1885 History of Greene & Jersey
Rockbridge Township
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[Page 902]
... Rockbridge. The town of Rockbridge ... About the year 1854, William Gage put up a store building, and put in a stock of general merchandise, in connection with G. T. W. Sheffield, under the firm name of Gage & Sheffield. Later, W. H. Summers succeeded this firm, in the same line of business. He was succeeded in turn by the various firms of Valentine Bros., Valentine & Bowman and Valentine & Son. ...
... Three additions have been made to the town since the first survey, one each by L. F. Williams, James Valentine, and Isaac Bruner, the latter being platted in 1877. The first house in the new town was erected by James Valentine. This was a store building, in which he opened a miscellaneous stock of goods, thereby being the pioneer merchant, of the incipient town. He also erected a grain warehouse, which he operated, as well as laid in a stock of lumber, being the pioneer in both these branches of trade. Others now began to come in and the little burg began to wear a business look, and grew to be quite a lively place. The population now is about 300. It is incorporated as a village.
Page 903
... The lumber yard of Kinder & Saunders, was established by James Valentine, in 1870. He carried a stock of about $2,000, and ran it in connection with his store and grain business. For 12 years he operated this business, but, in 1882, he disposed of it to C. G. Edwards, but in about two years, the latter sold out to the present proprietors. ...
... In 1853 or 1854, William Gage became the postmaster, and removed the office to his store. He was succeeded by William H. Summers, and he by J. H. Valentine, and in 1873, Milo R. Blodgett, the present postmaster entered upon the duties of the office, and has retained it ever since. ...
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Extractions from History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois, published in 1885, pages 891-925.
