Ellaville

Ellaville was established in the 1860’s by governor George Drew. He was a machinist by trade. Drew moved from New York to Columbus Georgia where he manufactured iron and produced lumber. In 1867 backed by New York financier Louis Bucki he purchased thousands of acres of timber from the State of Florida and a mill. He was elected governor of Florida in 1877. US paper money was rare after the Civil War. As trusted money was scarce Drew and Bucki paid their workers with scrip redeemable at a company store. A small town rose up around the sawmill called Ellaville (named after his elderly black servant named Ella.

Source: Wikipedia