Schieffelin & Co.

Schieffelin & Co. is a leading pharmaceutical and liquor-importing house of New York City. The business was founded by Effingham Lawrence in 1781 and taken over by his brothers-in-law, Jacob Schieffelin and John B. Lawrence as Lawrence & Schieffelin in 1794. The firm descended through the Schieffelin family and was variously styled: Jacob Schieffelin (1799-1805), Jacob Schieffelin & Son (1805-14), H.H. Schieffelin & Co. (1814-49), Schieffelin Brothers & Co. (1849-65), W.H. Schieffelin & Co. (1865-95), and Schieffelin & Co. (1895). It was incorporated under the last name on May 5, 1903.

The company was a leading importer and wholesaler of drugs and cosmetics. During Prohibition, alcohol was classed as a drug, and Schieffelin & Co. became a major importer of "medicinal" wines and brandies. Having established an expertise in this line, the company remained in the liquor-importing business after repeal, serving as the American agent for foreign scotch, rum, and other alcoholic drinks.