Kendall County, Illinois Genealogy

Millford Business Directory in July 1871

Sketch of Millington in July 1871

Published in the Kendall County Record, July 26, 1871
Edited & compiled by Elmer Dickson

Having been a resident of Millford or its vicinity most of the time for the past 30 years (since childhood), your correspondent feels perfectly safe in saying that seldom do anything happen here worthy of notice in any paper.

But things have somewhat changed of late, in the completion of the railroad and actual presence of the engine; Millford experienced its first sensation excluding the occasional loss of a bridge and inundation of the town. Either is almost sure to happen when the ice goes out of the river accompanied by much rain.

Now that we have the railroad there will probably be more or less accidents and some fights, all of which will be duly reported.

While we are waiting for something to "turn up" we will consider Millford and its prospects.

Millford is situated in the beautiful valley of the Fox River about midway between Aurora and Ottawa. It probably enjoys the best advantages of any station between Ottawa and Yorkville. It is surrounded by one of the best agricultural districts in the state. It is accessible from all points with good roads, well worked, in all directions.

Sandwich has been for some years past the great meat and grain market for a large scope of country lying east and south of Millford. All other things being equal, it is expected this meat and grain will stop at Millford. This will save five miles of travel over one of the worst kind of roads in bad weather. One-half the energy that was used to secure the railroad to Millford will build up a flourishing town. We can already see that the spirit of improvement is at work.

The flouring mill built 25 years ago by Black and Jackson and now owned and conducted by Messrs. McMath and Whitfield is undergoing important repairs. It is expected that they will do a large and prosperous business.

The woolen factory, situated on the western bank of the river, is under the management of the Cunningham Brothers. They appear to be the right men in the right place, and are doing a paying business for all parties concerned.

The new depot is nearly completed and is quite a fine looking building.

Mr. Joseph Jackson is making extensive arrangements for going into the coal trade. He is surrounded by a community who depends largely upon coal for fuel. It must be a permanent and paying business.

In a future article we will notice other improvements actual and prospective. In the mean time, if anything happens the facts should be forwarded immediately. Signed Galva.