The first white settlement in southern Shelby County, Ohio, (Orange Township) had been made by James Cannon but other early settlers to the area included John Phillips/William Berry who arrived in the spring and Daniel Valentine in the fall of 1809.

William Berry (nationality unknown) built the county’s first frame house and also one of the first successful flouring mills. Pioneers would travel 40 to 50 miles to reach the mill to grind their grain. He and Edward Jackson both constructed block houses to serve as protection from the Indians. Berry later served as one of the community’s first commissioners.

Born in New Jersey, Daniel Valentine’s ancestors were English immigrants. He came to the area with his wife, Rachel Winans, and their four children. In addition to running a farm, Daniel was a shoemaker. It wasn’t long before his shoemaking skills were in great demand throughout the county.  Daniel apprenticed one of his sons, Richard, at the age of 16 to a blacksmith named Alexander Moreland. In 1828, Richard opened the first blacksmith shop within the township at the old site of Berry’s mill.   

The Old Blacksmith Shop

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