Augustus R. Elson

As printed in 1881

AUGUSTUS R. ELSON, miller; P. O.

Marrnolia; is a son of Richard Elson, a native of Brook.' Co., Va.; horn July 12, i:!)T. Richard K'son passed through a varied anil interesting life; he was raised upon a farm, and began life for himself upon the Ohio river, engaged in carrying provisions down the river upon flat-l)oats, which he had built himself, and disposing of the whole cargo in Southern cities. This occupation he was eng.iged in for seven years. He would walk the entire distancback to his home at the end of his trip, carrying his money in a knap-sack and using it for a ])allow, many nights lying out under the stars. Upon one occasion, upon arriving South, he found an epidemic raging with such violence that he was forced in order to get home, to make a coast-voyage to New York, from which place he walked home. He came to Oliio soon after his parents had settled in Osnaburg Tp. and bought a small piece of land near there. After the death of his father, he, with his brother, operated and controlled the home farm. He soon after began large and extensive farming operations in Sandy Township, entering a quarter section of land, where C. C Elson now lives. About 1834—.J he purchased three quarters of land in and around Magnolia, in partnership with John W. Smith. They erected a sawmill, and sawed out the timber for the gristmill, which was coon after erected. The mill was originally made 40 feet square; it has been in operation from that time forward, and has made an extended reputation. They also located the town of Magnolia, which is now a thriving village. Soon after Mr. Elson moved his familvupon his land, there occupying a small log house for some years. He then disposed of his share in the mill property to Smith, and removed to his farm north of Waynesburgh, remaining there until 1839, when he bought the entire mill property and moved to Magnolia, where he resided until his death. He disposed of the mill to his son, Augustus R., in 1851, and was extensively engaged in farming until his death. He was one of the largest hind owners in the township, and the lank purchased by him, althougii condomniMl by others, prov(;d to be the most fertile and valuable in that region. He secured the post-office for Migiiolia, and was Postmaster for many years; also served in mar.y other offices of public trust. He was married in 1827 to Miss Sophia F. Boegeb of Waynesburgh; siu died in 1829, leaving three children — Margaret and Catharine — twins. Margaret, now the wife of Wm. H. Greer, of Magnolia, and Catharine, wife of Dr. Whitacre, now living in Iowa, formerly of Magnolia, and the subject of this ski'tch. Mr. Elson was married to a second wife, Sarah A. Brandon, of West Virginia; she died in 1847, leaving three children — Mary F. Redman, living in Iowa, Corwiii C, of Sandy Tp., and Richard, jr. Mr. Elson died Aug. 28, 1879. A. R. Elson was born in Sandy Tp., in 1829. He began life upon his father's farm, and upon their removal to Magnolia, and commencing milling operations, he entered the mill, and became thoroughly conversant with that occupation. To this he has devoted his entire life, and at it he has achieved a wonderful success. Mr. Elson has, by continued re-building and enlarging, secured one of the largest mills in that section. He is continually adding new and improved machinery, and contemplates, during the season of 1881, to build more additions to his buildings, and thoroughly overhaul it and add new features. His power is furnished by the best water canal imaginable, and is sufficient to run his immense establisiimcnt day and night, during the entire year. Something of an idea can be furnished by the statement of the amount of business done by him; from the wheat season of 1880 until April, 1881, ground over 31,000 bushels of wheat. Mr. Elson is one of the prominent, enterprising business men of Ohio. Honorable in all of his dealings, and possessing genial and social attributes of high order, he honors to the utmost the community in which he resides. He was united in marriage in December, 1855, to Margaret E. Ross, of Waynesburgh. They have seven cliildp'n living — -Vustin R., l)orn.lum 17, 1857; Richard R., born March 8, 18i;0; Emma F., born Aug. 18, 1802; John R., born A)ril 3, 18G5; Frank, born Sept. 10, 1869; Maggie E., born Jan. 24, 1874, and Harry E., born Sept. 27, 1879. Mr. Elson has served as township) trustee, has been of great service to the (educational interests of Magnolia, and is identified with the development of all public measures that promise to advance the interests of the peoph;. He owns and operates a saw and planing-mill, and was the

A originator of Chadclock & Sons' Woolen Mill of Magnolia. He erected in Magnolia, in 1878-79, an elegant brick residence, which is finely appointed.

As printed in History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.