More on Bottlers Who Operated in the Pelhams in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

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During the 19th and early 20th centuries, more than 15,400 bottlers operated throughout North America.  According to one expert on antique soda and beer bottles, these 15,400 firms produced more than 29,950 different types of soda and beer bottles with more than 34,725 variants of such bottles.  See von Mechow, Tod, Soda & Beer Bottles of North America (visited Mar. 19, 2016).  The vast majority of such firms were "Mom and Pop" shops in localities like the tiny litte settlement of Pelhamville, New York.  Thus, researching small bottlers can be like researching a local country grocery store or a local drug store that existed for only a few years at a time when records for such businesses were scant and are nearly impossible to find today.

Bottler David Lyon and the Vernon Bottling Works

I have written before about Pelham bottlers.  See Fri., Jul. 11, 2014:  Bottlers Who Operated in the Pelhams in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries.  Among the bottlers about whom I wrote in that article was David Lyon.  Regarding Lyon, I wrote:  

"David Lyon was a Civil War veteran who lived in Pelham on Third Avenue between Second and Third Streets.  He established the first carbonated beverage establishment in Pelham and named it the "Vernon Bottling Works".  His establishment was in the rear of his residence and was instituted before 1898. It is not now known if this "Vernon Bottling Works" later became the "Vernon Bottling Works" of Mount Vernon or if the Mount Vernon business later used the same name. 

The Lyon family was quite prominent in Pelham in the late 19th century. One Lyon homestead stood at Colonial Avenue and Wolfs Lane.  It stood on the site of the old First Church of Christ which became today's Pelham Public Library.  The first butcher in what is today's Village of Pelham was Frank M. Lyon whose father -- David Lyon of "Vernon Bottling Works" fame -- built a butcher shop adjoining his home on Third Avenue.  See Souvenir Program - Golden Jubilee Celebration of Village of North Pelham Westchester County, New York, p. 17 (Village of North Pelham, Aug. 29, 1946)."

Recently I was able to acquire from an eBay seller for $10 an example of a so-called "Blob Top" soda bottle manufactured by, or for, David Lyon of Pelhamville.  An image of the bottle appears immediately below.

Aquamarine Embossed Blob-Top Soda Bottle.  Embossed

Center Medallion Reads:  "DAVID LYON  REGISTERED

1889  PELHAMVILLE"  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

The bottle, on its face, suggests that David Lyon was a bottler operating in Pelhamville earlier than previously believed.  Although the "REGISTERED 1889" reference does not necessarily establish with certainty that Lyon was operating as a bottler as early as 1889, it certainly is strong circumstantial evidence to that effect.  The bottle further suggests that Lyon operated as a bottler for some period of time before he established the "Vernon Bottling Works" at some time prior to 1898.  

Henry Straehle and Straehle's Bottling Works in the Old Wolf Homestead

As I previously have written, in about 1898, Henry Straehle bought the old Anthony Wolf homestead located at Fifth Avenue and Third Street.  (Wolfs Lane is named after Anthony Wolf and his farm).  Straehle opened a competing bottling business in the old Wolf homestead that he initially named the "Straehle Bottling Co." (occasionally referenced as "Straehle Bottling Works").

The company was billed as "soft drink dispensers."  The office and plant of the firm were in the Wolf homestead with the bottling equipment in the basement of the home.  For some period of time around 1909-1910, Henry Straehle and his wife operated a hotel / boarding house in the structure as well.  Once Straehle opened his competing bottling business, David Lyon apparently threw in the towel and liquidated his business.  It is possible that he sold his bottling business to Mr. Straehle, although that is still somewhat unclear and has not been established.  The only evidence to support this presumption is the reported existence of bottles marked "Straehle & Lyon."

Anthony Wolf Farmhouse in an Undated Photograph, Site of

Straehle's Bottling Works Operated by Henry Straehle in the

Basement of the Home.  Photograph Courtesy of The Office

of the Historian of the Town of Pelham.  NOTE:  Click on

Image to Enlarge.

Recently I located an advertisement for "Straehle's Bottling Works" that sheds interesting new light on Henry Straehle and his bottling business.  An image of the advertisement appears immediately below, followed by a transcription of its text to facilitate search and, thereafter, a discussion of its significance.

1911 Advertisement for "Straehle's Bottling Works, North Pelham, N.Y."

Source:  Straehle's Bottling Works [Advertisement], The Pelham Sun,

Sep. 30, 1911, Vol. 2, No. 26, p. 8, col. 2.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

To facilitate search, the text of the advertisement immediately above reads as follows:

"Straehle's Bottling Works
North Pelham, N.Y.
Dealer in and Manufacturer of
MINERAL AND CARBONATED BEVERAGES
David Mayer Brewing Co.  High Grade Lager Beer, Ale and Porter.
Tel. Call 1647-R Pelham
Works:  6th Ave. and 3rd Street, 
North Pelham."

The Straehle advertisement is significant in several respects.  By 1911, Straehle and his wife had moved the old Wolf homestead from its original site around the corner to 210 Sixth Avenue near Third Street.  (The home was moved to make way for the Fifth Avenue Station and the tracks of the New York, Westchester & Boston Railway built in 1910 through the Town of Pelham.)  The 1911 advertisement provides the address of "Straehle's Bottling Works" as "6th Ave. and 3rd St.," thus establishing that Henry Straehle continued to operate his basement bottling works in the old Wolf homestead even after the home was moved from its original location at Fifth Avenue and 3rd Street around the corner to 210 Sixth venue.  

Secondly, the advertisement reaffirms that Henry Straehle was both a dealer and a manufacturer of mineral and carbonated beverages and that he also delivered lager beer, ale, and porter brewed by the David Mayer Brewing Company.  (The David Myer Brewing Company operated from 1882 until 1920.  The brewery was in New York City at 1650 Third Avenue at 168th Street.)

Conclusion

Though researching small 19th century bottles like David Lyon and Henry Straehle is difficult, it is not impossible.  The historic record likely will continue to divulge more of its secrets regarding these two local businesses that once operated in the tiny settlement of Pelhamville and, later, the Village of North Pelham.  

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Brief Account of the 1890 Fire that Destroyed Loftus Brotherton's Grocery Store

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During the 1880s, Loftus Brotherton ran a tiny grocery store located on 5th Avenue near what was then known as 4th Street (today's Lincoln Avenue).  Brotherton leased the structure that housed the store from another Pelhamville resident, Jacob Heisser.  Because the small store had a reputation for high quality goods, it was a busy and successful business that attracted shoppers from Mount Vernon, Pelham, and New Rochelle.  The little store also served as an important gathering place for members of the community.   

I have written before about Brotherton's Grocery Store. See:

Tue., Jul. 15, 2014:  Three Important 19th Century Structures That Stood in Pelham.  

Fri., Sep. 08, 2006:  An Image of The Brotherton Store in Pelhamville Before It Burned in 1890. The store burned to the ground in May 1890.

The Brotherton Store.

Source:  Montgomery, William R., Do You Remember When - ?, 

The Pelham Sun, Dec. 16, 1927, p. 3, cols. 1-2.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes an article containing a very brief account of the devastating fire on the afternoon of Sunday, April 6, 1890 that burned both the grocery and a small cottage in the rear of the grocery to the ground.  At the end of today's posting I also have included a variety of research materials regarding Loftus Brotherton.

"Pelhamville.

Is it true that Prospect avenue is to be extended from Chester Hill to Pelhamville.
-----
Mr. Chas. Barker will shortly occupy his new Queen Anne house and the residence now occupied by him will be taken by his son, Dr. Chas. Barker, Jr.
-----
About two o'clock last Sunday, a fire broke out at the store of Mr. Loftus Brotherton.  It was promptly discovered by Mrs. Brotherton who gave the alarm, and the family barely escaped from the burning building.  Nothing was saved except the clothing in which they were robed.  A small one-and-a-half story cottage situated about 50 feet in the rear of the store was also consumed.  

Both buildings were the property of Mr. Jacob Heisser, and not fully insured.  Mr. Heisser's loss is about two thousand dollars.  We understand that Mr. Brotherton's loss is fully covered by insurance."

Source:  Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 8, 1890, Vol. XXI, No. 1,287, p. 3, col. 4.

*          *          *          *          *

Below are research notes regarding Loftus Brotherton.

"Death of Loftus Brotherton.

Loftus Brotherton, for the past fourteen years a resident of what is now North Pelham, died on Wednesday afternoon at his late residence on Fifth avenue corner of Third street.  The deceased was 56 years old.  He was the proprietor of a hotel for a number of years.  The deceased leaves a widow and two daughters, Mr. [sic] Charles A. Parker and Miss Florence Brotherton.  He is also survived by two brothers, one of whom, Henry Brotherton, resides in this place.  He had been ill for several years and death was due to dropsy."

Source:  Death of Loftus Brotherton, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 4, 1898, p. 3, col. 4.

"Loftus Brotherton, proprietor of the Roadside Hotel on Fifth avenue, was arrested last Friday by a government officer for not paying his government and internal revenue licenses.  He was taken to Ludlow Street Jail, where at the latest reports he was still locked up.  Mr. Brotherton has been a saloon keeper for a number of years.  When two of the other dealers were arrested on the evidence of a Raines law agent, his place was not visited, but he is now in trouble for different reasons."

Source:  PELHAM AND WOODLAWN -- Pelham, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 11, 1896, p. 3, col. 3.  

"Among the early members of Liberty Engine and Hose Company were Alexander Anderson, William B. Pearson, Charles T. Johnston,, former Mayor James Reilly, former Supervisor David Lyon, former Mayor Eugene Lyon, Edward A. Schwartz, William A. Broege, John B. Clegg, W. J. Everett, Vincent Parker, William E. Algie, Herbert Barker, Loftus Brotherton, Henry F. Sountain, W.S. Harrison, John Hengel, Village Trustee Daniel J. Kennedy, John W. Dillon and Patrick J. Marvel."

Source:  Allyn Van Winkle, G., Volunteer Fire Companies In First Fire District Were Organized In 1893, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 12, 1935, pg. 11, col. 1.

"The people of Pelhamville are working earnestly to have the railroad station moved, and its name change [sic] to Winyah Park.  The petition to the railroad company has also been forwarded to the Post master-General [sic].  The petition and signers are as follows: 

To the President and Board of Directors of the N.Y., N.H. & H.R.R. Co.: 

GENTLEMEN: We, the undersigned, residents of Pelhamville, N.Y. do humbly petition your honorable Board, to locate the new depot to be erected at this place east of and near Fifth avenue as the grade will permit, on grounds given by Mr. Richard Lathers, as a park, and to change the name of the station from Pelhamville to Winyah Park. Depot not to be more than 100 feet from Fifth avenue: 

E.H. Gurney, Geo. McGalliard, Vincent Barker, Loftus Brotherton, Augustus Godfrey, C.W. Bolton, I.C. Hill, John T. Logan, James Shoebottom, John Bos, E.A. Patterson, J.P. Jacob Heisser, Stephen J. Stilwell, Wm. H. Penfield, Geo. Wright, William Barry, Wm. H. Sparks, Chas Baker, Henry Montgomery, F.W. Case, John Case, S.E. Case, David Lyon, E. Lyon, H. Gurney, Chas. B. Oakley, C. H. Merritt, G.W. Jager, E. C. Merritt, P.H. Acras, Alfd. P. Delcambre, F.C. Buxton, Geo. Pearson, Alex. Anderson, E. Anderson, John Britten, Bridget Flanagan, Delia Flanagan, H.T. Stone, L.A. Stone, L. McGalliard, C.V.R. Bolton, D.J. Meade, Mrs. C. Barker, Miss Caroline Barker, Mrs. Geo. Wright, Mrs. Fred. Chase, Mrs. J. Bos, Mrs. S. Johnson, Mrs. M. Clark, Mrs. I.C. Hill, J.P. Marquand, T. Jackson Lambert, Wm. T. Standen, N.A. McGalliard." 

Source: PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 28, 1887, Vol. XVIII, No. 997, p. 1, col. 7.

"Pelhamville.

Last Monday evening the case of James Riley [sic] vs. Hutchinson which had been adjourned May 28th, was tried at the Court House, in Pelhamville before Judge G. I. Karbach.  Mr. Plumer acted as counsel for the defendant and W. H. Sparks for the plaintiff.  The trouble consisted in the alleged stealing of a dog by Hutchinson, who is employed by Lukert a butcher of Tuckahoe, from James Riley [sic] the local blacksmith.  Among the witnesses were John Sweeney and Loftus Brotherton.  The defendant was found guilty of petty larceny and fined twenty dollars.

The question has been asked 'why is it that goods sent by the Adams Express Company are delivered free of charge to residents of Pelham Manor, while the people of Pelhamville are obliged to pay extra charges.'

A mass meeting will be held this evening to consider the feasibility of celebrating the 'Fourth' in an appropriate manner.

Liberty Hose Company held their regular monthly meeting on Monday evening.  During the absence of their foreman, W. S. Harrison; assistant foreman, Eugene L. Lyon occupied the chair.  This company is the possessor of a very neat sign the gift of Chief B. F. Crewell.  It is displayed on the fire house at the front of their apartments.

The annual athletic contest of the New York Athletic Club will occur on Saturday June 9th at Travers Island.  A conveyance to the grounds will be found at the depot."

Source:  Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 7, 1894, Vol. XXV, No. 1,640, p. 4, col. 1.

"OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS.
-----
Pelhamville.

Mrs. Jarley's celebrated wa-works and the distinguished Peek sisters from Alaska, will appear at the Court House, Tuesday evening, May 8th, in aid of the Church of the Redeemer.

The Right Rev. Bishop H. C. Potter will visit the Church of the Redeemer on Sunday afternoon, May 27th, at four o'clock, for the purpose of confirmation.

An address will be made to the confirmation class every Friday evening until the 27th proximo.  All are invited to attend.

A. P. Groom, druggist, of Troy will occupy one of Mr. John Young's new stores as soon as completed.

Mr. H. Nutting has broken ground for his new house, near Mr. Fairchild's.

Mr. Caldwell of New York city will move into his new house on Nyack avenue, this week.

The children of the public school had a 'vaccination bee' on Monday last.  

Mr. J. Borden has moved into Mrs. K. Wood's new house on Third avenue.

The Town Board and the Board of Health will meet at the Court House, Pelhamville, on Wednesday, May 2nd.

Chief B. F. Crewell has ordered an inspection of the Fire Department, on Decoration Day.

The Board of Education has no intention of closing Pelham Manor School as announced by the Pelham Manor Tribune of last week.

The contract for the additional plumbing work in Mr. W. S. Harrison's summer home has been awarded to Messrs. J. B. Clegg & Co.

Two new cells have recently been built in the Town Hall by Mr. S. E. Lyon.

A new feature of interest is a good sized aquarium, containing a number of fish, which is stationed in the pump-house.  The work of Mr. Englebert Nordman the chief engineer.

Mr. Loftus Brotherton has beautified his grounds by whitening the surrounding wall.

Col. Richard Lathers expects to erect a summer residence soon, on Lathers Hill.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilmott of Darien were the guests of Mrs. W. A. McGalliard last Sunday."

Source:  OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS -- Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 26, 1894, Vol. XXV, No. 1,634, p. 4, col. 1.  

"A Social Event At Pelhamville.
-----

The Court House in this pleasant hamlet was the scene last evening of a very enjoyable tea and dance.  The patronesses were the Misses Hattie Boyle, Kittie McGalliard, Florence Brotherton, Henrietta Logan and Mrs. G. I. Karbach.

The hall was very handsomely decorated with flowers, bunting and flags.  The scene was a pretty one.  The figures of the grand march were enacted by fifty couples.  Many of the dances were novel and intricate, but were executed gracefully.  Professor Mager's orchestra furnished the music.

Supper was served at intermission to which ample justice was done.  A novel feature of this part of the affair was the presentation to each lady of a beautiful china cup and saucer.  The tables were bountifully laden with choicest credentials of Pelhamville's cullinery [sic] art and no one had just cause to criticise [sic] or complain of the delectables.  Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Logan and daughter, Mrs. P. Vanderoest; Mr. and Mrs. I. C. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Judge Karbach; Mr. and Mrs. Loftus Brotherton; Mrs. Daggett; Mrs. Charles A. Barker, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Montgomery, Miss Lulu Montgomery, Miss Minnie Everett, Miss Daisy Barker, Miss Matilda Whitney and Miss Belle Rankin of Mount Vernon, the Misses Archer of Union Corners; and Merrs. Frank M. Lyon, Thos. Donlon, and Winfield Baxter of Mount Vernon."

Source:  A Social Event At Pelhamville, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 29, 1892, Vol. 1, No. 26, p. 1, col. 6.

"AMICABLE DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS.
-----
Not Enough Hostility Developed Yet to Make a Case for the Court.

Eliza Brotherton is seeking a limited divorce and separate maintenance from Loftus Brotherton, to whom she was married in 1863.  She alleges cruel and inhuman treatment.  He makes no defense to the action.  They have two daughters, aged eleeven and fifteen years.  Mrs. Brotherton testified before the referee that her husband had struck her in the face several times.  Their quarrels arose because he didn't like to have the children go to a Catholic church or to a Catholic school, wishing them to go to the public school.  'I can't say who begins the quarrel,' Mrs. Brotherton testified.  'I think that we are both to blame, but that he is a little more in fault than I am.  We separated on the 30th of August, and he has come to see me since.  I saw him last evening.  I told him before the papers were served that I was going to begin this suit.  He gave me permission.'

Judge Lawrence in Supreme Court Chambers refused to confirm the referee's report in favor of a divorce, saying:  'Before confirming this report I shall require much stronger evidence than the referee has taken as to the alleged cruel and inhuman treatment.  I deem it also proper to say that the testimony reported by the referee goes far towards establishing an impression upon my mind that the action is collusive.  Of course I shall afford an opportunity to the plaintiff of showing that such an impression is erroneous, but it seems to me to be incredible that parties who are seeking a separation should continue to visit each other on apparently amicable terms and should interchange friendly observations as to the progress which is being made in the litigation pending between them.  Case sent back to the referee to take further proof.'"

Source:  AMICABLE DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS, The World [NY, NY], Oct. 28, 1880, Vol. XXI, No. 2095, p. 1, col. 4.

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