Millville Township is
bounded on the north by Jefferson Township and the
Mississippi River; on the east by Buena Vista
Township; on the south by Dubuque County, and on the
west by Mallory Township. It was organized in 1838,
and the first election in the township was held in
the fall of that year, John W. Griffith being elected
Supervisor, and David Springer, Justice of the Peace.
There are two postoffices in the township, one at
Millville and the other at Turkey River Station.
Isaac H. Preston was the first Postmaster at
Millville. William Woodworth is the present
incumbent. The office at Turkey River was established
in 1871, with John Moore as Postmaster. He still
holds the office.
The first store was established in 1869 at Turkey
River Station by John Moore, who has since continued
the business. He carries a full line of general
merchandise. J.H. Boyce embarked in the mercantile
business here about 1875. He keeps a complete stock
of such goods as are usually found in a country
store.
The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad and the Volga
branch of that road pass through the township, and
the advent of the cars has added much to the business
facilities of the place. The religious element of the
township is represented by the Cumberland
Presbyterian organization, who have a church building
on section 18. It is a frame structure, 30 x 40 feet,
valued at $800. Its first pastor was P.H. Corider,
Rev. Mr. Howard being the present one. The first
Trustees were P.H. Corider and Jacob Springer; the
present ones are Joseph Tweedy and John Bolsinger.
Millville Township is well provided for in the way
of schools, having six excellent school-houses, two
of brick and four frame, their total value being
$4,000. In the year 1881 there were 234 pupils
enrolled in the public schools.
There are four burying-grounds in the township.
Millville Village was surveyed on the northeast
quarter of section 16, township 91 north, range 2
west, by Ezra Hurd, Surveyor, for Isaac H. Preston,
in July, 1856.
There is a fine flour-mill here, F.E. Heckel,
proprietor. Two stores, filled with fine selections
of goods suited to the market; William Woodworth is
the proprietor of one - a fine brick building - and
John Becker, proprietor of the other. The first
blacksmith shop was run by Racine Barnett; the
present proprietor is F.W. Zunhof. The first wagon
shop was by John Grithiths & Brs.; the present
proprietor is Henry Horsch. Mr. Woodworth carries a
stock of about $5,000 worth of goods. There is a
population of about fifty persons in this village.
The village of Jefferson was laid out in 1852-'53.
There is here a grist-mill and small stock of
merchandise, kept by E.C. Jeffers. There is a
blacksmith shop here, run by M. Wheeler. This
comprises all the business of the villages. There is
here a population of about fifty persons.
Turkey River Village is a station on the C., M.
& St. P. R. R., at the junction of the Turkey
with the Mississippi River. There is a postoffice
here; also two stores of general merchandise.
