Custers [Rhoads] Flour Mill, Milton Pa

Custers Brand New Flour Mill in Milton, 1914

W. E. Custer Mill, also known as Custer's Mill, operated in Milton during the early 1900's. In addition to flour, the mill produced a scratch feed (for chickens) made of wheat, buckwheat, cracked corn, oats, and sunflower seeds.

The mill was constructed in 1913, and was operated by W.E. Custer until his death in 1943.  In 1945, his widow sold the Mill to the Stahls, who operated it through the 1950s.  In 1962, RT 15 was being reconstructed between Shamokin Dam and Lewisburg, and the Rhoads Mill in Winfield was in the right away.  Rhoads, who owned mills in Selinsgrove and Winfield, purchased the Milton Mill to replace the Winfield operations, which were razed by the state.

W.E. Custer  operated an antiquated mill at Swineford Pa.  He was making money, and the mill and his comfortable home nearby were paid for, he had every reason to be content.

1918 Sanborn Map

But when the opportunity arose to sell out, he took advantage of it, disposing of his holdings at Swineford. Milton Pa, with it's population of 8,000, had no flour mill. Custer knew it was in the center of a large wheat growing section, and he took steps to secure a site for a new mill in the town. Plans were drawn up for a 100-barrel plant. Robinson Manufacturing Company of Muncy Pa installed the Unique Line of Machinery throughout the new mill.

All high speed shafts are carried in roller bearings, to reduce friction. The power is electricity, using a 35 horsepower motor to drive the feed department and receiving separator, and a 20 horsepower motor to drive the flour department.

The Mill was lit throughout with electricity, and heated by a hot air furnace. The main building was 40x60 feet, with a one story warehouse attached.

Custer, in 1914 was milling both straight and blended flours.  The brands were XXXX BEST BLENDED and NEVER FAIL STRAIGHT WINTER. He was also producing very fine grain roasted cornmeal

Grain storage of 10,000 bushel capacity was provided in the end of the mill building.

1928

1945 - Mill Purchased by Stahls

Winey Custer died in 1943.  Two years later, his wife Margaret sold the flour mill to Paul & Harold Stahl.  The property contained a flour mill with electric motor milling and chopping machines, a railroad siding and warehouse, and two frame dwellings and a frame garage.

1962 Mill Purchased By Simon Rhoads

In 1962, Simon Rhoads, who owned flour mills in Selinsgrove and Winfield, purchased Stahls Feed Mill in Milton. "This mill will replace the facilities former occupied by Rhoads Mill Inc At Winfield"  Rhoads two story frame flour and feed mill was being razed, as it was in the right away of Route 15, which was being reconstructed between Lewisburg and Shamokin Dam.

The mill at Milton was to open for business on February 26, 1962.

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Find More Stories & History Of Milton Here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/04/milton-pa.html

And more history from the central susquehanna valley, here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

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Winey Elmer Custer, Son of Benjamin Halteman & Clara (Winey) Custer
Born March 17 1875, Married January 1896 Margaret Spade
Died April 15 1943

In the 2000's, A&S Mechanical was using the building. - A&S Mechanical Heating & Cooling, Inc. is Milton's expert heating and cooling company. We offer furnace and air conditioning services in and around Milton. Please, feel free to contact us for more information on our services, products, and company.

In September 2019, the mill  building was purchased by Joe Moralez.

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The American Miller and Processor, Volume 42, 1914

February 17th 1962 - Operation at  Rhoads Mill in Winfield Ceased.  The buildings would be  razed, as it was located in the right-of-way for Route 15 between Shamokin Dam and Lewisburg, "which is currently being constructed.". Rhoads moved his milling operations to the old Custer Mill, located in Milton.

March 1918