Crofts & Reed Company

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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 the 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!

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Chicago, IL

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