Joel G. Hill, born in Otsego County, NY in 1845, moved with his parents at the age of three to Equinunk in Wayne County, PA. He was educated in the local schools and in 1864 enlisted in the 50th New York Engineers. He was present at Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomatox Court House. After the war, Joel Hill returned to Wayne County and over the years became one of the area’s leading citizens. In 1873, he married Mary Jane Flynn of Manchester Township and had three children. Hill made a great success of his agricultural, lumbering and manufacturing endeavors, served six years as a county commissioner, and in 1899 was elected associate judge of Wayne County. In 1898, Joel Hill purchased a sawmill from Holbert & Branning, who had built it just after the Civil War. Today the water-powered Joel Hill Sawmill is owned and operated by the Equinunk Historical Society (www.equinunkhistory.org), which restored the mill and offers free demonstrations several times during the summer months.

From the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society (www.waynehistory.org), 810 Main St., Honesdale, open Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 a.m., January through mid-April.