In 1853 William and Charles H. Likins, and Lewis B. Whinrey organized the firm of Likins & Whinrey's Milling Company, built the mill and engaged in the milling business. The firm continued about twelve years, and then Charles H. Likins, son of William, bought out his father in company with Mr. Whinrey, and since that time they have continued the business. The mill has the new roller process, and does a good business manufacturing good flour. This mill was the first in West Centre Township, and the flour was at first bolted by hand. It was the only mill for miles around, there was none at Springfield, and the citizens came from as far west as Kansas before 1856 and afterward. It is one of the oldest mills in Greene County, was rebuilt in 1867, and moved to its present location. The mill prospered, the firm bought land, and now own 819 acres, largely timber land in good condition. Mr. Whinrey married July 28, 1855, Elvina Likins, daughter of William and Sarah (Squibb) Likins. The Likins are of Swedish stock that settled near what is now Philadelphia around 1650, and removed to Greene County Tennessee in 1843.
William Likins 4th great grandfather, Sven Gunnarsson, was known as "Sven the Miller" having started the first grist mill in New Sweden (now Philadelphia), Pennsylvania. Sven arrived from Goteborg, Sweden in New Sweden on the ship Kalmar Nyckel in 1640.
William Likins 4th great grandfather, Sven Gunnarsson, was known as "Sven the Miller" having started the first grist mill in New Sweden (now Philadelphia), Pennsylvania. Sven arrived from Goteborg, Sweden in New Sweden on the ship Kalmar Nyckel in 1640.
In 1853 William and Charles H. Likins, and Lewis B. Whinrey organized the firm of Likins & Whinrey's Milling Company, built the mill and engaged in the milling business. The firm continued about twelve years, and then Charles H. Likins, son of William, bought out his father in company with Mr. Whinrey, and since that time they have continued the business. The mill has the new roller process, and does a good business manufacturing good flour. This mill was the first in West Centre Township, and the flour was at first bolted by hand. It was the only mill for miles around, there was none at Springfield, and the citizens came from as far west as Kansas before 1856 and afterward. It is one of the oldest mills in Greene County, was rebuilt in 1867, and moved to its present location. The mill prospered, the firm bought land, and now own 819 acres, largely timber land in good condition. Mr. Whinrey married July 28, 1855, Elvina Likins, daughter of William and Sarah (Squibb) Likins. The Likins are of Swedish stock that settled near what is now Philadelphia around 1650, and removed to Greene County Tennessee in 1843.
William Likins 4th great grandfather, Sven Gunnarsson, was known as "Sven the Miller" having started the first grist mill in New Sweden (now Philadelphia), Pennsylvania. Sven arrived from Goteborg, Sweden in New Sweden on the ship Kalmar Nyckel in 1640.
William Likins 4th great grandfather, Sven Gunnarsson, was known as "Sven the Miller" having started the first grist mill in New Sweden (now Philadelphia), Pennsylvania. Sven arrived from Goteborg, Sweden in New Sweden on the ship Kalmar Nyckel in 1640.
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