Guide to the Records of the Friday Family, 1907-1991
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- The Records of the Friday Family,
- Creator
- Friday family
- Collection Number
- MSS#245
- Extent
- 1.5 cubic feet (2 boxes)
- Date
- 1907-1991
- Abstract
- The Friday family is best known for its activities in the brewing industry of Western Pennsylvania, with connections to the Duquesne Brewery and the American Brewers Supply Company. These papers include newspaper clippings, financial reports, brewery supply catalogs, beer bottle labels, and various miscellaneous items connected with the Friday family and the brewing industry.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
Friday Family History (1850-c.1960)
The Friday family is best known for its activities in the brewing industry of Western Pennsylvania, with connections to the Duquesne Brewery and the American Brewers Supply Company. John Henry Friday was born in 1850 and went into business as a grocer. His business expanded and, by the time of its sale, was comprised of three grocery stores in Pittsburgh's Hill District. John Henry used the money from the sale of his grocery business to buy into the McKeesport Brewery, which, along with the Duquesne Brewery and others, entered into a coalition that became the Independent Brewing Company. John Henry's wife, Franciska Fuchs, whom he married in 1873, came from a family that owned and operated the Allegheny Pork Packing Company and later the Peoples' Choice Soap Company in the Hill District. John Henry and Franciska had eight children - five sons and three daughters. Harry Friday, like his father, entered the brewing industry, and in 1907 co-founded the American Brewers Supply Company with a man named Reiger. John A. and Ralph Friday worked for the Independent Brewing Company until 1932, at which time it was reorganized under the charter of the original Duquesne Brewery. The new Duquesne Brewery prospered, and at one point was the sixth largest brewery in the country, distributing Duke and Silver Top beer throughout the Eastern United States. Ralph Friday eventually became the Vice President of Sales, and John A. Friday's son, John A. Jr., went on to become President of the Duquesne Brewery and later served on the Board of Trustees.
Scope and Content Notes
These papers include newspaper clippings, financial reports, brewery supply catalogs, beer bottle labels, and various miscellaneous items connected with the Friday family and the brewing industry. The strength of these papers lies in the wide variety of newspaper clippings concerning the brewing industry in Western Pennsylvania. There are extensive articles documenting the history of the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, makers of Iron City Beer, as well as articles concerning other local brewers. Information on most local breweries is limited and in some cases consists of only beer bottle labels. There are publications issued by the Master Brewers' Association of America (MBAA) and also articles that deal with the subject of brewing in general. The Friday family papers primarily consist of letterhead from the Friday Grocery in the Hill District, newspaper clippings, obituaries, wedding announcements, and a lengthy article detailing the genealogy of the Friday family.
The business records of the Duquesne Brewery and the American Brewers Supply Company are very random and contain miscellaneous items associated with these two organizations. For the American Brewers Supply Company, there are two merchandise catalogs containing pictures and price listings for various brewing equipment. There is also a small handwritten notebook that appears to be someone's personal listing of the company's clients and their orders. Financial records for these two companies are sparse, but there is one annual financial report for each, and there are several such reports for the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, ranging from 1952 to 1966.
Arrangement
The Friday Family collection is housed in two archival boxes and is arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials were received in one accession, 1996.
Acc# 1996.116 -- Gift of Ralph Friday, (Papers. Mr. Friday's father was a long time employee of the Duquesne Brewery. His uncle co-founded the American Brewers Supply Company.)
Preferred Citation
Records of the Friday Family, 1907-1991, MSS #245, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Matt Diaddigo c1996.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Kimberly A. Tryka on January 19, 2000.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.
Subjects
- American Brewers Supply Company (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Duquesne Brewing Company (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Pittsburgh Brewing Company (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Breweries -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh.
- Advertising -- Brewing industry -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh.