My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL R. HOCKMAN. The Eagle City Mills located on Mad River, in German Township, are owned by Mr. Hockman, and the business is conducted under the firm title of S. R. Hockman & Sons. The building is 65x45 feet in dimensions, and three and one-half stories in height. It was originally built for a grist mill, later converted into a distillery, and finally reconstructed into a grist mill. It is operated by water-power exclusively, by means of two turbine wheels with a fall of water of about seven feet. The mill is equipped with the latest improved roller machinery, furnished by the Case Manufacturing Company of Columbus, and was put in at a cost of about $6,000.

These mills turn out the best grade of flour including the Bismark brand, also the Eagle brand, which is a second grade, although ninety per cent of the output is of the former. The trade is mostly local, although the firm does a large amount of custom work among the farmers. Besides flour they grind quantities of corn for feed. The mill has a capacity approaching fifty thousand bushels of wheat per annum. Samuel R. Hockman is at the head of the concern, and is assisted most of the time by four sons and one son-in-law, George Swartz. The Bismark brand especially finds a large sale in Springfield and adjoining towns.

Samuel R. Hockman, a native of Shenandoah County, Va., was born September 26, 1821, to Peter and Rebecca (Rhodes) Hockman, who were likewise natives of the Old Dominion. His ancestry on both sides of the house was originally from Germany. He was reared on a farm in his native county, but when reaching his majority, began an apprenticeship at the miller’s trade, serving two years, and then started out on his own hook as a journeyman. Thereafter he operated from time to time several mills in Shenandoah County, beginning as head miller in 1847, and sojourning in that region afterward for a period of twenty years.

Mr. Hockman, in 1867, left his native State, and coming to Clark County, Ohio, operated as head miller for Parker Bryan two and one-half years at Rhorertown, Champaign County. At the expiration of this time he rented Gabriel Kenton’s mill on Mad River, and operated this six years. His next move was the purchase, in 1876, of the Eagle City Mills, where he has built up an extensive business. It is one of the most valuable mill plants in the county, and under the present able management will doubtless in the near future require to be enlarged for a still more extended business.

The subject of this notice received only a limited education in his youth, but by his habit of reading and observation of what is going on around him in the world, has become thoroughly well-informed, while as a business man his abilities are unquestioned. He formed matrimonial ties January 29, 1852, being wedded to Miss Eliza Cochenour, who bore him ten children. Of these but eight are living, viz: Milton, John, William, Benjamin, Samuel, Lydia, Emma, and Betty.

Mr. Hockman gives his political support to no party, and has held the office of Postmaster several terms at Eagle City, the office being in the mill. His religious views coincide with the doctrines of the German Baptist Church, of which he has been a member since early manhood. He came to the Buckeye State, practically without means, and owes his success solely to his own persevering industry and good management. Personally he is affable and courteous, most nearly approaching the type of a gentleman of the old school, and bears a striking resemblance to the venerated Horace Greeley, both in personal appearance, and in various characteristics. He is recognized as an able financier, and the uniform supporter of those measures calculated to advance the people, socially, morally, and financially.