Geography: Ohio

Handwritten minutes book of the B'nai Israel Congregation, Keokuk, Iowa, covering the period 1885-1906. The 206-page ledger includes a 1902 copy of the 1855 deed for the congregation's cemetery on the last page (#384). This book represents the earliest surviving communal records of the Keokuk Jewish community. The book also contains approximately 25 additional documents, including letters related to congregation affairs and bill heads. Keokuk, Iowa, had one of the largest Jewish communities in the Midwest during the 1880s. B'nai Israel Congregation was the first permanent Jewish house of worship in Iowa, founded in 1855, with a permanent synagogue built at 8th and Blondeau streets in 1877.

An envelope addressed to J. C. White in Winona, Wisconsin, advertising S. Lowenthal & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. The envelope dates from the 1870s and features printed advertising for the company. The envelope includes a printed image of a building.

This archival item consists of a letter dated July 10, 1884, from Lora C. Kister of Mill Brook, Ohio, to Thalhimer Brothers in Richmond, Virginia. The letter is accompanied by an undated envelope featuring an advertisement for Thalhimer Brothers, located at 501 Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia. The envelope's advertisement showcases the store's offerings. The letter itself contains business-related correspondence.

Envelope addressed to N. A. Steeb in Jackson, Ohio, with an advertisement for Kasschau & Kahn, manufacturers of artistic chandeliers and brass goods, located at 104 Centre Street, New York, New York. The envelope is dated October 3, 1882.

Letter written by Albert Netter to Kuhn, Loeb & Co. on April 29, 1884, concerning the transfer of stock in the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway Company. The letter is written on Kuhn, Loeb & Co. letterhead, located at 31 Nassau Street, New York, New York.

Letter from Baltimore lawyers Emack & Weinhagen to Henry B. Curtis in Mount Vernon, Ohio, dated May 19, 1846. The letter concerns the collection of $139.00 owed by Solomon Silberman. Silberman had previously informed them he was in Rochester, attempting to sell horses, but fell ill. The letter includes the original promissory note signed by Silberman.

A commercial letter written by David Hays in Baltimore, Maryland, to Porter & Hoover on January 22, 1849. The letter is written in English and discusses commercial matters. The letter is a stampless example.

This trade card advertises I. S. Cohen, representing the Standard Sewing Machine Co. The front of the card depicts an infant lying on a blanket. The address, 145 Sixth Street near Howard, is clearly printed below the image. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises I.S. Cohen, an agent for the Standard Sewing Machine Co., located at 145 Sixth Street in San Francisco, California. The front of the card features an illustration of children playing. They are holding a hoop and a stick, and appear to be jumping over a rope. The card has a red border. The back of the card is blank.

An envelope addressed to Amanda J. Larwill with an advertisement for Mordecai & Co. of Dallas, Texas. The envelope is circa 1885 and includes a postage stamp. The envelope was sent from Wooster, Ohio to Dallas, Texas.

Invoice from Freiberg, Klein & Co., importers, distillers, and rectifiers of wholesale liquor and cigar dealers. Located at 5 & 7 Strand, Galveston, Texas, and 28 & 30 Main St., Cincinnati, Ohio. Dated September 9, 1890. The bill lists three items: 3 doz. assorted brandy, 1 doz. Belle of Anderson Whiskey, and 1 doz. Bourbon Whiskey. The billhead features a company logo with the text “Belle of Anderson,” the company's trademarked whiskey, and the words “Southern Agents” appear below the logo.

A partially pre-printed advertising letter from A. G. Mandel & Co. to I. F. Leas, dated October 19, 1868. The letter was sent from New York, New York, to Orville, Ohio. The letter is on a letterhead and is in excellent condition; the cover shows some damage, staining, age yellowing, and a fancy cancel. I. F. Leas was an 1873 trustee of the Institute for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes, all of whose trustees and officers were Jewish.

Invoice or bill from A. G. Mandel & Co., located at 242 Pearl Street, New York, New York, dated August 24, 1868. The bill was issued to I. F. Seas in Orville, Ohio. The invoice has an itemized list of goods, likely varnish products, with prices and totals, including

Invoice from Ketcham Rothschild & Co., a furniture company located at 154 & 156 West Madison St., Chicago, Illinois. Dated June 25, 1884. The invoice lists two items purchased by George R. Seatt, likely furniture, including a “lounge” and a “cafe”. The billhead displays the company name in ornate lettering with a decorative header. It also lists the names of the owners (I.C. Ketcham, W.S. Rothschild, and J.K. Peterson). The billhead has a printed header, ornate lettering, and clear details of the business address and transaction.

Invoice from Cohen & Brother, manufacturers of hoop skirts and bustles, located at 848 Seneca Street, Buffalo, New York. Dated June 30th, 1873. The bill lists a purchase by S. Jones & Co., of Lindenville, Ohio, of 1/2 dz Spring Skirts, 1/2 dz Bustie, and 1 Pampade Bustles, with total price of $14.25. The billhead has ornate Victorian-style lettering and a decorative framed header section.

A letter dated May 8, 1882, from Nathan & Straus, importers and wholesale liquor dealers in Chicago, Illinois, to the Kenton Sar Bank in Kenton, Ohio. The letterhead displays the firm's address as 103 East Lake Street, Chicago. Nathan & Straus was established in 1874.

Billhead from the Metropolitan Cigar Company, located at 225 Jefferson Ave., Detroit, Michigan. The billhead is addressed to Freedman & Hesslein and mentions the Kenton Savings Bank, Kenton, Ohio. Dated October 12, 1878. The dimensions are 8.5" x 9".

A two and three-quarter page letter written by Dr. Alfred Stille to Dr. Isaac Hays on May 7, 1850, from Cincinnati, Ohio. Stille describes attending the American Medical Association (AMA) convention. This is the first of two letters from Stille chronicling the AMA convention; the AMA was founded in 1847.

A three and one-quarter page letter from Dr. Alfred Stille to Dr. Isaac Hays, dated May 9, 1850. Written from Cincinnati, Ohio, the letter discusses Stille's attendance at the American Medical Association convention. It suggests a close professional relationship between Stille and Hays. This is the second of two letters by Stille documenting the AMA convention; the AMA was founded in 1847.

This collection comprises thirteen items: seven letters and six envelopes exchanged between Leopold (or Lee) Mittelstaedt and members of his family, primarily his cousin Minnie, between 1880 and 1885. The letters, written from New York, NY, reveal details of Leopold's life as a traveling salesman for Dunlap & Co., a silk and opera hat manufacturer. The correspondence also offers glimpses into the family's financial circumstances and daily life. Four letters are accompanied by their original envelopes, providing additional postal and geographic information. One letter is addressed to Mrs. A. Mittelstaedt from a Lucy.

Billhead from December 16, 1878, issued by Goldsmith Brothers, clothiers located at 335 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This billhead is a statement to M. Wertheimer & Bro. in Defiance, Ohio, covering three months (September 3, October 25, and December 16, 1878) and totaling $688.53. The billhead shows business transactions between Goldsmith Brothers in Philadelphia and M. Wertheimer & Bro. in Defiance, Ohio.

One-page business letter, partially printed on letterhead, from Goldsmith Brothers, woolens merchants, to E. S. M. Kunis. The letter confirms receipt of a check. The letter is dated January 23, 1880, and was sent from 335 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Van Wert, Ohio.

Invoice from AB. Kirschbaum & Co., clothiers located at 304 Market Street, Philadelphia. Dated March 14, 1877. The bill lists several items purchased by W. B. Hower & Son, located in Burbank, Ohio, including suits, coats, and pants. The billhead features a printed header with a company name and address in clear, bold text, and a handwritten transaction list in cursive script.

Billhead from April 16, 1877, issued by Levy Bros. & Co., manufacturers of clothing, located at 14 & 16 White Street, New York City, and W. B. Hower & Son of Burbank, Ohio. The billhead details transactions totaling over $400.00 and features a lithograph of the store/factory. The billhead measures 12.5 x 8.5 inches.

Billhead from Cohen & Brother, manufacturers of hoop skirts, located at 343 Seneca Street, Buffalo, NY. Dated July 29, 1872. The bill lists the purchase of 20 spring skirts, 30 “E.M.” skirts, and 30 “Paris Banner” skirts for a total of $20.00. The billhead is printed in black ink on off-white paper. The header section is filled with decorative text and outlines, including a framed company name. The transaction is hand-written in the style of the late 19th century.

A letter dated February 25, 1876, from Greenfield & Strauss, wholesale confectioners in New York City, to the Kenton Savings Bank in Kenton, Ohio. The letter contains instructions to the bank. The letter measures approximately 5 1/4" x 8 1/4".

Invoice from Cohen & Brother, manufacturers of hoop skirts and bustles, located at No. 348 Seneca Street, Buffalo, New York. Dated November 28, 1873. The bill lists an itemized purchase of hoop skirts from S. Jones & Co. of Lindenville, Ohio. The billhead has a printed header with ornate lettering, and lists the business address and the names of the business proprietors, A.F. Cohen and Nathan Cohen. The billhead contains decorative elements, including a framed header section.

Billhead from Glaser, Kohn & Co., manufacturers and packers of grocer shelf goods, located at 24 & 26 Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois. The billhead is dated October 11, 1886, and also mentions Weaver & Shulze.

Invoice from Levy Bros. & Co., manufacturers of clothing, located at 472 Broadway & 30, 32, 34 & 36 Crosby Street, New York, NY. Dated September 23, 1881. The bill lists the purchase of 4 pairs of pants, likely purchased by Hower Bros., a business or individual based in Burbank, Ohio. The bill includes an itemized list of the transaction, quantities, prices, and a total amount due of $37.50. The billhead features ornate Victorian-style lettering, and clear details of the business address and transaction.

Invoice from H. Bamberger & Co., importers and wholesale dealers in teas and spices, located at No. 229 Arch Street, Philadelphia. Dated March 1, 1871. The bill lists a purchase by J. Fahrny of one half chest of Young Hyson tea, for a total of $44. The billhead includes the buyer's name, the business name, and the business address. Terms of the transaction are listed, with payment due in Philadelphia on July 1st. The billhead includes an ornate Victorian-style lettering style with a line separating the header from the transaction list.

A one-page commercial letter dated May 15, 1848, from Katzenberger, Straus & Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Jacobs, Mayer & Co. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter details a complaint about a shipment of cloth that did not match the order, discussing the discrepancy in quality and markings.

Envelope advertising a home study course in Hebrew offered by the American Institute of Sacred Literature. The envelope, postmarked October 5, 1881, was addressed to John M. Swiller in Xenia, Ohio, and features an illustrated cover promoting the study of Hebrew in relation to Old Testament literature. The return address is W.R. Harper, Baptist Union Theological Seminary, Morgan Park, Chicago.

A one-page manuscript letter dated October 15, 1857, from Cary Gratz, a merchant in St. Louis, Missouri, to J. M. McFarland in Chillicothe, Ohio. The letter discusses the effects of the Bank Panic of 1857 in St. Louis. Attached is a printed copy of the *Merchants’ Exchange Reporter and Prices Current*, St. Louis, Vol. 1, No. 37, Wednesday, October 14, 1857.

Broadside letter from M. Greenbaum & Co. to their creditors, dated July 4, 1874, announcing their inability to reach an agreement and informing them of pending lawsuits. The letter reflects the economic climate of the Panic of 1873 and its aftermath. The letter was sent from Chicago, Illinois, and concerns business dealings in both Chicago and Warren, Ohio.

A four-page letter written by Marcellus Ovando Messer to his parents in Warren, Ohio, from near Atlanta, Georgia, on September 29, 1864. Messer, a sergeant in Company C, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, describes a dress drill and review attended by Colonel Frederick Knefler, his commanding officer. The letter provides details of the event and mentions army pay, the upcoming election, and the condition of his fellow soldiers. The letter is faded but the text has been enhanced digitally.