Sam Licker, (July 2, 1869 - June 27, 1950) came to Murfreesboro in 1887 from Kovna, Poland. After arriving he went to work for William Goldstein, also a native of Kovna, in Goldstein’s clothing store on the public square. Licker married Goldstein’s sister-in-law Sarah Cohen (April 16, 1875- December 27, 1946) a native of Vilna, Poland.

The couple owned and operated a store also located on the public square. Like Goldstein, Licker sold clothing, however, at a more competitive rate. The store was originally located one the corner of West Main and South Maple streets, but he later moved it to the South side of the square.

Esther Licker second row, third from left; Bertha Licker first row, first from left; Jean Faircloth first row,third from right.

Jean Faircloth (left) and Ethel Licker (right.)

In 1918, Ethel married Roy E. (Jack) Haney. Soon after her marriage, she continued her family’s interest in the garment industry and went to work at Gus Mayer Co. in New Orleans. In 1928 she moved to Los Angeles where she was employed by I. Magnin, one of the city’s most exclusive clothiers. After a year, she went to work at Bullocks Wilshire in Hollywood and remained there for 12 years. In 1942 her friend, chief costume designer for MGM, Gilbert Adrian opened in his own store and brought Ethel along as one of his chief sales women. Adrian is perhaps best known for two contributions to American cinema and fashion design. Not only did he design the costumes for the American classic, “The Wizard of OZ,” but he was also responsible for the “coat hanger,” shoulder pad look, made famous by screen legend, and friend of Ethel, Joan Crawford. While working for Adrian, Ethel also became friends with Mary Martin, Margaret Sullivan, and Mrs. Joe E. Brown.

Ethel Licker Haney and Joan Crawford (seated.)

Esther married Gatlinburg newspaper editor  Philip H. Maxwell, the two later divorced. After returning to Murfreesboro, Esther continued her interest in journalism serving as the editor of “Wings For Victory,” a newsletter published by Sky Harbor airport.

Bertha, who never married, was affectionately known by her sisters as "Butch” or “the Nun.” Bertha was active in the American Red Cross, serving as one of its “Gray Ladies.”

Esther and Bertha

After Sam and Sarah Licker’s deaths, the sisters moved to Florida in the early 1950’s where they owned and operated a dairy store. The sisters returned  to Murfreesboro by 1953.

Ethel (first from the left), Jean F. MacArthur (third from left), Arthur MacArthur (fourth from the left) and General Douglas MacArthur (fifth from the left) at Jones Field, MTSC.

In 1953, Ethel welcomed to Murfreesboro her childhood friend Jean MacArthur, and her husband, General Douglas MacArthur. The couple’s visit to Murfreesboro included a visit to Middle Tennessee State College.

In the mid 1950’s, the sisters opened the Cotton Patch, a women’s clothing boutique. The store was first located on Maple street but later moved to Jackson Heights plaza on Broad Street. The sisters were carrying on a tradition that their parents began eighty years previous. They sold the store twelve years later.

Jackson Heights Plaza

Cheltenham High School’s Atlanta exhibit

In the late seventies Joe Simms, a high school teacher, contacted Ethel hoping she might help him locate owners of original Adrian creations. The Cheltenham township, Pennsylvania high school at which Simms taught was actively looking to enlarge its collection of Adrian creations. The two became good friends and Ethel was an important source for both original Adrian information and designs. Due in part to Ethel’s assistance, Cheltenham Township High School was able to present several exhibitions across the country featuring Gilbert Adrian’s creations.

At the end of their lives the sisters retired to their home on Cherry lane where they became living links to Murfreesboro’s past. In 1995, Ethel donated her papers, photographs, and ephemera to the Albert Gore Research Center. Ethel Licker Haney died April 19, 1997.  Included in that collection of papers were items collected by her two other sisters as well.  Bertha Licker died November 12, 1992, and Esther Maxwell died April 10, 2000.