Cleveland city directories, 1873 – 1891

This series of nine pages from Cleveland city directories published between 1873 and 1891 reveals quite a lot about the changes in Alois and Rosina’s household over the period. In the 1873 directory Louis, Sr. is listed as a carpenter, while Louis, Jr. is practicing organ making. During that year he and Rosina purchased the property at 37 Marion, and by the 1879 directory he is listed as a grocer.

The 1887 directory shows some big changes. Alois lists himself as a cabinetmaker again, although we are pretty sure from later directories that he was still in the grocery trade. Son Charles is working as a coachman. Louis is working as a cashier for “E.R. Hull & Co.” William is listed as working for “Keller, Betz, and Co.” Two new names show up as residing at the 37 Marion property as well: George Betz, a puddler, and Lawrence Betz, a plumber.

The 1890 and 1891 directories give us our final look at the family just before and after Alois’ passing in April of 1891. In the 1890 listing Charles is working as a teamster, John is a clerk, Joseph has taken over the grocery, apparently, Louis is still a cashier for E.R. Hull, and William is a machinist. George and Lawrence are still there, the one remaining a puddler and the other reduced to laborer.

Finally in the 1891 directory John has become a bartender, Lawrence is back to plumbing, and Rosa is listed for the first time, as Alois’ widow.

1873 Cleveland directory