THE COVINGTON ROLLER MILLS, which has for many years been one of the leading industries of Covington, has been successfully operated by various owners, but never has it carried on such an extensive business as at the present time under the management of J. A. and W. L. O'Roark, who are newcomers in Miami County, having located here May 1, 1906. The mills are equipped with all the latest devices in machinery, having been installed with the "Wolf," the "Butler" and the "Case" machinery, and the leading flour manufactured is well known throughout this section as the "Pride of Covington" brand, although they make another high grade flour known as the "Ohio" brand, which is shipped principally to the South.

J. A. and W. L. O'Roark were both born on a farm in Rockingham County, Virginia, the former in 1860 and the latter on December 9, 1870, and are sons of James and Samantha (Bazzle) O'Roark, prominent among the old families of Rockingham County, Virginia.

J. A. O'Roark was reared on the home farm in Rockingham County and early in life learned the carpenter's trade, afterwards engaging as a building contractor at Tenth Legion, Rockingham County, for a number of years. On May 1, 1908, after having disposed of his contracting business, he located in Covington, Ohio, where, in partnership with his brother, he purchased the Covington Roller Mills. He was united in marriage with Cleopatra Armentrout, and of their union have been born the following children: Clyde, Lynn, Ray, Elliot, Ruth, James, and Eva.

W. L. O'Roark, like his brother, was reared on the home farm and also learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked with his brother for a period of six years, when he bought and operated the Tenth Legion Roller Mills with success for six years, after which he sold the business and came to Covington, Miami County, where he formed a partnership with his brother, J. A. O'Roark, and purchased the Covington Roller Mills, which they have since been operating with uninterrupted success. W. L. O'Roark was united in marriage with Annie Magoon, and to them have been born the following children: James Louis; Elton; John, who died aged three weeks; Frank; Jesse; Catherine; and Virginia-all born in Virginia except Virginia, who was born in Miami County.

Both J. A. and W. L. O'Roark are men of public spirit and enterprise and take active interest in affairs which tend to promote the welfare of the community in which they live. Fraternally, they are members of the I. O.O.F. lodge and the Junior order of United American Mechanics.