The paper mill was established sometime in the mid- to late 1870s. It turned out about six tons of straw wrapping paper per day, shipping to Vermont and other distant places, as well as supplying the local area. Since the river supplied the power for the machines, the mill had to shut down every winter, and each spring the reopening, and the jobs it provided, were welcome.

The paper mill is to be started up this week, and has been rented by Mr. H. B. Williams to Messrs. Davis, Moore, and Hewitt. It has been overhauled, new water wheels put in, and will be in good shape for doing a good business.¹

H. B. Williams, Esq., has traded his interest in the paper mill here to F. D. Sweetzer for the latter’s interest in the agricultural store at Ottawa.²

The paper mill men discovered another leak in their bank last week and put in a coffer dam so as to repair the damage. The holes in the bank were no doubt made by muskrats.³

The paper mill was compelled to close down about ten days ago for want of straw. We understand they have now made arrangements for bailed straw to be shipped in and will soon be started up again. We hope they may find plenty of stock and not be obliged to stop their mill again during the year.⁴

F. D. Sweetser has sold the Dayton paper mill to the Columbia Paper Company, a member of the trust, for $20,000. The mill was Dayton’s chief industry, and as the trust has closed it indefinitely, another nail has been driven in the coffin of village ambitions.⁵

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1. The Ottawa [Illinois] Free Trader, May 8, 1886, p. 8, col. 3
2. Free Trader, November 13, 1886, p. 8, col. 1
3. Free Trader, March 3, 1888, p. 8, col. 4
4. Free Trader, May 12, 1888, p. 8, col.2
5. Free Trader, March 11, 1893, p. 7, col. 1