Nelson Brackin

Nelson Lee Brackin (born March 9, 1901 in Geneva, Geneva County; died August 3, 1979) was a chemist, entrepreneur and real estate investor, best known as the founder and president of Brackin's Jewelry Store at 325 20th Street North.

Brackin grew up on a farm, but left as a teenager to begin working at a chemical laboratory in Montgomery. From there he came to Birmingham as a chemist for the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company. After two years, he began working in the jewelry business as a credit manager for Bromberg's.

After a stint with Wright, Kay & Co. in Detroit, Michigan, Brackin returned to Birmingham in 1923 to succeed F. M. Lynch as president of the Lynch Jewelry Co.. Soon he partnered with diamond broker Phil Tishman to reorganize the company as Brackin's. The new company signed a 30-year lease in the Gelder's Building, and held a grand opening on November 23.

Brackin died in 1979 and was buried at Friendship Cemetery in Geneva.

External links

• Nelson L. Brackin at Findagrave.com