The XR Dr. Kreitzer’s German Stomach Bitters – Philadelphia

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The XR Dr. Kreitzer’s German Stomach Bitters – Philadelphia

28 April 2013 (R•092018)

Apple-Touch-IconAThis extremely rare Bitters bottle sold on ebay last night. This listing is noted below. See Listing on ebay. As usual, I wanted to find out why this bottle was so rare and who was Dr. Kreitzer?

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ebaylogoHere’s a nice old bitters bottle. Hand finished, smooth base, about 7 1/4″ tall, embossed DR. M. C. KREITZER’S / GERMAN / STOMACH BITTERS // DYSPEPSIA & C // 1536 N. 4TH ST. / PHILADELPHIA // LIVER COMPLAINT“. Looks very similar to the much more common Dr. Hoofland’s Bitters, perhaps this was an unsuccessful competitor. Very good condition, a few light scratches on one edge, light internal content haze. An amazingly lightweight (only 6 oz.), thin delicate bottle, a skilled glassblower made this one – a medicine this size usually weighs twice as much. Good crudeness with a funky light aqua color. A hard to find old Pennsylvania bitters! – ratzilla (100% Positive Feedback)

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

K 79  DR. KREITZER’S GERMAN STOMACH BITTERS
DR. M. C. KREITZER’S / GERMAN / STOMACH BITTERS // DYSPEPSIA & C // 1536 (not 1556) N. 4th ST. / PHILADELPHIA // LIVER COMPLAINT //
7 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 (5) 1/4
Rectangular, Aqua, LTC, 4 sp, Extremely rare
Example Dug in Northfield, N.J.

The Kreitzer’s and Gold Mining

GoldMiningPA

Dr. M.C. Kreitzer secretly involved in gold mining. Gold Mining in Pennsylvania. – New York Times – April 25, 1883

JeffersonMedCollegeCover_48-9

Dr. M.C. Kreitzer graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in 1848-49. The is a portion of the catalog cover.

Dr. M. C. Kreitzer

he established himself in business as a druggist and physician

Dr. Michael C. Kreitzer was born on 14 November 1826 in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. His wife was named Mary and his father was from Germany. His death occurred on 24 September 1903 and he is buried in Myerstown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Kreitzer was educated at Myerstown Academy and at Yale University. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College (as in Thomas Jefferson) in 1848-1849. The same year he established himself in business as a druggist and physician at 1536 North 4th Street (embossed on bottle), and continued in active practice at that address until his death. There is also a Harry C. Kreitzer living at the same address with Michael C. Kreitzer in 1891. A John A. Kreitzer graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in 1870-1871.

“On the Market Nearly 70 Years”

It looks like W.C. Power & Company was pushing the Kreitzer line at the same 1536 N. 4th Street address in 1912 stating “On the Market Nearly 70 Years” in advertising material. That pretty much confirms that Dr. Michael C. Kreitzer started selling his medicines upon graduation or sooner from Jefferson Medical College in 1848-49.

As far as Michael C. Kreitzer being involved in gold mining in Pennsylvania, who knows? That New York Times article in 1883 is sure interesting. You would think Kreitzer would keep moving up in life and closer to the city center. It is telling that he practiced at the same address his entire life in North Philadelphia.

KreitzerART

283. “DR. M.C. KREITZERS / GERMAN / STOMACH BITTERS – LIVER COMPLAINT – DYSPEPSIA & C. – 1536 N. 4TH. ST. / PHILADELPHIA”, (Ring/Ham, K-79), Pennsylvania, ca 1880 – 1890, aqua, 7 5/8”h, smooth base, tooled lip. An area of light scratches and glass dullness is on a base corner. Extremely rare having no auction record! Larry Umbreit Collection. – Glass Works Auctions | Auction #124

Support Material

KreitzerMap

Dr. Michael C. Kreitzer practiced his entire medical career at 1536 N. 4th Street. Map is from 1896

Kreitzer_1859Listing

1859 Philadelphia Directory listing for Dr. Michael C. Kreitzer, M.D., 1536 N. 4th Street

KreitzerAddresses

Both M.C. Kreitzer and H.C. Kreitzer listed as living on Franklin Street. – Boyd’s Blue Book: A Directory from Selected Streets of Philadelphia – 1891

KreitzerList1912

“On the Market Nearly 70 Years” – List of Dr. Kreitzer products – Druggists Circular, Volume 62 – 1912

Dr. M.C. Kreitzer'sSalveAd

Dr. M.C. Kreitzer’s Celebrated Salve avertisement – The Pharmaceutical Era, Volume 45 – 1912

Michael_C_Kreitzer_Obit

Dr. Michael C. Kreitzer Obituary – The Druggists’ Circular and Chemical Gazette, Volume 47 – 1903

KreitzerDeath

Dr. Kreitzer Death Notice – American Druggist and Pharmaceutical Record, Volume 43 – 1903

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Posted in Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, eBay, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s the Attraction for You at National Federation Shows?

Reno_HereTheyCome

What’s the Attraction for You at National Federation Shows?

By Bill Baab

Why are you here? That’s an easy question, but the answer may not be. You might be here because of a chance to buy quality bottles for your collection. Or you might be here to visit with friends. Or it may be a combination of both answers, with a few personal reasons thrown in. Whatever the reason, the facts remain that you are happy to be here, and you plan to make the most of it.

Before 1976 when the Federation of Historical Bottle Clubs (as it was then known) held its first national show in St. Louis, antique bottle shows were strictly local or regional, attended mostly by collectors and members of the curious public who resided within those locales.

The National Antique Bottle-Jar Exposition held Aug. 14-15, 1976 during our nation’s Bicentennial celebration changed all of that, especially from a collector’s perspective.

“I wasn’t exactly a stranger at bottle shows when the St. Louis show was scheduled, but I’d never traveled so far,” said FOHBC member Tom Hicks, of Eatonton, Ga. “LeRoy Smith (a collector from Union Point, Ga.) and I got so excited because the show was going to be s-o-o-o big. We got to calculating just how many minutes we could spend at each table so we could see everything.” Hicks has attended every national federation show since except Nashville, Tenn. “We had our van all packed and pointed out at the road, ready to go to Nashville, when I came down with a case of kidney stones. I later told my wife, Mabel, that missing that show was worse than the stones and ranked right up there with the other major disappointment of my life — not seeing Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams play an exhibition game in Montgomery, Alabama.” Presumably Hicks and his friend found the time to visit all 280 sales tables in St. Louis. Let’s go back in time and check out all the shows leading up to this one. It’s made possible thanks to pages of past issues of Old Bottle Magazine, Bottle News, Antique Bottle World, Antique Bottle & Glass Collector and Bottles & Extras.

The 1976 National Antique Bottle & Jar Exposition – St. Louis, Missouri

There is no doubt this show set the standards for those to follow. There were 140 outstanding displays of bottles and fruit jars, many of which had never been in the public view; 280 sales tables, and 4,000 collectors. Hal Wagner was chairman and Jerry Jones co-chairman of the event. The program featured articles by some of the legends of the hobby, including Helen McKearin, Alice Creswick, George Herron, William E. Covill Jr., Dr. Cecil Munsey, Dick Roller, John Wolf and Paul Ballentine. Ken and Shirley Asher, Old Bottle Magazine publishers, devoted 17 pages to photos of the displays, unfortunately, all in black and white, because color was expensive to print back in those days. There was a surprise awaiting visitors – a commemorative Expo bottle in the shape of a scroll flask with the federation’s distinctive eagle on one side and crossed flags on the other. How many of these bottles sold during the Expo still exist?

The 1980 National Antique Bottle-Jar Exposition – Rosemont, Illinois

The St. Louis extravaganza was a tough act to follow, but show chairman Ken Sosnowski and co-chairman Jim Hall did their darndest and, in the opinions of those who were there, succeeded. There were 330 sales tables and 70 displays, the latter including a Hutchinson bottling display by Bob Harms and Sean Mullikin. Demonstrations on how Hutchinson bottles were actually filled were held every two hours. The 96-page program included articles by Betty Zumwalt, Bob Ferraro and Clevenger Glass Works’ Jim Travis, among others. Souvenirs included a commemorative paperweight to display owners, a miniature stoneware jug to those attending the banquet and suitably inscribed log cabin bottles in cobalt and amethyst made at the Clevenger factory and sold for $20 apiece.

1984 Antique Bottle, Jar & Insulator Exposition – Montgomery, Alabama

After the two previous shows were held in the Midwest, the Sunny South finally got a chance to shine and highlighted insulators on the cover of its 78-page program. Chairman James Robbins called the show “my dream come true.” Feature articles were written by Bernie Puckhaber (Saratogas), Dick Bowman (Insulators) and Dennis Smith (Pioneer Glass Works), among others. The latter also found time to put together an outstanding exhibit on Celery Cola (on which he is still THE authority). There were 32 exhibitors and 204 dealers listed in the program. There also was a heat wave as one might expect in the Deep South during the August show dates so visitors and hosts alike built up lots of sweat equity. One specially made quilt was raffled (and brought $3,400) and the other was auctioned (for $1,600). Profits from the two plus auction of a one-of-a-kind Federation bottle ($325) were donated to the Verbeck House/National Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa, N.Y.

1988 Antique Bottle & Jar Exposition – Las Vegas, Nevada

Show chairman Lou Pellegrini and his crew of volunteers “hit the jackpot,” according to comments from many of those who attended the Federation’s fourth Expo. There were 285 dealers set up on 365 tables and there were 53 displays. Show-goers likened the atmosphere as comparable to that of the St. Louis Expo and, while there were a few glitches, bulk of the comments was positive. Bob Harms had his traveling Hutchinson bottling machine there, while other displays ranged from Alex Kerr’s target balls and go-withs to a display of historical flasks. There was something to please just about everyone. There was no mention of Expo souvenirs.

1991 Bottle & Advertising Show – Memphis, Tennessee

Display of a pair of $40,000 bottles owned by Frank Brockman was one of the highlights of the show at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. One was the Northbend-Tippecanoe Cabin and the other the sapphire blue Columbia-Eagle Flask. “He brought them in from California at my request and we used them in our pre-show publicity,” said show chairman Gene Bradberry. “I borrowed the artwork for the full-color, slick paper flyer from Norm Heckler and used it with his permission. We had 200 sales tables and (Atlanta collector) Bob Simmons handled some great displays. Heckler, Jim Hagenbuch and Dick and Elma Watson were among well-known collectors in attendance.” Bradberry’s idea at the time was to create a national show every year. “There were still those who wanted an Expo every four years so we compromised and had the national shows every year between the Expos.”

1992 Antique Bottle & Jar Exposition – Toledo, Ohio

Show chairman Adam Koch and his Ohio Bottle Club volunteers had to get used to hearing exclamations of “Holy Toledo!” from excited visitors at the show at the Seagate Centre. Bulk of the comments from show-goers was highly positive. The program was the thickest ever, 110 pages counting the covers, with features by Ralph Finch, Bill Agee and Stanley and Isabel Sherwood. There were a bunch of specialty group meetings taking place, too – the Jelly Jammers and those who liked fruit jars, Saratoga Waters, painted label sodas, poisons, whimsies, glass knives, milk bottles and infant feeders. There was a chance for early buyers to get into the show in advance of the rest of the crowd and this did not sit well with many. But as one dealer among those manning a record 550 sales tables put it: “those people were there to buy and they did.” There were 60 displays, all outstanding.

1993 National Advertising & Bottle Show – Richmond, Virginia

Somewhere in the Federation board of directors records, there is mention of someone who probably was suffering from bottle show withdrawal pains suggesting that instead of waiting another four years for an Expo to roll around, why not hold annual national shows. This Virginia show was the first of many and it was a good one. “The show was great and went off without a hitch,” said Federation Chairman Gene Bradberry. There were 17 displays, including a genuine wagon showing off hundreds of medicine bottles and go-withs. Post-show stories never gave a dealer count, but comments given to reporter Ralph Finch were mostly on the positive side.

The 25th Anniversary National Bottle & Advertising Show & National Convention – Cherry Hill, New Jersey – June 22-26, 1994

The Federation was “born” in 1968 so the Silver Anniversary show was a special one, thanks to Dick and Elma Watson of New Jersey and Jerry McCann of Chicago. The Watsons had come up with the idea of a bus trip to Wheaton Village in Millville, N.J., and McCann got the ball (and the bus) rolling, according to a post-show article. The Federation rented the bus for $500 and each one who made the trip paid $10 that included the trip, admission to the museum and a box lunch. The next day, the Watsons arranged for a Wheaton glassblowing display to set up in the hotel parking lot. Collectors from Canada, England, Scotland, Germany, Grenada and the United States came to the show. Some of the visitors made it to the Watsons’ “bottle house.” Jon Panek of Deerfield, Ill., said his visit there “was like dying and going to heaven!”

1995 National Bottle Show – Chicago, Illinois

Dealers set up on 210 tables and there were 11 outstanding displays. Many visitors were able to take a Friday night cruise on the Chicago River and out into Lake Michigan. Jon Panek of Deerfield, Jerry McCann of Chicago and Barb and Bob Harms of Riverdale, Ill., came up with lots of neat extras not normally found at such shows. At previous shows, visitors lamented that two days were just too short. The complaints at this one were that the show was too long. Perhaps the 90-degree heat had something to do with that. One of the most unusual items sold during Jim Hagenbuch’s Glassworks Auction was a salt-glazed jug imprinted with Lancaster Tonic Bitters / C.A. Wood & Co. / 37 Haverhill St. / Boston. It sold for $400. Hagenbuch’s 3-day-old van was stolen, and that was bad enough, but happily there were no bottles inside.

1996 National Antique Bottle Exposition – Nashville, Tennessee

“Music City, USA,” attracted 665 sales tables staffed by 461 dealers and many of those in attendance came in a vacation mode. There were 45 displays. Bitters maven Carlyn Ring was named to the Federation Hall of Fame. Many visitors, among them non-smokers, enjoyed a trip to the Museum of Tobacco Art & History. Show chairman Claude Bellar and his staff of volunteers were lauded for their efforts. Norm Heckler conducted the auction and among noteworthy items were an 1820-30 Concentric Ring Flask that netted $20,000 and a cobalt Columbia Eagle Portrait Flask that garnered $21,000. There were no awards given for the displays, but each entrant received a commemorative bottle of Jack Daniel’s best stuff. Ken Anderson’s trailer, which held all of his Indian cures, go-withs and the great medicine wagon he displayed them in, escaped being damaged when the trailer broke loose from the hitch and wound up in a ditch. “It must have been Indian magic,” commented one observer.

1997 National Antique Bottle Show – Jacksonville, Florida

The show was smaller than usual, with 120 dealers manning 160 tables, but enthusiasm was high for the first show held in the South since the 1993 affair in Richmond, Va. Dick Watson and Doc Ford were inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Carl Sturm celebrated his birthday and a slice of key lime pie with one candle was delivered to him. There were several outstanding displays, ranging from Wayne Boynton’s Celery=Cola display to Ron Rasnake’s pictorial case gins to Joe Brock’s Jacksonville’s Past in Glass, among others. Another highlight was a dinner cruise up the St. Johns River.

1998 National Antique Bottle Show – Cincinnati, Ohio

Burton Spiller gave a nostalgic talk about the early days of bottle collecting as he remembered them and that was one of the highlights at the Cincinnati Convention Center. Another event was more personal for Spiller, who was inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Fifteen terrific displays attracted lots of attention. There were 160 dealers’ tables and at one of them, a dealer was going to put out some Beanie Babies. But show chairman Adam Koch was adamant that Beanie Babies had no place at an antique bottle show and sale. Good for him!

1999 National Antique Bottle Show – Cincinnati, Ohio

No one made a bid to play host to this year’s show, so Adam Koch & Co., agreed to do a 2-peat. Howard Dean, longtime collector of Saratoga Springs bottles and author of many stories relating to the bottle hobby, was elected to the FOHBC Hall of Fame during this meeting. Kevin Sives, an FOHBC member and early user of the Internet, gave a user-friendly talk about using that medium to one’s advantage. There were two programs on inks and labeled inks by Keith Leeders and John Hinkle, respectively.

2000 National Antique Bottle Exposition – Denver, Colorado

Dave Cheadle succeeded Dave Hinson as editor of Bottles & Extras and found time to give an educational talk on trade cards and bottles, one of the Rocky Mountain highs during the show. Sheryl Anderson was show chairman and did a remarkable job. There were new books galore from Pike’s Peak Gold by John Eatwell and David Clint III, Antique Glass Bottles by Willy Van den Bossche of Holland, and Bitters Bottles by Bill Ham and Carlyn Ring. Seven countries and 33 states were represented at the event and the federation picked up 60 new members, according to post-show reports. It was noted that the first FOHBC convention was held in Denver back in 1969, presided over by John Eatwell.

2001 National Antique Bottle Show & Sale – Muncie, Indiana

Thirteen exhibits featuring fruit jars, water bottles, poisons and show globes, among others, and 140 sales tables highlighted the show in “Fruit Jar Country, USA.” Future federation president Ralph Van Brocklin gave a slide presentation on Western Whiskey Flasks. The show was chaired by Norman Barnett, with lots of help from his wife, Junne. The federation made a nice profit via an auction conducted by Norm Heckler with lots ranging from inks to barber bottles. Collectors came from California, Colorado and Georgia. The Minnestrista Cultural Center housed a collection of patent models of fruit jars plus other exhibits relating to Muncie history and the Ball Brothers Fruit Jar Co. Visitors literally had a ball!

2002 National Antique Bottle Show & Sale – Syracuse, New York

The 72-page program features 16 pages of “Pride of New York” bottles in full color and is definitely a coveted collector’s item. Ralph Van Brocklin, who was elected FOHBC president, gave a seminar on Western Flasks, and George Waddy, a featured columnist in Antique Bottle & Glass Collector, gave one on Saratoga Bottles. There was more on Saratogas inside the program written by authority Howard Dean, while Kevin A. Sives wrote about New York glass houses of the 17th through 19th centuries. Elma Watson, John Eatwell and Mayor Bob Ferraro were inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Phyllis and Adam Koch wrote a touching tribute to Elma Watson in the September Bottles & Extras. Mrs. Watson died of cancer on Aug. 26, 2002. There were 252 sales tables and 29 exhibits and the show’s auction conducted by Norm Heckler grossed $25,000.

2003 National Antique Bottle Show & Sale – Louisville, Kentucky

More than 200 tables awaited early buyers at this show co-hosted by Wayne and June Lowry of Raymore, Mo., after two years of planning. Longtime collectors Norm and Junne Barnett were inducted into the Federation Hall of Fame. They set up their famous collection of unusual fruit jar closures as one of 16 educational exhibits. Orville Seals of North Jackson, Ohio displayed more than 100 Louisville mini jugs (mostly from the Bauer Pottery). Norm Heckler called the auction which grossed more than $30,000.

2004 National Antique Bottle Exposition – Memphis, Tennessee

Ralph Van Brocklin closed out his last term as FOHBC president with the triumph that was this Expo. Chaired by his friend and longtime federation member Gene Bradberry in the latter’s home town, the show featured 371 sales tables and 23 displays. Seminars included such topics as baby bottles, locating sites and digging them, black glass dating, fruit jars and bitters. Twelve authors got a chance to sign and sell their books. Jimmie Wood of Denver, N.C., was awarded the FOHBC People’s Choice ribbon for his stunning display of applied color label sodas from North and South Carolina. There also was a forum describing the trials and tribulations of becoming a book author, with Jack Sullivan, Dewey Heetderks, Jerry McCann, John Eatwell and Bill Ham chiming in.

2005 National Antique Bottle Show – Grand Rapids, Michigan

Thirty-one outstanding displays awaited visitors’ attention at the show where chairman John Pastor and his crew of volunteers did a marvelous job. Seminars were plentiful and first class, with Red Book author Doug Leybourne discoursing on fruit jar closures, Carl Sturm speaking about identification and dating of black glass bottles, Dann Louis talking about cures, Dan Simons on Michigan bottles, Wayne (Jar Doctor) Lowry about cleaning old bottles, Dr. Darell Erickson on infant feeders, Rick Cirali about Connecticut glass and Mark Vuono on historical flasks. Norm Heckler again loaned his auctioneering talents to the Federation. One of the outstanding bottles sold was a green Drake’s Plantation Bitters for $10,500.

2006 National Antique Bottle Show – Reno, Nevada

This was the first national show held in a Western state since the 2000 Expo in Denver, Colorado, and it was a roaring success, thanks to the efforts of FOHBC conventions director Wayne Lowry, show chairman Marty Hall and Reno-Sparks club members. There were 287 in line for early admission and 315 more for general admission, making for standing room only around the 266 sales tables. A significant piece of federation business was the approval to publish Bottles & Extras bi-monthly instead of quarterly. California collector Richard Siri was the keynote speaker and his discourse on Hostetter’s Bitters was complemented by his 190 variants of those well-known bottles. The displays drew this rave from Ralph Van Brocklin: “Hands down, THE BEST group of displays I have ever seen at a show!” Wonderful seminar topics ranging from target balls to historical bottle research were highlights of the meeting. B&E editor Kathy Hopson-Sathe gave the show coverage more than17 pages of the Fall issue and Van Brocklin did a masterful job of describing what went on.

2007 National Bottle Show – Collinsville, Illinois

“Back To Where It All Began” was the theme at Collinsville’s Gateway Center, pointing to the inaugural national show held in 1976 across the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. Special pins were presented to “Long Timers” who attended both shows. Wayne (Jar Doctor) Lowry was show chairman, with assists from Curt and Ellen Faulkenberry, Jim and Debbie Taylor and Pat Jett. Wayne’s wife, June, business manager for the federation, was stunned to receive the President’s Award from Carl Sturm. Seminars ranged from “Something for Everyone” by Jelly Jammer members Phyllis Pahlman and Margaret Shaw to “Chero-Cola – There’s None So Good” by Dennis Smith to “Using the Internet to Collect Bottles” by John “Digger” Odell to “Ink Symposium” by Keith Leeders, John Hinkel, Ed and Lucy Faulkner, Frank Starczek and Don Carroll. Longtime collectors and federation members Gene Bradberry and Ed Provine did a show and tell session on early glass-blowing methods and tools of that trade. Other highlights included 19 outstanding displays. Greg Hawley, one of a group of treasure hunters who found and excavated the Steamboat Arabia, was the banquet speaker.

2008 National Antique Bottle Exposition – York, Pennsylvania

Collectors from across the country and around the world (Australia, Germany, United Kingdom) made the trek to the ninth Federation Expo where they enjoyed seeing 32 terrific displays ranging from fruit jars to California perfumes. They also attended outstanding seminars on Saratoga waters, black glass, inks, the Lancaster, N.Y. Glass Works and the Kola Wars. Convention Director R. Wayne Lowry reported 415 sales tables had been sold. Perhaps the show’s only negative aspect came at the banquet where featured foods were in short supply and some of the 246 guests had to accept substitutes. The FOHBC Hall of Fame grew by four new inductees in Tom Caniff, Jim Hagenbuch, Carl Sturm and Betty Zumwalt. Steve Ketcham and the late Katie Foglesong were inducted onto the Honor Roll. Norm Heckler once again was the auctioneer for the Expo event, with an early, olive-green Wryghte’s Bitters / London the top lot with a $3,900 bid. Russ Smith of the United Kingdom and Rex and Joanna Barber of Australia penned views of the Expo from their perspectives in the November-December Bottles & Extras. Former FOHBC president John Pastor resigned as Midwest Region director and Jamie Houdeshell was named to take over the post. Mr. Pastor accepted the position of second vice president and remains on the board of directors. June Lowry became editor of B&E after Kathy Hopson-Sathe was forced to step down because of illness.

2009 National Antique Bottle Show – Pomona, California

Highlight of this show, host of which was the Los Angeles Historical Bottle Club, was the awards banquet during which many collectors received their just dues. It was the first Federation National Show to be held on the West Coast. Onlookers included collectors and dealers from Australia and England, as well as from 18 states. Outstanding exhibits included Richard Tucker’s historical flasks (winning the People’s Choice ribbon) and Terry Monteith’s well-displayed collection of demijohns and carboys captured the FOHBC Most Educational ribbon. Alan DeMaison received the President’s Award for his outstanding contributions as Federation treasurer from Richard Siri. The FOHBC Hall of Fame gained another member in Johnnie Fletcher of the Oklahoma Territory Bottle & Relic Club. Johnnie was originally nominated by his friend, Ed Stewart, of Paola, Kansas, for inclusion on the FOHBC Honor Roll. but Johnnie’s dedication and contributions to the hobby led board members to vote him into the main shrine. Midwest Region Editor Joe Coulson’s Glass Chatter of the Midwest Antique Fruit Jar & Bottle Club was a first-class winner in the newsletter category. The Ohio Swirl, edited by Phyllis Koch of The Ohio Bottle Club, was second. Huron Valley Antique Bottle Club’s show flyer was first and the Antique Bottle Club of San Diego placed second. Jack Sullivan, of Alexandria, Va., won for the best researched article for “The Night the Axe Fell on Cleveland.” Dave Maryo, the host club’s president, was second with his article, “Forsha’s Balm is Endorsed by President Lincoln.” Mike Bryant won the the best true story award for “The Snake in the Glass” and best fiction for “Ask Aunt Blabby.”

2010 National Antique Bottle Show – Wilmington, Ohio

Best thing about this show, those who attended would agree, was the Roberts Centre showroom with its well-lighted, wide aisles, offering plenty of room for 297 sales tables, 20 wonderful displays and hordes of people. Show chairman Jamie Houdeshell became ill a few days before the show, but co-chairman Joe Hardin and chief coordinator Patty Elwood stepped up. They were assisted by Jamie’s parents/ Jim and Mira Houdeshell, as well as Richard Elwood and John and Margie Bailey. Jamie’s pet project was the auction and, thanks to his early efforts. the event grossed just shy of $20,000. A highlight of the show was the induction of Scott Grandstaff and Kitty Roach, of Happy Camp, Calif., onto the FOHBC Honor Roll. Joining them was another Californian, Jeff Wichmann. Scott and Kitty founded the original Bottles and Extras magazine, eventually giving it to the Federation when it got too much for them. Sheldon Baugh gave an educational talk about Ohio’s Shaker communities and displayed Shaker bottles from his own collection.

2011 National Show – Memphis, Tennessee

FOHBC President Gene Bradberry played the perfect host as the Federation returned to the Southland for the first time since 2004. That show also was held in Memphis, known for its downtown trolley cars and barbecue. Second Vice President Ferdinand Meyer V outlined his progress on the FOHBC web site (FOHBC.org) and Virtual Museum during the semi-annual board meeting held prior to the show and sale. Seminars were held dealing with inks (John Hinkel), bitters (Meyer, Don Keating and Sheldon Baugh), odd-closured fruit jars (Dick Watson), German colognes (Carl Sturm) and applied color label sodas (Randee Kaiser). Seven outstanding displays sparked interest, with Base-Embossed Cylinder Whiskeys by Steve Schingler winning the Most Educational Award and Patented Labeled Medicines by Henry Tankersley garnering the People’s Choice Award. Ninety-one lots were offered during the FOHBC National Auction, with the highlight of the sale the Morning Call Bitters going for $5,460, which was $1,460 over the high estimate. The unique variant, light amber with a hint of olive in color, sports deeply indented panels and arched column corners. Another highlight was the induction of Bill Baab, of Augusta, Georgia, into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Former Federation Treasurer Mike Newman, of Martinez, Ga., nominated the 76-year-old Baab, who joined the Federation in 1996 and later became its Southern Region editor.

2012 National Antique Bottle Exposition – Reno, Nevada

Those who were there at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino included longtime collector and published author Mike Polak, of Long Beach, California. Let’s hear all about it from Mike: “Over the years, I’ve attended a large number of club bottle shows, national shows and Expos, and I need to say that the Reno 2012 Expo was absolutely fantastic and probably the best all around show I’ve ever attended!” If that comment didn’t make show co-chairmen Marty Hall and Richard Siri proud, who knows what will? This was a show of “firsts” in the hobby. Complementing the thousands of words written about the show were a series of great color photos from the lenses of the first professional show photographer, Scott Selenak. (“There was so much action, my camera couldn’t stop firing,” he said later). Norman C. Heckler & Co., conducted the first “Drakes, Whiskey & Umbrella Ink Shootout” where more than 200 people showed up. Competing in back-to-back-to-back “duels” were Circle Cutter Whiskey cylinders, Drakes Plantation Bitters and umbrella inks. After all was said and done, Judges Bruce Silva, Dennis Bray and Ralph Hollibaugh awarded Steve Hubbell, of Gig Harbor, Washington, top billing in the Cutter category for his olive green-amber specimen. Drakes Judges Jeff Noordsy, Jeff Burchardt and Rick Simi picked a blue-green example owned by Ferdinand Meyer, of Houston, Texas as No. 1. Umbrella inks Judges Holly Noordsy, Bryan Grapentine and Jamie Houdeshell chose a mint and pontiled puce ink owned by Jim Jacobitz, of San Francisco. “I learned how to have a shootout with killer glass bullets and still remain friends,” said veteran collector Lou Lambert. Two longtime contributors to the hobby, Warren Friedrich, of Grass Valley, Calif., and Jack Sullivan, of Alexandria, Va., were inducted into the FOHBC Hall of Fame. Fourteen scintillating displays ranging from David Hall’s fantastic assortment of E.G. Booz bottles to Dennis Bray’s outstanding EC&M insulators to eye candy Swirls, Whirls, Twists & Twirls from Dwayne Anthony, featuring bottles, fruit jars and insulators.

Posted in Advice, Article Publications, Bottle Shows, Club News, FOHBC News, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unlisted M. S. James Family Bitters – a Flea Market Find

Apple-Touch-IconAThis may be one of the shortest posts yet for a bitters bottle, but in my book it doesn’t matter. This is an important find and a post needs to be developed. Hopefully more information and pictures will be added.

Updated with pictures from Ron Tetrault on 29 April 2013.

Updated with two advertisements from Brian Wolff on 30 April 2013.

MS_James1

Hi Bill,

I often refer to your two volumes on bitters, and I’ve found that they’re invaluable sources of reference. I’m writing to let you know of an unlisted bitters I just found at a local flea market. I’ve never seen nor heard of this one in all 46 years I’ve been in the hobby, nor has anyone else I’ve asked. It’s aqua, rectangular, 7 1/4″ by 1 3/4″, indented panels all around, except for backside which is flat, smooth base, round prescription lip, and embossed in block letter on front panel: M. S. JAMES FAMILY BITTERS BROOKLYN N.Y. This would be a nice addition to Volume 3.

Regards,

Ron Tetrault

From Bill Ham: Ferdinand: It is amazing how many undocumented bitters there are. Here is a new listing that will appear in Bitters Bottles Supplement 2

J 17.5  M. S. James’ Family Bitters
M. S. JAMES’ / FAMILY BITTERS / BROOKLYN N.Y. // sp // f // sp
7 1/4 x 3 x 1 3/4
Rectangular, Aqua, FM, 3 sp, Applied mouth, Extremely rare

PRG: To get the ball rolling I did find a listing for a Moses S. James, Physician in Brooklyn, NY around the period this bottle may have been made and the product sold.

Read about a similar Bitters:

Standing Proud – Poor Man’s Family Bitters – Oswego, NY

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Listing for a Moses S. James, Physician – 1875 Brooklyn City Directory. Also found in an 1880 Directory with a different address.

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Advertisement for M.S. James Family Bitters – Republican Watchman, Monticello, NY. 1875-1877

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Advertisement for M.S. James Family Bitters – Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, NY 1868

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Posted in Bitters, Digging and Finding, Medicines & Cures, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Elusive Brent, Warder & Co. barrel found in Antique Mall

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BRENT, WARDER & CO. – LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

Wholesale Grocers & Commission Merchants

26 April 2013

Mr. Meyer: My wife and I are RVing thru the states and are now in Horse Cave, KY. We were at an antique mall and I noticed a small barrel in a case marked Louisville bottles. I  have collected many bottles and have had unembossed barrels but never ones with company names. This is in mint condition, filled with bubbles and has a nice drippy applied top. It was marked $35 dollars. I got back to the KOA and to my amazement read your blog on this rare bottle and read that one had sold on ebay for over $2,000 dollars. Just how rare is it? Sincerely Dean.

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Apple-Touch-IconADean, as you know, I have written about this elusive Kentucky barrel before. Read First: Barrel Series – Brent, Warder & Co. – Louisville. This is an extraordinary find. From your pictures (included in post), it looks like this bottle has the three ‘C’s’; “color”, “condition” and “character”. I have been looking closer at Kentucky bottles lately as I am developing the visual pieces (see above) to promote the 2014 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Show in Lexington, Kentucky. Honestly, if this bottle was in a display case by itself, it would be worth the price of admission just to see and admire. Congratulations! As you can see below, I was able to dig up a little more information.

First we have Elmore D. Warder (partner Brent Warder & Co. – 626 W. Main Street) of Louisville, Kentucky living at the Louisville Hotel in 1861. In 1862 he enlisted with the 7th Kentucky Calvary as a Confederate soldier. He was Second Lieutenant and eventually a Captain. He later died as a Prisoner of War (see further below). There is also a John P. Warder who was living at the Galt House in Louisville during the same 1861 period. He also worked at Brent, Warder & Company. The Brent listing is for William G. Brent, residence 805 Third.

These guys were operating at the same time and just down the street from Edward Wilder (514 West Main Street). Read: Edward Wilder and his Building Bottles

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1861 Louisville Directory listing for Elmore D. Warder and John P. Warder of Brent, Warder & Co.

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1861 Louisville Directory listing for William G. Brent of Brent, Warder & Co.

I’m writing because I bought an old bible belonging to THOMPSON GOSSOM. I was posing it for pics for an online auction when it fell open to psalms (battle prayer). Pressed there was a lock of hair and a newspaper clipping that reads: CAPT ELMORE D. WARDER is the A.A.G to GEN JOHN H MORGAN, and we have seen parole given to captured federal officers, in his handwriting and drawn during the recent raid into Ohio.

Capt. Warder died a POW at Fort Delaware under the harshest of conditions with typhoid fever….aug 1864…..buried in a community grave at Point Finn…for some reason without monument to his name….seems he was also one of the owners of BRENT, WARDER, & CO. Louisville, Ky, along with his brother John P. Warder. I would like to find out more info on this company and Elmore W. Warder….and also his connection to the THOMPSON GOSSOM FAMILY. In my efforts to find out about the Captain, I have become emotionally involved with this historic piece….please contact me with any interest,information or suggestions. Thank you… RootsWeb Post

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Elmore D. Warder POW Record – Civil War Prisoner of War Records, 1861-1865

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Elmore D. Warder (Louisville, KY) Passport Application – 20 July 1860

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Posted in Civil War, Digging and Finding, Figural Bottles, FOHBC News, History, Liquor Merchant, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Dr. A.C. Daniels’ Veterinary Medicines

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Dr. Daniel’s Veterinary Medicines cabinet – Jack Stecher collection

David Olson over at Bottle Collectors on facebook posted this wonderful Dr. Daniels’ Veterinary Medicines cabinet from the Jack Stecher collection (pictured above). This cabinet really rocked my socks which prompted me to find out a little more about Dr. A.C. Daniel. Maybe even find myself a cabinet. The graphics are just spectacular. I also like that Dr. Daniel plastered his name and used his picture on just about every product. Looks like a trusty guy to me. Boy was this guy way ahead of the pet curve.

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Dr. A. C. Daniels began his business in 1878 as he mixed his medicines and sold his concoctions from the back of a horse and wagon. I always picture the magician or medicine man in the sepia tone early scenes of the Wizard of Oz (pictured below) or most recently the Dentist character (his medicine wagon is pictured below) in Django Unchained when I think of these types of characters.

Marvel

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Dr. Daniels first opened his operation at 75 West Brookline Street in Boston, Massachusetts and as he grew, he settled at 172-174 Milk Street and 87 Central Streets in 1904. With time, his products became extremely popular as he manufactured and sold his potions over the counter to farmers who definitely wanted to keep some on hand in the barn. His product line included products for horses, cattle, sheep, swine, dogs and later poultry and cats were added as time went on. I can almost picture one of these medicine cabinets at every general store and in some cases hanging right in the barn.

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Dr. Daniels’ was the first to market catnip and catnip toys to the household cat. 

Thus began the Dr. A.C. Daniels Company. 
After the turn of the century and automobiles popularity came into being, Dr. Daniels introduced the gray flannel mouse and refillable wooden cat balls as toys for the felines. A box of Summit Brand Catnip leaves and tops was then added for the cat’s pleasure. Dr. Daniels’ was the first to market catnip and catnip toys to the household cat. Each toy was 100% filled with catnip. Now, over a hundred years later, the toys are still manufactured the same way.

Charles C. Rogers and Nellie Kidder purchased and incorporated the business in 1914. It was then owned by the Rogers’ family until 1954 when Henry Van Baay purchased the business and real estate. Dr. Donald W. Hey purchased the product line in 1959 and moved the business to it’s current location in Webster, MA. [source background DrDaniels.com]

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Dr. Daniels’ early veterinary medicines are highly prized by collectors of veterinary antiques.

DR. DANIELS’ GALLERY

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Dr. Daniel’s Veterinarian Medicines cabinet. Oak case, original finish. Lithographed tin, some minor spotting & scratches, minor oxidation. Ht. 28 1/2″ W 21 1/2″ D 7 1/2″ Est. $1,000-$1,500 Price Realized: $1,950 – Cottone Auctions

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Dr. Daniel’s Veterinarian Medicines Cabinet. Oak case, original finish. Lithographed tin, some minor spotting & scratches, minor oxidation. Ht. 28 1/2″ W 21 1/2″ D 7 1/2″ Est. $1,000-$1,500 Price Realized: $1,950 – Cottone Auctions

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Cover Design from Dr. A.C. Daniels’ warranted veterinary medicines and how to use them: the causes, symptoms, and treatment of the diseases for which they are used (1892) READ

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Dr. Daniel’s Laboratory Drawingfrom Dr. A.C. Daniels’ warranted veterinary medicines and how to use them: the causes, symptoms, and treatment of the diseases for which they are used (1892)

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Dr. Daniel’s Index of Medicines – from Dr. A.C. Daniels’ warranted veterinary medicines and how to use them: the causes, symptoms, and treatment of the diseases for which they are used (1892)

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Dr. A.C. Daniels’ Hoof Ointment. This tin measures approximately 2 inches in height and the same in diameter – Betty’s Antique Boutique

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Dr. A. C. Daniel’s Cough Cold Fever Drops and Distemper Remedy for Horses and Cattle. it is unopened and the embossed bottle and label are in excellent condition. it is 4 1/2″ tall. – ebay

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Front – The Horse by Dr A C Daniels Home Treatment for Horses and Cattle – 1911 Edition – ebay

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Back – The Horse by Dr A C Daniels Home Treatment for Horses and Cattle 0  1911 Edition – ebay

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Dr. A.C. Daniel’s Medicines, Painted Wood Sign, For Home Treatment of Cattle and Horses Sold Here, white lettering on blue sanded ground with half-round applied moulding, mounting holes in corners, 12.5″ x 29.5″. – Cowan’s Auctions

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Dr. A.C. Daniels’ Animal Medicines cabinet – DrDaniels.com

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Dr. A. C. Daniels advertising card for dog and cat medicine – DrDaniels.com

Read More: Mexican Mustang Liniment – For Man & Beast

Read More: Merchant’s Gargling Oil – “Good for Man and Beast”

Posted in Advertising, Druggist & Drugstore, eBay, Ephemera, Facebook, History, Medicines & Cures, Remedy, Veterinary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kreinbrook Bitters from Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania

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Kreinbrook Bitters from Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania

24 April 2013

Following up on an ebay tip from my bottle friend, Tom Doligale: ebaylogoThis is an extremely rare 6 and 1/2″ inch tall amber bitters bottle flask from Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania. On the front it says L. N. Kreinbrook’s Bitters Mt. Pleasant, Pa. It is in nice condition with no chips or cracks, but it does have inside staining. It has one extremely small spot of roughness on the lip. When I say extremely minute, I mean extremely minute, but I want to be 100% accurate on the description. Take a look at the photos! This is an extremely rare bottle! Sorry about the photos, the glare is from the flash of the camera. [upperaugustapicker] 100% Positive Feedback

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I haven’t thought about my Kreinbrook Bitters bottles (pictured above) in a long time. I actually have three bottles that are each a different mold. That I find strange. I picked up my first, very rare coffin shaped flask (left – K 78.3) in 2003 in Heckler Auction #60. Later I was able to follow up with a very rare oval flask (right – K 78) from American Glass Gallery Auction #2 in 2009 and an extremely rare square (center – K 78.5) in the same auction in 2009. It is interesting to note the similar color and quality of the glass. The square is embossed “McC” on the base which represents William McCully glassworks, Pittsburgh, PA. Probably all three of the bottles were blown at the same location. Not a big leap there.

Obviously, these are not ‘dainty’ medicine bottles full of roots and herbs and marketed for the family. These are hard core liquor bottles in a blue collar steel region of Pennsylvania. Another great example of the diversity of Bitters products and brands in United States during the middle to late 1800s.

MT. PLEASANT, PA

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Birds Eye View of MountPleasant, PA in 1900

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A section of the U.S.G.S. ca.1902 15 min. Connellsville, PA Quad map showing the location of the Morewood Mine & Coke Works, and the coal patch town of Morewood. The town of Morewood does not exist today, strip-mining and the new U.S. Rt.119 has destroyed all but a few houses. The Morewood Mine site and coke works site has been reclaimed and very few remains can be seen. – Museum of Coal Mining (Map courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.)

In the past, Mount Pleasant was a center of an extensive coke-making industry. Other products included flour, lumber, iron, glass, foundry products, etc.

I wanted to find out a little about Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania which is embossed on each bottle. and quickly take note that Mt. Pleasant is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It stands 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The Borough of Mount Pleasant, consisting of the town area, should not be confused with Mount Pleasant Township, which is an entirely separate municipality. Mount Pleasant Township is predominantly rural and adjoins the borough to the north. In the past, Mount Pleasant was a center of an extensive coke-making industry. Other products included flour, lumber, iron, glass, foundry products, etc.

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The Morewood No. 1 Mine & Coke Works, located at Morewood, East Huntingdon Twp. a short distance west of Mt. Pleasant, PA. Several of the mine buildings, power house, tipple, coke yard and the Mt. Pleasant Supply Company store are shown in this early post card of Morewood. – Museum of Coal Mining (Photo courtesy of the Mt. Pleasant Historical Society archives, Mt. Pleasant, PA)

Glass manufacturing was also a foundation of the local economy, with Bryce Brothers commencing operations in 1850

Glass manufacturing was also a foundation of the local economy, with Bryce Brothers commencing operations in 1850, and L. E. Smith Glass in 1907. The invention of the Bessemer process of steelmaking in 1859, which required coke (fuel), had a dramatic impact on the region. The town prospered as coal deposits were developed, from which coke was made. However, the lives of coal miners in the outlying “patch towns” (company-owned mining towns) were arduous, and labor-management disputes became frequent. The strike in Morewood, west of Mount Pleasant borough, was the most violent of the area’s strikes, in which nine miners were killed by sheriff’s deputies on April 3, 1891.

L. N. KREINBROOK

The is scarce information specifically on the business of L. N. Kreinbrook. Lewis N. Kreinbrook was born on 08 March 1853 somewhere in Pennsylvania. He died in 1935 (Obituary below). His father was Herman K. Kreinbrook (1829 – 1903) from Hanover, Germany. His mother was named Elizabeth. His wife was named Nancy. Apparently Lewis, in his early life was a master coke maker. He then ran the Mt. Pleasant Distilling Company for two years and was a clerk in a grocery store and drug store and also ran his own store in Pennsylvania. In later life he was a gentleman farmer in Shelby, Ohio. Lewis and Nancy had three children; Elizabeth, William and Emma May (pictured below).

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Emma May Kreinbrook (daughter of Lewis. N. Kreinbrook)

“Emma’s father made a fortune in Kreinbrook Bitters”

Phrase from zentmeyergenealogy and picture from ancestry.com

Lives 4-1/2 miles from Shelby near Hazelbrush school house on R.R.#3. He was born in Somerset County Pennsylvania. His father H. W. and his mother Hetty are both dead. There were 17 children in the family, 10 living, all but L. N. Kreinbrook live in Pennsyslvanina. H.W. his father, came to America from Germany.

For 13 years L. N. Kreinbrook was a master coke maker, he ran a distillery for 2 years and was a clerk in a grocery store and drug store and also ran his own store in Pennsylvania.

For 8 years he has been farming here. He has been married twice, first in 1875 and again in 1891. Of the two unions he has had 6 children, two are dead. George W. Kuhn: was born in Plymouth Township and has ever since made his home within hailing distance of Shelby. About 1 -1/2 miles east of town he has one of the best farms.

In 1874 he attended Heidelberg College and remained there for 3 years, returning home at the time of his fathers death.

In 1881 he married ELIZABETH BRICKER. They have 3 sons (not correct). For many years he was President of the Farmers Institute. He is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank and a member of the K of P lodge. For 12 years he has been a Republican Committee member and for 18 years been on the School Board. He was a Truant Office and a member of the Reformed Church. The Richland County – Shelby Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society

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Lewis N. Kreinbrook obituary The Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pennsylvania) – 1935

KREINBROOK BITTERS

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K 78 L.N. KREINBROOK’S BITTERS – Meyer Collection

K 78  L. N. KREINBROOK’S BITTERS, Circa 1875 – 1885

L. N. KREINBROOK’S ( au ) / BITTERS / MT. PLEASANT. PA. ( ad ) // c // 7 1/2 x 3 x 1 3/4 (5) Oval, Amber and Clear, LTC, Tooled lip, Very Rare

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K 78.3 L.N. KREINBROOK’S BITTERS – Meyer Collection

K 78.3  L.N. KREINBROOK’S BITTERS

L.N. KREINBROOK’S ( au ) / BITTERS / MT. PLEASANT. PA. (ad) // c // 6 1/4″ x 2 1/2 x 1 1/4 (4 1/4) Flask, 1/2 pint coffin shape, Amber and Clear, LTCR, Very rare

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K 78.5 L.N. KREINBROOK’S BITTERS – Meyer Collection (Ex. Andy Regrut Collection)

K 78.5  KREINBROOK’S BITTERS, Circa 1875 – 1885

L. N. KREINBROOK’S / BITTERS / MT. PLEASANT, PA. ( ad ) // c // b / McC Wm. McCully Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 8 1/4 x 2 1/2 (5 3/4) 3/8 Square, Amber, LTC, Extremely Rare

Posted in Bitters, eBay, Flasks, Glass Companies & Works, History, Liquor Merchant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

J. Hayes & Co. – Manchester, New Hampshire

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*The Flasks*

J. Hayes & Co. – Manchester, New Hampshire

23 April 2013

Pam Selenak sent me an email link from ebay for a neat little J. HAYES & CO. | WHOLESALE DEALERS | MANCHESTER, NH flask. Pam is the FOHBC Public Relations Director, and of course she is referencing our 2013 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Show this coming July in Manchester.

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Dana Charlton-Zarro followed up pretty quickly, after I posted the above picture on facebook, with another aqua example of a WM HAYES | MANCHESTER NH. Slightly different embossing. Now we have a William and not a “J” Hayes? I also see that Jeff and Holly Noordsy have sold an excellent example sometime in the past (see below). Jeff even adds “probably blown at the Lyndeboro Glass Works, Lyndeboro, NH”. Now we see the “J” stands for “John”.

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“JOHN HAYES & CO / WHOLESALE DEALERS / MANCHESTER NH”, bright yellow amber, strap-sided flask, American, probably blown at the Lyndeboro Glass Works, Lyndeboro, NH, C. 1880, rare. – Jeff and Holly Noordsy

I have always been intrigued by these little pocket flasks. I also really like the embossed circle and concentric graphics that you often see within the circle. Let’s see if we can find out about Mr. Hayes. At least I might be able to say I know something about a Manchester flask if anyone asks this coming July.

*Stoneware*

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Stoneware Lamp, Impressed ‘J.HAYES & CO / MANCHESTER /NH  – from the Bramley Collection: from the Thomas Catlin House, Litchfield, CT – iGavel Auctions

A quick Google search pulls up quite a few stoneware pieces with the HAYES name inscribed in the piece.

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Stoneware Jug, Cobalt Raised Wing Bird, Advertising Hayes & Company Manchester, New Hampshire. A scarce jug adverting whiskey and wine; straight sided with semi-squared spout decorated with a slip-trailed cobalt design of a bird about take flight off of a tree branch or flower stem. Bird depicted with a sense of motion, in a rare raised-wing stance with cobalt spots and feather detail to wings and body. Jug impressed “HAYES & CO., / WHOLESALE DEALERS IN / W ? S, &C. / MANCHESTER, N.H.” – Antique Associates

The Hayes name is a bit challenging meaning I can not confirm the family lineage with much support material. I do suspect there is a parent Jeremiah Joseph Hayes and the sons are John J. (born in London and died in Manchester) and William. This would correspond with the bottle embossing and the advertisement dates posted.

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Pulled from Ancestry.com. Here you can see that Jeremiah Hayes (1822-1865) was the father with sons John J. Hayes (1850-1906) and William Hayes (b 1859) with an incorrect female pictogram.

Posted below you will see some Hayes & Company, Manchester, New Hampshire advertising that I was able to locate.

*Advertising*

We invariably hold the largest stock of Pure Liquors in the state.

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Hayes & Co. advertisement in Manchester by JOHN B. CLARKE – 1875

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John Hayes & Co. advertisement in Manchester Almanac, City Directory, and Business Index – 1879

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John Hayes & Co. advertisement in The Manchester, New Hampshire, Directory – 1882

*Historical*

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Elm Street (downtown) scene, Manchester NH, circa late 1800’s

Just some cool imagery to help frame my vision and give me some background on Manchester. Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which divides the city into eastern and western sections. Manchester is near the northern end of the Northeast megalopolis. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 109,565, the most of any city in northern New England. [Wikipedia]

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Early ‘birds eye view’ map of Manchester. It is dated 1884 which is way to late in my estimation. Looks more like the early 1800s. With cross referencing other maps, I was able to locate Concord Street.

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Postcard photo of the American Locomotive Works (ALCO) factory in Manchester, New Hampshire. This factory was formerly known as the Manchester Locomotive Works before it was bought by ALCO in 1900. A Bangor and Aroostook locomotive is seen on the tracks at the factory. – Postmarked 1912

Posted in Advertising, Flasks, FOHBC News, Glass Companies & Works, History, Liquor Merchant, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

1935-1939 – Pictures of the United States

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1935-1939 | Pictures of the United States

This was a mere 75 years ago or so….Makes complaining about no cell service, high gasoline prices, not enough cable channels, seem a bit ludicrous. No credit cards to buy what you want, but don’t need!

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

Thanks to Gary Beatty for forwarding these pictures.

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A Glimpse at Providence Advertising in 1861-2

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

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A Glimpse at Providence Advertising in 1861-2

21 April 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAI have to admit, I get side tracked real easily when looking up information on Bitters brands. In this case it was looking for information on Barber’s Indian Vegetable Jaundice Bitters put out by Oliver Johnson & Company in Providence, Rhode Island. Looking for advertising for the product in the 1860s, I was captured and intrigued by locating the company on a map (see below) of that period and by some of the other businesses that competed with Mr. Johnson with his advertising in the various Providence Business Directories of the period. This made me to wonder what else was happening in he 1860s in Providence.

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Map of the City of Providence, Rhode Island – 1870 (Location of Oliver Johnson & Co.within red rectangle)

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Providence is a great city full of history. On a few previous trips to the Heckler Columbus Day Hayfield event in Woodstock, Connecticut and the Yankee Antique Bottle Show in Keene New Hampshire we have managed to stay at the historic Hotel Providence downtown, visit some of the museums and look at the old architecture. I keep a journal, I have since 1975 or so and write and sketch just about every day. Below you will see two sketches from 2006 and notes from a visit to Providence prior to the shows and a visit to Columbus Circle of of Central Park in New York City after the shows.

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Journal spread from 2006 showing the Tilden Thurber building in Providence (left) and the new Time Warner Center in New York City at Columbus Circle. View from Central Park – Ferdinand Meyer V journal 2006

Providence and Civil War: 1860-1868

Providence, like every city in America, felt the impact of the Civil War, but this was a war that many in Providence sought to avoid. Yankee businessmen, especially those producing cotton textiles, had economic ties with the South which war would(and did) disrupt. As some critics remarked, there seemed to be an unholy alliance between the “lords of the loom” and the lords of the lash,” as the slave holders were called. In addition, many foreign-born Irishmen, resentful that they needed land to vote while blacks were subjected to no such discrimination, had little sympathy for freeing those who could become their rivals for jobs on the lower rungs of the economic ladder.

Consequently, when the Republican party nominated Seth Padelford for governor in 1860–a man whose antislavery views were extreme–a split occurred in party ranks. Supporters of other Republican aspirants and Republican moderates of the Lincoln variety joined with Democrats (who were softer on slavery) to nominate and elect a fusion candidate on the “Conservative” ticket. Their choice, twenty-nine-year-old William Sprague, was heir to a vast cotton textile empire and a martial man who had attained the rank of colonel in the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery. Sprague outpolled Padelford 12,278 to 10,740, carrying Providence 3,578 to 2,761–victory celebrated as a rebuke to abolitionism by the citizens of faraway Savannah, Georgia, who fired a 100-gun salute in Sprague’s honor.

But if Providence and Sprague were soft on slavery, they were strong on Union. After the Confederate attack of April 12, 1861, on Fort Sumter, the local citizenry rallied behind their once-conciliatory governor and rushed to the defense of Washington. President Lincoln issued his call for volunteers on April 15. Just three days later, the “Flying Artillery” left Providence for the front, and on April 20 Colonel Ambrose Burnside and Sprague himself led 530 men of the First Regiment, Rhode Island Detached Militia, from Exchange Place to their fateful encounter with the rebels at Bull Run. More than half of Burnside’s regiment hailed from Providence.

During the war there were eight calls for troops, with Rhode Island exceeding its requisition in all but one. Though the state’s total quota was only 18,898, it furnished 23,236 fighting men, of whom 1,685 died of wounds or disease and 16 earned the Medal of Honor. Providence, with 29 percent of Rhode Island’s population in 1860, supplied nearly half its fighting men.

The city’s contribution to the Union victory went beyond mere military manpower. Some historians have claimed that the productive element in the outcome of the Civil War. Here again Providence was prominent. Its woolen mills, especially Atlantic and Wanskuck, supplied federal troops with thousands of uniforms, overcoats, and blankets, fashioned on sewing machines made by Brown and Sharpe, while metals factories such as Providence Tool, Nicholson and Brownell, and the Burnside Rifle Company provided guns, sabers, and musket parts. Builders Iron Foundry (established in 1822 and still operating in West Warwick) manufactured large numbers of cannon; the Providence Steam Engine Company of South Main Street (established 1821) built the engines for two Union sloops of war, the Algonquin and the Contoocook; and Congdon and Carpenter (established 1792) supplied the military with such hardware as iron bars, bands, hoops, and horseshoes from its factory at 3 Steeple Street (now the city’s oldest surviving industrial building).

On the home front, the Civil War decade was a time of continued growth and modernization for Providence. The city’s most important and dynamic mayor, Thomas A. Doyle, began a nineteen-year reign in 1864. He promptly reorganized the police department into an efficient, modern force and converted the Market House into a municipal office building.

City health and sanitation programs, under the capable direction of Dr. Edwin M. Snow, were models for other municipalities to emulate. Elsewhere in the field of medicine, the urgings of Dr. Usher Parsons combined with the philanthropy of Thomas Poynton Ives to establish Rhode Island Hospital, giving Providence a first-class medical facility at last.

In education, business and commercial schools such Scholfield’s and Bryant and Stratton flourished as they provided a growing white-collar work force with the office skills needed to administer the affairs of the city’s burgeoning industries. And in the public schools a momentous event, inspired by the outcome of the war, occurred in 1866: racial segregation was abolished both in the city and throughout the state.

It was during the Civil War decade that urban mass transit came to Providence. Its vehicle was the horsecar, a mode of travel over the streets of the city that combined the old (actual horsepower) and the new (iron rails). The horsecar lines, extending from the Union Depot in Market Square over the surface of every major thoroughfare, were essential factors in the growth and settlement of the city’s “streetcar suburbs”–the outlying neighborhoods of Providence that were reclaimed from the surrounding towns of Cranston, North Providence, and Johnston beginning in 1868. Closer to the city’s core, splendid mansions, built by the city’s business magnates, sprang up on the East Side and in the West End along Elmwood Avenue, Westminster Street, and Broadway.

With the war a partial stimulus, industrial Providence began to scale its greatest heights, pulled from above by its wealthy Yankee entrepreneurs and investors, pushed from below by a growing immigrant work force that now began to include migrants from Germany, Sweden, England, and French Canada. Together the titans and the toilers labored to make Providence an industrial giant among the cities of the nation. As the cataclysmic sixties rushed to their conclusion, the city rushed onward towards its Golden Age.

City of Providence, Rhode Island

The Providence Directory | 1861-2

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The Providence Directory – Business Directory & City Record – 1861

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Providence Directory Drug Listings – 1862 (OliverJohnson put out Barber’s Indian Vegetable Jaundice Bitters)

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Thurston, Gardner & Co. advertisement showing theiroffices and warehouses on the waterfront. Providence Directory Listings – 1862

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Chilson’s Patent Cone Furnaces and Double Oven Cooking Ranges – Providence Directory Listings – 1861

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Corliss Steam Engine Co. – Providence Directory Listings – 1861

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Franklin Foundry and Machine Company – Providence Directory Listings – 1861

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John W. Greene & Brother – Providence Directory Listings – 1861

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Various Advertisements – Providence Directory Listings – 1861

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Earl P. Mason & Co. Dealers in Drugs, Medicines, Chemicals etc. – Providence Directory Listings – 1862

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Welch & Griffith‘s Celebrated Cast Steel Saws  – Providence Directory Listings – 1862

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A Dr. Langley’s Root and Herb Bitters advertisement Boaston – Providence Directory Listings – 1862

Posted in Advertising, Advice, Bitters, Civil War, Ephemera, History, Publications, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barber’s Indian Vegetable Jaundice Bitters – Rhode Island

Extremely rare BARBER'S INDIAN VEGETABLE JAUNDICE BITTERS, Providence, R. I.

Extremely rare BARBER’S INDIAN VEGETABLE JAUNDICE BITTERS, Providence, R. I. – ebay

BARBER’S INDIAN VEGETABLE JAUNDICE BITTERS

OLIVER JOHNSON & CO.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.

20 April 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAI received a brief e-mail, as I do sometimes, alerting me to a specific bottle on ebay (see above). In this case it was from Bill Ham regarding a 12-sided Barber’s Indian Vegetable Jaundice Bitters from Rhode, Island. You see, just because it is listed as extremely rare, doesn’t make it jump out in the way I review bottles on ebay, which is the highest cost to lowest. This usually filters the rift-raff and the better stuff usually pops to the surface.

“It is amazing that so “plain” a bottle is so rare.”

Bill said in his e-mail “Here is a really rare bitters that may fall through the cracks that is on ebay – 290900331394 – You probably have it. It is amazing that so “plain” a bottle is so rare.”  – Bill

lancaster yellow1

This bottle is similar and should not be confused with a Lancaster Indian Vegetable Jaundice Bitters which is typically a Wheaton reproduction bottle from the 1970s.  You can find them for sale every day on Ebay. The Lancaster’s Indian Vegetable Jaundice Bitters repros appear to have been made by several companies other than Wheaton.  Some are marked Tiawan in the base and others have no marking but were probably made in China. These attractive bottles come in a variety of sizes from miniatures to the large size shown above. They can be found in blue, amethyst, yellow, green, red and other colors.

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The Barber’s bottle is also a dead ringer for many of the Moses Atwood’s Jaundice Bitters from Georgetown, Massachusetts.

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Extremely rare BARBER’S INDIAN VEGETABLE JAUNDICE BITTERS, Providence, R. I. – ebay

[ebay listing]

This bottle is listed by Ring & Ham as B 19, extremely rare. It is slightly over 6” tall with a tooled top and a smooth base. It is 12-sided, and the panels travel up the shoulder as well. It is embossed on five panels: BARBER’S // INDIAN VEGETABLE // JAUNDICE BITTERS // OLIVER JOHNSON & CO. // PROVIDENCE, R. I. The product was probably an Atwood’s rip-off, but its rarity indicates that it was much less successful. It has no cracks, but there is a base chip which is about an inch at its widest. It’s visible is a few of the pictures. Also, there a tiny and shallow lip chip, visible in the picture of the top at 6 o’clock. There is also overall light stain, not bad. A great rarity in spite of some imperfections! [rudyrm – 100% positive feedback]
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Billhead for Oliver Johnson & Co., importers, manufacturers and dealers in white lead, colors & painters supplies, office 19, warehouse, 13 & 15 Exchange Street, Providence, Rhode Island, June 23, 1877

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

B 19  BARBER’S INDIAN VEGETABLE JAUNDICE BITTERS, Circa 1850 – 1870
BARBER’S // INDIAN VEGETABLE // JAUNDICE BITTERS //
OLIVER JOHNSON & CO. // PROVIDENCE R.I. // f // f // f // f // f // f // f //
6 1/8 x 2 1/4 (4 5/8) 5/8
12-sided, Aqua, FM, Tooled lip, Extremely rare
Copyrighted in 1875, in business since 1858
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Extremely rare BARBER’S INDIAN VEGETABLE JAUNDICE BITTERS – Meyer Collection

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Extremely rare BARBER’S INDIAN VEGETABLE JAUNDICE BITTERS – Meyer Collection

OLIVER JOHNSON

Oliver JOHNSON, son of Elisha and Asee (Albro) Johnson, was born at East Greenwich, R.I., June 14, 1799. His paternal ancestor in this county came from Wales and settled on the island of Rhode Island, where, in company with his brother, he commenced the business of fulling and dressing cloth, which he had pursued in his native country. He subsequently removed to that part of East Greenwich now called Frenchtown, where he purchased a tract of land (part of which is still owned by the Johnson family) and erected a mill and dwelling house. Benjamin Johnson, the grandfather of Oliver, served for some time as judge of the common pleas court, and at the time of his death was one of the judges of the supreme court of Rhode Island, which position he had occupied for several years. Mr. Johnson’s maternal ancestors were of French descent. He was educated at the common school in his native town, and Washington Academy at Wickford. At the early age of 15 he began to teach school, and thus worked his way through the academy, and was enabled to acquire a good education. He continued to teach until he was 23 years of age.

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Image from: “The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” By Thomas Williams Bicknell Published by American Historical Society, 1920

In 1822 he quit teaching, and, with Whipple A. Arnold, engaged in general merchandising at Centreville, R.I. After being thus associated for about two years the partnership dissolved, and Mr. Arnold continued to carry on the business alone. He next opened a variety store in a building owned and occupied by Dr. Sylvester Knight, and having a desire to learn the drug business, added drugs and medicines to his stock. For some time he was assisted by Doctor Knight, and studied with him until he had acquired a thorough knowledge of the drug business. He continued in business at Centreville until 1833, and a part of the time while there kept the Centreville Hotel, and also engaged in cotton manufacturing with John J. Wood.

The year of his removal to Providence he and Doctor Knight opened a wholesale drug store on Weybosset street, where they continued until the death of Doctor Knight in 1841.

Johnson_DruggistIn April, 1833, he removed to Providence, where he has since resided. The year of his removal to Providence he and Doctor Knight opened a wholesale drug store on Weybosset street, where they continued until the death of Doctor Knight in 1841. The stock and fixtures of this store were then sold to Grosvenor & Chace, of Providence, and Mr. Johnson afterward opened a store for the sale of drugs, groceries, cotton, cotton goods and manufacturers’ supplies, at the present site of the ‘Journal’ office, where he continued in business alone, and succeeded in building up a large and profitable trade. In 1846 he removed his business to 13 Exchange Street, and has continued there until the present time. In consequence of increased trade, his store has been greatly enlarged, and now extends through to Exchange place. In 1852 he associated with his son, William S. Johnson, and the firm continued as Oliver Johnson & Son until 1859, when Benjamin W. Spink, who had for several years been in Mr. Johnson’s employ, was also admitted as a partner, and the business has since been continued under the firm name of Oliver Johnson & Co. They also have a large building on the corner of Eddy and Elm streets, where they grind white lead and colors.

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Mr. Johnson is at present the oldest wholesale druggist in the state, and, though not now an active partner, being over 91 years of age, still retains a relish for the activity of business, and may be seen almost every day at his desk in the counting room. His uprightness of character and business qualifications have won him the esteem of his fellow citizens, and caused him to be called upon to fill various public positions. He was justice of the peace and notary public in Warwick for some time; in 1841, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’56 a member of the city council of Providence, holding while there the offices of chairman of the committee on education, chairman of the committee on highways, and was instrumental in locating and purchasing the present site of the city hall. He was a representative in the general assembly of Rhode Island in 1854,’55 and ’57, holding there the office of chairman of the committee on corporations, and was a member of the two conventions in 1841, called for the purpose of drafting the constitution of the state. He has been a director in several insurance companies; was a director of the City National Bank from 1834 to 1848, and has been a trustee of the Mechanics’ Savings Bank since 1864, having been one of the incorporators in 1854. He has also been a director of the Westminster Bank several years.

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Advertisement for Oliver Johnson & Son – The Providence Directory – 16861

He has been an active and prominent member of the order of Freemasons since June 7th, 1823, at which time he was initiated in Manchester Lodge, No. 12, at Coventry, R.I. Notwithstanding the religious and political persecution to which Freemasons were subjected during the anti-Masonic movement, Mr. Johnson remained firm in his adherence to the order. He was twice called before the church of which he was then a member to answer to the charge of being a Freemason; but the charge was withdrawn. He received all the degrees in Ancient Masonry, and the orders of Knighthood, and was honored with the highest offices in the gift of the fraternity. He was elected grand master of Masons by the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island in 1855-56; (grand commander) eminent commander of St. John’s (Encampment) Commandery in 1859; and grand high priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Rhode Island in 1860. He has received in all 44 degrees and orders, including the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites. On the 6th of July, 1816, when 17 years of age, he joined the First Baptist church in Exeter, R.I., and has since been a member and prominent leader in many other churches.

He has been twice married; first to Hannah S. Davis, daughter of Ezra D. and Mahitable (Reynolds) Davis, of Davisville, R.I., September 5th, 1824. She died May 24th, 1862, aged 57 years. They had two sons: William S. and Edwin A. Johnson. He married, second, February 23d, 1864, Cordelia M. Stanwood, daughter of Solomon and Jane D. (Hamoor) Stanwood, of Ellsworth, Maine. Mr. Johnson was for many years a member of the standing committee of the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry, and has given considerable attention to agriculture, having for some time owned a farm on Coweset bay, in Warwick.”

History of Providence County, Volume I
Edited by Richard M. Bayles
W. W. Preston & Co., NY. 1891

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Paint dealer, Oliver Johnson & Co. was situated on the corner of Exchange Place and Exchange Street. The view shown here is of its building facing Exchange Place. – A Survey of Nineteenth Century Rhode Island Billheads – University of Rhode Island

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OLIVER JOHNSON & Co Providence RI 1878 INVOICE VILLA LEAD Paint WALTER PRICE & C – ebay

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Barber’s Indian Vegetable Jaundice Bitters A rare RI bitters bottle – Taylorsribottles2’s

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Barber’s Indian Vegetable Jaundice Bitters A rare RI bitters bottle – Taylorsribottles2’s

Posted in Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, eBay, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment