32                    HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

    At some time in the forties a quarry was opened on the Cornwell
place, on the bluffs of Otter Creek, two miles north of Brazil, from the
product of which grind-stones of good quality were manufactured for
the home market and wagoned over the country for sale, the only industry
of its kind in the county. The man who cut, dressed and prepared these
stones for use was Thomas Wallace, then well up in years, and known
as “Uncle Tommy.” Though these stones gave satisfaction, this industry
was not maintained any considerable length of time. After his retirement
from the quarry “Uncle Tommy” was better known as the “Dick Johnson
Township Librarian,” located in a cabin, on the bank of Otter Creek,
near the old schoolhouse known as “The Dunlavy.” In his personality
he is remembered from his white flowing locks, ruddy countenance, and
talkativeness.
    Of the pioneer infant industries of Brazil, recalled at this day by
but very few, was the manufacture of pump-stocks, conducted by John
C. McClaren, in one of the original small frame buildings on the north
side of Main street, between Franklin and Walnut, near the present inter-
urban station. The boring machinery for tubing the sections was operated
wholly by hand power, requiring two men of more than average muscle
and endurance to run it. The proprietor himself, an exceptionally able-
bodied man in this capacity, supplied the force at one end of the lathe,
the man at the other end wanting to work and rest on alternate days.
The product of this infant plant was shipped to a pump manufacturer
at Greencastle.
    The making of grain cradles was another pioneer industry necessarily
maintained until the time of the coming of the horse-power harvesting
machinery. In this line there were but few experts, whose handiwork
gave general satisfaction. Cradle-makers were not numerous in the rural
grain-producing districts. There came from Eastern Ohio to Marion
township, Owen county, more than a half century ago, a man named
Jacob Groner, who had won the reputation of being practically master of
this art, who made cradles for Clay as well as Owen county people.
Jacob White, known as a progressive, wealthy farmer of Harrison town-
ship, when yet a young man, went to Groner’s and had a cradle made
to order, staying by his side until the work was done, when he took it
home. Meanwhile, he had learned the trade, and from that time on not
only made his own cradles, but manufactured them for his neighbors and
the farming population all about him.
    In the springtime of the year 1879 two cheese factories were estab-
lished in Clay county—one in the north part of Dick Johnson township,
on the Carter place, the other at the town of Center Point, both going
into operation about the middle of the month of May. The promoters
and proprietors of the first named were William T. Anderson, Lucius
Carter and Benjamin V. Rector, who erected a two-story building 50 x 24
feet, to provide the accommodations necessary for conducting the busi-
ness, employed and placed in charge of the industry a young man named
Charles Monroe. The patrons of this plant delivered daily about six hun-
dred pounds of milk.
    The promoters of the Center Point factory formed an organization,
of which George Grimes was president, William Butt, treasurer, and
Rufus L. Kennedy, secretary. Responsible farmers gave assurance of
the necessary and agreed amount of milk, and citizens of the town pro-
vided the accommodations for the home of the plant, utilizing the