Crofts & Reed Company

Crofts & Reed Company Crofts & Reed was a business founded in 1888 in Chicago, IL. The owners were William Lawrence Crofts and Corydon Alcinus (C. A.) Both were my ancestors.

Reed, who were from East Liverpool, OH. They produced soaps, perfumes, and extracts by the millions. Developed Soaps, Perfumes and Extracts manufacturing in Chicago, IL. Established in 1888. Later turned the company into a nationally known mail order business. Crofts and Reed prospered until the late 1920s, because of product supply issues and exotic product and health claims that caught up with t

he company via FTC rulings in the late 1920s and fierce competition from Sears and Roebuck which was also based in Chicago. Not many pictures at all available of William Crofts and Corydon Alcinus Reed the original owners of the business. This page is a labor of love for family history, and a long career in sales myself. Fascinating seeing young families build fortunes during this time period. Amazing stories have come from people finding this page. Thanks you for your contributions to my ancestral family. This page is kept up by Stephen Reed a descendent of Corydon Alcinus Reed and William Crofts.

In July 1928, the former president of Crofts & Reed was jailed because he wouldn’t return 2,100 gallons of missing alcoh...
02/16/2024

In July 1928, the former president of Crofts & Reed was jailed because he wouldn’t return 2,100 gallons of missing alcohol. This took place during prohibition…I wonder where that alcohol went? Hmm…

A look at the main office in Oct 1906 Chicago, IL. So many orders being processed!
12/01/2023

A look at the main office in Oct 1906 Chicago, IL. So many orders being processed!

Old Crofts & Reed Co. stock from 1923 and 1924 near the last days of the company. Generously donated to this site by the...
10/04/2022

Old Crofts & Reed Co. stock from 1923 and 1924 near the last days of the company. Generously donated to this site by the Pudlo family. Thank you so much!

Crofts & Reed ad appearing in The Advance Magazine January 26, 1905 advertising the use of premiums for purchasing their...
11/15/2020

Crofts & Reed ad appearing in The Advance Magazine January 26, 1905 advertising the use of premiums for purchasing their soaps, perfumes, and extracts.

Crofts & Reed Company was sold to Polonia Soap Company in October 1920.
11/14/2020

Crofts & Reed Company was sold to Polonia Soap Company in October 1920.

Clipping found in Chicago Tribune in Chicago, Illinois on Aug 19, 1921. Crofts & Reed Sold Aug 19, 1921

Another prime example of rewards you could get for purchasing soaps, perfumes , and extracts from Crofts & Reed in the e...
11/11/2020

Another prime example of rewards you could get for purchasing soaps, perfumes , and extracts from Crofts & Reed in the early 1900s. Desk #509.

Illustration of the Crofts & Reed factory from 1906 catalog.
07/01/2019

Illustration of the Crofts & Reed factory from 1906 catalog.

Found this gem recently. Sewing machine and bicycle oil bottle from Crofts & Reed.
06/30/2019

Found this gem recently. Sewing machine and bicycle oil bottle from Crofts & Reed.

Old shipping container built by my great-grandfather’s company, The Illinois Packing Box Company in the early 1900s. Whe...
08/29/2018

Old shipping container built by my great-grandfather’s company, The Illinois Packing Box Company in the early 1900s. When you ordered product from Crofts & Reed, this is how it was shipped. Soaps, perfumes, extracts, food, all kinds of things were shipped this way.

Found in their 1913 catalog this face powder branded Favorite Powder was a popular item for Crofts & Reed customers. The...
01/22/2018

Found in their 1913 catalog this face powder branded Favorite Powder was a popular item for Crofts & Reed customers. The box appears to have been created in Pennsylvania.

Home remedies available in 1913 Crofts & Reed catalog. Page (13)
07/05/2017

Home remedies available in 1913 Crofts & Reed catalog. Page (13)

02/20/2016

I've thought about creating a website or a blog for Crofts and Reed so I could get a better response from people interested in history and antiques that don't have a Facebook account. Any ideas on how to cheaply accomplish this? The purpose for this page is for historical and family interest.

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Chicago, IL

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