Gray & Smith Milling Company

Gray & Smith Milling Company

The Southwestern Way. Wooster Progress. 1914.
Type	Milling
Industry	Wholesale
Fate	Dissolved
Founded	Wooster, Ohio ({Start date
Founder(s)	C. M. Gray and A. G. Smith
Headquarters	Wooster, Ohio, United States
Number of locations	2 - Wooster, Ohio; Shreve, Ohio
Key people	C. M. Gray; A. G. Smith

Comprehensive History

The Gray & Smith Flouring Mill in Wooster was built in 1856 starting as a burr mill, grinding wheat on old style mill stones. It was one of the first mills in Wayne County to change to the improved roller system when it became available. The firm owned two mills, one at Wooster and one at Shreve, Ohio: The Shreve Roller Mill. Their brands of flour were, White Frost, Snow Flake, and Blue Label. In connection with the milling business, the firm has a number of grain elevators located in Wayne and adjoining counties where they bought wheat from farmers.

C. M. Gray, the senior member of the firm, has been closely identified with the milling industry since boyhood. His father became interested in this mill when C. M. Gray was only five years old and grew up in the business. A. G. Smith, came into the mill to learn to be a miller. After serving his apprenticeship, he left Wooster and had charge of some of the large mills of the country. In 1890 he returned to Wooster and was made head miller until 1909, when he became a partner of the present firm.

Historical documents

• Wooster Progress (1914)
  • 1914 - Manufacturing

"The Gray & Smith Flouring Mill is one of the oldest established business industries in Wayne County. The firm operates two mills, one at Wooster and one at Shreve, O. The Wooster mill was built in 1856 and has been running continuously every since. Starting as a burr mill, grinding wheat on the old style mill stones, it was one of the first to change to the roller system and has always been a progressive mill, quickly adopting the latest improvements.

The business has always been large and profitable, increasing steadily from the first and last year it was found necessary to increase the capacity. The firm then bought the Shreve Roller Miller, rebuilding it and making it one of the best equipped mills in the state.

Their brands of flour, White Frost, Snow Flake and Blue Label, are widely and favorably known and the demand has been so great that both mills are now running day and night. The flour is sold in every grocery and elevator in northeastern Ohio and commands the highest price.

In connection with the milling business, the firm has a number of grain elevators located in Wayne and adjoining counties where they buy wheat from the farmers. They also buy wheat from nearly every grain elevator in this part of Ohio, shipping it to southern and eastern mills. According to the government reports Wayne County ranks as the third best agricultural County in the U.S. and is the center of the best soft winter wheat section in the country. Southern millers are willing to pay Gray & Smith a premium for this wheat,

Newspaper articles

Newspaper ads

1918

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What Links Here

• File:Gray & Smith Co 19180709p2.png ‎ (← links)
• File:Charles M. Gray WR19180419p6.png ‎ (← links)
• Wooster: City of Progress (1914) ‎ (← links)
• Newspaper article:Gray & Smith Co 19180709p2 - July 9 1918 ‎ (← links)
• Newspaper article:Charles M. Gray WR19180419p6 - Wooster Republican April 19 1918 ‎ (← links)