Rock County Telephone Company linemen

Product Description

This photo shows linemen working for the Rock County Telephone Company, which was organized in November, 1898. The original incorporators were: Dr. W. H. Palmer, John Winans, Charles C. Russell, I.C. Brownell, and Victor P. Richardson.

The first telephone in Janesville was installed on March 1, 1878. Rock County Telephone Company had toll lines connecting all towns in Rock County and part of Walworth and Green County, extending as far east as Elkhorn and as far northwest as Brooklyn.

Richard Valentine, president of the Valentine School of Telegraphy, served as general manager until 1915. In 1920, the company assumed operation of the Badger Telephone & Telegraph Company.

On December 1, 1921, the Wisconsin Telephone Company purchased the Rock County Telephone Company.