In 1898 , Penney began working for a small chain of stores in the western United States called the Golden Rule stores .
( September 16 , 1875 -- February 12 , 1971 ) was an American businessman and entrepreneur who founded the J.C. Penney stores in 1902 .
In 1898 , J.C. Penney began working for a small chain of stores in the western United States called the Golden Rule stores .
( September 16 , 1875 -- February 12 , 1971 ) was an American businessman and entrepreneur who founded the J.C. Penney stores in 1902 .