John Matthes, American House, Lebanon, Pa., ca. 1864

John Matthes (1834-1894) was the proprietor of American House, a hotel in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. It's likely that this business card dates to around 1864, when Matthes ran a newspaper ad for American House. A later advertisement indicates that he was operating a wine and liquor store by 1873 (see below for the ads).

American House

Lebanon, Pa.

Market Street, half-square south of Market House and one and a half squares from Court House.

John Matthes, prop'r.

The table is supplied with the best of edibles. The bar with the choicest of liquors.

Extensive new stabling attached to the house.

Handwritten name and year on the other side of the card: "Allen Longenecker, 1864."

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Advertisement printed in the Lebanon Advertiser (Lebanon, Pa.), July 20, 1864, p. 4:

AMERICAN HOUSE,
Market Street, Lebanon,

JOHN MATTHES,
Proprietor.

The proprietor of this old established and popular HOTEL would respectfully inform the public that it will be conducted at all times to the comfort and convenience of its guests. It has been thoroughly refitted and renovated, and no pains will be spared to make the Table and the Bar, at all times, equal to any in the county.

The STABLING and Yard are superior too, and more extensive, than any other in Lebanon. A new SHED is also in the course of erection, which will be completed in a short time. The patronage of the Farmers and the Traveling public generally is respectfully solicited.

PLACE--West side of Market street, and half a square south from the Market House.

JOHN MATTHES.

Lebanon, April 6, 1864.

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Advertisement in the Lebanon Daily News (Lebanon, Pa.), Jan. 9, 1873, p. 4:

"John Matthes' Wholesale and Retail Wine & Liquor Store, No. 33 North 8th Street, Lebanon, Pa."