Credit System - Blessing or Curse?

Cheap Cash Store Ad, Library of Congress

The credit system was a crucial aspect of general stores in the 1800s, accommodating the financial rhythms of rural and agricultural communities. Many customers relied on credit to purchase goods, with the understanding that they would settle their accounts at a later date, 

the credit system was a necessity due to the economic realities of the time. In rural and agricultural communities, cash flow was often irregular, tied to the cycles of planting, harvesting, and selling crops. The ability to buy on credit allowed families to manage these fluctuations and maintain their standard of living throughout the year.

Storekeepers kept meticulous records of transactions, tracking the debts and payments of their customers. This system required a high level of trust between the storekeeper and the community, as the viability of the store depended on customers eventually settling their debts. The credit system not only facilitated ongoing commerce but also reinforced the interconnectedness and mutual dependency of small-town life.

However, some credit systems did cause problems.  Some stores chose to reduce prices and encourage bartering for products.  this reduced unpaid debts, and customers going without due to unaffordable prices.

 

The General Store Cash Register - "Incorruptible Cashier"

 

Old Cash Register, Library of Congress

The cash register was a revolutionary addition to general stores in the late 1800s, transforming the way transactions were handled. Invented by James Ritty in 1879, the cash register, often referred to as the "Incorruptible Cashier," was designed to deter employee theft and ensure accurate financial records. These early cash registers were mechanical marvels, featuring intricate gears and levers, and they often had a distinctive brass or wooden exterior. Each transaction required the storekeeper to manually input the sale amount, which would then be recorded on a paper tape inside the machine. A bell would ring with each sale, alerting both the customer and the storekeeper to the completed transaction. This not only added a level of transparency and accountability but also helped in keeping precise records of daily sales. The introduction of the cash register marked a significant advancement in retail technology, enhancing both the efficiency and integrity of financial operations in general stores.

Vinyl (PVC) - An Accidental Discovery

 

Science Lab (Organic), Library of Congress

General stores in the 1800s typically sold everyday goods such as food, clothing, household items, and tools. Chemical products available in these stores would have been basic and common items such as vinegar, baking soda, soap, and perhaps some medicinal compounds like laudanum or quinine.

However, new products and chemicals for household use were being researched on a regular basis.  One such researcher/scientist was Eugen Baumann.

Eugen Baumann, a pioneering German chemist of the 19th century, is best known for his accidental discovery of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in 1872, a material that would later revolutionize various industries. Baumann discovered PVC when he noticed that the material formed as a white solid inside a flask of vinyl chloride that had been exposed to sunlight.

Despite PVC's delayed practical applications, Baumann made immediate and impactful contributions to organic chemistry, most notably through the Schotten-Baumann reaction, developed in collaboration with Carl Schotten in 1879. 

This reaction, which acylates amines and alcohols to form amides and esters, has become a cornerstone in synthetic chemistry. It is extensively used in the pharmaceutical industry for the synthesis of drugs, enabling the formation of peptide bonds essential for producing many medications. Additionally, the Schotten-Baumann reaction is pivotal in the fragrance industry

Products of the General Store - 1800s

General Store Goods, Library of Congress

General stores in the 1800s frequently stocked local products, reflecting the self-sufficient and community-oriented nature of the era. Many of the items on their shelves were produced within the surrounding area, including fresh produce, dairy products, baked goods, and handmade items like soap, candles, and textiles. This emphasis on local goods not only supported the local economy but also ensured the freshness and quality of perishable items. By selling locally sourced products, general stores helped sustain local farmers, artisans, and craftsmen, fostering a sense of community pride and mutual support. This practice also provided customers with a direct connection to the origins of their purchases, enhancing their trust in the quality and authenticity of the goods. The focus on local products was a defining characteristic of general stores, underscoring their role as integral parts of the local economic and social fabric.

 

The General Store - Community Hub

Paradise Folk Project Collection, Library of Congress

General stores in the 1800s served as vibrant community hubs, far beyond their role as retail establishments. These stores were often the epicenter of social interaction, where townsfolk would gather to exchange news, share gossip, and discuss local events. The storekeeper played a pivotal role in this dynamic, acting as an informal news source and often being one of the most well-informed individuals in the community. The store was a place where people came not only to shop but also to connect with their neighbors, fostering a sense of community and belonging. From political discussions to personal anecdotes, the general store was a melting pot of conversations and ideas, making it an essential gathering spot and a cornerstone of social life in 19th-century towns.

 

Ghost Signs - Nostalgic Glimpses of Past Businesses

Restored Ghost Sign

Library of Congress

Ghost signs, the faded remnants of old advertisements on buildings, offer a nostalgic glimpse into the commercial past. Often hand-painted on brick facades, these signs were once vibrant promotions for local businesses, products, and services, from soap to soda to shoes. Over time, exposure to the elements has left them weathered and barely legible, yet they retain a haunting beauty that evokes a bygone era. Many ghost signs remain hidden for decades, concealed beneath layers of paint, until renovations or weathering reveal their existence. These signs are more than just historical artifacts; they are stories etched in brick and paint, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit and aesthetic sensibilities of their time. Today, these ephemeral artworks are cherished by urban explorers and historians alike, serving as poignant reminders of the ever-changing landscape of commerce and community.

Seaboard Ghost Sign

Library of Congress

 

 

Louis Roth (1859 - 1894) - Shopkeeper

 

Tim Kovacs

Louis Roth, son of Yosef Avraham and his wife Tcharne, was born about 1859 in what is now Kovácsvágás, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hungary.  He was later known as Louis, Lajos or Leo.

After the Austrian Hapsburgs teamed up with Tsar Nicholas I of Russia to put down the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, Hungarian Jews lost the few civil rights they had enjoyed and became subject to the Russian military draft.  Louis’s older brother Jacob was conscripted in this fashion, prompting their father to urge his other sons to emigrate as soon as possible.

Accordingly, Louis and Max, the next two oldest sons, came to America in 1879.  Louis appears to have filed a declaration of intent to become a naturalized U. S. citizen under the name of Lewis Roth in Fairfield County, Ohio, on January 30, 1885.  By 1888, Louis and his younger siblings had reunited in Los Angeles, where he had found work with the Kline Clothing Company and the Excelsior Clothing Company.  The Roth family—Max, Rosa, Kelly, Mike and Isidor—ultimately became very involved in Los Angeles’s Hungarian Jewish community.

In January, 1888, Louis’s financial position was stable enough for him to marry Miss Fannie Gerson.  Unfortunately, the marriage did not last; they divorced just five months later.

By January 1891, Louis was in Phoenix, Arizona, operating his own cigar and confectionary shop on Washington Street, near the Monihon Building.  It’s possible that he came to Arizona for his health, considering that he died of consumption on April 12, 1894.

Louis’s brother Max traveled to Phoenix to see him properly buried in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery and to close out his business affairs.  When Beth Israel Cemetery opened in 1903, the family had his remains moved there and a fine marble monument erected in his memory.

Fast forward to January 2019, when Tim Kovacs was visiting the Beth Israel Cemetery.  While there, he happened upon a broken marker on which he recognized the place name Kovacs Vagas—a Hungarian village about 33 miles from where his own ancestors originated.

On February 9, 2021, Tim received a surprising message from Geri Roth Jacobson, Louis Roth’s great-niece.  She had spent thirty years looking for a grave marker for her “Uncle Leo” in California, but to no avail.  Only by luck had she come upon his memorial on Find A Grave.

Because Roth had originally been buried in the IOOF Cemetery, Geri appealed to the Pioneers’ Cemetery Association for help with repairs, and its preservation team responded.  The restoration was a success and, on December 21, 2022, Geri and a contingent of relatives from California visited the grave for the first time ever to view the results.

- By Tim Kovacs and Donna Carr

 

The Art of Window Displays

Window Display

Library of Congress

The art of the 18oo's window display was a captivating blend of creativity and commerce, designed to attract and entice passersby into shops. These displays were meticulously crafted, often changing with the seasons or special occasions, to showcase the latest merchandise in the most appealing way. Shopkeepers and visual merchandisers used an array of techniques, including layered arrangements, dramatic lighting, and eye-catching props, to create visually stunning scenes. Mannequins dressed in the latest fashions, alongside carefully placed products, told a story that appealed to the desires and imaginations of potential customers. The window display was not just a marketing tool but a form of artistic expression, reflecting the shopkeeper's ingenuity and understanding of consumer psychology. This practice transformed shop windows into miniature stages, turning shopping into an engaging and enticing experience.

 

The Job of the Shopkeeper

 

Dry Goods Store, Library of Congress

Shopkeepers in the 1890s played a pivotal role in their communities, acting as the primary suppliers of goods ranging from basic necessities to luxury items. Their shops were often family-run businesses, where every member contributed to the daily operations. These stores were more than just places to buy items; they served as social hubs where locals exchanged news and gossip. Shopkeepers had to be versatile, often extending credit to trusted customers and sometimes bartering goods. With the advent of catalog shopping from companies like Sears, Roebuck and Co., shopkeepers faced new competition but also found opportunities to expand their inventories through wholesale purchases. Their adaptability and community presence made them indispensable figures in the fabric of 1890s society.