R. Boose Opened the 1st General Store in Lima Ohio in 1860 ~ His Trade Tokens

Civil War era trade token: R. Boose Dealer in Drygoods Lima Ohio w/ Union Shield 1864 on reverse.



In 1860, Rudolph Boose opened the first general store in Lima Ohio.




"Rudolph Boose attended the country schools of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and also had some collegiate training before he left that state for Ohio. 

At that time Rockport, twelve miles northeast of Lima, was the larger and more important trading point, and he settled there and conducted a general store. 

After three years at Rockport he moved to a location three miles north of Lima. At the time of the construction of the large stone arch by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad over Sulphur Spring Road he conducted a large store, and continued at that point for two years. 

He then moved to Lima, and in 1860 opened the first general store in the city, in what was then the New Baxter Block, and is now occupied by the Crawford Shoe House. 

In 1868 he retired from the mercantile field and became a stockdealer, buying and shipping cattle. Having faith in the future of Allen county, he invested in its land and became the owner of 280 acres of farm land. 

His death occurred in 1871, while he was still actively engaged in business." [Source]

Alfred C. Baxter started the City Bank. He and his brother entered banking in 1874 under the name Baxter Brothers& Company. In 1881 Alfred C. Baxter sold his interests to Thornton Mitchell. [Source]

Baxter's Block burned down in February 1879. [Source]


Boose token variation w/ Lady Liberty profile (wearing a Phrygian cap). Fuld's Guide to Civil War Store Card Tokens says that there are 4 types and 6 varieties of R. Boose tokens.


What's a Phrygian Cap?
During the 18th century, the red Phrygian cap evolved into a symbol of freedom, held aloft on a Liberty Pole during the American Revolutionary War. [fridge-ee-un]


The cap was especially adopted during the French Revolution, along with other symbols adopted from classical Antiquity: to this day the national emblem of France, Marianne, is shown wearing a Phrygian cap. [Source] 

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Note: These items are part of my ''Collecting Lima Virtual Museum''. They are not for sale.

If/when I find more information on these items, I will add it to the post.

Read the Introduction to my ''Collecting Lima'' Virtual Museum Project, all about my Lima Ohio Bottles, Advertising, Antiques collection.
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Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com
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