Joel Owsley Cheek

Joel Owsley Cheek (December 8, 1852 – December 14, 1935) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Maxwell House coffee brand. Early life Cheek was born on December 8, 1852 in Burkesville, Kentucky. He attended Transylvania University in 1868. Career Cheek began his career as a school teacher for two years. He subsequently became a peripatetic salesman for the Webb Wholesale Grocery Company Tennessee and Kentucky. Cheek invested in the company, and it became known as Cheek, Webb & Co. With investors L. T. Webb, J. J. Norton and J. W. Neal, Cheek opened a coffee shop in Downtown Nashville in 1901. They persuaded the owners of the Maxwell House Hotel to serve their coffee, and they use the name of the hotel as their coffee brand. They began using the slogan "good to the last drop" in 1917. In 1928, Cheek sold the brand to Postum Co. for $42 million; it was subsequently purchased by General Foods. However, he was featured in Maxwell House advertisements until his death.