Expansion plans, Ben’s Navy return, customers, machinery, other businesses and learning the trade.
More from the shop’s early years
The shop in 1895 and plans to expand
A September 1895 advertisement places J. F. Roling’s Salisbury Machine Shops on West Second Street. It offered machinery repairs, engine trimmings, brass goods and lubricating oils. The following March, the newspaper reported that increased business had led him to prepare an addition to the shop, with lumber already on the grounds. The notice records the plan, but does not confirm when the addition was built.
Sources for this story
Salisbury Press-Spectator, September 13, 1895, page 7, “Salisbury Machine Shops”; March 6, 1896, page 5, notice beginning “J. F. Roling is preparing to erect.” Publication details and text checked against family-held newspaper screenshots. These establish the advertised location and the reported expansion plan, not the original purchase date.
Ben returns from the Navy
Ben was working in the Roling shop by August 1914. The Salisbury Democrat reported that he had returned from Philadelphia after receiving an honorable Navy discharge on August 13 and was now at work in the shop. In June 1916, a short notice called him one of the junior members of Roling and Sons, machinists. These give dated glimpses of his place in the business, without establishing when he first joined it or the terms of a partnership.
Sources for this story
Salisbury Democrat, August 21, 1914, page 1, “Home From U. S. Navy”; Salisbury Press-Spectator, June 16, 1916, page 1, notice concerning Ben Roling. Publication details and text checked against family-held newspaper screenshots.
Customers, equipment and new services
A May 1905 item names one customer: John Poschl of Bee Branch bought an electric pump and 84 feet of tubing from J. F. Roling for a newly bored farm well. A November 1907 notice credited “Mr. Frank Roling” with installing a Broomel vapor-heating system at Father Lubeley’s residence. In July 1915, the newspaper reported that J. F. Roling had added acetylene-welding equipment to the Salisbury Machine Shop.
The advertisements also identify particular lines the business offered. In March 1922, J. F. Roling & Sons advertised Heider tractors with plows. A separate advertisement on the same page listed machine repairs, welding and reboring, boiler and engine work, plumbing and heating. A July 1925 advertisement for a Fairbanks-Morse “B” feed grinder described J. F. Roling & Sons as an authorized dealer. These advertisements show offerings on those dates, rather than completed sales or the beginning of a dealership agreement.
Sources for this story
Salisbury Democrat, May 19, 1905, page 4, John Poschl notice; November 29, 1907, page 1, Father Lubeley heating notice. Salisbury Press-Spectator, July 23, 1915, page 1, welding-equipment notice; March 10, 1922, page 3, “Priced to Move” and “Salisbury Machine Shop and Garage”; July 3, 1925, page 6, Fairbanks-Morse feed-grinder advertisement. Publication details and text checked against family-held newspaper screenshots.
Cars, trucks and other businesses at the shop
Notices in October and November 1920 distinguished two Oldsmobile agencies: Cady and Lyons had the car agency, while the notice signed Roling’s Machine Shop claimed the truck agency. It offered demonstrations and service. The repeated notice records the same arrangement on two publication dates, rather than two separate agency appointments.
In July 1925, A. A. Hart & Son advertised car and truck repairs at the Roling Machine Shop, along with batteries, tires, oils and accessories. December notices placed their “Inside Tyres” offering at the same shop. The advertisements identify another business operating there; they do not establish a transfer of ownership of the Roling business.
Sources for this story
Salisbury Press-Spectator, October 29, 1920, page 2, and November 26, 1920, page 3, “Notice”; July 17, 1925, page 5, “To Car Owners”; December 4, 1925, page 5, two “Inside Tyres” notices. Publication details and text checked against family-held newspaper screenshots. The two December notices are separate placements on one page, not independent reports.
Learning the trade
A January 1921 notice about a visit by Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Nauser of Quincy adds another name to the shop’s history. It described Mr. Nauser as a mechanic who had learned his trade in Salisbury under J. F. Roling. The item does not give his training dates or identify a family relationship.
Source for this story
Salisbury Press-Spectator, January 7, 1921, page 5, notice beginning “Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Nauser of Quincy, Ill.” Publication details and text checked against the family-held newspaper screenshot.