My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH E. ILLICK is the proprietor of Peter’s Mill, which is located in Hanover Township, Northampton County, on Monocacy Creek. This mill is too well known in this locality to need specific description, farmers from various parts of the county having for years brought their grain to be ground at this point, as it is well known that the mill is thoroughly equipped with the most improved modern machinery. The roller process is used, and the best facilities of every description are here afforded customers. The mill itself is well built, being made of stone, and being three stories in height, including a substantially built basement or cellar. The machinery was furnished and put in place by August Wolf & Co., of Chambersburg, Pa. Besides doing custom grinding for farmers, the mill makes a specialty of turning out a fine quality of flour for the general trade. The standard brand, known under the name of “Unexcelled,” is a popular make in this section of the state, and is known to be uniformly good in quality. One regular miller is constantly employed in the mill, while the proprietor attends principally to sales and the delivery of flour. In connection with the gristmill he also has charge of a sawmill, which is situated at a short distance from the other. They are both run by water-power furnished by Monocacy Creek.

The birth of Joseph E. Illick occurred December 2, 1863, in Monroe County, this state. His parents were William E. and Mary (Kunkle) Illick, the former a native of Northampton County, and the latter of Monroe County. For a number of years our subject’s father ran the mill successfully, but is at present a resident of Weaversville, East Allen Township, where he has served as School Director. The mother was called from this life several years ago.

When quite a young lad, Joseph Illick was deprived by death of his loving mother’s care, and he was reared in the family of Josiah Schweitzer, an uncle, with whom he remained until he had attained his fifteenth year. In the mean time he acquired a good general education in the district schools of the county, in addition to which it was his privilege for a time to attend what was known as Schwartz’s Academy at Bethlehem. Having been an industrious student, and having secured a very good education by means of his industry and perseverance at his books, he concluded to try his hand as a teacher, and though only sixteen years old at the time took a school in this county, which he taught for one term. Later for three winters he taught successfully in Lehigh County, in one of the districts of Hanover Township.

It was in the year 1883 that Mr. Illick married Miss Clara E., a daughter of Hugh Huber, a well known citizen of this county. By this union have been born three children: Beulah, Stanley and Esther, the latter of whom died in childhood. In his religious belief our subject is connected with the Evangelical Association, belonging to the church at Bethlehem, and in politics he supports the Republican party.