Bay Bottles

J. F. Hughes, 233 West 33rd St., New York

John F. Hughes was a mineral water manufacturer whose business operated on the west side of Manhattan from the late 1880’s up until 1914 when it was one of six companies that joined together and established the New York Bottling Company, Inc.

Born in Ireland in 1862 or 1863, Hughes arrived in the United States in 1869 at the age of six and by 1880, according to census records was living with his parents on Rutgers Street in Manhattan.

When exactly he started in the mineral water business is not exactly clear. According to an advertisement Hughes ran in the “Purchaser’s Guide and Commercial Register” included in the 1896/1897 New York City directory, his business was established in 1887 (lower left hand corner of the ad).

That said, I can’t find him listed in the New York City directories until 1890 when he was included under the heading ” Mineral Waters” with an address of 233 West 33rd Street in Trow’s 1890 Business Directory . He was certainly in business by the spring of that year as evidenced by this classified advertisement he ran in the May 6, 1890 edition of the “New York Herald.”

Located between 7th and 8th Avenues, the business remained at that location until sometime in 1894 when it relocated to 146 – 148 West 31st Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Hughes remained in business there up until 1914, during which time he ran annual advertisements in Trow’s New York City Directory. The advertisements all suggest that he limited his inventory to non-alcoholic beverages. One of the earliest I can find appeared in Trow’s 1895/1896 edition.

Later directories exhibited this updated advertisement which replaced the earlier one sometime around 1910.

On April 1, 1914 John F. Hughes combined his business with five other bottling concerns and the consolidated business was incorporated under the name “New York Bottling Company, Inc.” The announcement appeared in the January 15, 1915 edition of the “American Bottler.”

A consolidation of the following prominent New York City bottling concerns took place on April 1: A. Ludorff, S. A. Ludin & Co., (New York Bottling Company Co.), W. E. Seitz & Co., John F. Hughes, Henry Kracke (Globe Mineral Water Co.) and the A. Liebler bottling Co., Albert Ludoff is president and J. E. Ludin is Tres.

The 1915 NYC Copartnership and Corporation Directory listed the consolidated company as a New York corporation with Albert Ludorff, president, John E. Ludin, treasurer and R. E Schoder, secretary. Capital $750,000. It went on to list three addresses: 532 W 20th, 417 E 90th, and 402 w 126th, suggesting that Hughes’ 31st Street location was not utilized by the new corporation. Hughes continued to be associated with the corporation in some capacity, actually serving as president for several years in the early 1920’s.

According to an April 6, 1929 story in the “Brooklyn Daily Eagle,” The New York Bottling Corporation was acquired by the Carl H. Schultz Corporation in November, 1928 and soon after both were folded into the American Beverage Corp.

More information on the New York Bottling Company , along with information on several of the firms that made up the 1914 consolidation can be found by visiting another post on this site. New York Bottling Co.

The subject bottle was blown in a mold and exhibits a blob finish. The bottle’s embossing includes the 233 West 33rd Street address dating it between the late 1880’s and 1894 when the company was at that address.

Another bottle, recently offered for sale on the Internet, exhibits the company’s 146 – 148 West 31st Street address used from 1894 to 1914.

Wheeler & Co., Belfast

The embossed insignia on the face of the subject bottle (or what’s left of it) consisting of a wagon wheel with the embossed letters “E R’ at the top and “& Co.” below, served as the clever trademark for a mineral water manufacturer and bottler that operated in Belfast, Northern Ireland under the name of Wheeler & Co. from the early 1860’s up through 1947. This advertisement exhibiting their “wheel” trademark appeared in the advertising section of the “Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory” in 1884

In addition to bottling their own manufactured waters, the company also served as a bottler for other manufacturers, “Guiness Stout” and “Bass Ale” to name a few, all of which were bottled under what they called their “Wheel Brand.”

The company got its start, not as a mineral water manufacturer or bottler but as an apothecary business whose roots were established in April, 1852 with the opening of the Belfast Apothecaries’ Hall at 33 High Street. An item announcing the opening appeared in several editions of the “Belfast News-Letter.”

Five years later, in 1857, another advertisement for the Apothecaries’ Hall associated it with W. J. Wheeler & Company, short for Walter James Wheeler. The ad published in several October, 1857 editions of the “Belfast News-Letter” named the company as agents for a wide range of proprietary medicines and medical products.

The advertisement went on to say:

THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE COMPOUNDING of Physicians’ and Surgeons’ Prescriptions is under the charge of Mr. HENRY WHITAKER, Licentiate Apothecary, formerly of Butler’s Medical Hall, Dublin.

At this point while Wheeler and Whitaker were both involved in the business, they were apparently not in total control. That would change less than a year later when this announcement, dated May 1, 1858, appeared in several May editions of the “Belfast News-Letter”under the heading:

The announcement read:

WALTER J.WHEELER & HENRY WHITAKER respectfully intimate to the Medical Profession and the Public that they have assumed the entire control and management of the above Establishment, and that, it will be conducted by them. Their devoting themselves exclusively to the business of the Apothecary and Pharmaceutical Chemist, and living on the Premises (thereby insuring their constant superintendence), are the surest guarantees that the interests of the public will be properly attended to.

The announcement went on to describe the fledgling operation.

THE RETAIL DEPARTMENT will be always well supplied with the purest Drugs and Chemicals, Patent Medicines, Perfumery, Toilet Requisites, and all other articles usually kept in first-class Medical Establishments.

THE COMPOUNDING DEPARTMENT will be under the management of Henry Whitaker, Surgeon and Licentiate Apothecary, formerly of Dr. Butler’s Medical Hall, Dublin, who confines himself exclusively to the business of the Apothecary, abstaining altogether from Medical practice, in order that he may be enabled to devote his entire time to this Department, which will be constantly supplied, not only with all Medicines in general use, but also with all the new preparations, as they are brought under the notice of the Profession; so that Medical Gentlemen may rely upon having their prescriptions properly compounded and their views fully carried out.

1st May, 1858

Several years later, the partnership of Wheeler & Whitaker, trading under the Wheeler & Co. name, introduced their “Aerated Waters” to the public. This April 29, 1862 advertisement published in the “Belfast News-Letter” suggested they were first put on the market in the Fall of 1861.

As early as 1864, this June 30th advertisement published in the “Glasgow Herald” stated that the water used in the manufacture of their aerated waters was obtained from a series of wells located in the vicinity of Cromac Street in Belfast, later referred to as the Coromac Springs. The advertisement read, in part:

Wheeler & Co.’s Aerated Waters prepared with Water from the celebrated Cromac Springs at Belfast, the great purity of which peculiarly adapts it to this purpose, and are of uniform strength and peculiarly fine flavor. Every bottle of the genuine article bears the name “Wheeler & Co.” on the label.

In 1865, according to a summary of court proceedings, “Wheeler Co. v. James Johnston,” published in the November 13, 1877 edition of the “Belfast Evening Telegraph,” the company established a manufacturing facility at one of the Cromac well sites.

… Messrs. Wheeler & Whitaker traded at Belfast under the style of Wheeler & Co., and had an extensive business as manufacturers of aerated and mineral waters. The affidavit of Messrs Wheeler & Whitaker stated that in May, 1865, they took a lease of certain premises in Murphy Street, Belfast. A valuable well existing on the premises afforded a large supply of water of a very pure quality, and formed one of a number of wells in the neighborhood of Cromac Street, used formerly for the water supply to Belfast for domestic purposes. Wheeler & Whitaker erected machinery and works and commenced their business operations, which they had since carried on using exclusively the water of the well in question. Soon afterwards Wheeler & Whitaker adopted for their works the name of “Cromac Springs…”

In addition to their Belfast facilities, by 1868 the company had also established a presence in Dublin and Glasgow. Both are mentioned in this advertisement that appeared in the March 3, 1869 edition of the “Belfast News-Letter.”

By 1870, in addition to bottling their own beverages, Wheeler & Co. was also bottling those of other manufacturers under their “Wheel” trademark. This brief item touting Guinness Porter began appearing in the “Belfast News-Letter” as early as March 3, 1870.

If you want Guinness’s XX Porter, in Bottle, unmixed, ask for it labeled with the “Wheel” Trade Mark.

The following year the trademark itself began appearing in their Guinness advertisements as evidenced by a series of March, 1871 advertisements found in both the “Belfast Evening Telegraph” and “Belfast Evening News.”

Other brands were added over the next couple of years including HENLEY & SONS’ CIDER, touted in this April 26, 1871 “Belfast Evening Telegraph” advertisement…

… and Bass, Allsopp, Ind and Cooper’s mentioned in another “Belfast Evening Telegraph” advertisement, this one in their January 7, 1873 edition.

At the same time, the apothecary and chemist portion of the business continued to operate out of 33 High Street before moving to 37 High Street in 1881.

During this time they were associated with a number of patent medicines some of which they also manufactured including “Wheeler & Whitaker’s Balm of Licorice.”

Things changed in 1882, when two separate dissolution notices effectively transitioned the business into separately owned entities. The first, executed on April 13, 1882, dissolved the partnership associated with the Apothecary/Chemist portion of the business, leaving it in Whittaker’s hands.

A little over a month later this advertisement published in the May 24, 1882 edition of the “Belfast News-Letter” named Henry Whitaker, proprietor of The Belfast Apothecaries’ Hall, “Late Wheeler & Whitaker.”

As far as I can tell, not long after he gained control, Whitaker turned the Apothecary business over to William Hanbury who in 1890 declared bankruptcy. This notice dated January 24, 1890 announcing the bankruptcy sale appeared in the February 13, 1890 edition of the “Belfast News-Letter.

Three months later, a May 17, 1890 item in the “Belfast Evening Telegraph” announced that the

THE PRESCRIPTION BOOKS, PROPRIETARY RIGHTS and the VARIOUS FORMULAE of the SPECIAL PREPARATIONS of MESSRS. WHEELER & WHITAKER (Belfast Apothecaries’ Hall) HAVE BEEN PURCHASED by their late Senior Assistant, MR. T. N. MOFFIT…

Meanwhile, back in 1882, a second dissolution notice, this one dated October 16, 1882, put the manufacturing of aerated waters and bottling operation solely in the hands of Walter J. Wheeler. That notice appeared in the October 20, 1882 edition of the “Belfast News-Letter.”

A year later, according to a May 16 1883 story in the “Belfast Evening Telegraph” some of their bottled porter and ale was making its way across the Atlantic.

LARGE SHIPMENT OF BOTTLED BEER TO AMERICA. – At present Messrs. Wheeler & Co. are delivering at Prince’s Dock, Belfast, 400 barrels of porter and ale in bottles, for transshipment into lighters for conveyance alongside the Dominion Line steamer Toronto, which vessel will arrive in Belfast Lough on Friday morning for Quebec and Montreal. By the steamer Montreal, on Friday last, Messrs. Wheeler & Co. shipped a similar quantity, and on following weeks like shipments will be made by this firm.

In April, 1890 Walter James Wheeler passed away with the business continuing under the management of his son Frederick. After Walter’s death it appears that the company remained closely held by the Wheeler family until 1895 when they offered a portion of his stock for sale in an effort to realize his estate. The offer appeared in the May 3, 1895 edition of the “Belfast News-Letter.”

That said, during the late 1890’s, this item that appeared in the September 20, 1898 edition of the “Glasgow Herald” suggested that the company continued to be quite successful.

MESSRS WHEELER & CO., LTD., BELFAST have secured the honor of having their famed “WHEEL BRAND” AERATED MINERAL WATERS chosen as being most suitable for the use of the British Troops in Egypt; also the British expeditions from Lagos and Sierra Leone to Central Africa were supplied entirely with the Waters manufactured from the famous Cromac Springs of which WHEELER & CO., LTD., BELFAST are the Sole Proprietors.

In fact, in 1899 an August 28th advertisement in the “Belfast News-Letter” indicated they were planning an expansion of their Belfast facilities at the time.

As far as I can tell, the Wheeler family continued their involvement with the business until 1923 when a February 23rd notice announced the stockholders had decided to liquidate.

At this point it was acquired by a man named George A. Davidson who several years later was adjudged bankrupt on December 16, 1927.

Later, according to a July 19, 1947 item in the “Belfast Telegraph”

An offer of composition was made and accepted by his creditors and the money had been lodged with the official assignee for the payment of the composition.

As a result Davidson was apparently able to continue operations in Belfast. Though likely not a large operation and certainly not a heavy advertiser there are signs that the company remained active into the 1940’s. Both their Belfast Ginger Ale and “Anti Laria” Tonic Water were listed in the “Grocery and Provision Merchant Directory of Brands, Trademarks and Trade Names” in 1930 and, as late as 1939 the company was included on this list of Belfast and Ulster mineral water manufacturers published in the October 3, 1939 edition of the “Belfast Telegraph.”

Ultimately Davison, trading as Wheeler & Co., declared bankruptcy again, this time in 1947 with the notice appearing in the May 14th edition of the “Belfast Telegraph.”

This time, according to the July 19, 1947 “Belfast Telegraph” story the bankruptcy was annulled by the Lord Chief Justice in the Ulster High Court due to the actions taken in the 1927 bankruptcy case. That said, as far as I can tell, this marked the end of Wheeler & Co. as a mineral water manufacturer and bottler.

The bottle I found was blown in a mold and likely had a blob finish at one time. In addition to the “Wheel” trademark embossed on the face of the bottle, embossing on the shoulder includes the representation of four gold medals (two on each side) and reads: ” Belfast 1895 Gold Medals.”

The base is embossed with a large capital “W’ which I assume stands for “Wheeler.”

Th bottle most closely resembles the Belfast Ginger Ale bottle pictured on the far left in the following January 1, 1890 advertisement published in the “British Trade Journal,” though it does have a flat bottom as opposed to the rounded one pictured.

While not heavily advertised in the United States, references to Wheeler’s Belfast Ginger Ale sporadically appear in U.S. newspaper advertisements between 1884 and the mid-teens. This likely dates the bottle between 1895 (the date embossed on the bottle) and the mid-teens.

Edmund Spieler, Cold Spring Harbor, L.I.

Edmund (sometimes Edward) Spieler was a local brewer and beer bottler in the Town of Huntington on Long Island New York’s north shore. Located in the hamlet of Cold Spring Harbor, the business was active from sometime in the mid-1870’s up until Spieler’s death in 1889.

Born in Bavaria in 1846, Spieler apparently arrived in the United States around 1870 where he first appeared in New York City’s 1871/1872 directory with the occupation “beer” and an address of 546 W. 36th Street. By 1880, census records put him in the Town of Huntington with the occupation “brewer.”

He had arrived on Long Island as early as 1878 when the Board of Excise” granted him a license for the sale of “ALE & BEER.” The announcement appeared in the May 18, 1878 edition of the “Suffolk Weekly Times.”

During the late 1870’s and early 1880’s he continued to obtain what appears to be the same license to sell ale and beer during which time he delivered his product in a horse drawn wagon. Those deliveries did not always come without incident as evidenced by this story that appeared in the August 11, 1882 edition of a newspaper called the “Long Islander.” The story definitely falls in the category of “they don’t write them like this anymore!”

In this town we have a wholesale peddler of beer. He has a handsomely painted wagon. That wagon has long borne the owner who answers to the euphonious patronymic of Spieler. Last Friday Mr. S. came to this village with a full load of his “sour lightning” – the kegs and bottles were full and so was the owner. The wagon was being turned in front of Simon Hirschfeld’s when, mindful of the request embodied in the name of the proprietor, it proceeded to “spill-her” in good style. The spoke of one wheel of the vehicle broke and down it came on its side. The stream was la(r)ger as it flowed and many stood on its brink eager to stop the waste. Some who assisted could only say in the technical phase of the newspaper man “For further particulars see our inside.”

Less than a month later, the September 8th edition of the same newspaper reported that Spieler’s beer wagon had run into trouble again.

The redoubtable wagon of Spieler. the lager beer peddler has again been on a rampage. On Tuesday while coming down the hill from Greenlawn near Merril’s Hotel, Centreport, the wagon struck a stone and one of the wheels completely collapsed, letting the vehicle down in the sand. Well the occupant of the vehicle said about everything “but his prayers,” and left for home to get another wagon.

All that aside, Spieler continued to deliver his beer by horse drawn wagon up through at least 1885 as evidenced by this item that appeared in the June 26, 1885 edition of the “Long Islander.”

There were six horses brought up on the steamer on Tuesday night last, one of which was for Edmund Spieler to be used on his beer wagon.

Sometime about 1888, it appears Spieler traded his beer wagon in and became a saloon/hotel operator and bottler. That year, the May 12th edition of the “Long-Islander announced that the Board of Excise granted Spieler an INN KEEPER’s license in lieu of ALE & BEER.

Less than two years later, on December 10, 1889 Edmund Spieler passed away, with his death notice appearing in the December 21st edition of the “South Side Signal.”

It appears that Spieler’s wife, Frances, continued the hotel/saloon/bottling business for a while after his death. The May 6, 1890 edition of the “Brooklyn Daily Times” included her on a list of applicants who had been granted a hotel license by the Huntington Board of Excise that year. She was still in business in 1892 when this story appeared in the January 9th edition of the “Long Islander.”

A team of young horses belonging to Mrs. Spieler started from before her saloon Thursday and ran down the street until they came to the mill dam at the old saw mill and ran across passing safely over where it would be almost impossible for a man to drive them, and then ran through the woods to Dr. O. L. Jones’ fields where they were captured. Horses, wagon and harness were uninjured.

What became of the business after 1892 is not clear. That said, in 1894 Frances Spieler married John Wolfert who, according to a December 12 1896 “Long Islander” story, operated “a large beer bottling business” in Cold Spring and later listed his occupation as “saloon and bottling” in 1900 census records. Though I can’t confirm it, this at least suggests that Spieler’s business may have been the predecessor of Wolfert’s business or possibly incorporated into it.

The bottle I found is a champagne style beer with an applied blob finish. It fits the 1880’s era when Spieler was in business. Maybe it was on one of those wagon’s that broke down?

Chandler & Rudd, Cleveland, Ohio, American Club House Cheese

American Club House Cheese, manufactured by the Chandler & Rudd Company of Cleveland, Ohio, was described like this in an October, 1895 advertisement found in “Cosmopolitan” magazine.

AMERICAN CLUB HOUSE CHEESE is a soft, rich cheese, unexcelled for lunch or dinner in private houses, clubs, restaurants and hotels. Put up in hermetically sealed glass jars, it is especially adapted for traveling or excursion luncheons.

It’s trademark was registered on December 20, 1891 and I suspect it was popular during the mid-1890’s when it was advertised in several national magazines including “Munsey’s,” “Cosmopolitan,” ” Life”and “Good Housekeeping.” Advertisements, both national and local to Cleveland, disappear by 1906, so it’s not clear if it remained on the market after that time.

Many American Club House Cheese advertisements, like the one below, found in the December, 1894 edition of “Good Housekeeping,” made the following offer.

A miniature jar of the Cheese will be sent to any address upon receipt of 10 cents in stamps, large size jar 50 cents, by express, prepaid.

The subject jar, containing approximately 3 liquid ounces, is likely the miniature version.

While the history of American Club House Cheese may have been relatively short, the history of its manufacturer, Chandler & Rudd was certainly not. Their story starts with George H. Chandler who, according to his biography found in “A History of Cleveland and its Environs,” published in 1918, was born in Stroud, England on May 6, 1835. At the age of 22 he set out for America where he settled in Cleveland, Ohio and began working with his uncle, Charles Chandler, a fruit and seed merchant. This May 14, 1858 advertisement for his uncle’s business found in the “Cleveland Plain Dealer,” was likely published around the time George joined the business.

Twelve years later, in December, 1870, George Chandler, along with another of Charles Chandler’s employees, Joseph Abbott, formed a copartnership and purchased the stock and good will of a grocery business called Jones, Potter & Co. Established several years earlier, in 1864, Jones, Potter & Co. called themselves “Dealers in Fine Groceries” in this advertisement that ran in several editions of the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” during the Fall of 1870.

On December 31, 1870 the Chandler & Abbott partnership along with their newly acquired grocery business were introduced to the public in the “Cleveland Plain Dealer.”

NEW GROCERY STORE AT THE OLD STAND. – Mr. G. H. Chandler and Mr. Joseph Abbott, both experienced grocery men, having been for many years with C. Chandler, have formed a copartnership under the name of Chandler & Abbott, and have purchased from the assignee of Jones, Potter & Co. the whole stock of choice groceries, etc., and will continue the business at No.86 Public Square. They will immediately open a stock of fresh goods of everything in the grocery and provision line; also all kinds game, fish and fowls, and in fact everything in their line is first class. Messrs. Chandler & Abbott hope that by their thorough knowledge of the business, and by giving careful attention to all customers, to keep a store that will merit a liberal share of public patronage.

The copartnership was initially listed at the 86 Public Square address in Cleveland’s 1871 city directory.

That said, it would be the partnership’s one and only listing in the Cleveland directory. Sometime during that first year Abbott either retired or simply left the business and was replaced by William Cullen Rudd.

The change had certainly occurred by November 4, 1871 when this “Cleveland Leader” advertisement listed the partnership of Chandler & Rudd at the 86 Public Square address.

Chandler & Rudd operated out of this location until the fall of 1876 when the November 18th edition of the “Cleveland Leader” announced that they were moving next door.

FROM 86 TO 88

Messrs. Chandler & Rudd’s Removal to Their New Store

For over five years the firm of Messrs. Chandler & Rudd have been doing business at No. 86 Public Square, but to meet the demands of their increasing patronage they have long felt the need of more room and better facilities. These they are now happily prepared to enjoy, and when the doors open on Saturday morning it will not be at No. 86, but at the “next door,” No. 88, in the elegant new quarters prepared and fitted for them and their business. “No. 88” is larger in every way than “No. 86,” (the rear of which is made a part of the new store), and has ample warehouse and storage facilities. The store proper is perfect in all its appointments, and affords all desirable conveniences for proprietors and patrons.

The stock – much of which is new – has been bought for the new place, and, if such a thing is possible, is finer and better than even the old stock…

This photograph of their 88 Public Square storefront appeared years later in the January 17, 1951 edition of the “Cleveland Plain Dealer.”

The caption below the photograph identified the man with the beard in the doorway (far left) as George Chandler.

On a side note: In 1882, a re-numbering of the street system changed the company address from No. 88 to No. 116 Public Square. The change was reflected in Cleveland’s 1882-1883 directory.

The November 18, 1876 “Cleveland Leader” story went on to describe a sampling of the products offered by the company at around the time they moved next door.

The display of goods is simply elegant. The stock of canned goods is made up of the choicest brands of Fruits, Vegetables, Soups, and the like, with new lines especially in Pears in gallon and half-gallon jars. Many of these they have also in glass, in which form they also show immense quantities of Preserves, Marmalades, Pickles, and other rare goods. An extra stock of Teas are also provided, and fancy Biscuits, Macaroons, etc., of the Kennedy and Marabou brands, hold a prominent place. Cheese of the famous Roquefort, Stilton, Cheddar, and other brands, are in stock, while Straight’s Sweet Clover Creamery Butter retains its former prominence and favor. For holiday supplies they have made ample provisions. Crystalized Fruits, Finest Raisins, Figs, and other Fruits are in abundance with delicacies in Chocolates, etc., that will please all.

Never was a place better supplied with finer or better goods, and never was a house in better shape for doing justice to patrons than in that of Chandler & Rudd, No. 88, Public Square. We can only say in addition, look in on them, and leave orders if you want good things.

Making use of their added space the company announced in the December 15, 1876 edition of the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” they were adding candy to their inventory.

SPECIAL NOTICE – HOLLIS CARAMELS AT CHANDLER & RUDD’S – Having room and facilities in our new store, we have decided to put in a stock of Candies, and have just made arrangements with Mr. Hollis for his noted Caramels, Creams, etc. These goods need no recommendation to those who know them and many of our customers will be glad to learn they can again procure them without crossing the river.

Later, according to a June 21, 1878 “Cleveland Leader” advertisement they even added lake ice to their inventory.

In addition to an expanding inventory the company was also expanding their reach within the Cleveland area. This led to the opening of a second store to service their East Cleveland patrons. Located at Euclid Avenue and East 55th Street, the announcement appeared in the March 1, 1888 edition of the “Cleveland Leader.”

We Open Today

Beginning Thursday morning, March 1, we shall open an up-town store at Euclid Avenue Station. We have purchased of Messrs. Smith Bros. their stock, fixtures and good will of the business, and have also secured the store adjoining them formerly occupied by Mr. William M. Cope as a drug store. As soon as possible these stores will be thrown into one large store, where we shall keep the same line of goods as we do down town. No expense will be spared to make this store as attractive and complete as possible, and by being so much nearer to our East Cleveland patrons we shall be able to fill their orders more promptly than ever before. There will be no interruption in the business while the necessary changes are being made. We trust that the patrons of Messrs. Smith Bros. may favor us with their patronage, and we shall endeavor to give them entire satisfaction.

CHANDLER & RUDD

At this point, the company’s October 12, 1888 “Delivery Schedule” published in the “Cleveland Leader” suggests they were servicing a significant portion of Cleveland and even doing some business out of town.

It was around the same time that a November 23, 1888 story in the “Cleveland Leader” announced that plans were in the works to replace the Public Square store with a new and larger facility.

Chandler & Rudd, the grocery firm on Monumental Square have leased for a term of ten years the store and basement of the old firm of Cobb, Andrews & Co. on Euclid Avenue a few doors east of their present location. The firm will also control all the floors above the store… After New Years the work of remodeling will begin and in February the present store will be abandoned all together for the new quarters.

Listing an address of 22 and 24 Euclid Ave., (it would later change to 234 Euclid Avenue when Cleveland adopted a unified street address system in 1907) the new store’s opening was announced in the “Cleveland Leader” on April 5, 1889.

…The architect, Mr. Charles F. Schweinfurth, has succeeded in producing not only the handsomest store in Cleveland, but one of the finest in the country, and his efforts have been faithfully seconded by Colonel A. McAllister, the builder. The counter, shelves, and other woodwork are in solid oak, finely carved and polished, and the counter tops are of polished mahogany throughout. Beveled plate mirrors are used with fine effect. The new store was thrown open to the public last evening for the first time, and from 7:30 until a late hour was fairly thronged with visitors, thousands availing themselves of the opportunity to inspect the establishment at their leisure…

The story went on to provide this verbal tour of the store.

Upon the left as you enter is the very extensive confectionery department replenished hourly from their finely equipped factory on the second floor. On the right is the cigar department, a special feature of the business.

Passing along, the visitor notes on the left a unique and exceedingly attractive waiting-room, with cozy seats, tiled fire place, and adjoining toilet-rooms for the use of the ladies. Also a very complete stock of druggists’ sundries. Along the right is a long row of handsome new cans containing full lines of teas, coffees, spices, and farinaceous goods. Through the center of the store are several important departments, each complete in itself. The cracker stock, embracing Kennedy’s goods and many others, is a noteworthy feature. Then comes the vegetable stock, hams and bacon, and a most admirably arranged and perfectly equipped butter and cheese department, with its mammoth glass front cooler. The butter counters, unlike the others, have marble tops. Throughout the store the scales, scoops, candy pans, etc., are all silver plated assuring the utmost cleanliness in everything.

The steady stream of visitors to the candy-making rooms on the second floor found the rows of marble cooling tables covered with choice confections fresh from the kettles, and it was noticed that very few declined the cordial invitation to taste as well as look.

The offices and cashier’s desk are near the rear of the store and easily accessible by stairway. The receiving and delivery department, so arranged that the teams can drive in at one door, load or unload at the platform, and out at another, is a marked improvement. Taken altogether the new store is unquestionably a success both from an artistic and practical point of view, and the Chandler & Rudd Co. cannot fail to largely profit by this exhibition of their enterprise and liberality.

At this point the company’s inventory had grown to such an extent that its catalog of products required a full page of the “Cleveland Leader” on June 11, 1889.

It was also sometime in the late 1880’s that the business incorporated as the Chandler & Rudd Company with Rudd and Chandler serving as president and vice president and their sons serving as secretary and treasurer respectively. The change was reflected in the company’s listing in Cleveland’s 1890/1891 directory.

Several years later, in 1895 George Chandler, along with his son, left Chandler & Rudd to start their own business. Located at 139-141 Euclid Avenue, the announcement appeared in the February 25, 1895 edition of the “Cleveland Press.”

A NEW GROCERY

It will be located in the Big Ohio Building

Cleveland is to have another large grocery store on Euclid Ave., in the new Ohio building. Geo. H. Chandler and his son Geo. N., in company with F. P Rust, will form the principal stockholders. The company is incorporated with a capital of $50,000.

According to a September 30, 1898 “Cleveland Press” story, in addition to a full line of groceries Chandler’s store carried a

splendid variety of wines and liquors for family and medicinal use.

Several internet sources suggest it was Rudd’s refusal to add wine and liquor to the Chandler & Rudd inventory that led to Chandler’s departure.

After Chandler left, the Rudd’s continued to use the Chandler & Rudd name and a September 30, 1898 description of the business in the “Cleveland Press” suggests that the business continued to flourish without the need to sell liquor.

There are five departments, and some 128 employees. While the business is staple and fancy groceries, fruits and vegetables, the candy and baking departments are very important. The former was established in 1885, and has won a phenomenal success, and the latter was organized in 1893 and the results were eminently satisfactory.

Chandler’s business, on the other hand, was short-lived, and four years later he sold out to Chandler & Rudd and retired. The announcement appeared in the December 18, 1899 edition of the “Cleveland Press.”

BUSINESS CHANGE

Chandler & Rudd Have bought out Geo. M. Chandler

The grocery house of Chandler & Rudd have bought the business and stock of Geo. H. Chandler, further up Euclid Ave., and the latter will retire from business. Geo. H. Chandler’s clerks were notified, Wednesday, that the store will be closed Saturday.

Geo. H. Chandler said, Thursday, that he was anxious to get out of business and Chandler & Rudd would take his stock, Jan. 1.

Shortly after the turn of the century Chandler & Rudd added a third store location, this one announced in the June 6, 1902 edition of the “Cleveland Leader.”

FAIRMOUNT STORE

“Opening Day” of the Chandler & Rudd Co.’s New East End Store – Flowers and Music.

The Fairmount Store of the Chandler & Rudd Co. gave an opening yesterday and last evening to acquaint the people of the East End with the beauties and convenience of the new store. It is at 2279 Euclid Avenue, where Messrs. Wood & Co, formerly kept a grocery. But the old store has been remodeled, both outside and inside… Last evening, Miss Dora A. Moody’s mandolin orchestra of eight pieces furnished music; a candy machine in the window pulled molasses candy, to the delight of the children and many older visitors; the candy department, meat department, bakery department, and butter department gave souvenirs in their line to visitors, and the tea and coffee departments gave hot coffee and cream to all who cared to refresh themselves.

It was also around the turn of the century that the company began advertising the concept of a “box lunch.” An advertisement sounding introductory in nature appeared in the June 13, 1904 edition of the “Cleveland Press.” It was headlined:

The ad went on to say:

Last week a party of ladies had a picnic, and when they were talking over the way of providing food someone suggested “a box lunch.” “What’s a box lunch?” was immediately asked, and the explanation was that instead of each one taking something in a basket, a box containing a complete lunch could be taken for each one, and all the work connected with serving the refreshments would be passing the boxes.

This was immediately decided upon. We prepared the lunches, and the ladies were delighted. No hard work devolved on anyone and all had time to enjoy the outing.

We believe that this plan of providing refreshments is going to grow into great favor for both small and large parties, as it makes the entertainment so easy; 25c gets a good lunch – all that many care for, but special things are often ordered, which brings the price higher, sometimes as much as 50c for each one in the party. The same kind of box lunches are put up for the boat or train.

We expect to put out thousands of them this summer for those going to St. Louis.

There are many ways in which these box lunches will be found a great convenience. Any one who entertains can use them at times. We shall talk further about them.

This 1906 advertisement found in a Cleveland Opera program suggests that the concept had certainly caught on by then.

In 1910 the company closed their East End Store on 55th Street and moved to 6000 Euclid Avenue.

The announcement appeared in the November 15, 1910 edition of the “Cleveland Press.”

The announcement included the company’s telephone numbers and the need for their inclusion was explained in the September, 1911 edition of “Bell Telephone News.”

ORDER TABLE TAKES WELL IN CLEVELAND

The Chandler & Rudd Company, Grocers, Employ Sixteen Telephone Salesmen

Sales by telephone have grown to such proportions in Cleveland that enterprising merchants are installing special facilities for handling telephone orders. The equipment of several of the largest retail establishments in the city now includes a special type of order table designed by the engineering department of The Cleveland Telephone Company. It consists of a semi-automatic switchboard which combines a lamp-signaling device and a Type Number Two switchboard for each salesman…

Such a telephone order system was installed late in 1910 in the retail grocery store of the Chandler & Rudd Company, 6000 Euclid Avenue, where it has demonstrated its efficiency to the eminent satisfaction of the manager, Vincent Meakin.

“The installation of the telephone order board has been one of the most profitable innovations ever made by the company,” said Mr, Meakin recently. “We feel that we are pioneers in this direction, and we have been very much gratified at the results…”

“Telephone orders now constitute a large part of our business at this store. The daily averages for the first six months of this service were as follows: December, 1910, 616; January, 1911; 594; February, 646; March, 687; April, 666; May, 637.

Fourteen years after opening the Fairmont location it was lost to a major fire in 1916. The fire was reported like this in the January 20th edition of Akron, Ohio’s “Evening Times.”

Fire starting from an explosion at 10:05 last night destroyed the Chandler & Rudd Co.’s Fairmount store, 10609-11 Euclid Avenue, wiped out five other buildings, damaged a half dozen more and threatened the Hotel Regent and the yards of the Harner-Mead Lumber Co.

At 2 this morning Fire Chief George A. Wallace estimated the total loss of $75,000. He said it was impossible at that hour to accurately apportion the loss, but that the Chandler & Rudd Co., whose buildings and stock were destroyed, sustained by far the greatest portion of the loss.

Over the next 15+ years Chandler & Rudd operated out of their two other locations, 234 Euclid Avenue and 6000 Euclid Avenue. Then on May 28, 1932 a “Cleveland Plain Dealer” item announced the opening of a new branch store.

OPENS HEIGHTS STORE

Chandler & Rudd Co. Proud of New Member of the Chain

Harry D. Simms, president of Chandler & Rudd Co., yesterday announced the opening of a new store for the convenience of Heights shoppers at 2289 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. It will be the third store operated by Chandler & Rudd.

It has been equipped and decorated according to the latest in food merchandising ideas.

“We are exceptionally proud of this new addition to our family,” Sims said. Every effort has been made to make this a truly delightful place to shop for baked goods, candies nuts and specialties.

The rationale behind the opening of a Cleveland Heights location was addressed several days later in a June 1, 1932 story published in the “Cleveland Press.”

CHANDLER, RUDD TESTS NEW IDEA

Branch Store in Heights May Lead to 100

An experiment that may result in the establishment of as many as 100 neighborhood stores in Greater Cleveland was being introduced today by the Chandler & Rudd Co., now in its 68th year.

Establishment of the firm’s specialty shop, which was formally opened Saturday at 2289 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, marks a new era in merchandising based on the theory of taking goods to the customer, according to President Harry D. Sims, who has contemplated the idea for sometime.

“We may have 10 or we may have 100 of these stores making our service and merchandise available on our fine baked goods, candies, salted nuts, meats, mayonnaise and other specialties in neighborhoods where they are in demand,” Sims said today.

Deliveries of staple and other items will be continued from our central distributing center at 6000 Euclid Avenue.

The specialties are kept fresh all during the day, Sims explained. Mayonnaise is manufactured every hour and the nut supply is salted and replenished as often, he added.

True to their word, by the fall of 1932, a September 22nd “Cleveland Plain Dealer” story announced that several more locations were in the works.

Further expansion of the Chandler & Rudd Co.’s grocery store system by the addition of the new specialty food shop at 13018 Buckeye Road S.E. on Saturday and several other stores in the near future was announced yesterday by Harry D. Sims, president.

The concern already has established two specialty shops on the Heights at 2289 Lee Road and 3487 Lee Road, in addition to its principal stores at 6000 Euclid Avenue and 234 Euclid Avenue.

Leases for additional units at E. 124th Street and Superior Avenue N.E., 117th Street and Clifton Boulevard N.W., and Shaw and Hayden Avenues, East Cleveland have been signed and work has begun on stores for those locations. All are to be distinguished by their modern fronts of aluminum with red and blue trimmings.

Two years later an October 28, 1934 advertisement in the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” listed a total of nine branch locations in addition to their two primary locations at 234 and 6000 Euclid Avenue.

Not long after the above advertisement was printed it appears that a combination of increasing downtown rental costs, more competition and a change in the shopping habits of their customers brought about a series of organizational changes. The first came in 1936 when a June 25th item in the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” announced that the company was closing their Distributing Center at 6000 Euclid Avenue and centralizing their distribution operations at 234 Euclid Avenue.

This follow-up advertisement appeared in the”Cleveland Plain Dealer” on June 29 1936.

Four years later the 234 Euclid Ave location was closed with the company moving their operation to 1252 Euclid Avenue. The announcement appeared in the January 18, 1940 edition of the “Cleveland Press.”

Formal opening of the new Chandler & Rudd Co. store at 1252 Euclid Avenue, in the Winous Building, will be held Thursday, Heber Harter general manager of the store, announced today.

Around $10,000 was spent for interior remodeling and equipping the store which is “a model modern food store,” Mr. Harter said.

The removal of the store from its former location near Public Square marks the end of a half century of service in the old location. The Chandler & Rudd Co. recently celebrated its 76th year in business…

Around the same time the company began closing some of the branch stores that had been established in the early 1930’s. An auction notice associated with one such closure appeared in the August 11, 1940 edition of the “Cleveland Plain Dealer.”

Eighteen years later most of the branch stores had disappeared and the company’s Euclid Avenue operation was moving again, this time to smaller quarters at 1290 Euclid Avenue, while at the same time increasing the focus on gifts and specialty items. The reasoning behind this latest move was explained in the March 7, 1958 edition of the “Cleveland Press.”

Chandler & Rudd Plans “Gift Shop” on Euclid Ave.

“It became too expensive to have a grocery store on Euclid Ave. Buying habits have changed immensely so that people don’t shop for groceries downtown any more.”

Harry D. Simms president of Chandler & Rudd Co. which has sold groceries downtown since 1864, gave this reason today for the company’s changeover to gift and specialty foods.

Chandler & Rudd is moving into a smaller store at 1290 Euclid Ave., not far from its large grocery store at 1252 Euclid.

The new “gift shop” will handle candy, wines, gifts of fruit, imported delicacies and some health foods and spices and herbs. Chandler & Rudd also operates a supermarket at 20128 Kinsman Rd. Shaker Heights.

The change in focus was reflected in this December 7, 1958 “Cleveland Plain Dealer” ad.

Two years later, the company abandoned downtown Cleveland altogether, moving the operation to their Kinsman Road (renamed Chagrin Blvd in 1959) branch in Shaker Heights. The move was announced in the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” on January 29, 1960.

“It’s tough selling groceries on Euclid Avenue explained Harry D. Sims, Chandler president. “Our sales couldn’t keep up with downtown rents.”

Chandler’s downtown rent was eight to ten times higher than at their Shaker Heights store, 20128 Chagrin Boulevard, where business was better. Sims said Chandler & Rudd will leave its downtown quarters by the end of the month.

It was around this time that the company, long held by the Rudd family sold the business to the company’s produce manager, Fred Marino. Up to this point William C. Rudd, his brother, George and George’s son-in-law, Harry D. Sims all served terms as president.

A December 7, 1964 “Cleveland Press”story celebrating the company’s 100 year anniversary emphasized the fact that Marino continued the company’s focus on specialty foods and gift baskets.

“We at Chandler & Rudd strive to carry the finest foods and meats and fancy trade canned goods. Our steaks for instance, are all prime beef and we are among the few places left who will prepare such gourmet cuts as crown roast of pork or lamb.”

Two areas of exceptionally strong growth for the concern is its packaging of gourmet food gift baskets and boxes and its burgeoning catering services.

“We custom pack a great many baskets and boxes of foods to order for industrial and commercial concerns and individuals”

The story also confirmed that telephone orders and delivery schedules remained a big part of the business plan.

Twice a week a delivery truck from the Chandler & Rudd Co. leaves its store in Shaker Heights and heads across the city to the West Side to deliver groceries. Some of the people who receive these orders have been dealing with the firm for many years, but have never seen the inside of the store…

Since 1910 the store has had a telephone ordering system – still a strong point today. Deliveries are made three times daily in the Heights area, and twice a week outside the area….

Marino, and later, his son, Fred Marino, Jr., ran the business until it ultimately closed in 2009. A November 15, 2009 “Cleveland Plain Dealer” story described the issues faced by the company at the time it was closed down.

…Lately, requests for both Chandler’s signature gift baskets and specialty foods have dried up as companies cut back on thank you gifts and families buy their groceries elsewhere.

“The larger supermarkets have the gas promotions, their offers of 10 items for $10,” Fred said.

“The BJ’s and Sam’s Clubs of the world, they’re selling things for less than what we’re buying them for…” Carrying staples such as cereal, cleaning supplies and vegetables helped tide them over, but they couldn’t buy in enough quantities to keep prices low.

The “Plain Dealer” story went on to provide the final chapter in the company’s history , a history that began in 1864 (if you count the Jones, Potter years).

Specialty grocery Chandler & Rudd Co. built its business by catering to affluent customers and surprising them with imported delicacies they couldn’t get anywhere else. But owners Ruta and Fred Marino’s reputation for exemplary customer service and incredible attention to detail ultimately couldn’t compete with the larger chain supermarkets in an especially brutal recession. On Nov. 2, after 145 storied years in the food business, the Marino’s gathered their seven employees, handed out paychecks and told them it was over. “We came to the conclusion that it just wasn’t working for us anymore,” Fred Marino said. We were putting too much money into the store to keep it afloat. It was becoming increasingly difficult to be competitive with the larger markets because of their buying power.” The Marino’s gave their bread, produce, milk and other perishables to the City Mission, turned off the lights and put a “Closed” sign on the door…

Paterson Brewing & Malting Co., Paterson, N.J.

Established in 1899, the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company was the culmination of a roughly ten year process that brought all six of Paterson New Jersey’s major brewing interests together under one corporate umbrella. So it stands to reason that the company history begins, not in 1899 but much earlier with its predecessors, the six individual breweries that made up the corporation. So with that in mind I thought it important to begin this post with a brief history of each of those breweries. Much of that early history was included in an 1890 publication entitled “Paterson, New Jersey, Its Advantages for Manufacturing and Residence: its Industries, Prominent Men, Banks, Schools, Churches, etc.” by Charles A. Shriner, and is presented below in quotes. Quotes from other sources are specifically referenced in the text.

THE BRAUN BREWERY

In 1855 Mr. Christian Braun, father of Messrs. Christian and Lewis F. Braun, started a brewery on the corner of Braun and Marshall Streets and conducted the business with increasing trade and success until the year 1870, when he leased the business to Sprattler & Mennel. Mr. Braun died in 1876 and his sons took possession of the business… The brewery was increased until they had a structure 75 x 200, three stories high, equipped with all the latest improved appliances for the production of a superior grade of lager beer; the capacity of the brewery is 60,000 barrels per year…

This business card advertisement for Braun’s Brewery appeared in the January 31, 1886 edition of Paterson’s “Morning Call.”

THE SPRATTLER & MENNEL BREWERY

Mr. Gustav Sprattler and Mr. Christian Mennel established the brewing of lager beer in Paterson in 1870, having leased the brewery up to that time operated by Christian Braun… In 1876 they took possession of a new brewery, which they erected for that purpose and which at the time had a capacity of 8,000 barrels per annum. In the succeeding years enlargements of the plant were made and new buildings erected until the brewery is one of the most complete in all respects in New Jersey, having a capacity of 40,000 barrels per annum. The plant covers an area of 185 x 200 feet, upon which are erected ice houses, brewery and malt houses, store houses, etc. Mr. Sprattler died in October, 1883, after which the business was conducted by his estate and Mr. Mennel…

Paterson’s “Morning Call” ran this advertisement for Sprattler & Mennel’s “Extra Lager Beer” in their December 25, 1885 edition.

PASSAIC SPRING BREWERY (GRAHAM & CO.)

The early history of the Passaic Spring Brewery was found in James A. Graham’s obituary published in the March 26, 1909 edition of a Paterson, New Jersey newspaper named the “Morning Call.”

The father of James A. Graham, whose name was also James managed his brother’s brewery on Hamburg Avenue, while the latter was in the Civil War. Their father, Archie Graham, was also engaged in the same business over seventy-five years ago, winning an enviable reputation for his excellent brew and ale.

When still a young man, while living on a farm, James A. Graham was induced to take charge for a short time of his Uncle Archie’s brewery on Hamburg Avenue, to close out the business, which was rapidly failing. So successful was he that he built up the business and was given a third interest in the concern by his uncle.

Sometime in the late 1870’s Graham’s uncle Archie passed away leaving the business to a partnership of James A. and Sarah J. Graham. A story in the October 1, 1886 edition of “The Morning Call” picks up the story from there.

The place has been modernized and enlarged until it has grown entirely out of all resemblance to the quaint little snuggery that occupied that location for many years. The extension completed in 1881 is a brick structure four stories high, with a cellar underneath that is equivalent to another story… With exceptional facilities the best of ale is made in this old facility.

This Passaic Springs Brewery’s business card advertisement appeared in the January 31, 1886 edition of Paterson’s “Morning Call.”

THE GRAHAM BREWERY (JAMES A. GRAHAM & CO.)

In 1886 James A Graham left the Passaic Spring Brewery in the control of Sarah A. Graham who I suspect was his sister-in-law. The dissolution notice appeared in the November 20, 1886 edition of Paterson’s “Morning Call.”

James A. Graham then went on to establish his own brewery the following year.

… In 1887 Graham concluded to go into business for himself. For this purpose he purchased a tract of land lying on Cedar Street and running from Straight Street to Ramapo Avenue. This gave him a very desirable location, lying in the center of the city and adjoining the tracks of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad… The building is three stories high, built of brick and has a frontage of 40 feet and a depth of 100 feet…

The opening of Graham’s new brewery was announced in the April 19, 1887 edition of Paterson’s “Morning Call”

For the first time the engine in the new brewery of James A. Graham was in operation yesterday, and all the belts and wheels which go to complete the operating machinery were revolving as rapidly as those of any of our silk factories. Despite the cold breeze and drizzling rain and snow men were busy working on the huge mash tubs and at different other occupations which are necessary in the process of producing the anti-prohibitoion liquid. “Jimmy” does not intend to make any deliveries this week, but next week, his drivers expect to have a busy time rolling barrels of XXX into the cellars of hundreds of saloons.

The barrels were certainly rolling by May, 1887 at which time Graham was advertising his Standard Ales in the Passaic “Daily Herald.”

KATZ BROTHERS BURTON BREWERY

Katz Brothers, Phillip and Bernard…began brewing in July 1877, on the corner of Goodwin and Bridge Streets, where their capacity was twenty-five barrels a day. The only difficulty they experienced was that they could not supply the demand for their product. While they were contemplating the erection of a new brewery or looking for some way in which their establishment could be increased so as to meet all the demand upon it the Burton Brewery was offered for sale… In liquidation…it was purchased in 1882. Their XXX and Canada Malt Ale and other brands were in such demand wherever they had been introduced that the firm soon found it necessary to open stores in New York and other cities and their renown as brewers ceased being provincial or local and became national. From all parts of the United States came orders for Katz Brothers’ ales and porters. Having met with this almost phenomenal success in the brewing of ales and porters they concluded to undertake the brewing of lager beer…

Their move into lager beer brewing was announced in the July 27, 1887 edition of Paterson’s “Morning Call.”

A New Lager Beer Brewery

The Katz Bros. propose to go extensively into the business of lager beer brewing in the near future. Mr. Phillip Katz is now in Bohemia, where he has engaged the services of an expert brewer, and has also purchased twelve hundred bales of the Saaz Bohemia hops. The Katz Bros. have been remarkably successful in the ale brewing, having in a few years succeeded in building up a reputation for fine ales that has caused a demand and sale of nearly one hundred thousand barrels during the last twelve months. From this we may judge what the Katz Bros. will do in the brewing of lager beer.

The 1890 History of Paterson picks up the story from there.

For this purpose they erected a substantial addition to their already large establishment… Their brewery has a frontage of 200 feet on Straight Street, 300 feet on Governor Street and 300 feet on Harrison Street; it has annual capacity of 130,000 barrels.

According to a November 19, 1888 story in the “Morning Call” the company began the manufacture of lager beer on that day and by the spring of 1888 a May 17th advertisement in the “Passaic Daily News” announced that their “Bohemian Lager Beer” was “Ready for Consumption Now.”

HINCHLIFFE BREWING AND MALTING COMPANY

In 1861 Mr. John Hinchliffe leased the old “Archie” Graham brewery; having a practical knowledge of brewing he established the business under the title of Hinchliffe & Co; he subsequently associated himself with John Shaw, a fellow countryman… The lease having expired Mr. Graham recommenced business and the firm of Hinchliffe & Co. established an agency for Cox’s then celebrated ales until they could erect a suitable brewery for themselves. In 1867 the present Eagle ale and porter brewery was built; they then admitted a new member to the firm, Mr. Thomas B. Penrose, a practical brewer… and the firm name was then changed to Shaw, Hinchliffe and Penrose. In 1872 to meet the requirements of their increasing trade and to enable them to insure a constant supply of the best malt they erected the extensive malt house which stands in the rear of the property; it is a massive brick structure 150 x 75 feet, six stories high, with slated roof… The capacity of this house is over one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of malt per season.

Penrose retired in 1878, Shaw passed away in 1881 and John Hinchliffe passed away in 1886. This left the brewery in the hands of Hinchliffe’s three sons, John, William F. and James C. who on January 1, 1887 began business under the name of Hinchliffe Brothers. An announcement to that effect appeared in the May 26, 1887 edition of the Passaic “Daily Herald”

At this point the brothers decided to add a lager beer brewery to their plant.

With this end in view they consulted the well known firm of Charles Stoll & Son, brewery architects of Brooklyn, who soon had plans and specifications drawn for the largest brewery of its kind in the city and they immediately began to tear down old buildings and prepare for the new and model ones… After eight months had gone by they had completed the lager beer brewery which is shown in the engraving as taken from the front elevation of the architect’s plans.

The storage and brew-house is five stories high built of brick and iron trimmed with granite…in the rear is a three-story ice factory… These buildings and two smaller ones constitute the lager beer brewery, which is said to be the heaviest building in the city.

The capacity of brewing is about 75,000 barrels per year. The brewery is under the direct supervision of the company, which is composed of John Hinchliffe, president; William F. Hinchliffe, vice president, and James C. Hinchliffe, secretary and treasurer, who own equal shares of stock.

In 1890, all six breweries were up and running when four of the six joined together and incorporated the predecessor to the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company. Called the Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company, the reasoning behind its formation was explained in the 1890 Paterson, New Jersey publication.

During the year 1889 representatives of an English syndicate made overtures to a number of the brewers in Paterson to purchase their entire establishments for the purpose of forming a stock company and disposing of the stock in England. After long and tedious negotiations the project fell through, but it had not been without fruit. The negotiations had brought the brewers closer together and they recognized the benefits to be derived from concerted action among men having an identity of interests. The result was the formation of the Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company.

The formal announcement appeared in the March 4, 1890 edition of the “Passaic Daily News.”

A certificate of incorporation of the Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company was filed yesterday morning in the clerk’s office of Passaic County. The capital stock is fixed at $1,000,000. The action completes a combination of four out of six breweries in Paterson. The concerns in the combination are those of Katz Brothers, ale and lager beer brewers; James A. Graham, ale, and Sprattler & Mennel and C. Braun, lager beer. The two Katz brothers, Phillip and Bernard hold 5,350 shares; Christian Mennel surviving partner of Sprattler & Mennel, 1500; Christian & Louis F. Braun, 750 each and James A. Graham, 1,000. The capitalization of $1,000,000 represents only a fraction of the aggregate value of the four breweries, but the combination is a close corporation, intended for mutual benefit and not to sell stock, and the figure is therefore made nominal. The combination is the result, indirectly, of the negotiations for the sale of the Paterson breweries to the English syndicate. The deal with the Englishmen fell through, but in the numerous meetings while the negotiations were going on the brewers found the advantage of combination, and decided to take advantage of them without the aid of any foreign capital.

Four months later, the Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company announced a major expansion of the Braun Brewery. The announcement appeared in the July 30, 1890 edition of the “Passaic Daily News”

A Monster Brewery at Paterson

The Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company has decided to erect a large brewing-house to be added to the Braun Brewery. The building will be one of the finest of its kind in the State. The main structure, which is to be built of brick, with stone trimmings, will be 42 x 44 feet in dimension and five stories high. From its top will arise a malt tower, which will have a capacity of 10,000 bushels. The addition will increase the capacity of the brewery so that it will produce 150,000 barrels of lager per year.

A rendering of the improved Braun Brewery appeared in the 1890 Paterson New Jersey feature referenced at the beginning of this post.

Three years after formation of the Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company the February 3, 1893 edition of the “Passaic Daily News” announced that the Passaic Spring Brewery had also joined the fold.

THE HINCHLIFFE’S ALONE NOW

All the Rest of the Big Paterson Brewers Have Entered the Combine.

A deed of conveyance of the property of Graham & Co., proprietors of the Passaic Spring Brewery, to the Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company was recorded yesterday at the County Clerk’s office. About two years ago all the Paterson breweries, excepting the Hinchliffe Brewery and The Passaic Spring Brewery united in a corporation as the Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company. At that time an effort was made to have all unite, but the Hinchliffe brothers and Mrs. Sarah H. Graham who is practically the sole owner of the Passaic Spring Brewery, would have nothing to do with the movement. A few days ago, however, Mrs. Graham agreed to join the majority, so that all the Paterson brewers, excepting the Hinchliffes are now united.

Finally in 1899 the Hinchliffe’s agreed to join and the new combination was reorganized under the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company name. The announcement appeared in the June 23 1899 edition of Paterson’s “Evening News.”

After negotiation extending over a period of nine years the consolidation of the Consolidated Brewing Company and the Hinchliffe Brewing Company effected yesterday afternoon and the continued interests will immediately be reorganized under the name of the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company with a capital of $6,000,000.

A month later it was announced in the August 2, 1899 edition of Paterson’s “Evening News” that all the brewery properties were now owned by the new corporation.

Notice is hereby given that the brewery plants of the Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company and the brewery plant of the Hinchliffe Brewing and Malting Company have been sold and conveyed to a new corporation just formed and known as the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company…

Not long after, a June 23, 1900 “Passaic Daily News” story announced that the Passaic Spring Brewery was to be shut down.

TRUST CLOSES A BREWERY

It is Not a Temperance Measure But a Practical Economy

On July 1 the old Passaic Spring Brewery in Paterson will close its doors. This is brought about by the consolidation of all the local concerns into a brewery trust. The plant has outlived its usefulness, and could not be worked to advantage, because of its distance from the railroads. The machinery that is good for anything, with the brewers and other workmen, will be transferred to Hinchliffe’s Brewery…

Over the next 17 years or so the trust, comprised of the five breweries, not only dominated the manufacture of beer in Paterson but according to the July 14, 1908 edition of Paterson’s “Morning Call,”controlled Paterson’s saloon business as well.

Sensational in some respects were the facts brought out yesterday at the inquiry of the state excise commission into the manner in which the excise laws of the state are being observed in Passaic and Bergen Counties and particularly in this city and Passaic.

Paramount in importance was the revelation that 335 of the 494 retail liquor licenses for saloons in this city are absolutely owned and controlled by the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company. Into this phase of the excise situation the state probers delved with surprising result, showing that the brewery holds the power of attorney for nearly all the licenses issued to the men who conduct the saloons in which their beer is sold.

It was shown in Passaic as well as in this city all prosecutions for violation of the excise laws are disposed of in the police court, the police authorities having grown weary of bringing cases before the grand jury and the licensing bodies only to get rebuffed.

Another story covering the inquiry, this one in the July 14th edition of the “Passaic News” revealed that the company, though not exclusive, was heavily entrenched in Passaic as well.

Fifty-one saloons, exactly half the number in the city, are owned by brewers, but there is no exclusive brewery monopoly as there is in Paterson. Of the fifty one brewery-owned saloons in Passaic, twenty-eight are owned by the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company, seventeen by the Hygeia Brewing Company, three by Peter Hauck and three by Ballentine’s, the two latter being Newark concerns.

As late as 1917 all five of the company’s breweries were in operation as evidenced by this advertisement that appeared in the July 13th edition of Paterson’s “Evening News.”

That said, changes were on the horizon as the U. S. entered WWI and resultant government restrictions began taking their toll on the brewing industry.

The first came in the Fall of 1917 when the company made the decision to expand into the cold storage business. The announcement appeared in the November 21st edition of Paterson’s “Morning Call.”

BREWING COMPANY TO CHANGE CHARTER

The stockholders of the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company at a meeting Tuesday afternoon in the Katz building decided to change the charter of the corporation and enter in the cold storage business. Brewing will be given up at the Hinchliffe Brewery and the building will be remodeled for cold storage purposes.

Contracts for the conversion were announced the following Spring in the “Morning Call’s” April 5, 1918 edition.

Contracts were filed with County Clerk John J. Slater yesterday, made between the United Cork Companies of New York and the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company, for the alteration of the Hinchliffe Brewery at Governor Street and the Erie Railroad. It is proposed to build over the interior of the plant to make it into a cold storage plant. The contract price is $18,465.

Many of the compartments and rooms of the brewery are suited for the purpose and the alterations are mainly to make it air-tight to conform to the new business for which it is to be used. Composition floors of cork, asphalt and concrete will be installed, and alterations made to partitions, ceilings and doors. William T. Fanning is the architect.

Later that year the company announced that two of its four remaining breweries were closing. The first, announced in the July 9, 1918 edition of Paterson’s “Morning Call,” was the James A. Graham Brewery.

The James A. Graham Brewery, Straight and Cedar Streets, one of the first establishments of its kind in the city, but in recent years a part of the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company, is to cease operations. It was ordered yesterday at the plant that no more beer is to be brewed there and the brewery will practically be closed this week. Another one of the three remaining breweries is also to be closed.

“The Graham Brewery will practically be closed this week,” said Mr. Hinchliffe, “and is in fact for sale now.”

Two days later the “Morning Call” announced that the Braun Brewery was closing as well.

One more local brewery was abandoned by the directors of the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company at their meeting yesterday afternoon. It was voted to close the Braun Brothers’ Brewery on Marshall Street at once. The company had already ceased to brew beer there. It is not the intention to dismantle the plant, but rather to keep it in condition to operate again should it be deemed advisable.

The trade which was provided for at the Braun Brewery will now be divided between the Sprattler & Mennel Brewery, Marshall Street and the Katz Brothers’ Brewery, Straight and Governor Streets. No further reductions to breweries are contemplated at this time.

The reasoning for the closures was explained in the April 9th story.

The shortage of coal which all breweries in the country are facing since restrictions were placed on their output is said to be responsible for closing the plants. James C. Hinchliffe, treasurer of the consolidated company, when asked as to the reason for closing the Graham Brewery said it was because of the curtailment of fuel to breweries by the government, and that they were allowed now but fifty percent of the former supply of coal…

Since the country’s entrance into the war the output of breweries has been regulated and curtailed. A short time ago a cut of 30 percent was ordered. Now another cut has been ordered into effect July 1, which reduces the output now to fifty percent of what it formerly was in normal times.

Later, in the June 25th edition of the “Evening News” the company announced that the James A. Graham Brewery, along with the old Graham & Co. Passaic Spring Brewery that was closed years ago, were both sold.

Confirm Report Silk Men Buy Breweries

Confirmation of the exclusive report published in the News several days ago that two old breweries in this city have been sold to silk firms was given this morning by the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company.

The James A. Graham Brewey of Straight and Cedar Streets, which has been closed for several months was sold to Janowitz Brothers Silk Co. for $40,500.

The old Graham Brewery on Hamburg Avenue and Matlock Street was purchased by Jackman & Miller, silk manufacturers for $17,000. The building has been used recently by Carlock & Co. Inc., plumbers.

Shortly after the start of National Prohibition the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company got into the silk business as well when a February 24, 1920 story in Paterson’s” Evening News” announced they were refitting the old Braun Brewery for that purpose.

One of the largest and most up-to-date silk hose manufacturing plants in the State, one that will contain the most modern and complete machinery in the country, will be put into operation at the old Braun Brewery on Marshall Street, this city, within the next four or five weeks.The project, which is being furthered by the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company at a cost of approximately $800,000, will provide employment for over 200 men and women when completed.

Still in the brewing business as well, on April 7, 1920 Paterson’s “Morning Call” included both of the Paterson Brewing & Malting Company’s remaining breweries on a list of “Beer Bottler’s License Renewals.”

Later that year they introduced a “near beer,” with less than 0,5% alcohol, called “James A. Graham’s XXX Pale.” Introduced in September the brew was advertised in the local newspapers during the Fall and Winter of 1920. This advertisement featuring their labeled bottle appeared in the December 8, 1920 edition of Paterson’s “Evening News.”

Another brand, Salvator, was specifically referenced as a Sprattler & Mennel product in this December 22, 1920 “Evening News” advertisement. It was available on draught and in bottles.

Their newspaper advertisements disappear at the end of 1920 so how long the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company continued to brew “near beer” is not clear. That said, it’s quite possible that the company continued to brew the real product up until at least October of 1923, at which time Herbert Katz, then secretary/treasurer of the company, was arrested and charged with bribing federal prohibition agents. The story made national news with Patersons “Morning Call” reporting it in their October 19th edition.

HERBERT KATZ, LOCAL BREWER, STATE OFFICIAL,PASSAIC MAN, AMONG 11 TAKEN IN HUGE U.S. RUM DRIVE.

The federal government today fired a double barreled charge into wet forces alleged to be drenching New York and New Jersey with illicit liquor. With one charge federal agents, working under orders from Washington, brought down a bag of eleven alleged conspirators, rounded up in the Hotel Pennsylvania and elsewhere and alleged to have been using $80,000 to bribe prohibition agents not to stop the brewing of real beer in New Jersey, not to intervene with the converting of industrial alcohol into strong liquor and to break the flooding of New York and New Jersey with beer from rival vats in Pennsylvania…

Trap is Set

The round-up at the Hotel Pennsylvania came at the close of the day. Federal prohibition and treasury agents, on appointment made with the alleged bribers, waited in several rooms and took their guests into custody one by one as they arrived. It was stated that a regular weekly bribe of $4,500 was accepted by one of the agents before making the arrests.

The men arrested were Harry J. Foley, former secretary to Senator Edwards and when the latter was governor, and now state superintendent of weights and measurers of New Jersey; Herbert Katz, of Paterson Brewing and Malting Company; Edward Butler of the Peter Breidt Brewing Company of Elizabeth, N. J.; Herbert Muller of the Hygeia Brewing Company, Passaic N. J.; George Seeber of the Rising Sun Brewing Company, Elizabeth, N. J….

Five months later Katz was acquitted of the bribery charge. That said, according to this March 21, 1924 “Morning Call,” story even though he was acquitted of bribery that didn’t mean that he hadn’t been brewing beer in violation of the Volstead Act.

The acquittal of Major Herbert Katz, the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company, and J. Harry Foley, superintendent of weights and measures for New Jersey, after a trial on charges of having bribed prohibition agents to permit them to manufacture and sell beer containing a larger percentage of alcohol than the law permits will probably come as a surprise to many, especially in view of the fact that Mr. Katz admitted having paid bribes to agents of the government.

Acquittal was undoubtedly due to the charge of the trial judge, who told the jury that if they believed the statements of the defendants that the government agents had deliberately sought to make criminals out of innocent men, and to that end had solicited bribes from the defendants, then the latter should be acquitted.

According to the judge, the defendants were not on trial on charges of having violated the prohibition law, but that the charge against them was bribery. It is evident, then, that the jurors believed that the defendants had been solicited for bribes, and on the basis of the judge’s instruction on this point the verdict should be no surprise.

The mistake made by the government was in trying to catch violators of the prohibition law in the act of bribery, instead of going about the business for which its agents are appointed, the detection and arrest of violators of the law…

Not long after Katz’s acquittal a May 2, 1924 story in Paterson’s “Morning Call” announced that the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company had abandoned the business of brewing altogether.

TWO PATERSON BREWERIES LEASED

Sprattler & Mennel Plant and Katz Building in Control of New Corporations.

Coupled with the filing in County Clerk John McCutcheon’s office yesterday morning of certificates of incorporation by the Paramount Malting and Beverage Company and the Hazel Brewing Company came the announcement that the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company will no longer engage in the brewery business and has leased to the newly organized concerns the old Katz Brewery at Governor and Straight Streets and the old Sprattler and Mennel Brewery at 236-248 Marshall Street, respectively.

The Paramount and Hazel corporations were organized, their certificates state, for the manufacture and sale of near beer and near ale, etc. Each has an authorized capitalization of $50,000…

Surprisingly, or maybe not surprisingly, less than three months later both breweries had been seized by prohibition agents. According to a July 10, 1924 story in the “Evening News:”

Prohibition agents, working under the direction of R. Q. Merrick, divisional prohibition chief raided the plant of the Hazel Brewing Company, on Marshall Street yesterday and seized beers and equipment said to be valued at $200,000. This marks the second raid to be conducted on breweries here during the past few months. A short time ago the Paramount Brewing Company plant , at Straight and Governor Streets, was seized by Director Adrian Chamberlain…

The bottle I found has a a crown finish and is embossed with the “Paterson Brewing and Malting Company” name. Machine made it likely dates to the latter half of the company’s history say 1910 – 1921. Also embossed on the bottle are the initials “H – K.”

While I can’t be certain, I suspect the letters H – K refer to the breweries of Hinchliffe (H) and Katz (K). According to this 1899 Sanborn Map the breweries were located adjacent to each other on either side of Straight Street, so it’s certainly within the realm of possibility that they shared a bottling department.

If Im right then the bottle likely dates no later than 1917 when the Hinchliffe Brewery was repurposed for cold storage.

On a final note, a portion of the Hinchliffe Brewery remains to this day.

While just a shell of its former self, today’s version still maintains a resemblance to the 1890 engraving prepared by architects Charles Stoll & Son.

Will J. Fox, Oyster Bay, N.Y.

William J. Fox was the proprietor of an Oyster Bay, Long Island hotel and saloon called the Trout Pond Inn during much of the early 1900’s. Originally called the Franklin House or sometimes Franklin’s Hotel it was named after a man named John A. Franklin who was typically referred to as “Capt.” in the local newspapers. The reasoning for this was explained in his July 12, 1907 obituary published in a newspaper called the “Long Islander.”

He was a veteran of the Civil War, having fought in the Third Missouri Cavalry and was honorably discharged.

After the war, 1880 census records listed his occupation as “oysterman” so it’s likely he started his hotel sometime after 1880. That said, it was certainly up and running in the summer of 1895 when a June 15th “Long Islander” story announced:

John A. Franklin, a hotel keeper, had wells driven 54 and 156 feet deep. He conducts a part of the water into his cellar for refrigeration purposes.

Another story, this one in the October 25, 1895 edition of the “Long Islander” made it clear that his submerged beer kegs shared the space with a large number of speckled trout.

John A. Franklin of Oyster Bay, has a tank in his cellar in which he cools his beer kegs. In the tank are about 100 speckled trout. It is said the largest weighs over six pounds.

The May 1902 Sanborn Map located what I suspect was Franklin’s hotel “D” and Saloon “Sal” near the Oyster Bay waterfront at the corner of Bay Street and what would later become Bayles Place.

As far as I can tell, Franklin continued to serve as proprietor of the hotel and saloon until his death in 1907. At this point, William Fox, who census records suggest had married Franklin’s daughter Mary Anna in 1898, assumed the proprietorship. As early as 1908 Fox was listed as the hotel’s liquor tax certificate holder in the New York State Department of Excise Directory.

By that time, the February 1909 Sanborn Map officially referenced the saloon as the Trout Pond Cafe. The map also indicated that a mineral water works under the management of a man named Geo. Caspari had been established adjacent to the cafe.

This close-up view of the hotel, cafe and mineral water works suggests they all shared a common driveway and backyard.

Sometime in the early teens Fox also became proprietor of the bottling business which, by 1915 was labeled as the Oyster Bay Bottling Works on the Sanborn Map.

Fox’s business card reflecting the change appeared as part of a June 17, 1916 feature on Oyster Bay published in the “Brooklyn Daily Times.”

Fox continued to be listed as the hotel’s liquor tax certificate holder up through the start of prohibition and a May 2, 1920 story in the “Brooklyn Daily Times” suggests he wasn’t adverse to selling liquor even after the 18th Amendment was enacted.

William J. Fox, a saloon owner, and Stanley Kessler, a bartender, of Oyster Bay, were charged with violation of the prohibition law and held by Commissioner McGoldrick for examination. Fox’s bail was fixed at $1,000 and Kessler’s at $500.

How long Fox remained proprietor of the Trout Pond Hotel is not clear. According to 1930 census records he was still living on Bay Street in Oyster Bay but at that point listed his occupation as none. This March 1, 1926 item published in the “Brooklyn Eagle” suggests he may have given up proprietorship of the business by that time.

The caption below the photo reads:

Mr. and Mrs. William J. Fox of Oyster Bay, stopping for a brief rest beside the great pyramid at Cairo, Egypt. The couple are enjoying a tour of the world on the Canadian Pacific S. S. Empress of Scotland.

In 1940, still living on Bay Street he was working on account as a barkeeper (just staying busy?)

The “Brooklyn Eagle” reported that Fox passed away in May, 1940, leaving his entire estate to his wife Mary. The story appeared that year in their June 29th edition.

William J Fox owner of the Trout Pond Inn at Oyster Bay for many years, who died in that village May 24, left an estate of more that $11,000, according to his will dated Nov. 19, 1925 and filed here for probate yesterday with Surrogate Leon D. Howell. The entire estate was left to the widow, Mary Anna Fox. She is the executrix.

This undated photograph appeared in a feature on Oyster Bay found in the October 13, 1994 edition of a newspaper called the “Glen Cove Record Pilot.” As far as I can tell right to left are the hotel, cafe, driveway and former bottling works.

Today’s view, courtesy of Google Maps, is not all that different.

The bottle I found is a 7-ounce tooled crown. It likely dates to around the time when Fox became proprietor of the mineral water works, sometime in the early teens.

On a final note, this story appeared in the January 13, 1919 edition of the “Evening World.” While it exaggerates the age of the Trout Pond Hotel it’s certainly not the only exaggeration the story contains. That said, it’s certainly worth a read!

Out at Oyster Bay, set among a cluster of antique dwellings on the sands of the beach itself, is one of the oldest inns on Long Island. It is also one of the most remarkable.

Over the door swings a sign which tells the close observer that the place is the Trout Pond Inn. The sign starts to tell you when the inn was established, but it gets no further than “18” – the century is distinguishable but the year has long faded into a weather beaten blurr.

William Fox, the present proprietor has been there for more than 30 years and his predecessor was there longer than that.

If you happen to be the kind of a person he likes he’ll tell you who put the trout pond in the Trout Pond Inn..

Bill consented to show the writer the trout pond, although he said he didn’t like to at that particular time, because there had been an accident a few days ago from which the fish had not yet recovered. However he led the way to a dark cavern underneath the bar, where the sound of running water could be heard.

Suddenly Bill flashed on a string of electric lights and revealed a concrete lined, circular cave, at the bottom of which was a glistening pool of clear sparkling artesian well water.

Submerged in the pool were several beer and ale kegs attached to the spigots on the bar by long metal tubes.

Around the kegs cavorted a dozen huge trout. The smallest Bill said, weighed considerably more than six pounds and several tipped the scales at better than eight. “Tipping the scales”is one of Bill’s standard jokes.

Just then Bill dropped down among the group and brought up a glass of water that was clear as crystal. As he held it up against one of the electric light bulbs the water shone like liquid diamonds.

“See them trout?” he added. “Well there ain’t one that has been in that pool for less than ten years. Now, there’s Jesse, for instance. She’s hidin’ behind the beer barrel ’cause she’s sort of shy with strangers.”

“Jessie ain’t as spry as once she was,” declared Bill. “She is close onto eleven years old now, and I guess she’ll be passin’ out soon. Her father, a trout called Old Bill, whose remains are stuffed and hanging up behind the bar, lived in this pool for twelve years and three months. At that age he died a natural death. This part of Oyster Bay went into mourning when old Bill died. He was the most gentle souled, affectionate trout I ever see. He’d come when I called him and eat out of my hand.”

“All the fish you see here are Old Bill’s children. When Old Bill died he was twenty-five inches long and weighed just a trifle over nine pounds, which is some proportions for a trout.”

“Now you see them small kegs under the water, right next to the ale kegs? Well, they got sherry in ’em.

You wouldn’t believe it, but when I opened up here the other morning I heard a great splashing down in this pool and I hustled right down to see what the matter was. The trout were racing around, chasing each other in all directions and making general fools of themselves.

One of them was lying on the surface upside down and I thought at first he was dead. I couldn’t understand what had happened until I noticed a queer odor of sherry in the pool. Then I noticed that one of the sherry casks had sprung a leak and I knew in a minute that all those fish were plum intoxicated.

The one lying on the surface was sleeping his jag off. The rest were simply having a wild cabaret. I let a lot of fresh well water into the pool and after a while they began to sober up. Most of ’em had had headaches for a long while after.

Geo. Grau, 734 Sixth St., New York

George Grau was a native New Yorker who over the course of a 35 plus year period from 1881 to 1917 counted New York City mineral water manufacturer and saloon keeper and later, Huntington, Long Island hotel proprietor among his several occupations.

Grau’s early life was described in his March 16, 1917 obituary published in a Huntington, Long Island newspaper called “The Long Islander.”

Mr. Grau was born in Manhattan December 23, 1858, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Julius Grau. He was educated in the city schools afterward completing his education at the St. Mark’s German School. When a young man he engaged in the mineral water business with success.

His start in the mineral water business came in 1881 when he was listed with that occupation and an address of 125 Central Avenue in Brooklyn. A bottle exhibiting that initial address is pictured in a publication entitled “A Historical Guide to Long Island Soda, Beer and Mineral Water Bottles and Bottling Companies, 1840 – 1870,” by George Fisher.

Grau’s stay in Brooklyn was short-lived and by 1882 his mineral water business had moved across the East River to Manhattan where it was located on the lower east side at 734 Sixth Street, the address embossed on the subject bottle.

Grau remained on Sixth Street until 1893 when he sold the business to a man named Leo Friedman. An item announcing the sale was included under the heading “Conveyances” in the May 6, 1893 edition of New York’s “Real Estate Record and Builder’s Guide.” It described Grau’s facility as:

…a five-story brick mineral water factory with one-story frame and two-story brick buildings in the rear.

By 1895 Grau was serving as the proprietor of a hostelry and barroom at 395 Bowery called the Eagle Hotel. A hearing held in regard to Grau’s application for a liquor license was described in a May 18, 1895 story published in the “New York Herald.”

Capt. Louis Wendel of the First Battery, appeared yesterday before the Excise Board to support the application for a license for the Eagle Hotel at Sixth Street and Bowery, of which George Grau is proprietor. The application was opposed by agents of the Parkhurst society on the ground that the house is a disorderly house…

Grau must have ultimately gotten his liquor license because up through 1897 the New York City directories listed is occupation as “Liquors,” at the 395 Bowery address.

Then in February, 1898 he partnered with Aaron Hanover as proprietors of a saloon at 12 Center Street in lower Manhattan. Located near New York’s City Hall the saloon, called the Tiger Cafe, was apparently quite successful until subway construction put them out of business in 1905. The June 20th edition of the “New York Herald” told the story.

TIGER CAFE CLOSED

Subway Building Obstructed Access to it for a Year.

The Tiger Cafe, at 12 Centre Street, patronized by politicians, did not open for business yesterday. A sign on the door said, “Closed for Repairs.” Late in the afternoon Hanover & Grau, the proprietors, filed a petition for bankruptcy.

Aaron Hanover is known as the “Mayor of Avenue D.” George Grau resides at Amityville, Long Island. The firm liabilities are $28,341 and the nominal assets $42,303, including a claim for $25,000 damages against the Rapid Transit Commission for taking certain parts of their premises for the subway and general interference with the business. Loss of business on account of building the subway is said to be the principal cause of their bankruptcy. The obstructions were in front of the saloon for more than a year. Before the subway operations the firm, it is said, refused an offer of $50,000 for the place. They took it in February, 1898, and spent much money refitting it. They leased the premises for ten years at $7,000 a year, and at the start gave a chattel mortgage to George Ehret for $10,000. The place is said to have been very profitable up to the time of the subway building…

Later that month, another”New York Herald” story, this one published in their June 29th edition, announced that the Tiger Cafe had been sold at auction.

Hanover & Grau’s saloon at 12 Centre Street, known as the Tiger Cafe, was sold at auction yesterday by Charles Shongood, auctioneer, under the direction of Henry W. Sykes, receiver in bankruptcy. It was sold as a going concern in one lot, subject to two mortgages, aggregating $10,700 and $1,166 back rent. There was a large crowd present, including many politicians and friends of the bankrupt firm. The sale opened at a bid of $100 over the charges, which was gradually raised to $1,075 at which price the place was knocked down to a representative of George Ehret, the brewer, who holds a $10,000 mortgage on the fixtures. The big stuffed tiger in the window was included in the Ehret mortgage, and the crowd was disappointed because it was not sold separately.

Less than two years later, Grau was retired and still living in Amityville, Long Island when he leased the Suffolk Hotel in Huntington, Long Island. The announcement appeared in the February 1, 1907 edition of “The Long Islander.”

George Grau who has been living a retired life in Amityville for some time past, has leased the Suffolk Hotel for ten years beginning April 1, from Landlord Carll. We are informed that Mr. Grau is a man of means and will make several notable improvements to the hostelry at his own expense… Mr. Grau formerly conducted the Tiger Saloon, on Chambers Street, Manhattan, which was made prominent by having a stuffed tiger in the window.

Shortly afterwards the March 22, 1907 edition of “The Long Islander” described some of the improvements Grau was implementing..

Charles A. Hallock has begun the task of moving his furniture and other effects to his Centreport hotel. George Grau of Amityville, the new proprietor of the Suffolk, has been in town several days this week seeing about the extensive improvements that will be made this spring to the well-known hostelry. John Hurd is the architect who has drawn the plans, and the work will be done under his supervision. A fine plate glass front will be put in with double doors, and the bar moved back and a small auditorium fitted up in front so that one can enter the hotel without having to go through the barroom. New black walnut fixtures will be installed. The barroom and vestibule will have a fine white hexagon tile floor, and a handsome steel ceiling will be another attraction. Sanitary plumbing will be put in and steam heat will be installed throughout. Every room in the house will be repapered and repainted, and up to date furniture will be used. Mr. Grau says he will run the house in first class shape, and have a dining room and table over which there will be no room for complaint…

“The Long Islander” announced the hotel’s reopening in their May 17, 1907 edition.

The rejuvenated Suffolk Hotel will open up tomorrow (Saturday) under the new management of Proprietor George Grau. Mr. Grau has made many marked improvements in the old hostelry, and promises to give the public a superior service.

As early as June 11th Grau’s business card advertisements were appearing in the “Brooklyn Eagle.”

Not a small operation, a September 8, 1910 feature on Huntington published in the “Brooklyn Eagle” described Grau’s hotel like this:

The Suffolk Hotel, one of the oldest and best-known hostelries in the country, has 25 sleeping apartments and the dining room will seat 60 persons at one time. The house is eighty years old, and has been entirely renovated and supplied with new furniture recently at a cost of several thousand dollars. The building is steam heated and has hot and cold baths. George Grau, the proprietor, is a well known hotel man.

This photograph of Main Street in front of the hotel appeared in the “Official Membership Book of the New York State Hotel Association,” published in 1916.

Grau served as the hotel’s proprietor until his death in March, 1917. Subsequently his wife Minnie’s name was on the hotel’s liquor tax certificate up through September 30, 1918.

So it appears she continued to manage the hotel for a while after George Grau’s death.

Ultimately, the hotel property was sold in 1921 with the sale reported in “The Long Islander” on November 4th.

The Suffolk Hotel property at Main Street, and New York Avenue, which has been a hotel since 1848, has been sold by the Edward Carill estate to Paul Schwenn, of Manhattan. The purchase price is somewhere around $120,000. The hotel and four stores front on Main Street and eight stores on New York Avenue. No one knows what is to be done with the property…

Demolished several years later, a story found in the April 8, 1927 edition of “The Long Islander” best serves as the hotel’s final chapter.

Main Street, Huntington, looks as if a cyclone has struck it.

Two outstanding objects that have served the people well for years are being relegated to that heap where all things are sent when their usefulness is over.

One is the wood-blocks which has made Huntington’s wide thoroughfare through the heart of the business section a marked spot throughout all the north shore of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

The other is the old Suffolk Hotel which has stood at Main Street and New York Avenue long before there was any thought of a paved street.

With the tearing up of one and the tearing down of another, it is about all your life is worth to attempt to travel along the Main Street, but as “Every cloud has a silver lining,” the business people and the motorists are looking forward to a new and better Main Street and the new business building that will replace the old Suffolk Hotel will be such an improvement, that from a civic standpoint the village will be well repaid in losing the old landmark.

The bottle I found was blown in a Hutchinson mold. Its embossing includes the New York City address of 734 Sixth Street dating it between 1882 and 1893 when Grau manufactured mineral water at that address. Embossing on the back side includes a monogram of Grau’s initials along with the year 1881, his first year in business.

L. Samilson, 49 E B’way., N.Y.

Louis Samilson was the sole proprietor of a small New York City based mineral water manufacturing and bottling company during the early to mid-1890’s. The company served as the predecessor for the Royal Bottling Company of Brooklyn, a business in operation up through the mid-1930’s.

Between 1891 and 1896, Samilson’s business was listed in the New York City directories with an address of 49 East Broadway in what is now known as the Chinatown section of Manhattan. During this time, according to New York State “Factory Inspection Reports” dated January 28, 1895 and January 27, 1896, his business employed five full time workers, all working a 60 hour week.

Sometime in late 1896 it appears that Samilson formed a partnership with Israel Levinson (sometimes Levison) and the business moved to 113 Sheriff Street where the mineral water business of Samilson & Levinson was listed in New York City’s 1897 Trow Business Directory. Not long afterwards Samilson disappeared from the New York City directories suggesting he left the business at around that time. What actually facilitated his departure is not clear and there’s no further mention of him that I can find.

Around the time Samilson disappeared it appears Levinson moved the bottling business to Brooklyn and began operating it under the Royal Bottling Company name. As early as 1898/1899 the Brooklyn Directory listed both Levinson (spelled Levison) and the Royal Bottling Company in Brooklyn at 470 Lafayette Avenue. That said, as early as October, 1897 a classified advertisement found in the October 31st edition of a New York City newspaper called “The World” puts the Royal Bottling Company at that address.

Still a small operation, the New York State “Factory Inspection Report,” dated January 28, 1901 identified only three full time workers at the Lafayette Avenue facility, all working a 60 hour week.

Sometime in 1901 or 1902 the business moved to 531 Waverly Avenue and in November, 1902 it incorporated under the “Royal Bottling Company,” name. The incorporation notice appeared in the November 7th edition of Brooklyn’s “Daily Times.”

Shortly afterwards, the company’s “bottling notice” was published in the November/December, 1902 editions of several Brooklyn newspapers. Now using bottles embossed with the “Royal Bottling Company,”name, the notice indicates that at the time they were also still using some older bottles embossed with the Samilson name.

The company remained at their Waverly Avenue location until sometime in the early teens when they moved to what would become their long-time home at 863 Pacific Street. The 1913/1914 Copartnership and Corporation Directory of Brooklyn and Queens listed the company at that address, naming Israel Levinson as the company’s only principal.

Apparently a family affair, by 1922 sons Arthur and Harry had joined the business as well.

As far as I can tell the specialty of the business was their Royal Ginger Ale that according to a series of 1911 advertisements was:

The leading capped Ginger Ale, used in all fancy clubs and hotels.

The advertisements, found in several July editions of a Brooklyn newspaper called “The Weekly Chat.” were run by a large New York City grocery business called H. C. Bohack & Co. so the ginger ale was certainly being marketed for home use as well.

Later, the company apparently changed the brand name to the “Manhattan Dry Pale Ginger Ale.” Their June 11, 1925 patent application stated that the name change occurred in March of that year.

Over the next few years, taking full advantage of National Prohibition, their “Manhattan Dry Pale Ginger Ale” continued to be associated with hotels, nightclubs and restaurants. One such hotel was the Beau Rivage in Sheepshead Bay.

According to the fine print at the bottom of the August 10, 1928 “Brooklyn Daily Eagle” advertisement pictured above, the ginger ale was one of several products that contributed to the hotel’s success.

Not just a summer drink, a night club called the “Open Fireplace” on Brooklyn’s Joralemon Street, included it as part of their Christmas and New Year’s Day dinners as well as their New Year’s Eve Party.

Likely not a coincidence, several years after the repeal of National Prohibition the Royal Bottling Company came to an official end when on September 11, 1936 the “Brooklyn Citizen” announced that the company’s assets were being auctioned off for the benefit of their creditors.

ASSIGNEE SALES

SUPREME COURT, KINGS COUNTY

In the matter of the general assignment for the benefit of creditors of Royal Bottling Co., Inc. assignor, to Maurice S. Levy, assignee.

Please take notice that the undersigned will sell at public auction through SHIELDS & GUTTERMAN, auctioneers, on Wednesday, September 16, 1936 at 10:20 a.m., at 285 Jay Street, in the Borough of Brooklyn, City and State of New York, the assets of the above named assignor consisting of bottles, merchandise, machinery, office furnishings, etc.

MAURICE LEVY, Assignee.

Six months earlier, the March 31, 1936 edition of the “Brooklyn Daily Eagle” announced that their long-time home at 863 Pacific Street was being renovated and leased to another business.

Bulkley & Horton Company, through A. Cardinale, of its Lafayette Ave. office, leased the two-story and basement brick garage and loft building at 863 Pacific St., on a lot 25×100 for a term of three years to the Safe Breath products Company, which will occupy it after extensive alterations are completed.

According to streeteasy.com the building located at 863 Pacific Street today was built in 1930, however, recognizing that the Royal Bottling Company listed 863 Pacific Street as their address before, during and after 1930 suggests it was built earlier. This photo of the building, courtesy of Google Maps, certainly fits the above description of the building the company occupied.

The bottle I found is in bad shape, lacking its base. That said it was certainly pony shaped and exhibits a tooled blob finish. Embossed with the L. Samilson name and 49 East Broadway address it dates to the roughly five year period from 1891 to 1896 when Louis Samilson served as the proprietor at that address. Recognizing Levinson continued to use the Samilson embossed bottles for several years after establishing the Royal Bottling Company the bottle may not have made its way to the Long Island bays until the early 1900’s.

Germania Brewing Co., Philadelphia

The Germania Brewing Company was one of many interests of John F Betz who, according to an 1896 publication called “America’s Most Successful Men of Affairs,” was said to be the richest brewer in America at the time.

In Philadelphia, around the turn of the century he was serving as chairman and largest stockholder of John F. Betz & Son, a $2,000,000 brewery that manufactured over 300,000 barrels of beer a year. That said, it was his interest in another Philadelphia brewery, the Germania Brewery, that serves as the subject of this post.

The story begins, not with Betz, but with German born Phillip J. Lauber who, arrived in Philadelphia in 1849. A restauranteur, according to his April 10, 1887 “Philadelphia Times” obituary:

In 1852 he went to Fifth Street, above Chestnut, where he started a restaurant in a small way, and for twenty-five years his place continued to grow and got to be the most popular restaurant downtown.

Lauber’s Fifth Street restaurant was still listed in the Philadelphia directories as late as the mid-1880’s, and by 1876 he had also opened a restaurant on the grounds of Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exhibition. Quite substantial, it was listed and described in the Centennial’s “Official Catalog” under the heading “Special Buildings.”

In 1881 Lauder entered the brewing business when he established a brewery on Broad Street in Philadelphia. At around the time the brewery opened it was described like this in an April 29, 1881 story published in the “Philadelphia Inquirer.”

LAUBER’S LABOR

Completion of the Large Brewery for Producing Bohemian Beer

Mr. Phil. J. Lauber’s new brewery, on Broad Street above Columbia Avenue, is one of the most complete establishments of the kind in the country. Every portion of the structure, down to the minutest detail, has been arranged for the purpose of brewing what is known as Bohemian beer. It is very light in color, and produced exclusively from the finest imported Bohemian hops and from malt prepared on the premises by native Bohemians. The buildings are set back seventy feet from the street, and are of the old German style of architecture, the design of H. J. Schwarzmann, the well known architect…

A spacious two-story building, of seventy-five feet front on Broad Street, by forty feet deep, has been erected in front of the brewery, and will be fitted up by Mr. Lauber as a restaurant.

Right from the start the brewery, first listed in Philadelphia’s 1882 directory, was putting a financial burden on Lauber’s entire operation. Lauber himself explained some of the issues he was facing in this September 27, 1882 item published in the “Philadelphia North American” and reprinted in the “Harrisburg Telegraph.”

There were rumors current yesterday afternoon that Phillip J. Lauber, the pioneer manufacturer of Bohemian beer in this country, and proprietor of numerous restaurants in different sections of this city, has failed for an amount that was estimated all the way from $60,000 to $1,000,000. After considerable searching a representative of the “North American” found Mr. Lauder last evening, and from him received a statement of his affairs. “You know,” said Mr. Lauber, “that some time ago I began the construction of a brewery on North Broad Street for the manufacture of a perfectly pure beer, something that the masses could drink without fear of being poisoned. The plant of the brewery cost me far more than I anticipated; in fact when I had received the bills I found the amount I had expected to spend nearly doubled. Business this year has not been up to my expectations, and several notes which I had out, for comparatively small sums, however, went to protest yesterday… The trouble is but temporary, and I shall pay dollar for dollar. I may ask an extension, but that is all. No man will lose a cent that I owe him. The North Broad Street property is not by any means all that I own, and every note or other outstanding obligation will be met in full. The business at the different branches will continue as usual; and all I ask is time. My property is amply sufficient for all claims and everything will be settled in full.”

Despite Lauber’s optimism, the brewery ultimately failed, resulting in the failure of his restaurant business as well. The public auction of the brewery property was summarized in the September 24, 1884 edition of the Allentown (Pa) “Morning Call.”

The effects of Lauber’s Brewery, restaurant and garden, at Broad Street and Columbia Avenue, Philadelphia, were offered at public sale, but as the bidding did not exceed $96,500 the property was withdrawn. Several hundred barrels of beer were disposed of at prices ranging from eight cents to $1.50 per barrel. One lot of ten barrels was sacrificed at ten cents.

A year and a half later an item in the February 17,1886 edition of the “Philadelphia Inquirer” announced the brewery property had been acquired by Betz and a man named Emil Schoenberg.

The Lauber Brewery, Broad Street above Columbia Avenue has been purchased by John F. Betz & Son and Emil Schoenberg.

Less than four months later the June 1st edition of the “German & American Brewers Journal” announced that construction of a new brewery on the site was underway.

Messrs Betz & Schoenberg in Philadelphia began last month the erection of their new brewery. It will be on the site of the former Lauber Brewery on Broad Street, above Columbia Avenue. The buildings will cost $125,000. Otto C. Wolf is the architect.

Later that year the brewery business was incorporated under the Germania Brewing Company name, with the incorporation notice appearing in the December 9, 1886 edition of the “Harrisburg Daily Independent.”

At the start, Emil Schoenberg was named president with John F. Betz, treasurer of the newly formed corporation. Soon after management of the corporation would change when Schoenberg, accused of fleecing Betz and other businessmen out of large sums of money, fled Philadelphia and headed west. The back story was summarized years later in the September 23, 1890 edition of the “Philadelphia Times.” Written at the time of Schoenberg’s death the summary read in part:

Schoenberg’s real character was only partially known to those who had favored him with their confidence at the time when he decamped from the city for the far West…

Schoenberg made the acquaintance of John F. Betz and others soon after he came to the city in 1881. He so ingratiated himself into their confidences as to win both their esteem and friendship. He was supposed to be wealthy, for he spent money lavishly. By his captivating manner he soon became closely related in a business way with Mr. Betz.

In fact, he was looked on as the brewer’s right-hand man in acquiring possession of the property on North Broad Street on which the plant of the Germania Brewing Company was built. He was soon after made president of the company by becoming a holder of its stock in the amount of $125,000…

In the summer of 1887 the startling announcement was made that Schoenberg had absconded, leaving an indebtedness of $300,000. To balance this indebtedness the only assets that could be found were his handsome residence and $125,000 of Germania Brewing Company stock, a portion of which was collateral placed with Mr. Betz, who subsequently made a deed of trust for the benefit of his creditors. At the time Schoenberg was supposed to be worth at least half a million, and his sudden flight was the sensation of the day.

When the Germania Brewing Company was started Schoenberg took $125,000 worth of the stock, and borrowed money from several banks in this city, giving as security a variety of paper which was then thought to be perfectly good. It was afterwards charged that some of the signatures upon some of the paper were placed there by others than the rightly persons. Soon after Schoenberg left the city an investigation showed that other interested parties claimed that he had used their names without their consent.

After Schoenberg’s departure, an August 9, 1887 story in the “Philadelphia Inquirer” announced that Edwin F. Poulterer had been elected as the new president of the Germania Brewing Company.

Around the same time this was all unfolding, a June 10, 1887 “Philadelphia Times” story announced that construction of the brewery was nearing completion. The story suggests that not much, if any, of Lauber’s original brewery was retained.

Among the most prominent structures…is that of the Germania Brewing Company, Broad and Columbia Avenue now nearing completion. The main building is 70×150 and five stories high. The walls and ceilings are laid with glazed brick, interspersed with terra cotta and copper on the outside walls. Light and ventilation are secured by an immense dome of glass and copper. In front on Broad Street a handsome office is being arranged, and at Carlisle Street and Montgomery Avenue a large building, 34 x 146-1/2, five stories high, is about finished.. This will be used as a bottling house and stable. Roadhouse & Atkinson are the contractors

The “immense dome of glass and copper” referenced in the above story is clearly visible in this early 1900’s photograph of the brewery. The photo was included in a book featuring architect Otto C. Wolf’s work, compiled and arranged by G.M.S. Armstrong and found on the the National Brewing Museum’s website.

One week later a reception described in the June 19, 1887 edition of the “Philadelphia Times” suggests the brewery was close to opening.

VISITING A BREWERY

The Proprietors of the Germania Brewing Company Entertain Friends.

The Germania Brewing Company entertained a large number of friends at their elegant new brewery, Broad Street, near Columbia Avenue, yesterday afternoon. After an elaborate lunch about one hundred guests proceeded to investigate the establishment and learn how beer is made. Everything that science has invented has been utilized by the firm and money has been a secondary consideration in fitting out the establishment. All the details were shown, also the large copper vat capable of producing 325 barrels twice a day.

One of the most interesting features of the afternoon was the visit to the fermenting room where twenty large vats, holding 350 barrels each, were in a room twenty degrees below zero, the sudden transition from extreme heat to extreme cold being very enjoyable. After a thorough sampling of the products the guests were shown over the whole establishment, from the large and elegant theatre to the stable full of fine Norman horses.

Initially, the brewery produced two types of beer, a Munich (dark) and a Vienna (light) both of which began appearing in “Philadelphia Times” advertisements in August and September of 1887.

Around the same time another advertisement for their beers was published in the Official Program of the “Centennial Celebration of the Framing of the Constitution of the United States,” held in Philadelphia on September 15th through the 17th of 1887.

The ad included this sales pitch for their bottling department.

The Bottling Company at the brewery are making a specialty of serving the family trade with their export beer in corked bottles, which they guarantee to keep a year. The beer is absolutely free from any deleterious compounds; it has not been aged by artificial means, and is brewed from the very best malt and imported hops, thus enabling them to offer the public a pure, healthful and strengthening beverage for table use. A trial will convince you of its superiority.

By the early 1890’s, according to a story in the June 6, 1892 edition of the “Philadelphia Times,” the brewery was turning out “over 40,000 barrels a year, principally for bottling.”

The company continued to operate under the Germania Brewing Company’s corporate charter until 1893. At this point, with John F. Betz now serving as president, and his son, John F. Betz, Jr., serving as treasurer they requested the corporate charter be dissolved.

The story read:

A petition has been filed in Common Pleas Court by the Germania Brewing Company asking that the charter of the corporation be vacated and dissolved. The petition is signed by John F. Betz, the president, and attested by John F. Betz, Jr., the treasurer of the company, and sets out that at a meeting of the stockholders it was unanimously agreed that the company apply to the court for a decree of dissolution.

In conclusion it is stated that the court may make the decree without prejudice to any one, that notice of the petition has been duly advertised and that the company has paid all the taxes due by it to the city and Commonwealth….

The decree dissolving the charter was made later that month at which time the entire operation passed into the hands of John F. Betz who both owned and operated it for the next eight years. Then in 1901, while maintaining ownership of the brewery, Betz filed an application to transfer his operating license to the Henry Hess Brewing Company. The story appeared in the March 28, 1901 edition of the “Philadelphia Times.”

Brewer Betz Wants a Transfer

John F.Betz, doing business as the Germania Brewing Company, yesterday filed an application in the Quarter Sessions Court asking for a transfer of his license at No. 1716 North Broad Street to the Henry Hess Brewing Company, E.R. Watson, treasurer. Mr. Betz desires to retire from the business.

The Henry Hess Brewing Company had been organized a month earlier for the purpose of operating the brewery, its incorporation notice appearing in the February 7, 1901 edition of the “York (Pa) Daily.”

The official transfer of the business was reported in the April 20, 1901 edition of the “American Brewers Review.”

John F Betz’s ownership of the brewery continued until 1907 when, according to a December 14th story published in West Chester Pennsylvania’s “Daily Local News,” he gifted it to his grandson, John F. Betz, 3d.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT VALUED AT $300,000

John F. Betz Gives Germania Brewery to His Grandson, John F. Betz, 3d

Probably the top-record Christmas present in Philadelphia is that made yesterday by John F. Betz to his grandson, John F. Betz 3d, to whom he turned over a completely equipped brewery, valued at $300,000 or more. The gift is in the form of the Germania Brewery, the consideration of the transfer being “$1, and natural love and affection.” The beer making establishment is located on the west side of Broad Street, just south of the Grand Opera House, another property owned by John F. Betz… It is now occupied by the Henry Hess Brewing Company.

The Henry Hess Brewing Company continued to operate the brewery for the rest of the decade and was still listed at the brewery’s North Broad Street address in Philadelphia’s 1911 directory.

Around this time the Hess company apparently moved to 844 N. Orianna Street where it was listed in the 1912 directory. The following year, the Henry Hess Brewing Company was still listed on N. Orianna Street when they changed their name to the Premier Brewing Company. The name change is reflected in the 1913 Philadelphia directory.

On January 18, 1914, two years after the Hess Brewing Company left, it was announced that John F. Betz, 3d had sold the North Broad Street property closing out its 30 plus year history as a brewery. The announcement appeared in the January 18, 1914 edition of the “Philadelphia Inquirer.”

John F. Betz, 3d, has sold to Harry A. Mankin, representing G. Stevenson, the old Germania Brewery, at 1716-1720 North Broad Street, for $200,000, all of which is retained on a purchase money mortgage. The assessed valuation is $130,000. The site will be improved by the erection of a nine-story reinforced concrete apartment house with stores on the first floor. The new structure will cost $300,000. The plant occupies a lot with a frontage of 85 feet by 190 feet, the rear part of it continuing northward in a narrow strip that fronts on Montgomery Avenue.

The brewery was erected about thirty years ago by the late Phillip J. Lauber. Subsequently it was purchased by John F. Betz, who, a year prior to his death gave it as a Christmas present to his grandson John F. Betz, 3d. Later and until two two years ago the plant was occupied by the Henry Hess Brewing Company

The champagne style bottle I found, was blown in a mold with a tooled blob finish. Its embossing incudes the Germania Brewing Company name that was established in 1886 when the business incorporated. Although the corporation was dissolved in 1893, the brewery was still using the Germania Brewing Company name on their license as late as 1901 when it was transferred to the Hess Brewing Company. This likely dates the bottle sometime between 1887 when the brewery opened under that name and 1901.

O. K. Bottling Co., 528 W. 38th St., New York

The history associated with this bottle begins with an Irish immigrant named Francis (sometimes Frank) McDermott who, according to 1900 census records, arrived in the United States in 1868, at the age of 16. Sometime in the mid-1880’s he partnered with New York born William H. Callanan and they established a bottling business that operated under the registered trade name of the O.K. Bottling Company.

Located on Manhattan’s west side at 528 West 38th Street, most directory listings included the company’s line of business as “mineral waters.” That being said, a bottle pictured on http://historicbeerbottlesnyc.com that is embossed with the O.K. Bottling Company name and address along with the words “Weiss Beer,” confirms that the company bottled beer at some point as well.

According to Callanan’s April 29, 1912 affidavit in a court case, “Thomas Donohue v. William H. Callanan and Frank McDermott” the company began operation 27 years prior, in 1885. That being said, I can’t find it listed in the directories until 1887/1888 so its safe to say the business opened for business sometime between 1885 and 1887.

New York State’s Factory Inspection Report, dated January 27, 1896, indicated that in 1895 the company employed an-all male staff of 14, each working a 60 hour week. So, while not an overly large operation, it wasn’t all that small either.

In 1898, while continuing to serve as proprietors of the bottling business both McDermott and Callanan were involved in the incorporation of a second business, the McDermott Bunger Dairy Company of New York. The incorporation notice was published in the March 29, 1898 edition of the “New York Tribune.”

New York City’s 1901 Copartnership and Corporation Directory listed the dairy’s headquarters directly across the street from the bottling business at 527 West 38th Street and went on to name McDermott as president and Callanan as a director.

McDermott continued as both a proprietor of the bottling business and president of the dairy until 1912 when his partnership in the bottling business was dissolved. Callanan continued to serve as a director in the dairy so I suspect the dissolution of the partnership was amicable and had more to do with the needs of the dairy business than any disagreement between the two.

By this time, the 1914 New York State Factory Inspection Report indicated the bottling business had almost doubled in size, listing a total of 26 employees, 24 in the shop and two in the office.

It was around this time that the company made national headlines when a bomb exploded in the company office, killing a 20 year-old stenographer.

The caption below the photo reads:

Wreckage in office of the O.K. Bottling Company and shattered top of desk at which Miss Ida Anusewitz was sitting when she opened bomb.

According to a December 13, 1913 “Associated Press” account:

A young foreigner, swarthy and clean shaven, was sought today by detectives as the sender of the infernal machine which killed Ida Anusewitz yesterday as she opened it at her desk in the office of the O.K. Bottling Company.

From a patchwork of clues the police wove overnight a theory of motive for the crime. The slain girl they believe was not the victim for whom the bomb was intended; William H. Callanan, the proprietor was. Business rivalry, the police believe, prompted the attack.

Following still further this theory detectives believe the young man they seek acted as agent for someone else when he took the package containing the bomb to the office of an express company for delivery…

A year later, a December 10, 1914 “Brooklyn Daily Eagle” story stated that the explosion remained a mystery and as far as I can tell the crime was never solved.

Callanan was still serving as head of the O.K. Bottling Company when, according to an item found in the May, 1928 edition of the “American Perfumer & Essential Oil Review,” he passed away on May 9th of that year. Subsequently, it appears control of the business remained in the family with New York City’s 1933/1934 Directory naming his sons Lawrence and William H. Jr. as president and secretary/treasurer of the business respectively.

At some point in the late 1930’s the company moved to a new location at 520 West 44th Street where it was listed in the Manhattan Telephone Book during the early 1940’s. The move was likely required to facilitate construction of the Lincoln Tunnel ramp that now crosses below 38th Street in the vicinity of their former building’s footprint.

The O.K.Bottling Co. was no longer listed in the 1945 Manhattan Telephone Book, likely signaling the end of the business.

Seven years later another O.K. Bottling Company was incorporated in the State of New Jersey. The incorporation notice appeared in the May 27, 1952 edition of the “Trenton Times.”

Located on Barnt Avenue in Trenton, there’s no indication that it was in any way connected with the previous New York business.

The bottle I found is in pretty bad shape, missing both a part of its blob finish and its entire base, but it’s still undeniably a Hutchinson design. A complete version of the same bottle was pictured recently on e-bay.

On a final note: Over the years William H. Callanan’s name appears with several different spellings in census records, directory listings and newspaper stories. Other versions I’ve seen are Calanan and Callahan. For consistency’s sake I’ve chosen to use Callanan throughout this post.