Smithville in Wayne County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Historic John Mishler Weaving Mill
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 4, 2019
1. Historic John Mishler Weaving Mill Marker
Inscription.
Historic John Mishler Weaving Mill. . Johann Mischler (changed to John Mishler), 1852-1930, and his wife Rosina Beyeler Mischler, 1852-1927, were born in Switzerland and came to the United States in 1882. They moved to Smithville in 1887 where John, a weaver by trade, built a mill to produce rugs and carpets on a hand operated timber framed barn bean loom. Three belt-driven looms were added in the early 1900s powered by steam and later diesel. About 1915, the weaving mill became the first business in Smithville to be operated by electricity. The mill wove cloth for fruit Presses and dishcloths and towels and was the only producer of cheesecloth in the United States for the Swiss cheese industry. It produced 40,000 pounds of cloth per year. John’s son Daniel took over the mill in 1930 and moved it a block away to its present location. Charles Norris purchased the mill in 1983. Ten years later, it was purchased and restored by the Smithville Community Historical Society.
Johann Mischler (changed to John Mishler), 1852-1930, and
his wife Rosina Beyeler Mischler, 1852-1927, were born in
Switzerland and came to the United States in 1882. They
moved to Smithville in 1887 where John, a weaver by trade,
built a mill to produce rugs and carpets on a hand operated
timber framed barn bean loom. Three belt-driven looms were
added in the early 1900s powered by steam and later diesel.
About 1915,
the weaving mill became the first business in
Smithville to be operated by electricity. The mill wove cloth
for fruit Presses and dishcloths and towels and was the only
producer of cheesecloth in the United States for the Swiss
cheese industry. It produced 40,000 pounds of cloth per
year. John’s son Daniel took over the mill in 1930 and
moved it a block away to its present location. Charles Norris
purchased the mill in 1983. Ten years later, it was purchased
and restored by the Smithville Community Historical Society.
Erected 2002 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Smithville Community Historical Society, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 2-85.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in
Location. 40° 51.934′ N, 81° 51.345′ W. Marker is in Smithville, Ohio, in Wayne County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street (Ohio Route 585) and East Prospect Street, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. It is at the mill. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 383 E Main St, Smithville OH 44677, United States of America. Touch for directions.
“John Mishler, Manufacturer and Dealer in Carpets, Rugs and Cider Press Cloth”
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 724 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
