HISTORY OF HENDERSON CO, ILLINOIS 1882 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Peggy Carey (© 1997 Peggy Carey) HISTORY OF HENDERSON CO, ILLINOIS 1882 p. 17 EARLY SETTLEMENTS In 1838 Messrs, Robinson & Hopper built the first flour mill on the South Henderson creek, at a point where now Biggsville is located, & operated it as a toll mill to accommodate other settlers in the surrounding country. The property changed owners until it became the property of John Biggs, who after years of experience in running a mill in a new country, disposed of his interest to Messrs. Moirs, of Oquawka, who continued to operate it until about 1860, when it pass into hands of others. Mr. Hopper had, prior to the year 1836, built a lumber mill at the place now known as "Hopper's Mills". Afterward it was changed to a flour mill and has continued as such to the present time. Lambert Hopper, son of the original proprietor, succeeded his father in business at "Hopper's Mill." He engaged extensively in mercantile business and carried on his business in all it varied branches with marked success. He established a woolen mill for the manufacture of woolen cloths, and by his enterprise aided in building up a thriving village. He waS a man respected and trusted by all his neighbors, and his death was a great misfortune to the community in which he resided. No one succeeded him to carry on the business he had built up, and it gradually went to decay, and now there is little left to tell of the thriving business of which he was the life.