Prohibition Bottle of "Medicinal Purpose Only" whiskey doughertys private stock pure rye whiskey

The company was founded in 1849 by John Alexander Dougherty Sr. Dougherty was a native of Ireland (b. June 10, 1788) and arrived in the States by way of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in January 1814. He originally worked as a baker, but was subsequently involved in the distilling business on Spruce St and later on Shippen St.

 

The company's distillery (RD #2, 1st District of PA) was erected in 1850. The still and warehouses were located on Front St: see the distillery listing page for more details.

 

Dougherty and wife Eliza had several sons. The eldest was William H Dougherty, born June 17, 1825. He clerked for the family business before training and gaining employment as a telegraph operator. Charles Ashton Dougherty was born Nov. 4, 1827 and later became a partner with his father in the distilling business. In 1851, William became a partner of the firm of John A Dougherty & Sons.

 

John A Dougherty died on October 21, 1866, leaving his sons in control of the distillery.

 

The company continues as John A Dougherty's Sons until Prohibition, and their product well beyond. Bottles of Dougherty whiskey were packaged and sold for medicinal use during Prohibition and many of these have survived with their original contents. The packaging frequently cites the Dougherty Distillery Warehouse Co. (see thumbnails below), a company that was licensed as a concentration warehouse and bottler during Prohibition. It was located at 1101 N Front St. in Philadelphia. The officers of the company included Joseph C Trainer (Secretary & Treasurer), Clement F Trainer, and Salvador S Richard. Trainer was owner of Trainer & Co., which was licensed to produce bitters during Prohibition.

 

The warehouse was clearly receiving whiskey dating to the pre-Prohibition years from the New Hellam and Overholt distilleries and then bottling and selling it under the Dougherty brand.