Groffs Mill Drive was named after the Groff family who still operates the former Upper Mill. It presently stands on Reisterstown Road and Bonita Ave. When Will Painter bought the Lower Mill from Samuel Owings, the name changed to Painters Mill. Joseph Simonds was the last miller to operate Painter's Mill.
There were many prominent families in the area, who contributed to the success and growth of Owings Mills. Sherwood Farm and Sherwood Hill are named after the Sherwood family, prominent in the shipping and fuel oil business in Baltimore. Captain Sherwood headed the Old Bay Line which ran boats from Baltimore to Virginia.
Besides farming, mining was a big industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. Ore was extracted from the mines and streams located in and around Soldier's Delight Park.
The Triplett family operated chrome mines from the early 1800's until 1929. Mr. Buxton was the supervisor of the chrome mines during their World War I operation. Flint, gold and mica, (Isinglass), were mined in hills.
Wagons were used to haul all the minerals. The people who built or repaired the wagons were called Wainwrights and those who built or repaired the wheels were called Wheelwrights.
Source: Speaking Of Our Past
A Narrative History of Owings Mills, Maryland
By: Marie Forbes