Through his connection with the industrial interests of Tippecanoe City, William H. Ethell has won a place among the leading business men of the town. The spirit of self-help in an individual is the source of all genuine worth and enables a man to achieve prosperity when the advantages of wealth and the aid of influential friends are denied him at the outset of his career. It has been entirely through his own efforts that Mr. Ethell has gained a place among the substantial citizens of Miami county.

Born in Noble county, Ohio, on the 17th of July, 1848, he is the son of Thomas Ethell, whose birth occurred in Loudoun county, Virginia, where he became acquainted with and married Sarah G. Sheid, also a native of that county. They came to Ohio at an early period in the development of Noble county and took up their abode in the midst of a dense forest. There the father spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1886, when he had attained his eighty-sixth year. He survived his wife some twelve years.

William Ethell spent his boyhood days upon the home farm, and as soon as old enough to handle a plow began work in the fields, continuing his efforts at raising crops until the harvests were garnered in the autumn. Through the winter months he secured his education in the district schools, but with the opening of spring again went to the fields. On attaining his majority he leaned the trade of carpentering, also millwrighting and bridge-building, which he followed for a few years. He was connected with various companies on their construction of many important works, holding the responsible position of foreman over several men. He has in this way erected and put into operation various mills, and thus he became familiar with the business in every department, understanding thoroughly the old as well as the modern processes of milling. In 1897 he became connected with the enterprise which he now conducts, the Tippecanoe Roller Mill, of which he is proprietor. It was built in 1838 by Uriah and James Johns. In 1843 it was leased by the state to Joel Schoup for ninety-nine years. The state had built the old Miami canal, and through his lease the lessee secures the water-power privileges and one acre of ground. Mr. Schoup did not conduct the mill, but sold the lease to the firm of Pierson & Favorite. At different times the mill has been operated successively by Mr. Dodd, Gardiner and Joseph Dust, who was succeeded by John K. Horr, and on the 28th of July, 1888, the firm of Kinna, Favorite & Bryant took possession of it, carrying on the business until April 23, 1897, when it was purchased by the firm of Ethell & Hultman. The latter retired on the 10th of August, 1899, Mr. Ethell be-coming sole proprietor. The roller system was placed in the mill by the firm of Kinna Favorite & Bryant, and the plant is equipped with all modern accessories for turning out excellent work. The capacity is fifty barrels of flour per day and the output is sold to merchants and local customers. The favorite brand of flour now manufactured by Mr. Ethell is called Snow Ball, and its excellence secures it a large sale. He also buys and ships grain of all kinds and is the local merchant for the various products which he handles. He gives his personal attention to the business and has built up an enviable reputation as a manufacturer of flour.

Mr. Ethell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wood, and after their marriage they became members of the Baptist church, in which he has since taken a very active part, doing all in his power to promote its welfare and growth. For three years he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school, and for many years his labors have been very effective in promoting religious work in this section of the county. His life has been one of activity in business affairs, and yet, recognizing the three-fold nature of man, he has found time and opportunity to devote to the development of those characteristics which must in every land and under all circumstances command respect, being founded upon right, truth and honor.