From History of Madison County, W. H. Beers & Co, Chicago, 1883
There have been but few mills of any permanency in Somerford Township. Although in early times there were a few rudely constructed sawmills, run by water from the small creeks, which only remained in existence a short time; and later, some portable steam mills have been in use, and moved from point to point as temporary necessity required, yet there has been and is but one mill of any permanency, and that is the one now owned by John Cartzdafner, situated about three-quarters of a mile northwest of Somerford. At this place, about 1814, Gabriel Markle erected a saw-mill run by water, and, a year or two later, he erected a grist-mill. This mill he continued to run about ten years, when he was succeeded by John Roberts, who conducted business there several years, since which it was in the ownership of several different persons. It was finally destroyed by fire while in the ownership of James Smith, who again rebuilt it. At one time, this mill did quite an extensive business, and was a great convenience to this neighberhood, as prior to its erection the people were compelled to go many miles, over almost impassable mud roads, to have grinding done. Soon after the war of the rebellion, this mill was purchased by John Cartzdafner, who has continued to run the mill to the present time.