Millgrove

Jackson Township

    The town of Millgrove, about seven miles southeast of Hartford City, has about thirty families. It was laid out about 1867 or '68, on land owned by Robert Sawyer and named by J.C. Robbins.

    William Henry Robbins, is station and express agent. A small triangular lot in front of the station building is kept as a beautiful park under the care of the Messrs. Robbins.

     Robert Lanning and William Davis keep general stores.

    Mrs. M.D. Ram has been postmistress since 1883, and also keep a grocery.

    B.F. Caldwell's residence is a good place for travelers to stop.

    Samuel Dowden is the blacksmith.

    Harrison & Tharp, since February, 1886, have run a  saw-mill here, employing about five hands most of the year, with twenty-five horse power engine. Mill was built in 1866 by Knight & Reeves.

    Ludy & Lanning, since 1880, have owned and conducted a tile-mill, manufacturing now about 10,000 rods of tile annually. They also make brick. Dr. J.E. McFarland is the physician.

    A fine brick school-house, two stories high, is to be erected this season. Eighty-one pupils are enrolled in the public school here.

    The Methodist Episcopal Church at Millgrove was organized in the spring of 1874, by Rev. Robert Ransom. he and Rev. George W. Bowers preached here alternately. They were followed by Revs. Smith, John Pierce (who died while on the work), Brewington, J. Albright, B. Sawyer, A.J. Lewellen, and A.A. Pittenger, the present pastor, assisted by Rev. Eaton, the "junior" preacher. The present membership is seventy-two; class leader, J.C. Kegerries; stewards -S.P.  Dowden, M. Orondorff and Henry Barr. Joseph Everett has been a local preacher, and Lewis Reeves was formerly a local preacher at this place, but is now in the itineracy. Sunday-school is maintained the year round, with an attendance of forty-five, superintended by H.J. Kline.

    The church edifice, 32 x 45, costing over $1,100, was dedicated January 10, 1885. The exact cost can not be given, as much work was done upon it not charged for. Located north of the village.

    The United Brethren Church at Millgrove was organized in 1877, with only seven members, by Rev. Kettner, living west of Montpelier. the first class-leader was Newton S. Gothup, or Thomas Ferman. Steward, Theodore Fuqua. The membership has increased to about sixty. Present class-leader, Newston S. Gothup. The Sunday-school is union. The house of worship was erected in 1879, is 30 x 40 feet in dimensions, and cost about $1,200. It is located in the southern part of the village. dedicated by Bishop Weaver, of Dayton, Ohio.

    Trenton is a hamlet of about twenty-five residence in the northern portion of Jackson Township, not blessed with a railroad. the name of the post-office here is Priam, there being another Trenton in the State.

    The place was laid out January 20, 1845, by Robert H. Lanning, Ezekiel Lanning, Basel Anderson and William Cortright.

    The present postmaster is Ezra Armstrong. Armstrong & Son and George Cortright keep general merchandise; William Keiger and Peter F. Diehl, drug stores; Zopher Evans runs a saw-mill, and Marion Creek a tile-mill. Dr. L.C. Landon is the physician. Dr. H.C. Davisson, who practiced here many years, has removed to Hartford City. Dr. Landon who has been a resident here all his life, has been a physician for the last fifteen years. John T. Fair and one other man have blacksmith shops. A tannery was formerly in operation at this point.

    Converse (or Kingsley) is a flag station about two miles southeast of Millgrove, and was named after Dr. Converse, an early railroad president of Union City. There is neither store, mill nor post-office at this point, the principal institution being -

    The Methodist Church, a large, nice frame building, erected in 1867, estimated value $1,000. In 1870 the society was geographically divided, a portion going to Dunkirk, leaving there at present sixty full members and thirty probationers. the large number of the latter is due to a revival enjoyed there last winter. The present class-leaders are -D.P. Wilson and William Schrack; stewards, S.M. Barnes, W. L. Fulkerson and Aaron Clouse. Sunday-school is maintained all the year, with an average attendance of sixty pupils and twelve officers and teacher, superintended by S.M. Barnes.

    In Jackson Township are 710 children of school age, five brick school-houses and nine frame.