Joseph Whitehead (Coca-Cola bottler)

Early Life:
– Born in Oxford, Mississippi in 1864
– Son of Richard H. Whitehead, a Baptist minister, and Mary Amanda Conkey Whitehead
– Younger brother of Henry Parsons Whitehead
– Attended the University of Mississippi
– Graduated with a degree in law

Career:
– In 1899, Whitehead and Thomas met with Candler
– Candler granted them exclusive rights to bottle the soft drink
– Lupton joined them and became president of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company
– Significant partnership in the bottling business
– Played a key role in the early development of Coca-Cola

Personal Life:
– Married Lettie Pate in 1895
– Moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee after marriage
– Whitehead passed away unexpectedly in 1906 from pneumonia
– Widow took over his share of the business and real estate interests
– Established Whitehead Holding Company and Whitehead Realty Company

Legacy:
– Chapin Building was originally named the Joseph Brown Whitehead Memorial Hospital
– Widow’s philanthropy led to naming of health buildings at Georgia Tech
– Original building renamed Chapin Building
– Joseph Brown Whitehead Building houses campus health services
– Significant contributions to healthcare infrastructure

References:
– Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation archives
– Coca-Cola Company historical information
– Historic Structure Report on Joseph Brown Whitehead Memorial Hospital/Chapin Building
– Recognition of female leadership at Coca-Cola
– Georgia Tech resources on Chapin Building and Joseph Brown Whitehead Memorial Hospital