Elowsky Grist Mill

History of Elowsky Grist Mill by Brenda Krekeler

John Miller and Michael Elowsky came to the United States from Prussia in the 1860s. The two friends met a miller, Mr. Lipski on the Trout River. Mr. Lipski traned the two at his mill near Rogers City. After Miller and Elowsky learned the milling trade, Mr. Lipkski showed them land and a place for a successful mill site.

The partners took their equipment from Rogers City and built their dam and mill and were ready for business in 1870.

As the business grew, the partners kept up with technology. Initially they used better stones to mill finer flour. Ultimately they added horizontal turbines. The turbines were used successfully because they could continue the grinding even as the ice in the pond grew. Previously, their overshot water wheel was shut down as soon as the ice set in.

The next improvement was the installation of the roller mills.

Michael remained at the mill with his family but John Miller moved to other territories. Michael’s son, Emil continued to improve the mill by using a steel wire cloth. It didn’t rip and tear like the silk cloth did in the bolting and dressing of flour.

Emil was introduced by his friend Jesse Besser to Thomas Edison. By 1900, Emil had a generator and lights installed in his mill. He had farmers from over four counties wide to bring their wheat in for grinding. Emil had electricity for twenty years at his mill before electricity was available for the surrounding area.

Emil’s son, Edvin worked in their mill into the 1950’s. Edvin continued operating the mill on a part-time basis until 1963 when the spring thaw washed out the log dam and their nearby saw mill.

Elowsky’s Mill was restored in 1973 by new owners. The new owners son now maintains the mill building. Most of the original equipment remains in the mill today. ("A Chronicle of Elowsky's Mill" Gary Tiffany.

Elowsky Grist Mill in in Posen Township. Click Here for Google Map.