Angleton Store & Post Office
A Fond Memory

When Millwood was in its infancy, Isaac Anglin settled on what is now the Lester Gay farm. He owned a section of land, which he divided among his four children, one of whom was W. B. Anglin, who was born there.

In 1871, W. B. Anglin was married to Ellen Rusher. They lived east of Clunette on the Elam Anglin farm, later moving back to the Millwood farm. The country was new, roads were corduroy and impassible in the springtime. Buggies were not in use. People walked to small towns for groceries, so W. B. Anglin started a grocery store in one room of his log house in order to meet the emergency of the times.

Later on he built a new home and the store which was known as Angleton. In 1877 he enlarged his store and made it into a general store.

The early settlers braided hats of wheat straw and sold them at the store. They also brought produce such as eggs, butter, potatoes and exchanged them for groceries and dry goods. Beef hides and old rags were brought to the store for exchange.

Sugar, crackers, salt were kept in barrels. The store carried dried staple articles of food such as fruit, beans, pork, beef, rice, cracked corn, rolled oats, raisins, prunes and English currants. The store also carried patent medicines and many ailments were taken care of (thus cheating the doctor of a dollar). Shoes and boots were sold, and many other necessities.

It also served as a Post Office. A star route from Warsaw served offices at Monoquet, Clunette, Angleton, and Millwood. W. B. Anglin was appointed postmaster at Angleton. At first the mail was carried by mule wagon, driven by Conrad Hinkle and his stepsons, Ed and Will Herschberger.

Picture in your mind the mule team lazily moving along the road. As they came near a dwelling where children were watching them, Will Herschberger who had a sense of humor, would yell, "Over the hills to the poor house," and the mules would break into a run which amused the children and gave Will a thrill.

Later the mail wagon was drawn by two black horses. The postoffice discontinued about 1898 [verified to be 1901] and free mail delivery took it's place. It was a rare treat to receive the mail daily after having it only once or twice a week.

In 1897, W. B. Anglin bought a stock of groceries from a Mr. Newman at Clunette and operated a store there. This venture did not prove to be profitable so in a short time the stock was taken to the Angleton store.

For several years two huckster wagons were run from the store. As the roads became improved, people went to town to shop and county stores did not thrive, so the Angleton store was closed in 1902. The old store building was moved back and used for implements and as a garage.

W. B. Anglin died in 1923 and the home was retained by his son, Washington I. Anglin and family of eight sons. Three of the boys are now operating an elevator and living in or near Clunette. The mother has established her home there, since the death of her husband, and the farm is being operated by a grandson.

A few years ago the old store building was dismantled and the good lumber has been used to help build a new two-car garage. Memories are dear, but modern days necessitates changes. The post office boxes with pigeon holes still bearing the names of those who came to Angleton for the mail, now hangs on the wall of the elevator at Clunette.

This was written by Mrs. W. I. (Grace) Anglin, the daughter-in-law of W. B. Anglin.

Source: Page 52 The Anglin Family Tree