Madison County History and Genealogy

History and Genealogy



History of Madison County


Pike Township Mills

From History of Madison County, W. H. Beers & Co, Chicago, 1883

It is believed that the first grist-mill ever erected in the township was in the northwest corner of the township, on Little Darby, built by George Van Ness, about 1820. This was a three-story frame, quite an imposing structure at that early day, and was, of course, run by water-power. But it continued in use only about two years, when the dam washed out and never rebuilt, and consequently the building was never used again for mill purposes. About 1825, Messrs. Lockwood & Nelson erected a grist-mill on the Little Darby, in the northeast part of the township, on land now owned by Mrs. Hampshire. Subsequently, these men were succeeded in the ownership of the mill by James Snodgrass, and he again by Albert Lombard, who was succeeded by L.D. Mann, who was the last to run the mill, after which it stood idle and went to decay. About 1830-31, George Weaver and his son built a saw-mill on the Little Darby, on lands now owned by Joseph Weaver. This saw-mill was run about ten years and then went into decay. These appear to have been the principal early mills. In later years, there have been a few other mills, principally of the portable kind, which have been moved from place to place as timber and occasion required.



From History of Madison County, Ohio, Chester E. Bryan, Supervising Editor, B.F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis (1915)

The flrst grist-mill erected in this township was in the northwest corner, on the Little Darby. It was built by George Van Ness, about 1820. This was an imposing frame structure, three stories high, and_was run by water power. About 1825, Messrs. Lockwood and Nelson erected a grist-mill on the Little Darby, in the northeast part of the township. Subsequently, these men were succeeded in the ownership of the mill by James Snodgrass. It then passed into the hands of Albert Lombard and later to L. D. Mann, who was the last to run the mill, after which it stood idle and went to decay. About 1830-31, George Weaver and his son John built a saw-mill on the Little Darby; this mill was run about ten years and was also left to decay.

The main pikes in this township are the London road and the Mechanicsburg and Liverpool pike. The northwest corner of this township is crossed by the Springfield and Delaware branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, which has a length of about one-half mile within Pike township.


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