University of Virginia Library

ELIJAH POAGE

Elijah Poage, one of the most widely known as well
as one of the most highly respected citizens of Roanoke
County, most of whose life was spent at Poages Mill,
was born in Rockbridge
County, Virginia, June
14th, 1823, and died
February 14th,
1900, aged seventy-six
years and eight months.

He was a son of John
T. and Margaret Poage,
the former being born
June 24th, 1769, and
died January 24th, 1840.
The latter was born in
York County, Pennsylvania,
August 29th,
1789, and died June
30th, 1869, aged eighty-six
years, ten months
and one day. Four
other children, three
sons and one daughter,
were born to John and Margaret Poage, namely: George,
John, and Joseph. The daughter was Jane Poage,
afterwards married to William Grisso.

Elijah Poage, better known as "Squire Poage"
settled in Roanoke County at Poages Mill when quite
a young man. He married Mary M. Sloan. No
children were born to them. Mary M. (Sloan) Poage
was born July 1st, 1827. She survived her husband
by nearly six years, having died January 4th, 1906,
aged seventy-eight years, six months and three days.

Elijah Poage was a mechanic and a fine cabinet maker.
Long before the Civil War broke out he had a foot
turning lathe and manufactured chairs with "turned"
posts and rounds which were purchased by the well-to-do
class of that day. Later he built Poages Mill for
the manufacture of flour and corn meal. Later a
sawmill of the old "sash" variety was added, and
when the day of the "circular" saw came, with his
usual enterprise, he established the first "circular"
sawmill in the southern part of the county, or perhaps
in the whole county.

The post office at Poages Mill was named for the
founder of the place, a half century or more ago. Soon
after the Civil War, Elijah Poage was elected Justice
of the Peace for Cave Spring District and was continuously
reölected until the time of his death.

He established a cabinet shop at Poages Mill and for
nearly fifty years made coffins and burial caskets,
and was engaged in the undertaking business, being
one of the oldest undertakers from point of service in
the county.

About thirty years ago he built a fine home on
Back Creek which he occupied until the time of his
death. The home is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Poage.