STANDARD ATLAS
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1903
Geo. A. Ogle & Co.Publishers & Engravers
134 Van Buren St.
Chicago
Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough
Page 119
The mercantile house of Robert Frost's Sons has been in existance in Scott county since 1858. Robert Frost was born in Derbyshire, England, November 15, 1820. When he was fourteen years old he was apprenticed to learn the trade of saw-maker and at that apprenticeship severed seven years. Having learned his trade, and learned it well, he became desirous of seeking new scenes and, on May 14, 1842, sailed for America and landed at New York. He at once started west, going to Quincy, Illinois, and then to Winchester, Scott county. This journey he made on foot, walking the entire distance. He worked at various occupations for three years and then returned to England, on account of ill health. Three and a half years were spent there and he again sailed for America, this time landing at New Orleans, thence by boat to Naples and then to Winchester. He remained in Winchester until the fall of 1851, when he went to St. Louis and entered the employ of the saw manufacturing firm of Lee, Gage & Co. In 1852 he became one of the partners in the saw making firm of Branch, Croakes & Frost, and was so engaged until 1857, when he sold out, returned to Winchester and purchased an interest in the drug and hardware business of L. K. Simmons. This partnership lasted three years, when Mr. Frost purchased his partner's interest and became the sole proprietor. This business he continued to build up throughout the remainder of his life and at his death it ranked as one of the leading business houses of Winchester.
Robert Frost was married to Miss Mary Watson, daughter of Ridley and Hannah Watson, November 8, 1855, at Point Pleasant, Scott county, Illinois. She was a native of Cumberland county, England, and their family consisted of four sons, all of whom survive them. At the death of Robert Frost, these four sons, C. R., R. W., J. W. and E. J., became his successors and have since conducted the business under the firm name of Robert Frost's Sons. This firm is recognized as well to the front among the leaders in Scott county. Their lines embrace drugs and druggists sundries, groceries, woodenware, hardware, wall paper, paints and oils. The individual members of the firm are all registered pharmacists and fully qualified to compound medicines. Their store and warerooms contain 6,804 square feet of floor space and it is divided as follows: Main Room, 21x90: upstairs room, 21x32; wall paper room, 13x16; paint room 13x16; nail room 13x47; upstairs over nail room, 13x47; Salt room, 21x24; up stairs over salt room, 21x24; large cellar, 21x58, and small cellar, 12x32.
In addition to this business, Robert Frost's Sons are largely interested in other enterprises, chief among which may be mentioned the banking house of Frost & Hubbard, and the coal mines operated by W. H. Bates & Co. They are energetic hustlers and in their social and business lives are emulating well the example set by their father.