Listonburg is a small settlement, deriving its name from the Listons, who were the first to establish industries at this point. A tannery was started by John Liston about 1790. An oilmill was connected with it. This was destroyed by fire in 1834. The present tannery was erected about 1852, by Joseph Hendrickson. It is now owned and operated by Jehu McMillen.
A woolenmill, a stone building, was erected at Listonburg as early as 1811. In 1834, Thomas Liston, a native of this county, came to Addison township and purchased about seven hundred acres of land, including the site of Listonburg. He engaged in lumbering and woolen manufacture, and in 1844 built the woolenmill, which is now operated by his sons, Jesse and Jeremiah, under the firm name of Liston Brothers. Thomas Liston died in 1874. Liston Brothers, in addition to their woolen- factory, operate a sawmill, a coal mine, run a store, and have a farm of five hundred and thirty acres. They manufacture, including custom work, about thirty thousand pounds of wool per year, into all kinds of domestic woolens.
The first blacksmith in Listonburg was Ephraim Stuck, who came in 1849, and is still at work here.
The gristmill at Listonburg was built by J. Gregg, about 1864. It was purchased by its present owner, P.T. Frederick, in 1870. Mr. Frederick is a native of Shenandoah county, Virginia. He devotes his exclusive attention to his trade, milling.
Charles L. DeLanter was born in Frederick county, Maryland. He is a weaver by trade, and since 1868 has been employed by Liston Brothers.
John Englehart, a native of Garrett county, Maryland, came to Listonburg in 1868, and has since been in the employ of Liston Brothers.
Luther M. Lininiger, of the firm of Wass & Lininger, is a native of Franklin county. He came to Addison township in 1872, and purchased a half- interest in Mr. Wass’ business. In 1883 he became half- owner in the real estate.
A. S. Mitchell is a descendant of one of the early settlers. His father, John A. Mitchell, who died in 1858, inherited five hundred and seventy-five acres of land from his father, James Mitchell. John A. was a farmer, and died in this township. A. S. Mitchell has followed surveying for about thirty-five years. He has also worked at engineering and farming. Since 1850 he has resided at Listonburg.
Listonburg is situated in the midst of the most delightful and romantic scenery to be found in the southern part of the county. The village consists of about fifteen houses, and a very industrious population. There are, at this place, one store, one blacksmith-shop, one shoemaker’s shop, one tailorshop, one gristmill, one woolen-mill, one sawmill, one tannery and one church.
(Source: History of Bedford, Somerset & Fulton Counties, PA; 1884)
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