Of the drug and pharmaceutical businesses documented in this collection, historical information is available only for Ewen McIntyre & Son and for the Madison, Wisconsin, firm of Dunning & Sumner. This latter firm was founded in February 1859 when Philo Dunning, John H. Jones, and Edwin Sumner joined in a pharmacy and grocery business on what is now South Pinckney Street. It may be that James W. Sumner was also involved in the business. According to their first day book, Dunning invested $2000.00 and Jones $1000.00. Until 1862 the name was Dunning, Jones & Sumner, after which it became Dunning & Sumner.
Both Philo Dunning (1819-1900) and Edwin Sumner (1841-1920), who was his son-in-law, became leaders in Madison civic and political circles. In 1853-1854, Dunning served as treasurer of Dane County, and he was later elected a supervisor of the city of Madison. He also served as a member of the Wisconsin Assembly in 1873 and in 1879 was appointed by Governor Smith to the Fish Commission, a post in which he continued for fifteen years. Sumner held lesser posts in the community and was involved in the Madison Fire Department from 1863 to 1865. He was also a Mason and a trustee of the First Congregational Church for more than 50 years.
About 1883 a shift had occurred in the nature of the firm. At this time the firm deemphasized groceries and specialized in wholesale and retail drugs, oils, brushes, and paints. This specialization coincided with a similar specialization among other Madison pharmacies. The 1858 Madison city directory noted six firms in the retail drug and grocery business. Over time this number changed to four in 1866, five in 1875, eight in 1888 (with only half of these eight also listed as grocery stores), twelve in 1896, and fourteen in 1904.
Shortly before the turn of the century Dunning retired from the business. About 1904 Louis D. Sumner joined his father in the company, and the firm became known as Edwin Sumner & Son. In 1909 the Sumners entered into a partnership agreement with N.J. Cramton, and a branch called Sumner & Cramton was opened on State Street, while the original Sumner & Son drug store remained at 15 South Pinckney Street. The firm continued its operations until the 1930s, although the circumstances and dates of its dissolution are not known.
New York Pharmacist Ewen McIntyre Sr. was born on a farm near Johnstown, New York on January 25, 1825. When he was seventeen years old he moved to New York City where he worked in a pharmacy and attended the College of Pharmacy of the City of New York, graduating in 1847. McIntyre opened his first pharmacy about that time at Broadway and Eighteenth Street. Although this address was almost outside the city limits, McIntyre prospered, and he soon attracted the patients of the most prominent city physicians. About 1880 he opened a branch at 56th Street and Sixth Avenue, which was eventually managed by his son Ewen McIntyre Jr. In 1890 he disposed of the older property.
McIntyre was one of the most prominent New York pharmacists, serving as president of the College of Pharmacy of the City of New York (1877-1890) and as a member of the board of trustees (1880-1892). He was also an active member of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.
