Local History Collections

(Description ID: 595220)

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums 

Trommer Extract of Malt Company

 LH-52

Introduction
Biographical Sketch
Scope and Content
Inventory 

Introduction
Additional records of the Trommer Extract of Malt Company are located at the Center for Archival Collections at the Jerome Library on the campus of Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio. https://lib.bgsu.edu/finding_aids/items/show/115.

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums holds in its collection several examples of Trommer Extract of Malt Company bottles.http://rbhayes.pastperfectonline.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search_criteria=trommer&searchButton=Search

Biographical Sketch
 Dr. John B. Rice, Union Army surgeon during the Civil War, observed the beneficial effects of extract of malt while treating wounded soldiers. However, after the war, he had difficulty making it in his private practice. Gustavus A. Gessner, while employed by druggists S. Buckland & Sons of Fremont, Ohio, discovered an improved process for preparing extract of malt. This new method preserved the diastase of malt, an enzyme useful in breaking down starch in food and aiding digestion. Gessner used malt extract from Canadian barley and achieved longer shelf life without fermentation. At that time there were no commercial preparations of extract of malt.

Gessner and Rice, along with Dr. Robert H. Rice, Stephen Buckland, and Ralph Buckland, Jr., formed The Improved Trommer Extract of Malt Co. in January 1874 operating at 117 S. Arch St. Fremont, Ohio. The company’s name was shortened to Trommer Extract of Malt Co. in 1877 or 1878. Stephen Buckland sold his share of the company to the other partners May 25, 1877 and Ralph Buckland sold his share April 27, 1878. The company employed several travelling sales agents to call on physicians around the country and introduce them to the benefits of their product. Trommer Extract of Malt became the standard form of the product and distributed through much of the United States and several foreign countries.

In late 1879, the Buckland’s began the manufacture and sale of an extract of malt product. Gessner, Rice, and Rice sued Buckland and Buckland for infringing upon the exclusive use of the words ‘Trommer’ and ‘Extract of Malt’ as well as the use of similar bottles and labels (John B. Rice et al vs. S. Buckland et al). Gessner, Rice, and Rice won their suit at the district court. Buckland and Buckland countersued to the Ohio Supreme Court in 1884 where protection of the term ‘Trommer’ was overturned but the rest of the lower court verdict was sustained.

September 17, 1884 Trommer Extract of Malt Co. entered into an agreement with Dr. John Fred Carl Jungk for the formula originated by Professor Trommer of Berlin, Germany and the exclusive rights to the words ‘Trommer Extract of Malt’ in North and South America. Jungk had earlier acquired these rights from Professor Trommer’s widow Adelaide.

The market for patent medicines like extract of malt was very competitive. In 1882 a group of manufacturers and wholesalers established a rebate plan to improve sales and profits which generated much controversy with retailers. In this plan, sellers of extract of malt agreed to charge only the list price for the product in return for a 10% discount from Trommer.

The company was sold to Leonidas H. Cress for New York City May 20, 1889 with James Richardson, Secretary and Norman Sherwood, Treasurer.

Scope and Content
The bulk of these records is correspondence, mostly incoming, of the Trommer Extract of Malt Co. of Fremont, Ohio. The records date from 1874 to 1889 and are generally arranged chronologically. Much of the correspondence consists of orders for the product or questions about the status of current orders. Another significant number of letters are solicitations for advertisements in professional journals. Buyers occasionally experienced problems with the extract of malt crystallizing or thickening and letters addressing these issues are found here as well as reports from the travelling sales agents which indicate the efforts of the company to market their product. Additional items found in this collection are various financial ledgers and files regarding the Rice v. Buckland litigation as well as the sale of the company in 1889.

Inventory

Box 1

Folder 

1 Correspondence April – June 1874
2 Correspondence July – August 1874
3 Correspondence September – October 1874
4 Correspondence November – December 1874
5 Financial Papers 1874
6 Correspondence January – February 1875
7 Correspondence March – April 1875
8 Correspondence May – June 1875  
9 Correspondence July – August 1875
10 Correspondence September – October 1875
11 Correspondence November – December 1875
12 Financial Papers February – March 1875
13 Financial Papers April – May 1875
14 Financial Papers June – August 1875
15 Financial Papers September – October 1875
16 Financial Papers November – December 1875
17 Correspondence January – February 1876
18 Correspondence March – April 1876
19 Correspondence May – June 1876
20 Correspondence July – August 1876
21 Correspondence September – October 1876
22 Correspondence November – December 1876
23 Financial Papers January – February 1876
24 Financial Papers March – April 1876
25 Financial Papers May – June 1876
26 Financial Papers July – August 1876
27 Financial Papers September – October 1876
28 Financial Papers November – December 1876
      Notes & Drafts Paid 1876
      Bills, Receipts 1876

Box 2

Folder

1 Correspondence January – February 1877
2 Correspondence March – April 1877
3 Correspondence May 1877
4 Correspondence June 1-15, 1877
5 Correspondence June 16-30, 1877
6 Correspondence July 1-15, 1877
7 Correspondence July 16-31, 1877
8 Correspondence August 1-15, 1877
9 Correspondence August 16-31, 1877
10 Correspondence September 1-15, 1877
11 Correspondence September 16-30, 1877
12 Correspondence October 1-15, 1877
13 Correspondence October 16-31, 1877
14 Correspondence November 1-15, 1877
15 Correspondence November 16-30, 1877
16 Correspondence December 1-15, 1877
17 Correspondence December 16-31, 1877   
18 Financial Papers January – March 1877
19 Financial Papers April – June 1877
20 Statements of Freight 1877          
21 Dissolution of Partnership 1877 – 1878
      Shipping Records July 31, 1877 – December 21, 1877
      Shipping Receipts December 21, 1877 – March 26, 1878

Box 3

Folder

1 Correspondence January 1 – 15, 1878
2 Correspondence January 16 – 31, 1878
3 Correspondence February 1 – 15, 1878
4 Correspondence February 16-28, 1878
5 Correspondence March 1-15, 1878
6 Correspondence March 16-31, 1878
7 Correspondence April 1878
8 Correspondence May – August 1878
9 Correspondence  September – November 1878
10 Correspondence December 1878
      Bills of Lading April – December 1878
11 Correspondence January 1-15, 1879
12 Correspondence January 16-31, 1879
13 Correspondence February 1-14, 1879
14 Correspondence February 15-28, 1879
15 Correspondence March 1-15, 1879
16 Correspondence March 16-31, 1879
17 Correspondence April 1-15, 1879
18 Correspondence April 16-30, 1879

Box 4

Folder 

1 Correspondence May 1879
2 Correspondence June 1879
3 Correspondence July 1-15, 1879
4 Correspondence July 16-31, 1879
5 Correspondence August 1-15, 1879
6 Correspondence August 16-31, 1879
7 Correspondence September 1-15, 1879
8 Correspondence September 16-30, 1879
9 Correspondence October 1-15, 1879
10 Correspondence October 16-31, 1879
11 Correspondence November 1-15, 1879
12 Correspondence November 16-30, 1879
13 Correspondence December 1879
14 Letters Concerning Patent 1879
15 Bills of Lading 1879
16 Bills of Lading 1879
17 Bills of Lading 1879
18 Bills of Lading 1880 

Box 5

Folder

1 Correspondence January 1-15, 1880
2 Correspondence January 16-31, 1880
3 Correspondence February 1-15, 1880
4 Correspondence February 16-29, 1880
5 Correspondence March 1-15, 1880
6 Correspondence March 16-31, 1880
7 Correspondence April 1-15, 1880
8 Correspondence April 16-30, 1880
9 Correspondence May 1880
10 Correspondence June 1880
11 Correspondence July 1-15, 1880
12 Correspondence July 16-31, 1880
13 Correspondence August 1880
14 Correspondence September 1880
15 Correspondence October 1880
16 Correspondence November 1880
17 Correspondence December 1880
18 Correspondence January 1-15, 1880
19 Correspondence January 16-31, 1880
20 Correspondence February 1-15, 1881
21 Correspondence February 16-28, 1881

Box 6

Folder

1 Correspondence March 1-15, 1881
2 Correspondence March 16-31, 1881
3 Correspondence April 1-15, 1881
4 Correspondence April 16-30, 1881
5 Correspondence May 1-15, 1881
6 Correspondence May 16-31, 1881
7 Correspondence June 1-15, 1881
8 Correspondence June 16-30, 1881
9 Correspondence July 1-15, 1881
10 Correspondence July 16-31, 1881
11 Correspondence August 1-15, 1881
12 Correspondence August 16-31, 1881
13 Correspondence September 1-15, 1881
14 Correspondence September 16-30, 1881
15 Correspondence October 1-15, 1881
16 Correspondence October 16-31, 1881
17 Correspondence November 1-15, 1881
18 Correspondence November 16-30, 1881
19 Correspondence December 1-15, 1881
20 Correspondence December 16-31, 1881
21 Telegrams 1881, 1883 

Box 7

Folder

1 Correspondence January 1-15, 1882
2 Correspondence January 16-31, 1882
3 Correspondence February 1-15, 1882
4 Correspondence February 16-28, 1882
5 Correspondence March 1-15, 1882
6 Correspondence March 16-31, 1882
7 Correspondence April 1-15, 1882
8 Correspondence April 16-30, 1882
9 Correspondence May 1-15, 1882
10 Correspondence May 16-31, 1882
11 Correspondence June 1-15, 1882
12 Correspondence June 16-30, 1882
13 Correspondence July 1-15, 1882
14 Correspondence July 16-31, 1882
15 Correspondence August 1-15, 1882
16 Correspondence August 16-31, 1882
17 Correspondence September 1-15, 1882
18 Correspondence September 16-30, 1882
19 Correspondence October 1-15, 1882
20 Correspondence October 16-31, 1882
21 Correspondence November 1-15, 1882
22 Correspondence November 16-30, 1882

Box 8

Folder 

1 Correspondence December 1-15, 1882
2 Correspondence December 16-31, 1882
3 Correspondence January 1-15, 1883
4 Correspondence January 16-31, 1883|
5 Correspondence February 1-15, 1883
6 Correspondence February 16-28, 1883
7 Correspondence March 1-15, 1883
8 Correspondence March 16-31, 1883
9 Correspondence April 1-15, 1883
10 Correspondence April 16-30, 1883
11 Correspondence May 1-15, 1883
12 Correspondence May 16-31, 1883
13 Correspondence June 1-15, 1883
14 Correspondence June 16-30, 1883
15 Correspondence July 1-15, 1883
16 Correspondence July 16-31, 1883
17 Correspondence August 1-15, 1883
18 Correspondence August 16-31, 1883
19 Correspondence September 1-15, 1883
20 Correspondence September 16-30, 1883
21 Correspondence October 1-15, 1883
22 Correspondence October 16-31, 1883

Box 9

Folder

1 Correspondence November 1-15, 1883
2 Correspondence November 16-30, 1883
3 Correspondence December 1-15, 1883
4 Correspondence December 16-31, 1883
5 Correspondence January 1-15, 1884
6 Correspondence January 16-31, 1884
7 Correspondence February 1-15, 1884
8 Correspondence February 16-29, 1884
9 Correspondence March 1-15, 1884
10 Correspondence March 16-31, 1884
11 Correspondence April 1-15, 1884
12 Correspondence April 16-30, 1884
13 Correspondence May 1-15, 1884
14 Correspondence May 16-31, 1884
15 Correspondence June 1-15, 1884
16 Correspondence June 16-30, 1884
17 Correspondence July 1-15, 1884
18 Correspondence July 16-31, 1884
19 Correspondence August 1-15, 1884
20 Correspondence August 16-31, 1884
21 Correspondence September 1-15, 1884
22 Correspondence September 16-30, 1884
23 Correspondence October 1-15, 1884
24 Correspondence October 16-31, 1884
25 Correspondence November 1-15, 1884
26 Correspondence November 16-30, 1884
27 Correspondence December 1-15, 1884
28 Correspondence December 16-31, 1884

Box 10

Folder

1 Correspondence January 1-15, 1885
2 Correspondence January 16-31, 1885
3 Correspondence February 1-15, 1885
4 Correspondence February 16-28, 1885
5 Correspondence March 1-15, 1885
6 Correspondence March 16-31, 1885
7 Correspondence April 1-15, 1885
8 Correspondence April 16-30, 1885
9 Correspondence May 1-15, 1885
10 Correspondence May 16-31, 1885
11 Correspondence June 1-15, 1885
12 Correspondence June 16-30, 1885
13 Correspondence July 1885
14 Correspondence August 1885
15 Correspondence September 1885
16 Correspondence October 1885
17 Correspondence November 1885
18 Correspondence December 1-15, 1885
19 Correspondence December 16-31, 1885
20 Correspondence January 1-15, 1886
21 Correspondence January 16-31, 1886
22 Correspondence February 1-15, 1886
23 Correspondence February 16-28, 1886
24 Correspondence March 1-15, 1886
25 Correspondence March 16-31, 1886 

Box 11

Folder 

1 Correspondence April 1-15, 1886
2 Correspondence April 16-30, 1886
3 Correspondence May 1-15, 1886
4 Correspondence May 16-31, 1886
5 Correspondence June 1-15, 1886
6 Correspondence June 16-30, 1886
7 Correspondence July 1-15, 1886
8 Correspondence July 16-31, 1886
9 Correspondence August 1-15, 1886
10 Correspondence August 16-31, 1886
11 Correspondence September 1-15, 1886
12 Correspondence September 16-30, 1886
13 Correspondence October 1886
14 Correspondence November 1886
15 Correspondence December 1886
16 Correspondence January 1887
17 Correspondence February 1887
18 Correspondence March 1887
19 Correspondence April 1887
20 Correspondence May 1887
21 Correspondence June 1887
22 Correspondence July 1887

Box 12

Folder

1 Correspondence August 1887
2 Correspondence September 1887
3 Correspondence October 1887
4 Correspondence November 1887
5 Correspondence December 1887
6 Correspondence January 1888
7 Correspondence February 1888
8 Correspondence March 1888
9 Correspondence April 1888
10 Correspondence May 1888
11 Correspondence June 1888
12 Correspondence July 1888
13 Correspondence August 1888
14 Correspondence September 1888
15 Correspondence October 1888
16 Correspondence November 1888
17 Correspondence December 1888
18 Correspondence January 1889
19 Correspondence February 1889
20 Correspondence March 1889
21 Correspondence April 1889
22 Correspondence May 1889
23 Correspondence June – December 1889
24 Correspondence 1890 – 1914
25 Correspondence No Date
26 Correspondence No Date
27 Correspondence No Date
28 Correspondence No Date
29 Correspondence No Date

Box 13

Folder 

1 Correspondence No Date
2 Correspondence No Date
3 Journal of Dietetics – Correspondence 1887, 1888
4 Medical Matters
5 Medical Matters
6 Medical Matters
7 Medical Matters
8 Miscellaneous Papers
9 Miscellaneous Papers
10 Miscellaneous Papers
11 Miscellaneous Business Cards
12 Advertising, Labels, Stationery
13 Advertising Material
14 Telegraph Code Symbols, Lab Reports
15 Insurance Policies
16 Contracts
17 Litigation Rice v. Buckland
18 Litigation Rice v. Buckland
19 Sale of Company 1889
20 Sale of Company 1889

Box 14

Folder 

1 Traveler’s Reports – Geo. Andrews May 1890 – March 1891
2 Traveler’s Reports – Jos. P. Evans June – November 1890
3 Traveler’s Reports – Mattern August 1890 – March 1891
4 Traveler’s Reports – A. W. Penniman November 1890 – March 1891
5 Traveler’s Reports – F. W. Shontell September 1890 – March 1891
6 Traveler’s Reports – F. N. Wood November 1890 – March 1891
7 Traveler’s Reports – Eugene DeReeves, W. M. Ogle 1890, 1891
8 Rebate Certificates 1882-1883
9 Cancelled Checks, Check Stubs 1874 - 1887

Box 15

Folder

1 Blank Business Forms
2 Inventory Lists n.d.
3 Promissory Notes December 1, 1883 – May 18, 1888
4 Shipping Receipts 1885-1886
5 Miscellaneous Financial Forms 1876-1878; 1889

Journals:         

• (3) Advertising Agreements January – May 1882            
• Shipping Receipts 1878
• Account Book June 19, 1877 – June 29, 1880
• Order Book 1875
• Order Book 1886
• Order Book September 1, 1883 – April 17, 1885
• Order Book April 20, 1885 – January 28, 1887
• Invoice Book 1881
• Checkbook January 15, 1877 – May 17, 1877          
• Checkbook September 4, 1877 – April 9, 1878
• Checkbook November 18, 1879 – March 29, 1880
• Orders August 23, 1879 – August 31, 1883
• Receipt Book October 7, 1882 – April 13, 1883
• Account Book 1874 – 1875
• Account Book 1876
• Account Book January – April 1877
• 1^st National Bank June 1, 1874 – April 5, 1877
• 1^st National Bank April 5, 1877 – May 8, 1878
• 1^st National Bank January 16, 1889 – May 8, 1890
• Stephen Buckland 1877

Box 16

• Canceled Checks 1875-1886; 189

Shelf

• Payout Stubs May 4 – October 24, 1885
• Salaries and Wages March 1878 – May 1883
• Trial Balances 188-1884
• Ledger 1886-1887
• Ledger 1883-1885
• Ledger 1877-1880
• Journal 1881-1883
• Journal 1883-1886
• Journal Day Book 1881-1883
• Shipping Receipts 1875
• Shipping Receipts 1876-1877
• Journal May 1874 – August 1879
• Order Book 1885
• Cash Journal 1877-1882
• Order Book 1885
• Journal Day Book May 1879 – December 1880
• Ledger 1878-1879
• Journal Day Book March 1878 – April 1879
• Journal May 1886 – November 1887