Page 40. MILFORD. Area 28,172 Acres. Population 2,007. This township was formed from Unadilla in 1796. The surface is a hilly upland, divided into two ridges by the Susquehanna river, which flows through it in a southerly direction. The declivities are in many places very steep. Crumhorn mountain, on the east border, attains an elevation of 600 feet above the valley. The fertile soil and excellent water power afforded by the rivers early attracted settlers to this region. Among the leading families at Milford village were those of Charles Morris and his sons Richard and David, James Westcott, John Aylesworth, Norman Bissell, Levi Hungerford and Jonathan Sweet; at Portlandville, Thomas Mumford, Russell Briggs, and Col. John Moore; the Edsons at Edson Corners; and at Colliersville Isaac Collier, his son Major Peter Collier, and his son-in-law Jared Goodyear. VILLAGES: There are four villages in this township, viz.: Milford (population 532), Portlandville (population 352), Colliersville (population 130), and Cooperstown Junction (population 115). Milford Center (population 100) is a hamlet with rural free delivery from Oneonta. SCHOOLS: Number of districts 14; number of teachers 13; children of school age 290. The Milford High School is under the Regents, and is efficiently organized in all departments. A specialty is made of commercial training and business practice. The faculty consists of a principal and five assistants. CHURCHES: At Milford village, Presbyterian and Methodist; at Portlandville, Christian, Episcopal and Methodist; at Cooperstown Junction, Methodist; at Milford Center, Baptist. NEWSPAPERS: The Otsego Tidings and Teachers' Gazette at Milford village. Transcribed by Karen Flanders Eddy. KARENE1@webtv.net |