obituaries listed with him handling the arrangements.
Harry G. Poole Jr followed in his father’s footsteps, though Harry G Poole III became a banker instead of a mortician.
The last obituary that lists Harry G. Poole as making the arrangements is that of Charles B. Callaway Sr. in November 1946. The company is not listed as making arrangements for any subsequent funerals, and there are December 1946 classified ads where Harry G Poole is selling a Moller pipe organ, church pews and a Bach grand piano.