Julius Abraham Schwerin

Julius Abraham Schwerin (1859-1929), son of Sumter merchant Julius Schwerin (1812-1875) and Caroline Suares Schwerin (1819-1904), was an active merchant in Sumter from the 1880s through the 1910s. In 1883, Sumter newspaper The Watchman and Southron reported Schwerin “started a Soda Fountain, and is ready to dispense the popular beverage in all its varied and enticing forms.”¹ Schwerin appeared in the same newspaper again in 1887, this time in a notice that he was selling the “prize melons” of Mr. D. J. Chandler in his store.² Schwerin then served as the manager of the Sumter Book and Novelty Store from late 1890 to early 1891. By 1900, Schwerin was working as a billposter, (a person who pastes up bills or placards on walls or billboards). By 1907, however, in addition to his job as a billposter, Schwerin became a founding member and business manager of the Mutual Ice Co. Schwerin owned nearly one-half of the shares in that company.³

¹ “Personal.” The Watchman and Southron, May 22, 1883, Page 3.

² “Personal.” The Watchman and Southron, July 13, 1887, Page 3.

³ “The Mutual Ice Co.” The Watchman and Southron, March 17, 1909.