Charles Ilfeld Company

Charles Ilfeld, born in Homburg, Germany in 1847, arrived in Santa Fe, N.M. in 1865. After working as a clerk for the mercantile business of Elsberg and Amberg he relocated to Taos to work for Adolph Letcher. In 1867 the Adolph Letcher and Company moved to Las Vegas, N.M., where Charles became a partner in the firm. Seven years later, Letcher sold his interest to Ilfeld, who changed the name of the business to Charles Ilfeld Company. Ilfeld's business eventually grew into the largest mercantile firm in New Mexico. Max Nordhaus, Ilfeld's brother-in-law, joined the company in 1886. His expertise in finance led the company to expand, opening branch stores around the territory. Shifting focus from retail to wholesale distribution, the company closed most of its retail stores in 1907. The business operated until 1961, when increasing competition forced the decision to sell off assets. A new company was formed at that time dealing solely in hardware. In 1970 the Charles Ilfeld Hardware Company was liquidated.

Charles Ilfeld, born in Hamburg, Germany in 1847, arrived in Santa Fe, N.M. in 1865. After working as a clerk for the mercantile business of Elsberg and Amberg he relocated to Taos to work for Adolph Letcher. In 1867 the Adolph Letcher and Company moved to Las Vegas, N.M., where Charles became a partner in the firm. Seven years later, Letcher sold his interest to Ilfeld, who changed the name of the business to Charles Ilfeld Company. Ilfeld's business eventually grew into the largest mercantile firm in New Mexico. Max Nordhaus, Ilfeld's brother-in-law, joined the company in 1886. His expertise in finance led the company to expand, opening branch stores around the territory. Shifting focus from retail to wholesale distribution, the company closed most of its retail stores in 1907. The business operated until 1961, when increasing competition forced the decision to sell off assets. A new company was formed at that time dealing solely in hardware. In 1970 the Charles Ilfeld Hardware Company was liquidated

Portrait of the Ilfeld Family. Part of the Charles Ilfeld Company Pictorial Collection, PICT 000-091-0001 SC (Box 2, Folder 1).

Charles Ilfeld, born in Homburg, Germany in 1847, arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1865. There he joined the mercantile business of Elsberg and Amberg as a clerk. A few months later, he relocated to Taos to work for Adolph Letcher in his business as a trader and agent, primarily for Elsberg and Amberg. By 1867 Taos was no longer a viable trade center and A. Letcher and Company moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where Charles Ilfeld became a partner in the firm. Seven years later, Letcher sold his interest to Ilfeld, who changed the name of the business to Charles Ilfeld Company.

Ilfeld's business eventually grew into the largest mercantile firm in New Mexico, with sales of $25,000,000 at its peak in 1952. Max Nordhaus, Ilfeld's brother-in-law, joined the company in 1886. His expertise in finance led the company to expand, opening branch stores around the territory. Shifting focus from retail to wholesale distribution, the company closed most of its retail stores in 1907. The wholesale business capitalized on the railways to buy and sell goods. For instance, wool was purchased from New Mexico ranchers and sold in eastern markets, where manufactured goods were bought for distribution back in New Mexico. "Wholesalers of everything" became the company motto. Branches were established and warehouses built along railroad lines in Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, Magdalena, and Gallup. Nordhaus became company president in 1929 upon the death of Charles Ilfeld. The business operated until 1961, when increasing competition forced the decision to sell off assets. A new company was formed at that time dealing solely in hardware. In 1970 the Charles Ilfeld Hardware Company was liquidated, ending a century of Ilfeld merchandizing in New Mexico.