Today in Wheeling History: December 25--The Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company experienced such rapid business growth that employees, who typically enjoyed a week off for Christmas, were limited to only Christmas Day due to the high demand for their popular Mail Pouch chewing tobacco (1890).
During 1890, the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company, founded by brothers Aaron and Samuel Bloch in 1879, experienced rapid growth. The company, known for its Mail Pouch chewing tobacco, saw a significant increase in demand, leading to steady work and long hours for its employees. To keep up with orders, it was frequently necessary for workers to stay until 10:30 at night. As a result, the traditional week off for Christmas was limited to only Christmas Day that year.
The Bloch Brothers' innovative approach to using leftover cigar clippings to create flavored chewing tobacco revolutionized the industry. Their product, Mail Pouch, became widely popular and was advertised on over 20,000 barns across the rural Ohio River Valley. The company's success led to the incorporation of the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company in December 1890, with a capital stock of $2 million.
The business continued to expand, and in 1890, the employees organized Wheeling's Tobacco Workers' Union, No. 4087, affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. This union played a crucial role in advocating for workers' rights and improving labor conditions.
The Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company remained a significant part of Wheeling's industrial landscape for many years, contributing to the city's economic growth and development.
Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/p813Q); Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/ugcVR)
Photo caption and credit: Mail Pouch barn ad (Pollinator at English Wikipedia, transferred to Wikimedia Commons)
During 1890, the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company, founded by brothers Aaron and Samuel Bloch in 1879, experienced rapid growth. The company, known for its Mail Pouch chewing tobacco, saw a significant increase in demand, leading to steady work and long hours for its employees. To keep up with orders, it was frequently necessary for workers to stay until 10:30 at night. As a result, the traditional week off for Christmas was limited to only Christmas Day that year.
The Bloch Brothers' innovative approach to using leftover cigar clippings to create flavored chewing tobacco revolutionized the industry. Their product, Mail Pouch, became widely popular and was advertised on over 20,000 barns across the rural Ohio River Valley. The company's success led to the incorporation of the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company in December 1890, with a capital stock of $2 million.
The business continued to expand, and in 1890, the employees organized Wheeling's Tobacco Workers' Union, No. 4087, affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. This union played a crucial role in advocating for workers' rights and improving labor conditions.
The Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company remained a significant part of Wheeling's industrial landscape for many years, contributing to the city's economic growth and development.
Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/p813Q); Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/ugcVR)
Photo caption and credit: Mail Pouch barn ad (Pollinator at English Wikipedia, transferred to Wikimedia Commons)
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