Pence & Sterling


Company Names, addresses, dates: 1
  Pence & Sterling, 122 East Main, Charlottesville VA (1914-1924)
  Pence & Sterling, 122 East Main cor 2d, Charlottesville VA (1927-1945)

Notes:
According to city directories, this drugstore was owned by Mark V. Pence and Robert S.J. Sterling.

Mark V. Pence (1879-1949)2 was born in Forrestville, Shenandoah County VA. He came to Charlottesville in 1908, and got a job at Sheppe's Drug Store. Three years later he joined with Robert Sterling to form the Pence & Sterling drug store, which lasted until 1945. Pence was a Mason.4

Robert S J Sterling (ca.1875-1940)3 was a banker before teaming up with Pence. Sterling was also a Mason.3

Pence & Sterling Bottles:
pence_01 This is a clear 5.6" bottle embossed:
vertical: PENCE & STERLING / Druggists / CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.


Other Items:
pence_02 This postcard from circa 1910s depicts a drugstore on Main Street. At the bottom of the sign that says "DRUGS", it looks like it says "PENCE AND ???", possibly "PENCE & STERLING". It looks like it might indeed be at 122 East Main Street, the address of Pence & Sterling's drug store.


1 Charlottesville city directories for the years: 1902,04,06,10,12,14,16,19,22,24,27,29,31,34,36,45,47,50,53,55-60
2 Find-a-grave for Mark V. Pence
3 Richmond Times Dispatch, 30-Aug-1940, page 38 (obituary for Robert S.J. Sterling)
4 Richmond Times Dispatch, 3-Feb-1949, page 14 (obituary for M.V. Pence)


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This page last updated on July 20, 2024.