Richards Drug Store Is Sold to John O. Rose

The Marietta Daily Times, September 29, 1943

John O. Rose of Strecker Hill, pharmacist at Richards Drug Store, has purchased the merchandise stock and fixtures of the store at 104 Front Street from Miss Anna Richards, administrator of the estate of the late Edward T. Richards, who died last February.

The store building, which has housed the drug store since before the turn of the century, is a part of the estate of the late Albert J. Richards, father of Miss Anna Richards and founder of one of Marietta's oldest business institutions which has remained in the Richards family since it was established by "Al" Richards in 1876.

The Richards Drug Store was first housed on Greene Street near Second. A disastrous fire there resulted in the store being moved to a new building at 104 Front Street in the late 1890s, built by the late A. J. Richards. The late Ed T. Richards, who was in the drug business in Chicago for many years, returned to Marietta in 1916 and became associated with his brother under the firm name Richards Bros. Following the death of A. J. Richards, Ed T. Richards became proprietor of the store.

John O. Rose, son of Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Rose of Seventh Street, has been pharmacist at the store during the past four years. He graduated from Marietta High School and from Cincinnati College of Pharmacy. He was employed with the Abbott Laboratories in Chicago before returning to Marietta as pharmacist at the Richards store. John Chorpenning will remain as a clerk and George Corner as book-keeper.