I am not sure where this receipt came from. I’m thinking it was from my Mom’s side of the family. I also do not know why it was saved all these years. It sure sent me down a rabbit hole. I now know more than I ever wanted to about Allen Ripley Foote.

Professor Google tells me that the receipt was for A Sound Currency and Banking System — How it May be Secured” written in 19 by Allen Ripley Foote. According to the Amazon blurb the book was still relevant in 2008 when it was republished by Kessinger’s Rare Reprints, although it was panned by H. Parker Willis in the Journal of Political Economy.

Foote was born in Olcott, New York in 1845, although he was raised in Michigan. He volunteered for the Army at age 19 in 1861, was disabled by a gunshot wound in his right lung. He reenlisted in 1864 as a Full Sargent, then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.

Foote married Emily Louisa Hayt in 1868. They had one daughter, Isabella. On the 1880 census Foote’s occupation was listed as “selling pianos”, however he was also interested in labor organization in New York, where he lived. During the 1800s he wrote several books about economic topics of living in Takoma Park, Maryland, one of which was about electricity. Later he wrote about the economics of telephone companies.

He listed himself as a widow in the 1900 census living in his own home along with female boarder. However his wife was alive and living with their daughter.

He moved a few times and eventually founded and became the first president of the National Tax Association. He also became known as being part of the progressive movement in America.