One of the earliest successful businessmen in Rockford was Daniel R. “D.R.” Thompson. He was born in Greenfield in 1860. In 1909 he had a 50′ X 70′ General store in Rockford on bridge street and had been in business in Rockford since 1886. In addition, he had four other “show rooms” in town that were 24′ X 44″ or larger in which he sold buggies, caskets, pumps, windmills, and more. Thompson was active in village politics and was country commissioner. He also was a a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner. Financial success does not assure a life without pain. In Sept. 1909 D.R. Thompson’s wife Kittie was run over by a car in Minneapolis after stepping off a streetcar. Kittie died as a result of the injuries a few days later. At this time the family was still living in Rockford. Not long after Kittie’s death D.R. Thompson sold his business in Rockford to focus on his casket business in Minneapolis that he started in 1903.
1965 Flood Bridge Street