Floersheim Mercantile Company Records
Collection
Identifier: MSS-53-BC
Scope and Content
This collection contains the business records of Floersheim Mercantile Company, wholesalers and retailers of general merchandise in Springer and Roy, New Mexico covering the life of the company, 1897-1969. There are account books, 1919-1923; cashbooks, daybooks, 1916-1918; expense book, 1910; journals, 1916-1919; ledger, 1898-1901; minute books, 1898-1947; receipt book, 1921-1922; check stubs, 1969; inventory sheets and deeds. The correspondence covers such topics as a house to be bought by Carl Floersheim, collecting delinquent payments for merchandise and other business related items. The newspaper clippings from the Springer Tribune contain 50th anniversary greetings to Floersheim Mercantile Company with a brief story of Solomon Floersheim. The photographs, transferred to the CSWR Photoarchives, show Floersheim employees and interiors of the Floersheim Mercantile Company.
Dates
- 1893-1969
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Institutional History
On December 13, 1897 Solomon Floersheim, Authur M. Blackwell and Henry W. Kelly signed the Articles of Incorporation of the Floersheim Mercantile Company. The purpose of the company, among other things, was "buying, selling and dealing in general merchandise; the buying, selling and dealing in timber of all classes and kinds, the buying, selling, leasing and generally dealing in timber lands, ranches and other real estate of what so ever kind or nature." Located in Springer with a branch store in Roy, New Mexico, the company was one of the largest mercantile enterprises in Northern New Mexico. Various members of the Floersheim family were involved with the company, including Solomon, his sons Carl and Benjamin, and Solomon's brother, Jacob. After having survived a fire in May 1916 and a financial crisis in 1937, the company officially closed in December 1969.
Solomon Floersheim, the president and principal owner of the Floersheim Mercantile Company, was born in Hamburg, Germany on October 5, 1856. He arrived in the United States in 1878 and New Mexico in 1879. He worked for the Gross-Kelly Company and the Charles Ilfeld Company before he entered the ranching and mercantile business for himself by starting a general store in Ocate, New Mexico in 1888. His success is another example of the establishment of German mercantile firms following short training periods with older established houses. In 1927 Solomon retired and his son, Carl, took over the management of the company.
Solomon Floersheim, the president and principal owner of the Floersheim Mercantile Company, was born in Hamburg, Germany on October 5, 1856. He arrived in the United States in 1878 and New Mexico in 1879. He worked for the Gross-Kelly Company and the Charles Ilfeld Company before he entered the ranching and mercantile business for himself by starting a general store in Ocate, New Mexico in 1888. His success is another example of the establishment of German mercantile firms following short training periods with older established houses. In 1927 Solomon retired and his son, Carl, took over the management of the company.
Extent
11 boxes (7 cu. ft.) + 12 vols.
Separated Material
Photographs transferred from the Floersheim Mercantile Company Photographs
Relevant Secondary Sources
- Floersheim, Don. Springer, New Mexico: "the old home town" Springer, N.M.: Don Floersheim, 1993.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Floersheim Mercantile Company Records, 1893-1969
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by T.S.Reinig
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 53 BC::Floersheim Mercantile Company Records)//EN" "nmu1mss53bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu