Saw Mill History
Compiled and Edited by Michael R. Reilly
Last Revised 04/26/2006
Prairieville, June 18th, 1841
N. B. Cash and the highest price paid for good Winter Wheat, delivered at my store or the mill formerly known as the Clinton Mill, now as the Globe Mills, where custom work will be done at short notice in Saw and Flouring Mill; and where, also, all kinds of Hard Wood Lumber will be kept on hand and for sale low.
Charles R. Dakin
Source: Milwaukee Sentinel, June 22, 1841, page 3 of 4
FOR SALE
The Subscriber offers for sale the “Bark River Mill” now in successful operation – situated on Bark River, Town 5, Range 16, with about 300 acres of land attached to the same.
Few water powers in the Territory combine as many advantages as this.
Wm. Brown
Milwaukee, April 13, 1840, page 3 of 4
Source: Milwaukee Sentinel, June 22, 1841, page 3 of 4
The first saw mill in Lisbon was built a short distance north of the village of Sussex, by James Weaver, George Elliott, EdwardSmith and Cooley Frarey, in the winter of 1842. It was designed to run by water,with an undershot wheel, but, owing to the nature of the bed of the stream, theywould not confine the water. An engine was therefore purchased and moved outfrom the city, at an expense of about $1,200. It had not been set up a very longtime before the boiler burst, while under the charge of Thomas Weaver. Thisdifficulty was overcome, and the work went on for several years, but not in aprofitable manner. The mill has been long abandoned, and nothing now remains.
Is this the steam engine the Sussex people purchased then had the same person try to resell it a year later?
For Sale – A Steam Engine of about 20 horse power, 32 inch stroke, with
two boilers 14 feet long, 32 inches in diameter, with main shaft,
balance wheel, copper pipes, and all the necessary apparatus for putting
the same in complete operation. The machinery has been used but about 4
months in a flouring mill, is in good order and will be sold at a great
bargain. Also Riche’s patent Saw Mill Dogs, which will cause any saw
mill to cut one-third more lumber, without stub-short, with one man to
tend it, than the old style dogs can with two. They are in operation in
Milwaukee, where they can be seen.
LEVI BLOSSOM
March 21, 1843
Source: Milwaukie Sentinel, March 29, 1843
Steam Saw Mill
FOR SALE OR TO LET
The subscribers will sell or let their Steam Saw Mill, in Lisbon, Milwaukie co. and four acres of land. The engine is of 20 horse power, and in good order. There is plenty of timber in the vicinity, and the mill can be kept constantly in motion. Any person wishing to follow the
business can buy or hire the mill upon favorable terms. Enquire of L. Blossom, Milwaukie, or of James Weaver and Edward Smith on the premises.
Lisbon, March 30, 1844
3m28.
Source: Milwaukie Commercial Herald, April 15, 1844 and the, Milwaukee Sentinel, May 25, 1844
FOR SALE CHEAP
630 ACRES of excellent land, lying in several different lots on the west side of Lisbon and east side of Warren, Milwaukie county. From 18 to 20 miles from Milwaukee. A large part of which, on the even sections of the Canal Lands, has been entered at $2.50 per acre. Some of these lots are of the very first quality of land
40 acres now in wheat besides considerable in spring crops and various other improvements, including a first rate SAW MILL on Bark River, which will be sold separately if desired, with only a few acres of land, in connection with another water privilege, a little below the saw mill with double the amount of fall of the one now occupied – held in reserve for a flouring mill.
The site of the quarter section on Bark River is considered an excellent one for a Village, and where one is much needed. A large store of goods and a spacious public house, with some half a dozen mechanic shops, together with the mills, would find immediate support.
Any gentlemen or company, therefore with an adequate capital to engage in these improvements, would, most unquestionably, find them accounting it. Apply on the premises, near Finch’s tavern,
to
L. HUNTINGTON
Warren, June 17, 1846
Source: American Freeman, Prairieville, Wisconsin, August 18, 1846, page 4 of 4
LOOK HERE
The way we manufacture SIDING at the Big Saw Mill on the Water Power, Milwaukee.
We take Flooring, plump inch and a quarter thick, plane it on both sides, and joint it in our Planing Machine – which, by the way, is in full blast – then split it with the Buz Saw, making one edge somewhat over half an inch thick, and the other about three eights of an inch, and it is ready for use. Have you ever seen it? You will discover that it is preferable to any other kind – First, for its shape, second, because you can see for yourselves all defects if there be any, and lastly, because we can afford it at about the same prices it can be bought rough at the lumber yards.
It is especially desirable to carry into the country, as the boards can be laid together two and two, as they come from the Buz Saw, without danger of splitting, or, otherwise damaging.
Now, when you come into Milwaukie for such lumber, consult your own interest enough to call at the Saw Mill and examine this splendid article.
CHASE & COMSTOCK
Milwaukee, June 24, 1848
Source: American Freeman, Prairieville, Wisconsin, August 25, 1846, page 4 of 4