RUNNING HEAD: COMPANIES IN NEW YORK CITY

Companies in New York City circa WWI:

Object Narratives

Sarah Miller

Kelly Provero

Anne Zadora

St. John’s University

RUNNING HEAD: COMPANIES IN NEW YORK CITY

I. Object I.

This is a digitized copy of a

receipt once owned by Anthony Demo, who was a priest associated with Our Lady of Pompeii

during the early 1900's up until his death. This particular item is a printed and handwritten-on

sample in which one sees plainly the order from Father Demo, whom requests eight (8) pints of

Grade B milk and six (6) quarts of the same. This item is dated: January 2, 1917. It is

interesting to note that while the name is different, and the headquarters are no longer in New

York city, Borden's Farm Product Co., Inc. exists today as Borden Dairy. Closer inspection also

indicates that this item is signed, likely by both gentlemen involved and the tally is at the bottom

totaling a dollar and forty-four cents ($1.44).

Further research reveals that Borden's Farm Products Co, Inc. was an active participant in the

processes of milk and dairy production. Mr. Gail Borden, founder of the company found his

place in the world by taking his inspiration of meeting the need of the public as he saw it of not

having so much wasted milk. It is important to note that refrigeration at his time was a luxury

that precious few could afford and Mr. Borden sought to meet that challenge. Arguably he was

very successful in his endeavor - given that he not only founded a company but also owned at

RUNNING HEAD: COMPANIES IN NEW YORK CITY

least one patent related to it. It is a safe assertion therefore that Mr. Borden's risk-taking certainly

benefitted his compatriots, but also the continued better lives of the public he served.

RUNNING HEAD: COMPANIES IN NEW YORK CITY

Object II

Object two is a receipt from

J.M. Horton Ice Cream Co located at 205-221 East 24th Street. The receipt is very clearly for

the church, which is indicated by the address written by hand "210 Bleecker St".

J.M. Horton was not a founder of the concept of 'ice cream' however he was one of the men

who most prominently benefitted from it. He was brought into the business of ice cream circa

1870, as a partner in Mr. Fussell's business and eventually bought out the original company

which resulted in the rename to "J.M. Horton Ice Cream Co." as seen above (Funderburg, p.55).

Interestingly while both companies, Bordens and J.M. Horton each existed in the years of

1910 and 1920, by the end of 1930, it had been bought out by another company, Pioneer Ice

Cream Division of Borden. A remarkable change of pace for the company which had once touted

to be a major supplier of ice and ice cream for an entire city (Schneider

RUNNING HEAD: COMPANIES IN NEW YORK CITY

III. Object III

This is the receipt documenting the purchase for ice cream

by Reverend Anthony Demo on the behalf of the church. From the receipt one can ascertain that

Mr. Intemann is the second generation, as it shows proudly that the company was founded by

E.A. G. Intemann, Sr in 1872. Because churches were the center of social lives for the

communities, it was not uncommon for a priest to make such a purchase for his flock. This

particular piece is less legible than others, indicating that perhaps one or the other was rushed.

Ice cream interestingly could be considered a luxury item, given that like all things cold it did

not last indefinitely. This indicates, judging by the date which is December 31, 1917 that perhaps

at the time there was a church gathering, possibly even a Sunday Mass after which there was

nearly always a dinner and dessert time.

RUNNING HEAD: COMPANIES IN NEW YORK CITY

IV. Object IV.

This receipt is part of the Center for Migration Studies

Pompei collection, this one being a personal paper of Reverend Anthony Demo. It is the receipt

of payment for a parcel of breads. Because Father Demo made this purchase and the number of

parcels one could assert that it was purchased on behalf of the bread. This contributed to the life

and continued happiness of the parishioners. Gatherings of all kinds were central to the lifestyle

of the people, and with those gatherings came food, of all kinds including breads and other baked

goods.

While there are little information on this specific bakery to be found as of this date, there is

quite a bit of information on bakeries in the broad sense to be found. It is reasonable to assert that

like many other businesses families owned them and the head, often a family patriarch would

hire and train family members, often in the hope that a son would take up the business when he

were of age (Brown, p.27).

RUNNING HEAD: COMPANIES IN NEW YORK CITY

V. Object V.

This receipt is from the private papers of

Reverend Anthony Demo. Unlike the other receipts that are accompanying this one, there are

three months rather than a single month. This is from July, August, Sept. of 1917. Cosimo Di

Fiore Dr. of the Italian Bread Bakery. What makes this unique is the fact that it is for more than

one month and perhaps could be argued that such invoices were always done this way by the

company.

Further research would need to be done, in order to confirm the idea that receipts were always

done this way. It is unknown at this time if such could be confirmed or rejected but would be

interesting to note.

It is not unreasonable to assume that using the images on page 21 of Mary Brown's report that

bakeries tended to be wide, open spaces with the large windows that displayed prominently the

goods sold within. A baker's day would begin early, before the sun even rises and would end late

RUNNING HEAD: COMPANIES IN NEW YORK CITY

in the day because in the day, around four am and not end until much later in the evening at

which time the public face of such a location would end and the cleanup and preparation for the

next day, which would be an endless circle of mostly-handmade goods with some mechanized

product, though the industrial revolution was only just beginning.

All images used courtesy of the Center for Migration Studies.

RUNNING HEAD: COMPANIES IN NEW YORK CITY

References

Arizmendi bakery. San Francisco, CA. 2013. Accessed October 28, 2013.

http://www.arizmendibakery.org/dayinthelife.

Borden's Farm Products, Co. Inc.. (1917, January 2). [Bill of Sale]. Pompeii Papers Collection.

Center for Migration Studies. New York, NY.

The Borden Brand. https://friendsofelsie.com/about-us/history. 2013.

Brown, M.E. The Italians of the south village. ed. Fierro, R. Phd. The Greenwich Village Society

for Historic Preservation. New York, NY. 2007

Brown, M.E. The Italians of the south village. ed. Fierro, R. Phd. The Greenwich Village Society

for Historic Preservation. New York, NY. 2007.

J.M. Horton Ice Cream Co.. (1916, October 31). [Bill of Sale]. Pompeii Papers Collection.

Center for Migration Studies. New York, NY.

Intemann, E.A.G. (1917,December 31 ). [Bill of Sale]. Pompeii Papers Collection. Center

for Migration Studies. New York, NY.

Neruo et al. (1916, September 30). [Bill of Sale]. Pompeii Papers Collection. Center

for Migration Studies. New York, NY.

Schneider, D. F.Y.I. The New York Times. March 19, 2000.

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/19/nyregion/fyi-304220.html