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:
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Clear 5.3" bottle embossed:
vertical: WILLSON BROS / DRUGGISTS / STAUNTON, VA
base: WT&CO / D / USA
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Clear 4.5" bottle embossed:
vertical: WILLSON BROS / DRUGGISTS / STAUNTON, VA
base: WT&CO / D / USA
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Clear 3.6" bottle embossed:
vertical: WILLSON BROS / DRUGGISTS / STAUNTON, VA
base: WT&CO / A / USA
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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
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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
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Other stuff:
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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 / ...
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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 / ...
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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.