The Mail-Journal, Volume 13, Number 23, Milford, Kosciusko County, 30 June 1976 — Page 26

r I Kb •«■ K ~■ ->.*L« ’ '"• r • I jh «•*'***” » ? / ■ r, , _ *,., ~ j hi •*■—.■ ■* . J ' .' • ' _ ■ * J* ■ i 4 ** &**■* . ? . r . ..„,~w»*-. H j^rSW: I ' Witt - I ■ Mb -«**< ji .Writy - |L > » >, • j? .;' v j hmmßßf **' \ lußlOffi ' .fe.,» • *"**‘*^z«*^^-. ' ■ * • ■P "~~ '*• -.: ? *• I tllte hm infl**^Mir T ■•’’•> * r * c I ISSHm® BM ’M ■C^M^ranHliMMkA ■.-<•.,..*•> I wag . . ■., ■ B- m I k.. Kf 'CT&Myp ■&/ t : ji<' ’ r . w«. '>_*-• -W„ I "*"“' ~ . [" .Jinfrni- ' ~"~ Milford was laid out in 1836

Frwi TW Year Back PaMtahedla IMS Milford was laid out by Judge Aaron M Perine. April 10, IS3S, James R. McCord, surveyor. William Felkner and Mr. Stewart, chain carriers. Judge A. M Perine settled on the town site m 1834 and his family may properly be termed the first residents of Milford, also Judge Perine was the first hotel keeper, although his house was not formally opened to the public until after the town was surveyed Samuel Sackett opened a blacksmith shop in 1836. In later years he resided in Elkhart. Dr. Nathan Chamberlain located in Milford in 1838 and practiced for many years. Chipman and Doolittle were the first merchants of the town. The first frame building was erected by Henry Doolittle in 1840 and is now used as an office by J. C. McLaughlin. Dr. Abram Shaver and his brother. Benjamin. were the first to open a stock of drags. A poet office was established in 1839. Dr. Nathan Chamberlain, postmaster. The second postmaster was Mr. Levi Kervin, who was appointed October 19, 1885. Joseph Godown erected the first hotel in 1837. It was managed by Harr*on Doolittle. Milford is today one of the prettiest towns in the county with a population of 850. The modern appearance of the residences and substantial business buildings give tt the air of freshness and a large retail trade is done here. The Milford Mad, a publication devoted to the prohibition interests, was tint published by J. A. Wertt and to a newspaper enjpying an curculteion to the locahty. The to weß known for its high standtag for morality and intaltifsnri Grade Scheel A substantial brick buildtag was erected ia 1878, and a graded school establtobed with C V. Hodge, principal; Mbs Lotase Felkner, teacher of the intemedtate; and Mbs Jennie McDonald, teacher of the primary department There were 188 scholars enrolled with Moers. John W. Casper, principal; Marion Self, teacher of

mtennedbte; and Miss Annie Watson, teacher of the primary department. Mr. Young (Harold) b the present principal of the Milford schools and is giving universal satisfaction. The Methodist Episcopal church was erected in 1863, the Christian church in 1867. Both are buildings in which services are regularly held. The Progressive Brethren organized their society in December 1885 and in 1886 erected a handsome brick church finished in modern style, which cost complete $4,500. Rev. R. F. MaUott was the pastor. William Felkner erected the first brick building in Milford in 1875. The building is now one of the landmarks of the city. P. M. Miles and George Keider each erected a two story brick business house in 1881, and the ensuing year George Snow, Ed Smith and Charles A. Sparkland further improved the business center by the erection of substantial two story brick stores. F. P. Groves, a druggist, built a brick business block in 1885. C. C. Reynolds, a druggist in Milford far more than 30 years, entered into partnership with Martin and Neil Felkner in 1876 and erected a Spoke and Wheel factory and planing mill that employed 15 hands. This was the first manufacturing plant established b Milford and it was totally destroyed by fire in 18», involving a direct toss to the three proprietors of 86,886 each. The first grain elevator was eotablbhed by the CtaKinnati, Wabash and Michigan railroad and was operated by Whetten and Higbee. Martin and Neil Feßoaer erected the second in 1886. Thto elevator to considered tae largnrt dealer ta grab in thto locality. Thto elevator has a capacity of 5,886 butoeto and the firm handtos annually bushels of wtab, 88,888 Inishrli of eats, 2j886 bushels of clover seed and several thousand bushels of corn. KoechMko Ledge 438 F and AM was foeHtuted January a, 1686 wvt tta* charter wm granted May M, 18TO. The charter members and officers elected for the first year were: Worshipful master — Elhha Mjlter

Senior warden — Charles D. Felton Junior warden — Edwin Bartow Secretary — John A. Smith Treasurer — W. C. Brown Senior deacon — T B Felkner Junior deacon —-F. H. Stephenson I>ler — Robert McCoy Stewards — T. L. Smith and E. L. Higbee Milford Lodge 478 IOOF was

11 fyq AMERICA \l I ‘Frtun our G Hoosier G Fanuly' U // / to yours \ y i vhmhoh p raBHUH ‘Vance

organised on March 4, 1875. Simon Miller, Levi Keen, Milton B. Groves, Preston F. Miles, David Gibson and Frank McAlpine were charter members. Incorporated la 1886 Milford was incorporated in 1880. The first trustees were Simon Miller, Isaac D. Hall James H. Kinley. Hall was the first president; John J. Hoopingarner.

clerk; David W. Becknell, treasurer; and James H. Hoffman, marshal. Milford derived its name from the fact that there was erected a mill on what used to be called Big Turkey Creek. At that time there were no bridges spanning the creeks or streams and the old pioneers were obliged to ford the creeks and streams, hence the name Milford, a combination of the mill and creek.