WIAND TUNNELL. Among the prominent business men of Linden none stand higher in the community than Wiand Tunnell, who is manager and one of the proprietors of Linden Roller Mills. This mill is owned by Mr. Tunnell, B. A. Stone and T. J. Stapp, and was built about the year 1840, being probably the first mill erected in the county. It was put up by John Hoover and operated by that gentleman until 1886, when the present owners took possession. The firm is known as Tunnell, Stone & Stapp, as William Park owned an interest up to 1892, and in 1888 it was remodeled, a full set of double rollers put in and every thing arranged in first-class condition. This mill is constantly working, the capacity per day is fifty barrels, and the best known brauds are the Imperial Snow Flakes and the Gold Dust, both equal to all brands and superior to many in the State. The mill is set in motion by water power and fed by the water of the Finley. Steam power is used in dry seasons, but this is seldom necessary. This mill is called the best in the county and has the largest capacity of any mill in this section. The brands are made of native wheat, and the mill is operated by two or three experienced men, and first-class flour is made. The proprietors of the mill all live near its location, and are wide-awake, thoroughgoing business men. Mr. Stone is a farmer and a prominent man in the county.
Wiand Tunnell was born in Macoupin County, Illinois, September 8, 1853, and is a son of William V. and Tirzah (Rhoads) Tunnell, natives of Tennessee. The father moved from his native State to Illinois and followed agricultural pursuits and carpentering until his death. There the mother died too. In addition to a common-school education our subject attended the school at Carlinville and early became familiar with the duties of the farm. When first starting out for himself he learned the trade of tinner and followed that at Ozark for some time, coming to that city in 1874. There he resided until 1886, engaged for some time in the hardware and tinware business, and then moved to Linden, where he engaged in milling. To this he has since given his entire attention and has made a complete success of the industry. Socially he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and politically a Republican. He selected his wife in the person of Miss Susan A. Chestnut, a native of this county, and daughter of William Chestnut, and grand-daughter of old Judge Chestnut, one of the early judges of the district. Mr. and Mrs. Tunnell have a family of two children, Clara and Harold. Mr. Tunnell owns one-third interest in the mill and is one of the leading business men of the county.