OUR HISTORY

In the late 1800s, the field of medicine, especially in the deep south, depended for the most part on the very few trained physicians and even fewer hospitals. Healthcare was dependent on home remedies and the very few community doctors that were able to make house calls.

Founded by Tharp Spencer Roberts, born September 9, 1873, Monticello Drug Company had its fist roots planted in rural Georgia. Tharp received his early apprenticeship in medicinal training under W. F. Monroe, pharmacist and owner of Wachovia Drug in Valdosta, Georgia. He became certified by the Board of Pharmacy for the state of Florida as a registered pharmacist in conformity with the act of the legislature entitled to regulate the practice of pharmacy on the December 28, 1898. Before the age of 25, he was able to purchase an existing drug store of Jefferson County, Florida called Monticello Drug. After serving as pharmacist in Monticello, Florida for ten years, he partnered with his younger brother, Thurston Roberts and a doctor by the name of J. R. McEachern. When incorporated, in 1908, the drug store became the Monticello Drug Company. Shortly thereafter, they opened a manufacturing office in New Orleans, Louisiana. They obtained a patent on a prescription known as Roberts Remedies #666. This prescription with a high concentration of quinine within the ingredients became the best selling remedy for malaria, chills, fever, influenza, colds, constipation, and bilious headaches. The 666 lines included the liquid, tablets, salve, and nose drops. As the demand for the products increased, the Monticello, Florida location was relocated to Jacksonville, Florida in 1912, and offices later opened in New York, New York and Mexico City, Mexico.

During the depression years, the business continued to grow in spite of the economic situation because the medicine was kept available and affordable.

Tharp S. Roberts died at the end of 1946. The business has since been family owned and operated for over 100 years. Leadership was first passed to his son, T.S. Roberts, II and then to his grandson, Garnett Ashby. Leadership is presently under the direction of his great-grandson, Henry E. Dean, III. Through four generations of leadership, our company has excelled in providing a complete line of trusted family medications that are a value to the customer.