1869 Homer Business Directory

Digital copies of historical publications are a wonderful thing.  There are only a few existing copies of many historical publications, and only a few people can own them.  Creating digital copies makes them available to many others, and I am very appreciative to those companies and individuals who find these gems and make them available to purchase or to view online.

I have a digital copy of the 1869 business directory of Cortland County.  I have spent a number of hours over the past week transcribing the Homer section of this directory and putting it on my web site.  It is not just a list of businesses.  Many individuals are listed in the directory, along with their occupation and general address.

While there are many individuals listed as dairymen and farmers, there is a surprising number of other occupations and businesses.  Many people have multiple occupations.  Here is a sampling of the many occupations included:
architect
attorney
justice of the peace
insurance agent
carpenter
tailor
freight agent
telegraph agent
dress and cloak maker
merchant
banker
proprietors of lumber yards, saw mills, cider mills, cheese factories, carriage manufacturer, flax mill, grist mill, brewery and malt house, cheese box factory
grocer
milliner
blacksmith
church pastor
ornamental painter and paper hanger
manufacturer of axes and edge tools
physician
undertaker
confectioner
tanner
joiner
millwright
editor
tobacconist
clock and watch maker, jeweler
honey dealer
taxidermist
shoemaker
gardner and florist
Internal Revenue collector

musician
mason
hair dresser
cooper
dentist
book and stationery dealer
prop. of hotel and billiard room

And remember, this is 1869.  Fascinating reading even if you don't have a family connection here.  Take some time and look through this interesting picture in time.  Imagine living at this time and how you would obtain what you need for you and your family.  1869 Homer Business Directory.