Willson Brothers


Company Names, addresses, dates:
  Willson Bros, Main Street, Staunton VA (1892-ca.1904) 1,2,3
  Willson Bros, 17 W Main Street, Staunton VA (ca.1904-1911) 1,2
  Willson Bros, 15 W Main Street, Staunton VA (ca.1911-ca.1965) 2,4

Notes:
The 3 Willson Brothers were Gilpin Willson Sr (1868-1962)5, Percy Hunt Willson (1869-1956)6, and Samuel Willson (b:1876)7.
The original address of the store was given as "a small pharmacy in the room now occupied by the Armstrong Shoe Company"3. I believe that was at 25 Main Street.

Samuel was mentioned as one of the brothers in 18978, but by 19042 he was no long mentioned as one of the brothers.

The first mention I saw of the Willson Brothers being called the Rexall Store was in 1907.9
By 1927, Gilpin's son Gilpin Willson Jr was included as one of the partners.2

The last advertisement I could find for the Willson Brothers was in 1965, so it probably closed on or after that date.4


Bottles:
willson_06 Clear 5.3" bottle embossed:
vertical: WILLSON BROS / DRUGGISTS / STAUNTON, VA
base: WT&CO / D / USA
willson_01 Clear 4.5" bottle embossed:
vertical: WILLSON BROS / DRUGGISTS / STAUNTON, VA
base: WT&CO / D / USA
willson_03 Clear 3.6" bottle embossed:
vertical: WILLSON BROS / DRUGGISTS / STAUNTON, VA
base: WT&CO / A / USA
willson_04 Clear 3.6" bottle with a label:
label (typed): Green Coloring
label: WILLSON BROS / PRESCRIPTION DRUGGISTS / NEXT TO MASONIC TEMPLE. STAUNTON, VA.
embossed on base: 4
willson_05 Clear 4.5" (2 oz)bottle with a label:
label: WILLSON BROS / PRESCRIPTION DRUGGISTS / NEXT TO MASONIC TEMPLE. STAUNTON, VA.
embossed on back: 3 ii



Other stuff:
willson_02 This is a 5"x7" cardboard coupon for a free photo enlargement. It says:
This Card / Entitles You to One 50c / ENLARGEMENT FREE / With Each Roll of Film Developed Here, or With / Each 60c Reprint Order / WILLSON BROS. / THE / Rexall / STORE / STAUNTON --- VIRGINIA / ...
willson_07 This is a 1931 receipt. It says:
STAUNTON, VA., May 1 1931 / .. BOUGHT OF / WILLSON BROTHERS / WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRUGGISTS / THE Rexall STORE / NO 15 WEST MAIN STREET / ...


1 Staunton Dispatch and News, 6-Apr-1911, p.1, (article: "Improving Store Room")
2 City Directories for Staunton VA, years: 1904,06,08,12,14,16,19,22,24,27,29,31,34
3 The Virginion-Pilot and Portsmouth Star, 10-Nov-1962, p.12, (obit for Gilpin Willson Sr)
4 Richmond Times Dispatch, 27-Sep-1965, p.27 (Pharmacist wanted ad)
5 Find-a-grave entry for Gilpin Willson Sr
6 Find-a-grave entry for Percy Hunt Willson
7 1880 US Census listed Samuel Willson was 4 years old at that time
8 Staunton Daily News, 6-Mar-1897, p.3 (article: "Samuel Willson")
9 Staunton Dispatch & News, 17-Apr-1907, p.6 (ad for Willson Brothers)


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This page last updated on March 25, 2024.