Charles Ilfeld emigrated from Germany in 1865. After landing in New York, he set out overland for Santa Fe to join his brother, Herman. For six months, he worked in the Elsberg and Amberg business, learning Spanish and the mercantile business. Adolph Letcher and Ilfeld attempted to set up a store in Taos and when it did not succeed, they moved to Las Vegas in 1867 where they lost no time setting up a new business. This one was successful and, in 1874, Ilfeld took it over and it became known as The Charles Ilfeld Company.
Over the years, the company expanded until there were warehouses in Las Vegas, Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, Magdalena, Gallup and Santa Fe, and the business branched out to encompass many products and services. Charles Ilfeld died in 1929. The business continued until 1959.
From the guide to the Zeb Conley Collection of Charles Ilfeld Papers, 1904-1927, 1904-1927, (Museum of New Mexico. Fray Angélico Chávez History Library.)
