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From: "Joan Shepp" <>
Subject: [MOMORGAN] Mills in Morgan County, part 4
Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2008 20:12:16 -0500


The Versailles Statesman, February 23, 1933

Millville, First County Seat

About 100 years ago Josiah S. Walton built a flouring grist and saw mill at Millville, then county seat of Morgan county, and together with a small distillery, operated them until 1838. When Francis Lovin Ross moved with his family from Alabama to Morgan county he bought the Walton properties. Giving his personal attention to farm work he placed the management of the mills in the hands of his son, William Perry Ross. Operating the mills until 1858. Perry Ross, having married Josephine Davidson of Miller county, moved to a farm near Big Rock Church, seven miles east of Versailles, where he reared a family of two daughters and four sons and was an active member of the Primitive Baptist church during the remainder of his life. His family included the late A. L. Ross, attorney and banker of Versailles, and the late Nannie S. Kemp of New Mexico; and the surviving members, William D. Ross of Buffalo, Missouri; John P. Moss of Mosier, Oregon and Dr. R. M. Ross and Mrs. James P. Hunter of Portland, Oregon.


Many years later the Walton-Ross mills became the property of Uncle Abe James, who added a saw mill and carding machinery. In 1879 or 1880 the old mill and other buildings were blown down. Mr. James erected another mill near the spring and together with wool carding, continued in business as long as he lived. Nothing is now left of the mill but the old rock foundation. Uncle Abe James was a fine, upright citizen.


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