A L Redman- Merchant in Sumner 1900s

The Redman General Merchandise Store in Sumner was owned by Albert Lloyd Redman.

Albert Lloyd Redman was born In Mount Carmel Illinois on June 8, 1861, to William and Jenny Redman. He was nine years old when the 1870 census was taken; he and his family lived in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Ten years later the family had moved to Mount Carmel, Wabash County, Illinois. Albert was working as a clerk in the dry goods store. He had managed to get an 8^th grade education along the way.

Albert started his career in the management of a general store in Toledo, Illinois in 1885. In 1889, he moved to Sumner as a partner with Ira Bunn who also operated a branch store at Bridgeport. In 1892, the partnership of Bunn and Redmond was dissolved, Mr. Redmond taking over the Bridgeport store. In 1893, Mr. Redman moved his stock from the Bridgeport store to the Olney location in the east half of the Schultz building on Main Street.

During this period of his business career, he owned and operated Redmond’s general stores in Sumner, Newton, Clinton and Bethany. The picture above of the frame building located where the Sumner First National Bank was later built. He built a brick building adjoining the new bank.

The Sumner Press published advertisements for his Sumner store in 1907, showing a full line of high- top shoes, clothing, dress goods, blankets and carpets.

On Monday night, August 23, 1909, Redmond’s store in Sumner was entered by burglars and robbed of about $50 to $75.00 worth of goods. Two suitcases were taken to carry the stolen goods.  Two well- dressed men were seen around town all day, most of the time being along the railroad west of the Mill until late in the evening when they were seen on the streets. One of them visited the store during the day and bought a handkerchief and no doubt located what goods they wanted. They entered by unlocking the front door and then on leaving, locked the door again. They took the 4:00 pm train West. No news as to whether they were ever apprehended.

Albert married Hattie Beard at Sumner on April 29th, 1885. She told the census taker in 1900 that she had two children but only one was then alive.   The family lived in Olney Richland County Illinois on E Cherry Street; in 1930 this house was worth $8000. In every census from 1900-1940, the family was shown as living in Olney so Albert must have ‘commuted’ to his scattered business enterprises.

He owned and operated a store at 212 E Main St in Olney, Richland County Illinois until about a year before he died. His death occurred on September 19, 1942, in Olney, Richland County, Illinois at age 81 years.  Burial was in Haven Hill Cemetery Olney, Richland County, Illinois.