SCHLEGELMILCH, Christian Frederick
(Pioneer Miller of Huron County)
Contributed by Nancy Dalle
Information was found in the Portrait and Biographical Album, Chapman Brothers of Chicago in 1884
Mr. Schlegelmilch is a Democrat and has held many official positions. In the spring of 1884 he was elected Justice of the peace and also served two years as Highway Commissioner. Christian may or may not have come to America as early as brother Karl Julius whose 1847 immigration was thought to represent the whole family. Record of Christian known as the pioneer miller of Huron County proprietor of the Port Crescent Flouring mills. Born in Prussia. His father and mother John and Mary Schlegelmilch, were also natives of Prussia. where his father pursued the career of a miller. Mr. Schlegelmilch was the eldest of his parents children and though but 12 years old when his father died was active manager of the mill, which remained in his mother`s charge. When he was 20 years old he entered the active army in Germany the 12th Cav. Reg. where he served three years receiving on his discharge the complimentary commendation of the officers of his command. He came to America in 1849 landing at Quebec. He proceeded thrance up the lakes to Buffalo and to Cleveland, Ohio going later to Rochester, NY where he found his brother Julius. He was informed that he could obtain a position in a flouring mill in the province of Ontario and accordingly he returned to the Dominion and resumed the occupation to which he had been bred. He later came to Lexington Sanilac County where he spent three years in the mills of Nicolas Wolfel, his son Albert now deceased operating as engineer. He came to Port Crescent in 1866. He build a gristmill near the mouth of the Pinnebog river which project he carried into execution and is still operating a mill at the same place. It run by steam power and had a capability of 100 barrels of flour daily. Three months after construction it burned to the ground, he quickly rebuilt it. His mill was one of the best in the country of its kind. He owned 4 improved lots and 280 acres of farming land in Hume and Meade Townships. He was a Democrat and held various positions in the spring of 1884 he was elected Justice of the Peace and has also served two years as Highway Commissioner. (Possible Old Address Aulk Country WI 625 Honey Creek Federal population Schedule WI 1860 Federal Census Index WI 456166002 Library of Michigan 1870 Census County Huron, Township Hume Page 807R)