When we were kids, we shopped for groceries at “Aunt Martha’s” in Dexter, along the main street. 1950s. Aunt Martha was Dad’s aunt, Martha Blohm, a sister to his mother, Ruby Blohm Neal.
His Uncle Ed was the butcher, who was usually at his meat counter near the back of the store and next to the heavy door to the walk-in freezer. (When we had a hog or beef butchered, Uncle Ed would wrap each chunk in butcher paper and store it in the locker we’d rented in there. The freezer always had an odd scent.)
We girls were mostly interested in whether Aunt Martha would tell us to chose a cookie from one of the big lidded jars. She sat on a stool at the cash register, which was about in the center of the store. Once I noticed a different coin on the cash register and asked about it. It’s a little wider than a nickel but the wrong color. It was an old 2-cent piece.
She asked if I wanted it. Sure. So I became the owner of a 2-cent coin, dated 1868.
Even more interesting than how it came to me is its history, since it dates from the Civil War, when the public began to hoard all gold and silver coins, making them scarce. The 2-cent coin was an easier and cheaper alloy (bronze) to “strike” than other metals.
Once the Civil War ended, it phased out of circulation, having been minted only about a decade (1864-1873).
It was also the first American coin to bear the motto “In God We Trust.”
There are several Civil War veterans buried at Dexter.
“Aunt Martha’s” was really Blohm’s Grocery. It was begun by an immigrant ancestor, George Amus Blohm, who came to America with his parents and siblings.
George Blohm married Anna Ohrt. The cover story of The Immigrant and the Outlaw: A Collection of Stories from America’s Heartland is from Anna’s side of the family. (Due out next month.)
A very interesting nugget of Civil War history! Coincidentally, my parents rented a locker to keep large meat purchases. I remember that the freezer had a weird smell.
Liz, I couldn’t figure out how to describe the smell, but it was surrounded by the chill. I didn’t know about the Civil War history until I looked it up today! Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Joy. I remember the smell as raw meat, old building, and something else.
What a nice reminder of the story and family, Joy.
Thank you, John. I think the most fun was learning the history behind it! It made its way to Dexter, Iowa!
I used to collect coins when I was a kid, so I’m familiar with two-cent pieces, though I don’t actually own any. You’ve got a real piece of history, Joy.
Pete, I didn’t realize the history until I looked it up today. I’d sure like to know how it got to Dexter, Iowa, although there are Civil War veterans buried there.
Having the first American coin to bear the motto “In God We Trust” is a historic treasure for sure. The wonderful Mom and Pop stores of yesteryear are being replaced by dollar stores, which really aren’t dollar stores anymore. I’ll bet Aunt Martha’s sold penny candy. 🙂
I bet she did too, Nancy. Alas, today there’s nothing where Blohm’s used to be. It was torn down and in that little hamlet of 640 souls, nothing has replaced it. Just memories.