R. O. Grover, Druggist

When I lived in Huron, South Dakota, Osco Drug was situated next to Newberry's on Dakota ave.  That particular location has housed drug stores for years and years, including that of R. O. Grover, "The Live Druggist."

Grover was a native of Linn County, Iowa, and the 29 year old pharmacist purchased the business from A. J. Bick in 1909.  But the history goes further back than that.

Interior of R. O. Grover's drug store

C. Y. Durand was operating a drug store in Huron as early as 1884; that business was located a few doors north of the "Osco Drug" location [see map to left].  Durand hired J. A. Bick as a clerk/pharmacist, and in 1890 Bick purchased the business from him.  Bick was described in the newspaper as "a practical pharmacist and thoroughly conversant with the drug business..." 

Bick, after 19 years in business, sold the drug store to R. O. Grover, "The Live Druggist," in 1909.  Grover, an Iowa native, had been running a similar operation in Pochahontas, Iowa.  The Dakota Huronite announced this change of ownership and said of Mr. Grover, "he is an experienced druggist, having been in the business for a number of years, and comes to Huron highly recommended by prominent citizens of his former home both as a citizen and business man."

Grover wasted no time being an innovative business man, introducing "Hot Soda" from the soda fountain as the cool weather rolled in.  42 different hot drinks were offered, including  hot chocolate and hot coffee with whipped cream.

This is the area of Dakota Ave. which housed the earliest R. O. Grover drug store.

        

In addition to his pharmacy products and services, and the popular soda fountain, Grover also carried a full line of office supplies.

Grover kept the business at its 239 Dakota location for a few years, relocating to the "Osco Drug" location in 1912-1913.  

In September of 1920, Grover sold his business to George Sherman and Carl Moe, Sioux Falls businessmen, and the drug store was known after that as "Sherman and Moe."  Carl Moe was formerly a Huron resident who had learned the trade under Holland Wheeler at Wheeler's Drug Store; Sherman was "one of the prominent druggists of the state," and had been in business in Canton before moving his business to Sioux Falls.  

In 1948, Sherman and Moe sold the business to Carl Fellows and Leonard Clarke, and it was known as "Fellows and Clarke Pharmacy."  Osco Drug was established there in 1965 before moving to the Huron Mall in 1978.

Sherman and Moe, located one door north of Newberry's.

Sources:

Dakota Huronite, November 6, 1884
Huron Daily Huronite, January 7, 1886
Huron Daily Huronite, July 8, 1890
Dakota Hurnoite, April 22, 1909
Dakota Huronite, April 29, 1909
Huron Evening Huronite, September 29, 1920
Huron Daily Plainsman, June 15, 1980
1911-12 Huron City Directory
Sanford Fire Maps
Ancestry.com