I hope this isn't too late to be of use.  For the person who
asked about the advent of lumber shops, etc., this article
may be relevant:

Greg Koos, "Lumber and Millwork:  Builders Supplies in
Pre-1880 Blommington, Illinois," _P.A.S.T. [Pioneer America
Society Transactions]_ 11 (1988) 44-53.

I came across this recently while working on the VAF
bibliography.  There is also a growing literature on the
history of 'do-it-yourself' that may relate to your
research.  Let me know if you want some of those references.

Marty Perdue
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