"About the year 1865, Charles T. Doxey and William Craycraft built a brewery on the lot now occupied by Matthias Colchen's saloon and residence on West Eighth street, long known by the old-timers of Anderson as the Craycraft property.

They operated this establishment for about one year, when in the month of May, 1866, it took fire in the night and was destroyed and never rebuilt. This was Anderson's first brewery, and although small it was a pioneer in its line. It was soon followed by the now extensive place owned by T. M. Norton which was in its primitive stage a small affair as compared with its present capacity." - Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana - 1897

"Thomas M. Norton was a man noted for his good citizenship. He was a member of the first board of workers, trustees, in Anderson, serving on the board ten years. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and was an active member and liberal supporter of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He had gone back to his native land in 1896 on a pleasure tour, and soon after his return to this country turned over his business affairs to his sons and lived practically retired for more than ten years.
"Thomas M. Norton married at Piqua, Ohio, in 1861, Miss Catherine McCarthy. They had four children: Mrs. J. C. Kreuch, Mrs. M. J. Crowley, Martin C. and William J., all residents of Anderson." - Indiana and Indianans: A History of Aboriginal and Territorial Indiana and the Century of Statehood, Jacob P Dunn - 1919.

"The president of the Norton Brewing Company is Martin C. Norton; William J. Norton is secretary and treasurer; and Mrs. J. C. Kreuch is vice president. William J. Norton was born at Anderson April 9, 1869, and grew up in that city, attending the public schools and one year in high school. At the age of sixteen he started working for his father in the brewery, and has been in practically every department, acquiring both the technical and business training. The Norton Brewing Company is widely known all over Central Indiana for its high products, the " Gold Band" and "Special Brew" of bottled beers, besides the Norton draft beers. A modern brewing plant was constructed in 1910, and from seventy-five to eighty people find employment in the business." - Indiana and Indianans: A History of Aboriginal and Territorial Indiana and the Century of Statehood, Jacob P Dunn - 1919.

"A liquor plot in which it is alleged that beer made In Anderson was marketed In Cincinnati, Hamilton and others In Ohio through a series of agencies is believed to have been uncovered by Federal officers under the direction of Bert Morgan, Indiana prohibition officer, here early today.

Prohibition Enforcement Officer Morgan, a squad of six of his operatives, Sheriff Daniels and the local police surrounded the Norton brewing plant here last night. About 1 o'clock this morning the officers watched two large auto trucks loaded with barrels at the loading platform of the Norton brewery, which is located in the heart of Anderson and is adjacent to the jail.

After the trucks had been loaded, Morgan and Federal officers accosted the drivers, placing them under arrest. The driver of the two trucks gave their names as William Schramm, agent for Indianapolis Brewing Company at Hamilton, Ohio and Frank Houser.

The officers confiscated forty half barrels and nine barrels of beer which were found on the trucks. The beer, which Federal officers say is believed to test 5 per cent, was confiscated by the officers as evidence and placed under lock and key In the basement of the county jail here." - Indianapolis Star, June 18, 1923

U. S. DRY OFFICERS TAKE INVENTORY OF BREWERY

"ANDERSON. Ind. State Prohibition Officers George Winkler and Seth Ward of Indianapolis and William Ray arrived here this afternoon and started taking an Inventory of the property of the Norton Brewery. Following completion of the Inventory a return will be made to United States Commissioner Howard S. Young. The Inventory marks seizure of the brewery by United States authorities. The Federal officers state that a warrant has been sworn out for the arrest of William Norton, owner of the Brewery" - Indianapolis Star, June 26, 1923

"Martin Gruenewald was born in Darmstad, Germany, October 12. 1839. He came to America at the age of twenty-one with four dollars in his pocket, and went to Chilicothe, Ohio. In 1861 he moved to Connersville, Indiana, ...  Martin and Christiana Dick were married in 1866, and moved to Anderson in 1869. ... Mr. Gruenewald had managed a brewery in Connersville, and wished to open one in Anderson. When he could not obtain the proper permits, he opened a Billiard Parlor and Sampling Room. He became one of Anderson's most successful businessmen and landowners."  - The Gruenewald Historic House, 626 Main St. Anderson, IN

"A brewery, started there in 1825, was abandoned on account of the hostility of the inhabitants towards it. In the year 1828, William Way started another, but it soon succumbed to the pressure of public opinion. In 1829 four saloons were present in Fountain City; in 1830, a temperance society was organized to resist their influence; a debate was opened on the question between the liquor men and the anti-liquor men; it occurred in public from 2 o'clock p. m. until after midnight. The temperance debaters were Dr. H. H. Way, Able Lomax, and Willis Davis. The representatives of the whiskey faction were John Huff, E. Lee, and Joseph Lomax. The debate is said to have been won by the anti-liquor men. This locality succeeded in getting rid of its saloons and is now free from their baneful influence.  - Memoirs of Wayne County and the City of Richmond, 1912.

"The first brewery in Richmond was commenced by Ezra Boswell about the time the town was incorporated (Richmond was incorporated in 1817 - ed). Of the quality of the beer we have now no opportunity of forming a judgment, but it is said that some of the Councilmen of that day—who, of course, served their fellow-citizens gratuitously—one day sent to Ezra for some of his brewing, and we presume, they quaffed it until they were satisfied, but, like all men in place, they, by this simple act, subjected themselves to the tongue of slander. By the citizens, who took it upon themselves to watch over the pecuniary interests of the place, a rumor was set afloat that the Councilmen were drinking beer at the expense of the corporation.

"The price of beer, sold at taverns, was in that day fixed by the court at 12½ cents a quart, while the same authority rated whiskey, per half-pint, at 12½ cents, the same quantity of common brandy, at 18¾ cents, and cognac, rum, and wine were to be sold at 37½ cents by the half pint. The care of the Court in this particular is further evinced by their allowing George Hunt, clerk, a certain sum for the purchase of whisky, during the sale of lots in Salisbury." - Reminiscences of the History of Richmond, John Plummer, 1857.

"The first brewery in Richmond went into operation sometime between 1816 and 1818. Ezra Boswell, who came to Richmond in 1816, was the proprietor. Young's History of Wayne County has the following to say about Boswell and the brewery:

"His shop from which he supplied the citizens of the town and country with beer and cakes was on Front street (Fort Wayne avenue) north of Main. It was much frequented by the citizens and the country people who came to town on business, beer then being deemed a wholesale beverage. Boswell was a respectable man, and a member of the first Board of Trustees of the town, elected after its incorporation" - Palladium Item & Sun Telegram, City Edition, Nov 15, 1945

"Two Englishmen, direct from London, began the establishment of a brewery in 1827, which the Public Ledger predicted would be successful. The editor also thought that 'the wholesome beverage should take the place of the burning whisky which is now so common.' This brewery was at the old Cushman distillery." - History of Wayne County, Indiana, 1884

"Christian Buhl, direct from Germany, came to Richmond as early as 1830, established a brewery on Main street, west side of the town, near the National bridge. It was extensively patronized, not only by the citizens but by travelers and emigrants passing near it. At nearly every raising one or more kegs or buckets of Buhl's beer were drunk. The stream of small coin constantly flowing into his money drawer for a few years made him a comparatively rich man. He bought a large farm a mile and a half southwest of the town where he died a few years later. George, one of his sons, later resided on the farm." - Palladium Item & Sun Telegram, City Edition, Nov 15, 1945

"The main building of the present Main Street Brewery was started by Christian Buhl, who established a brewery in Richmond as early as 1830. In 1869 it was purchased at sheriff's sale by Emil Minck, its present proprietor. Mr. Minck has made several improvements and carries on quite an extensive business. His son, Emil Minck, Jr., is associated with him in the management of the establishment. - History of Wayne County, Indiana, 1884

"Emil Minck was born in Germany in 1832, and when fifteen years of age came to America with his parents and settled in Columbus, Ohio, where he learned the brewer's trade of Hosier & Co., and in 1869 came to Richmond, Ind., where he has since lived. In 1872 he purchased the brewery, of which he is still proprietor. It was erected in 1832 by Jacob Buhl and is one of the oldest establishments of the kind in Eastern Indiana. Mr. Minck, in 1883, enlarged the building, making it at present 40 x 60 feet, three stories high, with an ice-house 20 x 165 feet. He manufactures from 500 to 1,000 barrels of lager beer a year. It is the purest kind and is mostly consumed by private families." - History of Wayne County, Indiana, 1884

FOR SALE
THAT well-known TAVERN STAND, In the Town of Richmond, lately the occupation of Wm. H. Vaughan. A bargain will be given, and possession at any time that will suit the purchaser. Ephraim Lacey - Richmond Public Ledger, 1828.