Is It Apothecary-Druggist-Pharmacist? A 19th-century Conundrum

 This post was written by library volunteer Robert Baldwin.

The SCHS Library recently received a donation of Henry A. Kertse’s Pharmacy prescription records. The donor asked us if Kertse's was the oldest pharmacy in Schenectady. This may be true as a matter of semantics. Further investigation is needed as late 19th century New York State medical regulations were in transition. The intriguing question is, "when and who were the pioneers in dispensing medicine in Schenectady?" Let us investigate the history of pharmaceutical practices in New York State. 

Believe it or not, regulated dispensing of medicine is relatively young. Apothecary and druggist businesses organized with minimal scrutiny. Prior to 1900, New Yorkers who wanted to establish a "drug store", did so with little or no regulations. Before pharmacies were known as such, druggist/apothecary shops sold drugs and medicines. Often, the owners manufactured their own medicinal concoctions. As innovations in medical science evolved, so did regulations enabling druggists' ability to produce and deliver medicine. According to the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, the New York State Pharmacist Association was created in 1879. However, it was merely an organization that lobbied to achieve professional recognition. Five years later (1884), Governor Grover Cleveland [1] appointed the first State Board of Pharmacy--a needed regulatory agency. [2] During 1906, a statute was enacted requiring a college degree to obtain a pharmacists license. 

By 1932, college degrees were mandated for those who wished to practice pharmacy. However, this legislative act was rarely enforced. New York City was the exception since the city had stricter guidelines. Two years later, additional laws mandated that only registered pharmacists could dispense poisonous or habit-forming drugs. It took almost three more decades before five-year college-of-pharmacy degrees were required (1960) [3]. Eventually, many universities/colleges offered doctorate degrees. However, doctorate degrees are not currently required to practice pharmacy in New York State. That may change as drug usage and dispensing has become complex.

Before statutes were created and codified by New York State, medicinal and health products were found everywhere. Clark Stanley’s Snake Oil Liniment for arthritis and rheumatism, a product originating from Texas, gained popularity leading to distribution throughout the United States. Peddler's wagons were no longer the source of such medicines. Druggist stores, including Schenectady businesses, began to distribute such items. During the first half of the nineteenth century, the few druggists in Schenectady competed for customers to buy a wide variety of “cure-alls” without prescriptions or doctor's recommendations. One of the earliest known druggists in Schenectady (1835), medical doctor Andrew Truax also competed with other druggist and sold "medicine" that we would consider “quackery” today. As readers would “gander” over advertisements in the Friday, July 18th, 1845 “Schenectady Reflector,” they found: 

The advertisements were never-ending cures for all things. However, the druggist not only sold remedies. Items varied, such as:

• ENGLISH yellow purple top rutabagas 
• Logwood 
• Stationary items 
• Soda and Saratoga Waters 
• Almond Soap 
• Items made of silk 
• Corks for bottles 
• Paints, oils, window putty, turpentine, window glass 
• Lard oil for lamps

Eleven years later, interesting advertisements "in the name of medical science" were on the increase, as shown below from the Schenectady Reflector. Friday, May 30, 1856:

The variety was substantial and it appeared that druggist stores were more like general stores. Who were these druggists? When and where did they operate their businesses in Schenectady?

The earliest record found for Schenectady was a handbill dated May 1831 for "Richard Fuller Druggist and Apothecary" that advertised his wares. (Handbill shown below) This store was located on the south side of State St, adjoining the Canal Bridge. Whole and retail sales included glass, furniture, dyes, woods, lamps, oils, and other sundry goods. Apparently, his business fell into obscurity since we were unable to locate any other documents relating to this enterprise. 

Richard Fuller, Druggist and Apothecary. Hand Bill 1831 [4]

 

Druggist Dr. Andrew Truax (mentioned above), originally operated his store at 117 State St. By 1862, the business relocated at 141 State St. As the street numbers changed in the 1880s, 141 State St was assigned its new number, 261 (remaining there as of 1948). As time passed, the ownership changed. By 1864, Andrew T. Veeder (also a medical doctor) became Truax's business partner. When Truax retired in 1883, junior partner Veeder became sole proprietor. The business listings morphed from Andrew Truax, to A.T. Veeder, to A.T. Veeder & Son; and by 1948, Veeder & Yelverton. The Veeder inventory was extensive. Merchandise included: microscopes, optical goods, ivory and solid silver toilets; and, he even carried a large variety of drugs, medicines and chemicals. I cannot imagine using ivory and solid silver toilets for the dirtiest needs.

David H. Snell, listed both as an apothecary and druggist, operated his store (1841-71) at 147 State St. There was no distinction between the two professional titles at this time. His competitors were very few: Truax (noted above), H. Gnadandorff, Ernest Steinhührer, and Frederick W. Hoffman. Hoffman ran his business for one year. Eventually, Snell's store changed hands and was owned by J. Sharratt Gates (1871-85). Nelson H. Kittle later carried on there (1885-90). In 1888, this address number was assigned 267. Edward Rosa gained ownership (1889-96). J.T.B. Gilmour (1896-97) and John Barron (1897-98) were transient owners. By 1899 and into the 20th century, E.A. Sawyer operated the business at 267 State St [5]. 

Veeder and Yelverton ad [6]

 

David H. Snell, in his early years [7]

 

 

 

Edward Rosa portrait [8]

 

Among the early druggists was Barent I. Mynderse at 97 State St (1841-42); H. Gnadandorff at 91 State St (1860-61) and moved to 107 State St (1862-63), and moved again to 85 State St (1863-66). Thomas Dunlap was at 130 State St (1857-58). A few years passed, A.J. McDonald maintained a druggist shop at 191 State St (1871-77).

Barent I. Mynderse, circa 1835 [9]

Henry C. Van Zandt earned his medical degree at Albany Medical College. Later, he opened a drug store known as VanZandt and Rector (1884-86) which operated at 191 State St. From 1886 to 1894, this business was located in the Central Arcade. The arcade extended from Wall St to the New York Central arcade in the rear of the State St stores. During this period, they were known as VanZandt, Shaffer and Rector. Subsequently. It then was relocated at 455 State St and from 1896 to 1897. Later, John P. Bigelow became the druggist at 455 State.

Dr. Henry C. VanZandt [10]

193 State St was occupied by Dower and Hogeboom 1876-77; and then, by C. Lansing 1878-80. 112 Union St was operated by Edward L. Davis (1881-87). W.T. Hanson and Son/Co. occupied 195 State St (1880-87). Then the street number was reassigned as 335. This druggist remained there (1888-91). By 1891, ownership changed hands with Lyon J. Turnbull continuing there into the twentieth century. 209 State St was owned and maintained by druggist, Ernest Steinhührer (1888-91). As the new educational requirements were enforced, Steinhührer earned his degree and operated as a pharmacist (1891-96). Apparently, Steinhüher retired passing ownership to Rudolph H. Keller operated the store (1896-1930s), however advertised as a druggist even though he did earn a Albany College of Pharmacy degree.

Henry A. Kertse started as a clerk at the age of 15 in Ernest Steinhührer's store (209 State St) until 1886. He decided to follow the profession permanently and earned his Ph.G. degree from the Albany School of Pharmacy, even though it was not required by law [11]. Edward L. Davis, was the druggist at 412 Union St (1888-89). During 1889, Kertse bought the business from Davis (who established it in 1882) [12]. Kertse appears to have been listed as the very first "pharmacist" in Schenectady. His original staff included three subordinates [13]. "In the old days we had to make everything ourselves." Pills, suppositories, infusions, and ointments were made on site. Most interestingly, herbs surpassed all other sales. Kertse eventually succumbed to public demand and offered ice cream sodas. And, a few years later he decided cease focusing on sales of sodas to concentrate on prescription sales [14] By 1960, the antique marble soda apparatus, "THE ARCTIC" still existed under the ownership of Erocle Conti [15]. Today, the building is an eatery, "Canvas, Corks, & Forks", where you can "paint, sip, and eat." 

Kertse's Pharmacy, early 1900s

 

Kertse's Pharmacy building, now Canvas, Corks, and Forks [16]

Arctic Freeze - many drink choices [17]

Kertse's Arctic Freeze soda fountain and Ercole Conti [18]

Eventually, the druggist business became available further up to 790 State St. Ownership turned over four times by the 20th century. First, was George Gertzen (1893-94); second, Roy Webber (1894-96); third, W.K. Wright & Co. (1896-98); and finally, Wells Pharmacy (1899 into the 1900s). Webber was also a graduate of the Albany School of Pharmacy [19].

Without doubt, Henry Kertse was the first licensed "pharmacist" in the city of Schenectady. Prior to his certification, two individuals practiced the dispensing of medicine with qualifications. As earlier mentioned, Andrew Truax and Andrew Veeder were medical doctors; implying they met or exceeded qualifications to "prescribe" medicine. To meet the needs of patients, the quest for more "pharmacists" rapidly increased before 1900.

From 1831 to 1900, there were 35 different druggists and pharmacists. Several druggists operated for one-to-two years. Others were either bought out or became partners of established businesses. Of these, 14 were named as of 1900 (dates of establishment in parenthesis based on City of Schenectady Directories 1841-1900):

• Duryee, George E. 423 State St (1878) 
• Duryee, Harry/Henry B. Jay corner of Franklin (1871-1893 at 191 State St)
• Horstmann Pharmacy, 128 Wall St (1890)
• Keller, R., 209 State St (1896)
• Kertse, H.A., 402 Union St (1889)
• Lyon, J. Trumbull, 335 State St (1891)
• Moore, H.S., 617 State St (1891)
• Netzchmann, J.R. 802 Hamilton St (1897)
• Rector, William, 454 State St (1884)
• Reynolds, C.F., 317 State St (1899)
• Sauter, William, 405 State St (1883-1887 at 211 State St)
• Sawyer, E.A., 267 State St (1899)
• Veeder, A.T. & Son, 261 State St (1883, note he was partner with Dr. Truax earlier)
• Wells' Pharmacy, 790 State St (1899) 

Druggist pioneers of the 1830s made way for growth of the pharmaceutical industry. During the 1830s, there were only three druggists. By the 1890s, 21 different druggists who operated their businesses in Schenectady. Below is a chart that shows the trend of stores peaked in the 1930s with 48 different drugstore operators. The chart does not take into consideration that several vendors operated at multiple locations.

Druggists by Decade [20]

As a postscript to the progression of druggists in history: I lived in Scotia for over 30 years. Memories are recalled about Seth Siskin (Seth's Drug Store on the corner of Fifth St and Vley Rd). Our family, as did many others in the neighborhood, walked to Seth's for our pharmaceutical needs; or stopped in on the way home. A smile and greeted by name, Seth took time not only to explain the medicines, but also asked how we were. Now, the building is a pizzeria.

Footnotes and citations:

1 The 22nd and 24th President of the United States. 
2 "History of PSSNY - Pharmacists Society of the State of New York", https://www.pssny.org/page/History/History-of-PSSNY.htm. 
3 "History of PSSNY - Pharmacists Society of the State of New York", https://www.pssny.org/page/History/History-of-PSSNY.htm.
4 Alonzo Paige Walton Collection, Schenectady County Historical Society.
5 "Daily Union", Schenectady, 2 August 1895.
6 Undated newspaper clipping, Schenectady Businesses Pharmacy file at SCHS.
7 SCHS Veeder 1800s family file.
8 "Daily Union", Schenectady, 2 August 1895.
9 "Samuel Hayden Sexton: 19th Century Schenectady Artist", 1970, by Ona Curran.
10 "The Globe", Schenectady Edition, Saturday 20 August 1900.
11 "Representative Business Men of Schenectady", 1893 indicated that he earned a Ph.G., Pharmacist. 
12 "Daily Union", 2 August 1895.
13 "Union Star", 1959.
14 "Schenectady Gazette", 25 June 1945.
15 "Schenectady Gazette", 28 January 1960.
16 Image from Google.com/maps.
17 "The Daily Gazette", Schenectady, 28 January 1960.
18 Ibid.
19 "Schenectady Daily Union" 2 August 1895.
20 Data is based on physical count of "druggist" business listed in City of Schenectady directories for years from 1841 to 1900; City of Schenectady directories 1900 to 1960 by decade; and, Schenectady city yellow pages 1961 to 2000 by decade.
 

Cpl. Jacob Henry Sager

 This post was written by library volunteer Gail Denisoff

 

Jacob Henry Sager was born into a farming family on May 18, 1844 in the town of Princetown.  He was the son of Peter and Helen Sager, part of a family of early settlers of Schenectady County. When he was 19 years of age, he enlisted in the Union Army. Mustered in on October 10, 1863, Jacob was assigned to Company C, Heavy Artillery, 16^th New York Volunteers.

 

During his service, he fought in many major campaigns including the battles at Chapin's Farm, Fort Fisher, Wilmington NC, and Andersonville. He spent six months in the hospital with a serious illness during his service. Jacob narrowly missed being shot when a bullet passed through the collar of his coat when he was on picket duty at "Fort Hell" (Fort Sedgwick) in Petersburg VA. He was also part of a large contingent of soldiers who dug the "Dutch Gap Canal" seven miles from Richmond VA.

 

After he mustered at the end of the war, on August 21, 1865 in Washington DC, Jacob returned home to work the family farm. He married Jennette Weast and together they raised six children.

Jacob was active in the Horsfall Post 90 Grand Army of the Republic. He was senior vice-commander and held many other offices in the post.  When he died at age 86, on November 24, 1930, he was one of just six remaining Civil War veterans in Schenectady County. He is buried in Viewland Cemetery. 

 Cpl. Sager was featured in the 2025 Schenectady Hometown Heroes Banner Program: https://downtownschenectady.org/portfolio/2025-hometown-hero-banner-program/ His banner hung at the corner of State and Barrett Streets from May to November 2025.

Schenectady's 18th and 19th Century Newspapers

The Western Spectator masthead, 1803. 

You may have seen coverage of the Daily Gazette’s 130th anniversary in November 2024, but you may not realize that Schenectady’s rich history of local journalism and newspaper publishing dates back to the 1790s. The Mohawk Mercury, a weekly newspaper published by Abraham Brockaw and Cornelius Wyckoff, is the earliest known periodical published in Schenectady. Only a few issues survived the centuries. They cover the period 1795 to 1798 and are never more than four pages long. The first two pages were reserved mostly for national and international news, with some state information. Pages three and four were almost exclusively local news and notices, generally in the form of business ads. Around 1798, John L. Stevenson bought the paper. It is unclear if Stevenson continued printing the Mercury, but in 1799 he was publishing a newspaper under the name Schenectady Gazette (no relation to the present-day Schenectady newspaper), so it’s possible that he simply changed the name of the original publication. In 1802, Stevenson changed the name of the Gazette to the Western Spectator and Schenectady Advertiser. The Western Spectator was discontinued in 1807. The surviving issues follow a similar format and focus as the Mohawk Mercury. 

While the first two pages are interesting in their own right for a glimpse into the important matters of post-Revolutionary America, the real treasure of these early newspapers are the second set of two pages in each issue. Given the ads and notices published, the Mohawk Mercury and the Western Spectator read like a Who’s-Who of turn-of-the-century Schenectady. These pages featured articles explaining local ordinances or addressing local issues, such as the founding of Union College. Notices and advertisements focus on local businesses, legal notices, mail service, and listings of property for sale. Slavery in our area is documented in the sale ads for enslaved people and the ‘runaway ads’ enslavers posted for enslaved people seeking freedom. Occasionally, a death notice of a local person or notices for delinquent wives and apprentices appear, while marriage announcements are extremely rare.

Ad announcing runaway apprentice published in the Mohawk Sentinel, 1824

For most of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Schenectady had at least two newspapers circulating at the same time. Some of these titles went in and out of publication over the decades, changing owners or editors and merging with other publications. The Schenectady Cabinet, for example, started in 1810 and continued through the 1830s, merging briefly with the Freedom Sentinel in the 1840s before reemerging as a separate title in the 1850s. The similarity and reuse of titles can be confusing. The Reflector and Schenectady Democrat ran from the late 1830s to the mid-1880s. However, within this range, the paper was published under the mastheads the Schenectady Reflector, the Schenectady Democrat, and the Schenectady Democrat and Reflector with a series of proprietors and editors. The dates and issue numbers on the surviving issues make it difficult to determine if all of these titles were indeed the same newspaper published continuously or if there were significant starts and stops or changes to the publication in this 50-year period.

Most of the nineteenth and early twentieth century newspapers were printed weekly, but a few were daily publications. In addition to the local news reports and announcements, these newspapers contain a wealth of information important to a variety of researchers including advertisements, death and marriage notices, political statements, editorials, poetry, essays, drawings, and cartoons. Most of these newspapers claim to be politically neutral or focused broadly on the news of the day and the interests of the common reader, but several publishers proclaimed their intent to represent the views of particular parties or affiliations. The Weekly Republican (1857-1863), for example, introduced itself as advocating and supporting the principles of the Republican party. This newspaper particularly focused on promoting and defending the party’s “doctrine of progress in all those inalienable, God-given rights, which ennoble and elevate the common humanity,” notably advocating for the abolition of slavery during the tumultuous years before and during the American Civil War.

Four men standing outside of Foster's Newsroom on State Street, circa 1890. One is selling newspapers.

Very few original paper copies of eighteenth and nineteenth century newspapers exist today, but the contents of these publications are available for research on microfilm at the Grems-Doolittle Library. Twenty-four newspapers, dating 1795 to 1884, are available and searchable online at the New York Historic Newspapers database, thanks to Regional Collections grants from the Capital District Library Council which allowed SCHS to digitize reels in our microfilm collection and make them fully available and searchable online through the New York Historic Newspapers Project. The New York Historic Newspapers project exists to digitize and make freely available for research significant runs of historic newspapers for every county in the state. The database is created and administered by the Northern New York Library Network in partnership with the Empire State Library Network.

The microfilm collection at the Grems-Doolittle Library is available for researchers by appointment. Contact the librarian to schedule an appointment and visit schenectadyhistorical.org/research to learn more about accessing our collections.