The building and operation of the Eureka Springs Roller Mills is due to the energy and enterprise of the firm of Webb & Brown. These gentlemen formed a partnership in 1882 for the operation of a lumber mill, which they continued for about five years. They then built the Roller Mills, which were completed and started early in April, 1888. The building has three stories, contains a full line of Barnard & Leas' mill machinery (Moline, Ill.), and has a capacity of fifty barrels per day.
Richard Webb, the senior member of the firm, was born in 1851 in Illinois, and is of the family of Ellis and Elizabeth (Spirloch) Webb. The father was reared in Tennessee, and the mother in Alabama. They were probably married in Tennessee, and when young went to illinois, and about 1853 removed to Missouri, where the father died and the mother is still living. The father was a farmer, and Richard was reared on a farm. He remained with his parents until the age of twenty-two years, when he began dealing in cattle and hogs, in connection with farming, and continued until 1881, when he removed to Eureka Springs, in quest of relief from ill health in his family, and has remained here ever since. In 1873 he was married to Elizabeth Cown, and to them have been born six children, namely: Annie E., Harvey, Josiah, Bazell, Elvina and Rosella. Both Mr. Webb and wife are members of the Christian Church.
William H. D. Brown, the other member of this firm was born in Paris, Ill., in 1855, being the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Malicoat) Brown. His father was born and reared in North Carolina, and when a young man went to Indiana, whence, after a short time, he removed to Illinois. He did not remain in the latter mentioned State more than two years, but returned to Indiana, enlisted in the army there, and died in the service. He was a blacksmith by occupation. The mother was born in Tennessee, and when young removed to Indiana, where she now resides. William H. D. Brown was reared in Indiana, remaining with his mother until eighteen years of age, when he began the pursuit of his own livelihood, engaging as a farm laborer for three years. He then engaged in farming for himself in Eastern Kansas, and continued for three years, at the end of which time he came to Eureka Springs. In 1878 he was married to Julia A. Webb, a sister of his partner. They have three children living, Carrie E., Elias and Alfred, and three dead. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Brown is a member of the town council. Both Mr. Webb and Mr. Brown are Democrats in politics. They are justly recognized as public spirited and enterprising citizens, and their mill adds a material industrial business to the county.