Portraits from Yount's Mill

Yount's Mill, near Yountsville, has long been a landmark in Montgomery County. The Mill was founded by Daniel and Allen Yount circa 1840. According to Ruth McCormick, author of the book, "Yountsville History," looms had been installed around 1849 so that the factory was able to turn out finished woolen cloth. These photographs, part of the archival collection at the Crawfordsville District Public Library, provide rare glimpses into the lives of the workers at the woolen mill. Taken about 1870, each photograph depicts Andrew Yount with a group of employees, noted in one photograph as "loom girls". In her book, McCormick provides a list of the names of some employees, including Mary Sullivan, Ella Berkshire, Mary Shaffer, Anna Garland, Pheobe Smith, Margaret Sullivan and Thirza Hornbaker. Who are the "loom girls" in our photographs? Unfortunately, only Jennie Hayes Murray is identified. We hope that someday we'll discover more information about these photographs. If you have historical items pertaining to Yount's Mill, other historic local businesses, or original historical documents pertaining to Montgomery County, please call the Reference and Local History Department at 765-362-2242 ext. 117.