Is their a relationship between Grape Bitters by C.R. Smith & Company in Chicago?

Posted on 29 March 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Is there a relationship between Grape Bitters by C .R. Smith & Company in Chicago and Dr. A.H. Smith’s Old Style Bitters from St. Louis?

29 March 2015

Apple-Touch-IconASorry for the long title. I though I recognized this bottle as it reminded me of another “Smith” bitters in my collection. Mark Nelson posted the above Grape Bitters pictures, which have been clipped in Photoshop, on the Peachridge Glass Facebook page. He added with the pictures, “a fellow friend/digger brought this bottle over to show me at the Milwaukee Bottle Show last month. A real cryer, but what a beautiful color. Now the search for a complete example is underway!”

I asked him more about the embossing and he replied, “I believe C.R. Smith Chicago” and the other side is “Grape Bitters”!

First of all, we need to figure out who C.R. Smith is? In Bitters Bottles by Ring and Ham,  Grape Bitters has “C.R. Smith & Co.” embossed on the bottle. I wonder if this is a simple bottle-making error and if the “C” could be a “G”? I say this because I can not find any information on this C. R. Smith in Chicago. The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

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G 92  GRAPE / BITTERS // f // C. R. SMITH & CO. / CHICAGO. // f //
9 1/2 x 2 7/8 (7 1/4) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Extremely rare
Trademark June, 1881, Chas. W. Robinson, Detroit, Mich.
Trademark July, 1881, John F. Haberstro, Buffalo, N.Y.

What is odd is the notation above in Bitters Bottles of a trademark dated June, 1881, by Chas. W. Robinson of Detroit, Michigan. There was a Charles W. Robinsoin in Detroit around that time but he worked for the Detroit Seed Company. There is also a second notation for a Trademark dated July, 1881 by John F. Haberstro in Buffalo, N.Y. I need to track down Eric McGuire on these trademark questions.

What I do find is very interesting.

G. R. Smith & Company

G. R. Smith & Company had a thriving drug business for many years in Jerseyville, Illinois which is a city in Jersey County, Illinois. Jerseyville is a part of Southern Illinois and north of St. Louis. They were one of the leading dealers in drugs, books, stationery and wall paper and conducted business in the oldest established drug business in the county.

Alex B. Morean initially established the drug business in 1836. He was succeeded by a drug concern named White & Ware. For a few years the firm continued until Mr. White dropped out. G. W. Ware, then became the sole proprietor and was succeeded in 1882 by G. R. Smith & Company. Their 2-story building was 22 feet wide, by 60 feet in depth and was erected in 1865 at the cost of $6,000. They typically carried stock that was valued at $8,000.

Gregory R. Smith was the son of A. H. Smith and Amanda (Robinson) Smith. His father was from New Jersey and his mother was from Virginia. He was born in Kane, Greene County, Illinois on July 1, 1857. He was educated in the schools of Carrollton and subsequently learned the drug business from his father and older brothers. In 1882 he came to Jerseyville and succeeded G. W. Ware in the drug business, the firm now being G. R. Smith & Company. His brother Edward Smith, was his partner. They also had a drug store in Carrollton. He was described as an enterprising business man and popular druggist. His assistants were Will S. Pittman and Ralph Vandenburg.

Mr. Smith was honored with a number of positions of responsibility during his residence in Jerseyville. He was a member of the Society of Knights of Pythias and was elected city Treasurer on the democratic ticket in 1887-88. He was also president of the Jersey County Gun Club, treasurer of the Citizens Association and secretary and treasurer of the city Fire Department. Gregory Smith died at his home in December, 1910 in Jerseyville.

Whether Gregory R. Smith put out the Grape Bitters, I think we have now identified his father, A. H. Smith with more substance as the proprietor of A. H. Smith’s Celebrated Old Style Bitters. I have actually written about this before. Read: Dr. A.H. Smiths Old Style Bitters – O.S. 2781

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listings in Bitters Bottles for the Smith’s Celebrated Old Style Bitters is as follows:

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S 127  DR. SMITHS OLD STYLE BITTERS
DR. A. H. SMITHS / OLD STYLE BITTERS // f // O.S / 2781 / f //
Union Medicine Company, Sole Proprietor, St. Louis, Missouri
8 3/4 x 2 3/4 (6 5/8) 1/4
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, 2 sp, Scarce
Red River Gazette (Minnesota) February 6, 1873
Drug Catalogs: 1874 VS&R, 1878 CB&Co.
S 127.5  DR. SMITHS OLD STYLE BITTERS
DR. A. H. SMITHS / OLD STYLE BITTERS // f // O.S 2781 / THE
STANDARD TONIC / AND BLOOD PURIFIER //
8 3/4 x 2 3/4 (6 5/8) 1/4
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, Rare
S 127_5 Dr Smiths

Dr. A. H. Smith’s Celebrated Old Style Bitters (S 127.5) – Meyer Collection

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Dr. A. H. Smith’s Celebrated Old Style Bitters (S 127) – Tim Henson

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Dr. A. H. Smiths Celebrated Old Style Bitters advertisement, Union Medicine Company – The Andrew County Republican (Savannah, Missouri), Friday, February 28, 1873

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Ask For Smiths Old Style Bitters advertisement The Pantograph (Bloomington, Illinois), Friday, January 23, 1874

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Dr. A. H. Smiths Celebrated Old Style Bitters advertisement, Union Medicine Company – The Pantograph (Bloomington, Illinois), Saturday, January 17, 1874

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Dr. A. H. Smiths Celebrated Old Style Bitters advertisement – Alton Telegraph (Alton, Illinois), Friday, March 27, 1874

SMITH, C. S. dry goods merchant, Kane, Ill. The above named gentleman was born in Greene in 1846; oldest son of Dr. A. H. Smith, the well-known physician and druggist of Carrollton; he passed his early years in Carrollton, where he received a liberal education; for a short time he became employed as a clerk; during the Autumn of 1870, locating at New Kane, where he entered into a co-partnership business with John Greene. Both members were men of enterprise and sagacity, and their business soon became a large and growing one; the new firm sold goods for a period of two years in a large brick building owned by A. Felter; owing to increasing business, and desiring a better location, they decided to erect their present building, by far the best store house in the town, where a business is transacted that will compare favorably with any similar establishment in Kane. In September 1875, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Hobson, a daughter of Robert Hobson. One child born of this, Florence.

I will focus more on C. R. Smith from Chicago. There is probably a stone I have not turned.

Select Listings

1858: Gregory Smith born in Illinois about 1858, Father A. H. Smith from New Jersey, mothers name Amanda from Virginia – United States Federal Census

1860: A. H. Smith, (43) Merchandising, wife Amanda, sons Charles (12), Henry (10), Edward (5) and Gregory (2), living in Kane, Greene, Illinois – United States Federal Census

1880: A. H. Smith, (63) Druggist, sons Edward (25) and Gregory (22) druggists, living Carrollton, Greene, Illinois – United States Federal Census

1880: Gregory Smith, age 22, Clerk in Drug Store, Carrollton, Greene, Illinois, father A. H. Smith, Druggist, brother Edward (25), Sister Mary (19) – United States Federal Census

1882: In 1867 Mr. Ware erected a commodious store building and conducted the business alone until about 1882, when he sold out his business to G. R. Smith & Co., the present south State street druggists. – JERSEYVILLE, ILLINOIS

1910: Gregory R. Smith, for thirty years a druggist of Jerseyville, Illinois, died at his home, December, 1910. He was fifty-four years of age. Mr. Smith had held many public offices and was Alderman for several terms. – Meyer Brothers Druggist, Volume 32, 1911

1924: Death of Edward Smith, brother and partner of Gregory R. Smith – Alton Evening Telegraph, Monday, January 7, 1924

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Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dr. S. Griggs’ Aromatic Bitters – Detroit

Posted on 26 March 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

GriggsSideGWA245rDr. S. Griggs’ Aromatic Bitters – Detroit

26 March 2015 (R•052615)

Apple-Touch-IconAWhile searching for information on the Prof. H.P. Lorman Tonic Bitters and Appetizer, I came across this cool advertisement below for Dr. S. Griggs’ Aromatic Bitters from Detroit, Michigan. I knew I had a recent bottle picture from Glass Works Auctions (pictured above) to create this post.

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

G 117  f // DR. S. GRIGGS. DETROIT // sp // AROMATIC BITTERS //
Laboratory No. 15 Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan
10 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 2 (7 7/8) 3/8
Rectangle, Amber, LTCR, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Extremely rare
Label: Nothing equals Dr. S. Griggs Aromatic Bitters as a sure and positive cure for chills & fevers, chronic diarrhea, cholera morbus, dysentery, neuralgia pains, dyspepsia, chronic catarrh and liver complaint, asthmatic affections, bleeding piles and in all cases of general debility. The most effective remedy ever used. Try them.
Detroit City Directories: 1856 S. Griggs worked at a family store (C. W. Griggs Furniture Store) 1857-68 S. Griggs is listed as a physician. 1868 he formed Griggs & Co., with L. M. Mason and listed as drugs and medicine work 15 Jefferson. The next year Griggs, Mott & Co. comprised of Griggs, John T. Mott and Thomas Donahue list their bitters or do so until his death 1877.
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Dr. S. Griggs’ Aromatic Bitters advertisement – The Leavenworth Times, Tuesday, July 27, 1869

Dr. Stephen Griggs

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Stephen Adelbert Griggs was born in Tolland, Connecticut on 10 January 1823. His father was Chauncey Griggs (1796-1866) and his mother was Hearty Dimock or Dimmock (1795-1880). He was first married to Lydia Lyekia Fuller on 06 August 1845 in Connecticut and then to Lucy Elizabeth Swift on 27 January 1848, also in Connecticut. His siblings were Frances Elizabeth Griggs, Herman Swift Griggs, Lucy Elliott Griggs and Louisa Griggs.

Dr. Stephen Griggs, at a young age of 26, first shows up as a ‘Physician’ in Florence, Ohio in 1850. His wife Lucy was 19 at the time according to a United States Federal Census. It is questionable where he obtained his medical degree, if there ever was one.

By 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, he registered for service in Detroit, Michigan. By 1866, Dr. Stephen Griggs is listed as a physician with his office at 158 Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. So far, so good. Unfortunately in 1866, Dr. Stephen Griggs is caught charged with smuggling $3,000 worth of whiskey from Canada to Cleveland. This is interesting because the advertising for his Griggs Aromatic Bitters says that it is purely vegetable. Uh huh. He does however go to court and is found “not guilty” as you can see from the second notice below.

Dr Stephen Griggs Detroit - on Newspapers.com

Dr. Stephen Griggs accused of Smuggling – Cleveland Daily Leader, Monday June 4, 1866

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Dr. Stephen Griggs Not Guilty – Cleveland Daily Leader, Tuesday, ,June 19, 1866

In 1867, he takes on L. M. Mason as a partner and the concern is called Griggs & Company and they are selling drugs and medicines at 15 Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. In 1868 it is called S. Grigg’s & Co. with Stephen Griggs, Thomas S. Donahue and L. M. Mason as partners. They are listed as selling Griggs Aromatic Bitters, still at the 15 Jefferson Avenue address. In 1869, they are called Griggs, Mott & Co. with Stephen Griggs, John T. Mott and Thomas S. Donahue as partners, again manufacturing Griggs’ Aromatic Bitters at 15 Jefferson Avenue. So it appears that we have a very short life span for this bitters, maybe from 1868 to 1869.

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From 1870 to about 1874, Stephen Griggs is listed as physician and surgeon with offices at 158 & 160 Jefferson Avenue. He is living at 66 Congress Way. Stephen Griggs dies on 30 August 1875 in Detroit, Michigan.

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“DR S. GRIGGS. DETROIT – AROMATIC BITTERS”, America, 1865 – 1875. Golden amber with lighter honey tones in the shoulders, rectangular with beveled corners, applied tapered collar with bevel – smooth base, ht. 10 ½”, near mint; (a couple of small areas on the back label panel of ever-so-slight dullness, some spotty interior residue that would likely wash out). R/H #G117. An outstanding example, full of character, crudeness, and bubbles. Noted by Ring/Ham as “Extremely rare”, found in a house in Dundee, Mich. It appears that perhaps only one, or possibly two, other examples of this bottle has been offered at public auction since 1995. – American Glass Gallery – Auction 14

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Lot of (2), “DR S. GRIGGS. DETROIT – AROMATIC BITTERS” (one with original front and back labels), America, 1865 – 1875. Bright golden amber, 2nd example is a honey color with a slight butterscotch tone, both rectangular with applied tapered collars – smooth bases, ht. 10 3/8″ and 10 ¾” respectively; (labeled ex. is badly cracked in the shoulder area, but with 90% front label, 75% rear label; the yellowish honey example is virtually attic mint!) R/H #G117. Note, these were blown in two different molds! – American Glass Gallery Auction 14

Select Timeline:

1823: Stephen Griggs Birth in Tolland, Connecticut on 10 January 1823. Father; Chauncey Griggs (1796-1866) and mother; Hearty Dimock or Dimmock (1795-1880)
1845: Marriage to Lydia Lyekia Fuller on 06 August 1845 in Connecticut.
1848: Marriage to Lucy Elizabeth Swift on 27 January 1848  in Connecticut.
1850: Stephen Griggs, age 26, Physician, born in Connecticut, living in Florence, Erie, Ohio, wife; Lucy E., age 19 – United States Federal Census
1862-1863: S. Griggs, Physician, 50 Congress w. – Detroit Michigan City Directory
1863: Stephen Griggs, age 39, residence 1st Ward, Michigan – U.S. Civil War Draft Registration Records
1866: Stephen Griggs, physician, office 158 Jefferson Ave., h. 44 Congress w. – Detroit, Michigan City Directory
1867: Griggs & Co., (Stephen Griggs & L. M. Mason), drugs and medicines, 15 Jefferson ave – Detroit, Michigan City Directory
1868: S. Grigg’s & Co. (Stephen Griggs, T. S. Donahue and L. M. Mason), Grigg’s Aromatic Bitters, 15 Jefferson Ave. – Detroit Michigan City Directory
1869: Griggs, Mott & Co. (Stephen Griggs, John T. Mott and Thomas S. Donahue), manufacturers Grigg’s Aromatic Bitters, 15 Jefferson Ave. – Detroit, Michigan City Directory
1870: Stephen Griggs, age 46, Medical Doctor, born in Connecticut, living in Detroit Ward 1, Wayne, Michigan, wife; Lucy E., age 39, children; Stephen E. A., age 20, Francis E., age 18, Herman S., age 13, Lucy E., age 5 – United States Federal Census
1872-74: Stephen Griggs, physician and surgeon, office 158 & 160 Jefferson Ave., h. 66 Congress w. – Detroit Michigan City Directory
1875: Stephen Griggs, h. 66 Congress – Detroit Michigan City Directory
1875: Death Stephen Griggs, 30 August 1875 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Posted in Advertising, Bitters, History, Legal, Medicines & Cures, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Professor H.P. Lorman and his Tonic Bitters and Appetizer

Posted on 23 March 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Professor H.P. Lorman and his Tonic Bitters and Appetizer

23 March 2015

Apple-Touch-IconABill Ham sent me a picture of a bottle shard that Bob Strickhart had sent to him for recording as an unlisted bitters. I clipped the image in Photoshop and positioned it above. So who is Professor H. P. Lorman and where is this bottle from? I also wonder if there is a relationship with the H.P. Herb Wild Cherry Bitters?

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Professor H. P. Lorman

Professor Henry “Harry” Perry Lorman, better known by his own words as the “Indian Doctor” and the “Greatest Disease Detective”, was a traveling medicine and flim-flam man who was born in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware in 1849. His father was Charles Hamm Lorman (1818-1873) and his mother was Elizabeth Jane Mongar (1818-1882). Starting first as a painter at 19 years old in Elkton, Maryland, he then becomes a printer in the same locale. I guess that he liked professions that started with a “P” because he ‘became’ a Professor next in Philadelphia around 1882 selling patent medicines. He was however, never a Physician.

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Prof. Lorman traveled to small towns like West Chester, Harrisburg, Lehighton, Maunch Chunk, Mahanoy City and Shippensburgh in Pennsylvania and Millville and Vineland in New Jersey and south to Hagerstown, Maryland offering ‘free consultation’ and putting on healing performances to sell his products like Prof. H.P. Lorman’s Indian Tonic, Prof. H.P. Lorman’s Indian Oil, Prof. H.P. Lorman’s Female Tonic and Prof. H.P. Lorman’s Tonic Bitters and Appetizer. He also sold worm powders and liver pills. To get you to come to his evening street lectures, which were usually held on corners near his hotel, he would provide vocal and instrumental music concerts. This spectacle must have been really something to watch or attend. It was reported that he worked from sunrise to midnight during his shows.

His advertisements that were posted in advance of his visits where he would arrive with a team of groomed horses. He said that all he had to do was to look at you, and sometimes touch you, to describe all of your ailments, ‘with the agility of a Wizard’. He even said that he did not need to take your pulse and that you did not have to stick out your tongue during his ‘consultations’. Of course you had better be able to reach for you pocketbook and have money because your cure, and there would certainly be a problem, would rely on one of his products that was based on his herbs, roots, barks, gums, and balsams. He must have been quite prolific as one advertisement says that he saw 12,978 patients in 1897. Another says that he made $350 from his willing crowds at one of his stops. He also claimed to have once relieved a patient of a 7 inch lizard! He would stay about a week in each town and milk it dry. What a circus. I think he must have fancied himself after Wild Bill Hickok by looking at his illustrations he used on his advertisements.

So here we have just a shard of glass that tells quite a story. Prof. Lorman died in Philadelphia in 1926. I am still looking at a potential H. P. Herb Bitters (Reading, PA). connection.

The new listing by Bill Ham within the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

L 121.5  PROF. H. P. LORMAN’S / TONIC BITTERS /AND (sd) APPETIZER
Amber, sunken embossed panel
Embossed panel of broken example
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Prof. H. P. Lorman advertisement – 1898

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Prof. H. P. Lorman coming to town advertisement – The Carbon Advocate, Saturday, June 10, 1882

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Prof. H. P. Lorman coming to town advertisement – The Herald and Torch Light Thursday, July 17, 1884

Other Bottles

PROF. H. P. LORMAN’S / INDIAN TONIC, aqua, square with beveled edges, 8 ¼” tall.

PROF. H. P. LORMAN’S / FEMALE TONIC / PHILADELPHIA, PA. U. S. A. Clear/colorless “prescription” style bottle, 6 ¾” tall, smooth base (W. T. CO. / C).

Select Listings

1849: Henry Perry Lorman born in Wilmington, New Castle County, Deleware

1860: Henry Lorman, age 11, living Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland, father Charles, mother Elizabeth, brothers Mathis, Samuel and John  – United States Federal Census

1870: Henry Lorman, painter, age 19, living Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland, father Charles, mother Elizabeth – United States Federal Census

1880: Henry Lorman, printer, age 29, living in Philadelphia – United States Federal Census

1882: Henry P. Lorman, patent medicines, 1936 South 12th – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania City Directory

1926: Death in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA

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

Salutes to the 2015 San Luis Obispo Antique Bottle Show – Morro Bay

Posted on 22 March 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Salutes to the 2015 San Luis Obispo Antique Bottle Show – Morro Bay

22 March 2015 (R•040315)

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Apple-Touch-IconAWell…I salute along with the soldier and sailor dolls spotted on a dealers table. Another San Luis Obispo Antique Bottle Show in Morro Bay, California has come and gone but the adventure continues as Jerry and Helen Forbes, and my wife Elizabeth and I, head up to Monterey after breakfast here at Dorn’s which was the original Breakers Cafe. We come here each morning to regroup and recharge. Fresh orange juice and every kind of great breakfast imaginable. Nice way to start the day, just across the street from our inn.

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Hard to believe that just a few weeks ago we were in Baltimore in that cold, brisk weather for the 2015 Baltimore Antique Bottle Show. Quite a difference in scenery as in Baltimore we stayed at the inner harbor and here in Morro Bay, we are staying at the Blue Sail Inn facing Morro Bay and the famous rock. Quite relaxing watching the boats, water and sun movement. We leave the balcony door open each night to a symphony of sounds including sea gulls, sea lions, a fog horn and waves crashing on the jetty.

Read: 2014 Morro Bay Bottle Show

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Elizabeth and I flew in from Houston, last Thursday, connecting in San Francisco on a small propeller plane to San Luis Obispo. Jerry and Helen picked us up and we quickly headed up to Morro Bay to unpack, relax and eat seafood. Elizabeth (pictured below) and Helen shopped quite a bit. I’ve always said, “a happy wife makes for a happy bottle collector.”

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This is quite a charming town with an equally charming little bottle show full of fun people. Much more of a social event especially when you throw in the Friday evening cook-out with home-made sausage (four kinds), monster thick steaks and local harvested wine. All put on and contributed by the local bottle club and their generous leader, Webb Tartaglia.

Read: Morro Bay Meat Eaters

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Of course, besides the antique bottles, the bottle show is connecting with friends. Great to see so many. That is Dave and Cindy Maryo and Dar Furda from the Los Angeles Historical Bottle Club below. The second smiling couple is Dale and Barbara Santos from El Cerrito, California. I don’t know who the two island girls are? The last picture in the series is Cutter, like the whiskey brand. This is the Forbe’s Min Pin dog.

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Bill Ham recently purchased a rather large collection of more common bitters including labeled and full content examples. I think of my friend and fellow collector Frank Wicker. I had heard that these bottles were coming to the show, so I quickly set up camp near Bill’s table and started going thru boxes to see if I could find any hidden gems. The bottles had to be empty because you can’t travel through airport security with more than 3.2 liquid ounces and I certainly didn’t want to put these fragile, and possibly leaking bottles, in altitude, in my suit case. The first shots come from Bill’s fully loaded table.

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I quickly find five aqua bitters that I do not have. Here is a group shot below. The take includes a Clarke’s Compound Mandrake Bitters, a Clarke’s Constitution Bitters (embossed Lincoln), a H. Theilmann’s Bitters, a Dr. Carson’s Stomach Bitters and a smaller, Gwilym Evans Quinine Bitters. Not bad.

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Clarke’s Compound Mandrake Bitters, a Clarke’s Constitution Bitters (embossed Lincoln), a H. Theilmann’s Bitters, a Dr. Carson’s Stomach Bitters and a smaller, Gwilym Evans Quinine Bitters.

Next I see a Beriaults Hair Bitters that caught my attention for a number of reasons such as the use of the bitters for a hair tonic, the label with a man holding a hair piece, the bottle contents and the accompanying packaging hand-stamp for the product. Pretty cool. Obviously a late bitters.

Read: Beriaults Hair Bitters – Hair Bitters Manufacturing Company

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Beriaults Hair Bitters with accompanying packaging hand-stamp for the product.

Then I see a nice pair of fully labeled, with contents, Electric Brand Laxative which is a variation of Electric Bitters. Read: Looking Closely at an Electric Bitters Label. Then I see three different Boonekamp Stomach Bitters

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Fully labeled, with contents, Electric Brand Laxative

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Two variations of a fully labeled, with contents, Boonekamp Stomach Bitters

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Wrapped like a mummy – Boonekamp Stomach Bitters

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Fully labeled, with contents, Eilert’s Stomach Bitters

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Fully labeled Dragon Brand Genuine Orange Bitters by E. M. Corthell in Boston, Mass.

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Labeled, with contents, Buffalo Bitters by Nelson Distilling

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Labeled, with contents, ERSO Anti-Bilious Bitters, Gaines, Pennsylvania

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Labeled, with contents, Wild Cherry Bitters

 See Part 2: Some other pictures from our 2015 West Coast Bottle Trip

Posted in Bitters, Bottle Shows, Club News, Medicines & Cures, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beriaults Hair Bitters – Hair Bitters Manufacturing Company

Posted on 21 March 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Beriaults Hair Bitters – Hair Bitters Manufacturing Company

21 March 2015

Apple-Touch-IconABill Ham recently purchased a collection of primarily labeled bitters that he put on a table for the first time yesterday at the Morro Bay Bottle Show. The Beriaults Hair Bitters caught my attention for a number of reasons such as the use of the bitters for a hair tonic, the label with a man holding a hair piece, the bottle contents and the accompanying packaging hand-stamp for the product. Pretty cool. Obviously a late bitters. Joseph B. Beriaut from Seattle, Washington obtained patent 128,625 for his hair-tonic on January 13th 1920. The product claimed to be for “Removal of all scalp troubles” and asked “Why Wear Anothers Hair?” The business was apparently later called Beriault Laboratories.

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“Why wear another’s hair?”

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

H 6drawing

H 6  sp // HAIR BITTERS // BERIAULT in script / LABORATORIES // HAIR BITTERS //
L… Beriaults Hair Bitters\
Hair Bitters Mfg. Co., Seattle, Washington
7 7/8 3 1/4 x 2 1/4 (5 1/2)
Rectangular, clear, Stopper with crown finial, ABM
Label: Why where another man’s hair? A remedy for dandruff, falling hair, slap diseases, A delightful dressing.
Registered U.S. Patent Office 1919.
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Beriault’s Hair Bitters advertisement – The Winnipeg Tribune, Wednesday, August 15, 1923

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A fully labeled with contents Beriault’s Hair Bitters

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Reverse – A fully labeled with contents Beriault’s Hair Bitters

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Embossing stamp for Hair Bitters Manufacturing Company

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Insert label identifying Hair Bitters Manufacturing Company

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Clinic announced for Beriault’s Hair Bitters – The Oregon Daily Journal, Sunday, July 18, 1920

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Hair Tonics, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Set of Three Skull Poisons and Trade Cards

Posted on 20 March 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Set of Three Skull Poisons and Trade Cards

20 March 2015

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Apple-Touch-IconASometimes I just feel like Charlie Brown because I have to say “Good Grief”. This time, Jim Hagenbuch has a set of three Skull Poisons….plus…are you ready…. three corresponding trade cards. Wow-oh-wow. Lot 244 is currently online at Glass Works Auctions “Winter Classic” Auction 106. The write-up and pictures from Glass Works are included in this post.

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244. Set of Three Skull Poisons and Trade Cards, “POISON – PAT APP’L FOR”, (Kuhn, KU-10), Massachusetts, ca. 1890 – 1910, cobalt blue, 2 7/8”, 3 1/2” and 4 1/4”, the middle and larger size bottles have “PAT – JUNE – 26TH – 1894” on smooth bases, tooled lips. Three identical trade cards accompany the skulls. Each shows a Skull with ‘Patented June 26, 1894’ on the front and ‘C.H. Lee & Co. / Manufacturers of / Skull & Cross Bones / (Lee Poison Bottle) / 117 Pearl St. Boston. / Room 313, 132 Nassau St., New York’. They are 4 1/2” by 2 1/2”h. 

Visit Glass Works Auctions

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The middle size skull has a less than pinhead in size spot of roughness on the outer edge of the lip that probably occurred in making. Arguably the finest set of Skull Poisons in existence and never filled. Rarer than the Skull’s are the three trade cards, one for each skull. In the mid-1980’s an English collector ran an ad in the British Bottle Review magazine wanting to buy Skull poisons. A person responded to the ad offering this set, he had found them several years earlier in an old Apothecary Shop in central Wales, which is part of Great Britain. When found the Skull’s and cards were inside a cardboard box filled with straw, both of which are long gone. The set is believed to be a salesmen’s sample, shown to potential British buyers and left behind. For years rumor had it that a second set was also found, but this has never been substantiated, nor found.

Posted in Advertising, Auction News, Poison Bottles, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1876 United States Internal Revenue Stamps

Posted on 19 March 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

BrewerCert

Looking closer at 1876 United States Internal Revenue Special Tax Stamps

19 March 2015

Apple-Touch-IconAWhile working on the Dr. James H. McLean & Ferd Meyer, the Tax Agent post, I had the opportunity to look more closely at the 1876 United States Internal Revenue Special Tax Stamps or Certificates for Wholesale Liquor Dealers, Tobacco Peddlers and Beer Brewers. The art is quite spectacular and was executed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C. which was formed in 1861 by legislation enacted to help fund the Civil War. In July 1861, Congress authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to issue paper currency in lieu of coins due to the lack of funds needed to support the conflict.

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In August 1862, while the American Civil War was being waged, the United States (Union) government began taxing a variety of goods, services and legal dealings. Many were luxury or “sin” items. To confirm that taxes were paid, a ‘revenue stamp’ was purchased and appropriately affixed to the taxable item, which would in turn pay the tax duty involved.

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Examples of the first U.S. Revenue stamps issued in 1862

The new revenue stamps were used to pay tax on proprietary items such as playing cards, patent medicines and luxuries, and for various legal documents, stocks, transactions and various legal services. The cancellation of these stamps were usually done in pen and ink, while hand stamped cancellations were seldomly used and subsequently are more rare. When the Civil War ended it did not mean an end to revenue taxes as the federal government still had not paid the $2.7 billion debt it had acquired until 1883, at which time it finally repealed the excise tax. Three distinct revenue stamp series were produced to pay the taxes during that twenty-one year period.

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A 2 cent Internal Revenue “Playing Cards”, Scott # R11, paid the tax on this carte de visite

Among the more notable instances of tax stamp usage occurred in the photography trade. As the Civil War progressed, the demand for photographs of family members, soldiers going off to war and returning war heroes increased dramatically, but not without the notice from the Federal government who saw the advent as an opportunity to raise much-needed revenue for the war. On August 1, 1864 the Internal Revenue department passed a ‘photograph tax’ requiring photographers to pay a tax on the sale of their photographs. By 1864 there were no ‘photography tax’ stamps issued, so other stamps were substituted, typically, the proprietary or playing card revenue stamps was used, usually affixed to the back of the photograph. Already burdened with high overhead costs and scarcity of materials because of the war, large photograph companies organized and petitioned Congress, complaining that they were shouldering too much of the tax burden placed on the public. After exactly two years their constant efforts resulted in the tax being repealed on August 1, 1866. Several other widely used products, such as cotton, tobacco and alcohol, were also charged a proprietary tax which appreciably contributed to the revenues generated. [Wikipedia]

I was able to isolate some of the engraved art on the certificates.

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United States Capitol on Brewer Stamp

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Tobacco Peddler 2nd Class art

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Wholesale Liquor Dealer art. Notice the demijohn.

Posted in Art & Architecture, Civil War, History, Postage, Tax Stamps | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dr. James H. McLean & Ferd Meyer, the Tax Agent

Posted on 19 March 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Dr. James H. McLean & Ferd Meyer, the Tax Agent

19 March 2015

Apple-Touch-IconATom Phillips sent me a packet of FOHBC convention information and with it was this Commission Bill below for Dr. J. H. McLean’s Family Medicines at 314 Chestnut Street in St. Louis, Missouri. That is Dr. McLean pictured above. OK, so far, that is pretty cool. Neat graphics including an illustration of Dr. McLean’s Grand Tower Block in the upper left corner and Dr. McLean’s Laboratory in the upper right corner. Obviously a pretty big operation with lots of product and distribution. So why did he send it to me? I carefully look at the Dr. McLean products listed neatly on the front of the bill. I see Cordial, Liniment, Quinine and Vermifuge listings, but no Bitters listings?

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Dr. J. H. McLean’s Family Medicines commission bill, 1877 (front)

So I turn it over and see copy on the back. I usually don’t see printing here. Something from the Supervisor’s Office of the United States Internal Revenue from the District of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Indian Territory and Texas dated January 19th, 1876.

The communication is signed by FERD. MEYER. Now that is cool. Many Germans settled in Baltimore, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Fort Wayne and San Antonio among other locations. While searching my own ancestry, I have come across other Ferdinand Meyer listings besides my family line in Baltimore. I am Ferdinand Meyer V and have no middle name.

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Dr. J. H. McLeans’s Family Medicines commission bill (reverse) Note: FERD MEYER, Supervisor

What is interesting here, is that Dr. McLean sent Agent Ferd Meyer a letter saying that certain revenue officers in his district have annoyed his customers by insisting that they pay a special Tax as retail liquor dealers selling his “Strengthening Cordial and Blood Purifier”. Dr. McLean claimed that his “Cordial” was put up and sold as a medicine and protested against classifying it with intoxicating drinks or bitters even though The Strengthening Cordial was reputedly 85 to 100 proof alcohol. Ferd Meyer replys and lets him off the hook.

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US Internal Revenue Wholesale Dealer in Malt Liquors License – eBay

A quick search of a St. Louis city directory in 1876, the date of the Ferd Meyer signature, reveals five Ferd Meyer listings in the 1876 St. Louis City Directory. One is our Ferd Meyer, U. S. Revenue Agent, with an office on the Third Floor of the Post Office Building. I bet Dr. McLean and Ferd Meyer knew each other. St. Louis at that time was the epicenter of illicit and fraudulent alcohol production as far as the stunts to avoid paying taxes.

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Five Ferd Meyer listings in the 1876 St. Louis City Directory. One is our Ferd Meyer, U. S. Revenue Agent, with an office on the Third Floor of the Post Office Building.

DR. JAMES HENRY McLEAN

James McLean was born in Scotland in 1829, and emigrated with his father to Nova Scotia shortly thereafter. When McLean was 13 years old he left home and followed the frontier west as far as St. Louis, where he attended a medical college. He decided, at this time, to concoct a preparation known as a “strengthening cordial” which, according to advertisements, would cure just about anything from pink eye to paralysis. The returns from his patent-medicine sales, which were practically all profit, soon made McLean immensely wealthy. In pursuing his professional career unaided and alone, he amassed a large fortune. The people of St. Louis know well of Dr. J. H. McLean’s Grand Tower Block and his vast Laboratory. The Dr. J. H. McLean’s Strengthening Cordial and Blood Purifier, with his other prepared medicines could be found in drug stores in nearly every village, hamlet and home in the United States including in many places in Europe as well.

Fulfilling this mission, the Doctor’s great heart burned on to do more for his fellow men. Hearing of the killing and slaughter of the brave soldiers in Europe and Asia at the will of their rulers, he resolved to develop such terribly destructive weapons of war, arms, torpedoes, and fortresses, and such perfect defenses, as would compel all nations to keep peace towards each other. This is totally another chapter in Dr. McLeans life.

Read: Dr. James Henry McLean

FERD. MEYER

[Passage from the Congressional Series of United States Public Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1876]

“TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF INTERNAL REVENUE,

“Washington, June 15, 1875.
“Sir: You have this day been instructed by telegraph to proceed to Saint Louis, and assist Supervisor Meyer in all revenue matters in his district.

“Revenue Agent Crane, who has been at Saint Louis since the inauguration of the exposure of the recent frauds, will be able to give you such information as to the progress of the work already begun as will enable you to work intelligently hereafter. Supervisor Meyer, who has been recently appointed, is not sufficiently familiar with internal revenue matters but that he will need the assistance of experienced revenue agents for some time.

“Before leaving Saint Louis, you will visit Saint Joseph and examine the rectifying-house of Westheimer, who is believed to have been a dealer in much of the illicit goods manufactured in Saint Louis. It would also be well while at Saint Joseph to examine the different distilleries located there.

“Information has also reached this office that S. F. Hutchinson, distiller, Missouri City, has been offering whisky at 81.05 per gallon, within the past ten days or two weeks. As it would be impossible for spirits, on which had honestly been paid the tax, to be sold at any such price without loss, it would be well for you to give his distillery a thorough overhauling.

“You are requested to report frequently and fully to this office the progress of your work, and to act in harmony with all the revenue officers in Saint Louis. “Respectfully,

D. D. PRATT, Commissioner.

“W. A.GAVETT, Esq.,

“Revenue Agent, (Care of Supervisor Meyer) Saint Louis, Mo.”

Q. What day did you get to Saint Louis ? – A. My recollection is that it was the 17th day of June.

Q. How long were you there ? – A. About a month.

Q. What were your duties? –  A. I was engaged in helping the officers to make the various investigations, and posting them up generally on their duties, and transferring the office of the old collector to his successor.

Q. Who was the new collector? – A. Mr. Sturgeon.

Q. When did he enter upon his duties? – A. On the 1st of July, 1975.

Q. Whose place did he take? – A. He took the place of Mr. Maguire.

Q. Was Maguire in office when you went there! – A. Yes, sir.

Q. Did you make any report with respect to him? – A. Yes, sir.

Q. What was the purport of it? – A. On the 21st of June, Supervisor Meyer, Revenue Agent Crane, and myself made a joint report to the Commissioner by telegraph, asking the immediate suspension from office of Collector Maguire, of which I have a copy.
By Mr. Cochrane:

Q. Where is the original? – A. The original, I suppose, is among my papers at Detroit.

[Telegram.]

“SAINT LOUIS, MO , June 21, 1875.

“Hon. D. D. PRATT,
“Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Washington, D. C.:

“Collector Maguire misstated facts, in his letter to you of eighth instant, concerning collection of taxes on April special list. District attorney did not advise suit instead of distraint, and there is property available to secure a large part of these taxes; but to do this, and for the interest of the Government, Collector Maguire will have to be immediately suspended, Shall I suspend him?

FERD. MEYER, Supervisor.

“We concur.”

Posted in Bitters, Cordial, Ephemera, History, Legal, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Tax Stamps, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Adolph Christian Ferdinand Moll and his Mexican Pulque Bitters

Posted on 18 March 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Mexican Bitters F&B

Adolph Christian Ferdinand Moll and his Mexican Pulque Bitters

18 March 2015

Apple-Touch-IconAI picked up a small medicine style aqua bitters recently that was embossed “Mexican Bitters”. That’s all, just Mexican Bitters. Apparently one was dug in Buffalo, New York many years ago. Of course this is not the rather well-known Mexican Bitters put out by Henry C. Weaver in Lancaster, Ohio.

As I was studying the bottle, I saw a listing in Bitters Bottles for a Mexican Pulque Bitters and it noted that the only reference was a trade card. That prompted a communication to bitters ephemera king Joe Gourd, who gladly provided the advertising trade card images for this post.

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

M 79  MEXICAN PULQUE BITTERS
WAT Supp Lost
Trade Card for A. Moll, Sole agent for the U.S., Grocer and Liquor Dealer
612 & 614 Franklin Ave., St. Louis
Try a Bottle of the Celebrated Mexican Pulque Bitters, relieves all distress of the stomach. Used for a diseases of the liver, kidneys, stomach and bowels.
Dog and pheasant motif.

A. MOLL

Amoll Illus

Adolph Christian Ferdinand Moll illustration from on old photograph

Adolph Christian Ferdinand Moll liked to go by the name “A. Moll”. I think I can understand why. A. Moll was considered the “Grocery King” of Franklin Avenue in St. Louis and he was also a liquor dealer and the sole agent in the United States for Mexican Pulque Bitters.

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Pulque Gathering

Pulque is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the maguey (agave) plant. It is traditional to central Mexico, where it has been produced for millennia. It has the color of milk, somewhat viscous consistency and a sour yeast-like taste. The drink’s history extends far back into the Mesoamerican period, when it was considered sacred, and its use was limited to certain classes of people. After the Spanish Conquest of Mexico, the drink became secular and its consumption rose. The consumption of pulque reached its peak in the late 19th century. In the 20th century, the drink fell into decline, mostly because of competition from beer, which became more prevalent with the arrival of European immigrants. There are some efforts to revive the drink’s popularity through tourism. [Wikipedia]

Adolph Moll was the son of Johann Friedrich Ludwig Moll and Maria Carolina Friderica Burmeister. He was born on 9 April 1834 in Perleberg, Kreis Westpregnitz, Brandenburg, Prussia (aka Frankenstein, Prussia). He emigrated with his family from Germany to New York City in May 1852. He is listed in Brooklyn in the 1855 New York State Census, but moved to St. Louis about 1856 and was naturalized in the St. Louis Law Commissioner’s Court in 1858 at the age of 24. In that same year, he formed the Heidsick & Moll grocery partnership, the store being located on N. Third between Market & Chestnut. Prior to this he was in the safe business for a few years. Mr. Moll was described as a hard working man who started with nothing and built one of the most solid and advanced grocery businesses in United States, possibly a model for today’s grocery stores.

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Emma Friederike Hedwig Ballaseus

Adolph Moll married Emma Friederike Hedwig Ballaseus, daughter of Johann Wilhelm Ballaseus and Julianna Justina (aka Ida Augusta) Wagner in February 1861. She had joined her mother and older sister in St. Louis in May 1860. They were married by Reverend Dr. Hugo Krebs in the Evangelist Church of the Holy Ghost. They had eight children. The oldest of the boys was Paul Moll who would later join his father in the grocery business. The same applies to Adolph Moll who was 10 years younger than Paul. Matriarch Hedwig Ballaseus was also a strong presence in the business concern.

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Interestingly enough, the next month, two other German couples were married in the same church, in a double wedding, this being Ulrich Busch and Anna Anheuser and the second was Adolphus Busch, a wholesaler who had immigrated to St. Louis from Germany in 1857 who married Eberhard Anheuser’s daughter.

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A. Moll Grocer Company on Franklin Avenue in St. Louis

The A. Moll Grocer Company began in 1863, and it dominated Adolph’s life for 35 years until his death on 22 June 1898 in St. Louis. He would work at everything in the grocery store from heaving boxes, marketing and keeping the books. People who know him said he earned every cent of his money as he built up a comfortable fortune. He was very keen in business and kept up with all modern advances in the industry. He once lured customers into his grocery store in 1885 with a 2,300-pound wheel of cheese. He was progressive in all is notions from the management of his business to his ardent advocacy of the single tax theory.

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Adolph Moll Dead, 1898

After his death, Adolph Arthur Moll was president of A. Moll Grocer Company. He was born in St. Louis on 25 September 1873 and was educated in public schools in St. Louis. He began an active career with the Wagner Electric Co., continuing for two years and then entered the grocery business as a clerk with the A. Moll Grocer Co., By June, 1895 he was acting general manager, and after death of brother Paul in 1903, became vice president and general manager and was named president of the concern in 1907.

Paul Moll, Sr, was born in St Louis on April 27, 1865, and in April 1894 he married Mollie Augusta Gamer. They had 2 boys and 2 girls, the oldest boy being Paul Moll Jr. who was born in January 1896. He married Marjorie Mosier and on June 2, 1922, their son Paul Moll III was born.

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Probably many from the Moll family at the A. Moll Grocer Company

Adolph Moll is noteworthy for having supported so many of his relatives, many through jobs at the grocery. He appears to have brought several to St. Louis, including his widowed father (after June 1865), brother Frederick Moll (1864), brother-in-law/widower William Paust (1868), brother-in-law Adolph Ballaseus (1870), brother-in-law Arthur Ballaseus (1871), sister-in-law/widow Antonia Bormann (1875), and brother Robert Moll (1878). The latter deserves special mention, as he was a highly decorated Civil War veteran with various New York infantry units, with major engagements at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Both Adolph and Robert Moll are buried with their respective families at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Adolph’s mother-in-law, however, was buried in Holy Ghost Cemetery, which was cleared in 1916 for Theodore Roosevelt High School (with any remains re-interred elsewhere). She appears in City death records as “A.W. Bullouseus.”

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Advertising trade card for A. Moll and his Pulque Bitters – Joe Gourd Collection

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Advertising trade card for A. Moll and his Pulque Bitters – Joe Gourd Collection

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Mexican Pulque Bitters on sale for 60 cents a bottle at A. Moll Grocer Company – The St. Louis Republic, Sunday, July 23, 1905

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1888 Adolph Moll Passport

Select Listings:

1834: Adolph Christian Ferdinand Moll, son of Johann Friedrich Ludwig Moll and Maria Carolina Friderica Burmeister, was born 9 April 1834 in Perleberg, Kreis Westpregnitz, Brandenburg, Prussia

1852: Adolph Moll emigrated in 1852 to America settling in New York

1861: Marriage to Hedwig Ballaseus on 02 February 1861 in St. Louis.

1871: Adolph Moll, Grocer, 618 Franklin Avenue – St. Louis, Missouri City Directory

1875-1885: Adolph Moll, Grocer, 612 and 614 Franklin Avenue – St. Louis, Missouri City Directory

1880: Adolph Moll, Fine Liquors, 612 and 614 Franklin Avenue – St. Louis, Missouri City Directory

1880: Adolph Moll, age 45, Retail Grocer, wife Hedwig, St. Louis, Missouri – United States Federal Census

1885: Adolph Moll, who lured customers into his grocery in 1885 with a 2,300-pound wheel of cheese.

1889: Adolph Moll, Grocer, 612 and 614 Franklin Avenue and 822 N. 7th. – St. Louis, Missouri City Directory

1898:  Adolph Moll died 22 June 1898 in St. Louis, Missouri.

1905: Mexican Pulque Bitters on sale for 60 cents a bottle at A. Moll Grocer Company (see advertisement above) – The St. Louis Republic

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Ephemera, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

W. A. Carlton’s Anti-Dyspeptic Tonic Bitters – Athens, Georgia

Posted on 17 March 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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W. A. Carlton’s Anti-Dyspeptic Tonic Bitters – Athens, Georgia

17 March 2015

Apple-Touch-IconAJim Hagenbuch with Glass Works Auctions has this really neat and extremely rare Carlton’s Anti-Dyspeptic Tonic Bitters square from Athens, Georgia in his “Winter Classic” Auction #106 that closes on March 23rd. I’ve heard about this bottle but have never seen an example before. Apparently W. A. Carlton was a plantation owner on what is now part of the University of Georgia at Athens, Georgia.

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

C 50.5  CARLTON’S ANTI DYSPEPTIC & TONIC BITTERS
W. A. CARLTON’S // ANTI DYSPEPTIC / & TONIC BITTERS // ATHENS. GA // f //
9 11/16 x 2 5/8 (7 5/16) 7/16
Square, Yellow, LTCR, Applied mouth, Extremely rare
W. A. Carlton was a plantation owner on what is now part of the University of Georgia at Athens Ga.
Dug in Savannah, Ga.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER CARLTON

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W. A. Carlton, whose name is embossed on the subject bottle, came from a prominent family of physicians in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. William Alexander Carlton was born on 12 December 1847 in Athens and was the second in order of birth of six children from the union of Dr. Joseph Barnett Carlton and Emma (Moore) Carlton. His brothers and sisters were Julia E. Carlton, Allura H. Carlton, who died in infancy; Joseph H. Carlton, Emma Leila Carlton, who was the wife of Honorable Charles L. Bartlett, member of Congress from the Sixth Congressional District of Georgia; and Dr. James M. Carlton.

His father, Dr. Joseph B. Carlton was born in Greene County, Georgia, on 11 December 1822. He was a son of James R. and Elizabeth (Espey) Carlton, the former of whom was born in King and Queen County, Virginia, in 1795; his death occurring in Athens, Georgia on 10 August, 1888, at the patriarchal age of ninety-three years. Elizabeth (Espey) Carlton was born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia., and was a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Pennsylvania.

James R. Carlton was a son of Elijah Carlton, a Scotch Presbyterian, who immigrated to America from the northern part of Ireland and established his home in Virginia. He served as corporal in the Second regiment of Virginia militia in the war of 1812. His son, James R., Jr., settled in Clarke county, Georgia, when twenty-one years of age; was for some time engaged in the general merchandise business and later became a successful contractor. He erected the first brick building in what is now the city of Athens.

Dr. William Alexander Carlton received his elementary education in the private schools of Athens including Rock College (renamed the Normal School), and the University of Georgia where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1868. He then went to Atlanta and passed several months in a local laboratory of chemistry and pharmacy with Professor W. J. Land, and in the winters of 1869 and 1870 he took a course in the College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia. Later he took two courses of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, in the same city, graduating as a member of the Class of 1873 and duly receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then returned to Athens, where he continued in the practice of his profession for the ensuing three years with his father, Dr. Joseph Barnett Carlton, after which he returned to Philadelphia and completed a post-graduate medical course and attended lectures on anatomy, and on the eye and throat at the Wills’ Eye Hospital. While there he was honored with the appointment as resident physician of St. Mary’s Hospital, where he remained some time. He resumed the practice of his profession in Athens in 1876.

Dr. Carlton was a member of the Medical Association of Georgia, a Democrat in politics, and had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South, for nearly forty years. For many interested in the planting industry and in the raising of Jersey cattle and other high-grade live stock.

In 1878, Dr. Carlton was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Price, daughter of Elihu and Julia Price, of Macon, Georgia. They had five children, namely: Elihu, who died in infancy; Juliet, wife of Dr. Henry M. Fullilove, of Athens; Hilda, who died in infancy; and Annie Frances and William A. Jr. Mrs. Annie M. Carlton died in 1902 and was laid to rest in Oconee cemetery. On June 13, 1906 Dr. Carlton was married to Miss Susie A. Lucas, the youngest daughter of Judge F. W. and Mrs. Martha (Singleton) Lucas, honored and representative citizens of Athens, and who were held in the highest esteem by all who knew them.

Dr. Carlton then returned to Athens and did a general practice until 1890. He then returned to Philadelphia and studied bacteriology at Jefferson Medical College Laboratory under Dr. Handle C. Rosenburger. He then returned to Athens and after fifty
years of continued service in the medical profession he retired. Dr. Carlton died on 9 May 1930 in Athens, Georgia.

DR. WILLIAM A. CARLTON
For fifty years Dr. W. A. Carlton practiced medicine in Athens, Ga. For more than fifty years I have known Dr. Carlton, known him as a physician and known him as a friend.
He was the family physician of my parents and later my family physician. No man have I ever held in higher esteem, therefore, it is extremely difficult for me to do justice to Dr. Carlton in this sketch of his life.
Dr. Carlton was born in Athens, educated in Athens, practiced medicine in Athens and has lived in Athens all of his life, and he is therefore a real Athenian. But, he is more than that, he is a real man, a real friend and a real doctor.
As a boy he was meek, modest, courteous, polite and unostentatious. He was strong, honest, faithful and persevering. These virtues were so deeply ground in his mind and heart, and soul that when he became a man they remained steadfast with him, rounding out one of the most beautiful characters, which distinguishes one as a man among men.
As a boy he attended school at the old Rock College (University High School), which was converted into a military institute during the war. The students were instructed in military tactics by Captain Charbonnier, and by order of the Secretary of War these boys were detained for local defense, subject to being ordered to any point in the state. William A. Carlton, with six other cadets, was appointed to guard 430 Federal prisoners brought to Athens by General Breckenridge’s command. On the morning of May 4, 1865, this lad, having been on picket duty all night was given leave of absence to go to his home and report for the afternoon. Before he reached home he was captured by Federal troops and his musket taken from him. In a few days he was paroled. So, early in life patriotism and duty became an unselfish part of his being.
As a physician he has always been ambitious, not ambitious for the praise and plaudits of a people, but ambitious to give to the sick and suffering the best that was in him, and his faithfulness is recorded by an undying appreciation on the part of thousands of his former patients. Everyone who consulted him received not only the most courteous attention but the most painstaking consideration.
Dr. Carlton stood at the top of his profession. He came from a family of doctors. His father and his brother were among Athens’ best physicians, and when he attended Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, without making application for the position, he was appointed interne at St. Mary’s Hospital, located in that city.
When the news was heralded that Dr. Carlton had retired from active practice of the profession he loved and honored, there was sadness and regret, which touched many hearts and many homes, not only in Athens, but in every county adjacent to Clarke, and even reached beyond the borders of the state.
As a friend, he is sincere and his sincerity accentuates his friendship and makes of it a friendship as valuable as it is beautiful. A a man, he possesses those God-given virtues which through the ages have inspired men “to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly.” His motto in life is “Speak ill of no one.”
And now, that he has laid down his “working tools,” and sought a well-earned rest after a half century of faithful trust, may God grant him many more years of health and strength to enjoy the peace and quietude and the love of home and give to his friends the pleasure and happiness of meeting him and greeting him.
M. G. MICHAEL

DR. JOSEPH BARNETT CARLTON

Dr. Joseph B. Carlton was the father of William Alexander Carlton and was a resident of Athens all of his life. He was born in 1822. After completing his education at private schools and the University of Georgia at Athens, he attended the Medical College of Augusta, where he graduated in 1844. He practiced medicine thirty-seven years. His death occurred in 1881. He was a member of the Georgia Legislature in 1852 to 1856 and member of the Senate 1856 to 1858.

During our Civil War when the battles around Richmond were being fought the number of wounded men was so great that the army surgeons were unable to give them proper attention. Dr. Carlton went to Richmond and offered his services. No one knows how many lives he saved or how much suffering he relieved but for years afterwards many of those he attended as long as they lived could not express their gratitude for the services he rendered them under such trying circumstances. During the war he was appointed surgeon of General Robert Toombsí regiment of State Troops. He had remarkable success in the treatment of pneumonia and measle diseases which had been so fatal in camp. He returned to Athens and resumed general practice. He always felt that skill, attention, and fidelity, were due his patients; they found in him tenderness and sympathy. His affable manner, cheerful disposition, and kind heart won for him many friends.

DR. HENRY HULL CARLTON

Dr. Henry Hull Carlton obtained his literary education in the private schools of Athens and the University of Georgia. He graduated in medicine about four years before the Civil “War at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He entered into the practice of medicine with his brother, Dr. Joseph B. Carlton. The firm did a large and successful practice.

In 1860, Dr. H. H. Carlton entered the Confederate service as first lieutenant, Troupe Artillery. In a few months the company was reorganized and Dr. Carlton was elected captain. The company served throughout the war and made a wonderful record. After the war, Dr. Carlton resumed the practice of medicine, but times had changed and after two years practice he felt called upon to serve his fellow citizens in another capacity.

He was chosen to serve in the Legislature, Senate and U. S. Congress. He never
lost his deep interest in the medical profession. He died October 26, 1905.

DR. JAMES M. CARLTON

Dr. James M. Carlton was the son of Dr. William Alexander Carlton and was born in Athens, Georgia on January 10, 1858. He received his diploma from the University of Georgia at the age of eighteen and in 1881 the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He was a born physician and well qualified to do the work. His practice increased rapidly and his strong constitution was overtaxed. After a little over two years in the practice he was taken suddenly ill and died in a few days, on August 18, 1883. His death was a great shock to his many friends and an irreparable loss to the community; the poor of Athens had lost their best friend. “This successful imitator and follower of the Great Physician, living a short life full of happiness in alleviating pain, and sacrificing self to bring joy to Athens,
obeyed the summons too.”

Select Listings:

1850: W. A. Carlton, age 3, born in Georgia, living in Athens, Clarke, Georgia, father Joseph B. Carlton (age 28), Physician  – United States Federal Census

1860: William A. Carlton, age 12, born about 1848 in Georgia, living in Athens, Clarke, Georgia, father Joseph B. Carlton (age 28), Medical Doctor, Wife Emma H. (34), sister, Julia E. (15), Emma D. (7), James M. (2) also James M (25) recorded –  United States Federal Census

1879-1880: William A. Carlton, Physician – Shole’s Georgia State Gazetteer

1900: W. A. Carlton, Medical Doctor, born in Georgia in 1847, living Athens, Clarke, Georgia, married to A. M. Carlton in 1878, children, Julia Carlton (18), Annie F. Carlton (13), W A Carlton (9) – United States Federal Census

1909: W. A. Carlton (Susie), Physician, Hodgnon-Shackleford Building – Directory, City of Athens, Georgia

References: History Of Athens And Clarke County, History of the Medical Profession, By DR. WILLIAM A. CARLTON

Georgia: Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, Allen Daniel Candler, Clement Anselm Evans State Historical Association, 1906

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