Hardin County OhArchives Biographies.....Espy, John 1811 - 1879
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Ann Anderson ann.g.anderson@gmail.com November 20, 2005, 9:43 pm

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.

   JOHN ESPY was born in Beaver County, Penn., March 2, 1811, there grew to
manhood, and in August, 1836, was married to Miss Jane Anderson, a native of the
same county. To this union one son, Thomas, was born, who for many years has
been one of the leading business men of Kenton. From Beaver County, Penn., Mr.
Espy and family removed to Taylor Creek Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, arriving at
their destination September 1, 1838. Here he lived upon a farm until the autumn
of 1840, when he removed to Kenton, and engaged in the manufacture and sale of
wooden pumps until the year 1844, when he entered a distillery on the present
site of the Slow Cloud Mills. During the ensuing year the grinding for the
distillery was done by the old Ross horse mill. which was operated, as its name
implies, by a horse tread-wheel. The insufficiency of this mill for the growing
demands of the day was soon recognized fey Mr. Espy, and in 1846 he erected the
present. Snow Cloud Flour Mill in connection with the distillery. The erection
of this mill marked a new era in the milling operations of the community, for
this was the first steam flour mill erected within the county. Mr. Espy
continued the operation of this mill about eight years, when he sold it, and
purchased a saw mill on the south side of the town. With this enterprise he was
connected about twelve years. In 1865, the Marseilles Flouring Mill was
purchased, but at the expiration of the first year Mr. Espy returned to Kenton,
and at once erected the present Espy Mill, which went into operation March 30,
1867. To this enterprise he devoted his attention until 1872, when he withdrew
from all connection with milling operation. From this date up to within about a
month of his death, his whole time and attention were devoted to the improvement
of the home farm on the south side of town. During the last month of his life,
he had purchased the old woolen mills property, and planned the erection of
another large flour mill which should supply the growing demands of the old
mill, whose increased patronage had outrun its capacity. The death of Mr. Espy,
November 28, 1878, brought this undertaking to a close for the present. Such
were the leading events in the business affairs of Mr. Espy that he justly
earned the title of "the pioneer miller of Hardin County." Beginning with empty
hands, by persistent application to business, he was enabled to achieve some of
the greatest milling operations of the county and period. In his capacity as a
pioneer, he contributed to the development of the public interests of the
community, always an advocate of all measures of advancement, and a champion of
every project of improvement. Although deeply interested in public affairs, he
would never allow his name to be used in connection with any office beyond those
of his own township, always giving as a reason for his aversion to office--the
urgent demands of his private affairs. Thus, while a partisan of strong
convictions, and deeply devoted to the interests of the Democratic party, he
would never sacrifice his personal interests "by attending to the business of
others." His party received his sympathy and influence; his private affairs, his
energy and time. In business he was a man of strict integrity, rigid in exaction
of all obligations, and unswerving in his plans. Possessed of a high sense of
justice, and an indomitable will, no question of expediency could allure him
aside from what he considered the line of duty. In private life he was kind,
forbearing and affable. With a plan unwavering, an energy untiring, and a will
unflinching, he rose to affluence; but this success not only failed to produce
pride or coldness, but rather served to enlarge its sphere of usefulness, as
generosity and liberality were prominent traits of his character. Although
having reached the advanced age of sixty-eight, his death came suddenly and
unexpectedly and was deeply deplored by the whole community, for the public
recognized in his demise an almost irreparable loss.

Additional Comments:
Bucks Township

Excerpt from

"The History of Hardin County, Ohio"
           containing
A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY; ITS TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, CHURCHES,
 SCHOOLS, ETC.; GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS; MILITARY
   RECORD; PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT
         MEN; HISTORY OF NORTHWEST TERRITORY;
             HISTORY OF OHIO; MISCELLANEOUS
                  MATTERS, ETC., ETC.

              CHICAGO: WARNER, BEERS & CO.
                          1883

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