Miscellaneous, Who's Who in Bainbridge - Nathan Truman

Who's Who in Bainbridge - Nathan Truman

Bainbridge News & Republican

Apr. 21, 1938

 

Soap tree bark, catnip, horehound and extract of hydrangea are but a few of the interesting evidences of his profession that line the walls of Pharmacist Nathan Truman's place of business.  Teasing odors and mysterious powders proclaim the fact that here is a place where the science of compounding prescriptions has a strong foothold.

 

Mr. Truman claims the Town of Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY] as his birthplace, but he attended and graduated from the local high school [Bainbridge, Chenango Co.,  NY].  For college preparatory, he spent a year at the famous New England Boy's school, Philips Andover, before entering Cornell University.  Completing the general course at Cornell, earnest preparations for his debut into his chosen profession were made at the New York College of Pharmacy.

 

In 1908, 30 years ago, Mr. Truman came back to Bainbridge to associate with his brother, Elliot, in the present store.  Upon Elliot's death in 1929, Nathan Truman became the sole owner of the business, familiarly known throughout the vicinity as "Truman's Pharmacy."

 

Reflecting back upon 30 years of serving the varying needs of the public, Mr. Truman says that a druggist must be somewhat of a mind reader.  Queer distorted names, that might mean the difference between liniment for aching backs and death for ants, must be recognized and interpreted correctly by the man behind the counter.  Then too, he must carefully refrain from prescribing for aches and pains while concentrating only on displaying his stock and filling prescriptions.

 

Comparing the so-called drug store of 1938 with that of 1908, Mr. Truman believes that the greatest changes have occurred not only in the great many more kinds of articles which are now sold at a modern establishment but also the quicker service which can be given patrons by the improved methods of transportation.  With the increased tempo of modern living the public is buying more medicine than formerly, but the increase has occurred more in prepared remedies than prescriptions, the number of which has remained through the years approximately the same. 

 

After watching the village change, and the local conditions improve, Mr. Truman says he "always liked the town very much, and that it has improved with the years.  It was always good, but now it is better."

 

Like many busy merchants most of his relaxation from store-keeping is taken on wide fairways and tricky greens where he "plays at golf a little."