Precinct "O" (Township 9 North, Range 3 East)
Seward County, Nebraska
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History of "O" in History of Seward County, Nebraska by W. W. Cox, 1888The following article is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County, Nebraska, 1888, Chapter VI, pages 126-127:
[Surnames: WEST]
"O" TOWN
Is happily situated, so that it takes in a long stretch of our two largest streams. The North Blue cuts the north-east corner, and the South Blue cuts the south-west corner, each stream furnishing very superior water-powers of immense capacity, and they are improved at Milford and at West's mills, yet there is ample room for more extended improvement. Had a population of 1,462 at the last census, and 146 farms, with fifteen manufacturing establishments. Has three post-offices, two flouring mills, at present only two miles of railroad, but has the track graded for about three miles additional on the Crete line down the valley. Has five schools, including one graded school, each with a good building. There are many very beautiful and tastefully arranged farms, with good buildings and orchards.The historic town of Milford [p. 127] is its principal place of trade. Milford was one of the first settled portions of the county, and was for many years the leading town of the county. Held the county seat from 1867 to the fall of 1871, and was the only town in fact until the summer of 1868. Was established as a ranch and trading point in 1864. Built the bridge in the spring of 1866, and the first mill the following summer. Now has a population of near 800 souls, a central trading point with many mercantile houses; a station on the A. & N. division of the B. & M., with two very large elevators. The largest flouring mill in the state, with elevator attached, with a capacity of ninety-five thousand bushels of wheat, several fine brick blocks, the sanitarium, and the assurance of the State Industrial Home. Milford has become noted for a pleasant summer resort for tourists, where parties can fish, bathe, or take pleasure rides on the great pond, or ramble to their heart's content in the beautiful groves. Hotel accommodations are good. The surrounding scenery is very pleasant to look upon. The village is situated on a commanding hill, where the eye can feast on the beauteous landscape either northward or southward. There are very many pleasant and commodious dwellings, with several very tastefully built churches, a commodious graded school-house; maintains two banks, and many shops of different kinds, among which are two large livery barns and several implement houses. We can see many reasons why Milford should, in years to come, be a very important town, and enjoy wonderful prosperity. If she will grasp the opportunities that present themselves, she will become a fine city ere another decade.
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