McDonough ILGenWeb

McMILLEN, William, formerly a successful farmer in Chalmers Township. McDonough County, Ill., but now living in retirement in Macomb, McDonough County, was born in County Down, Ireland, February 18, 1828. His father, William McMillen, was of Scotch birth, and his mother, Elizabeth (Patterson) McMillen, was a native of Ireland. When very young, the subject of this sketch came with his parents to Pittsburg, Pa., where he worked as a teamster, his father being employed in a flax mill. Whenever he had an opportunity, the son attended public school. In 1851 he came to Illinois, and worked at farming in McDonough County for two years. He then bought a farm of eighty acres in Chalmers Township, which he improved and afterward traded for another of eighty acres in the same township. On November 14, 1890, he retired from farming and bought the residence in Macomb which he has since occupied, No. 537 South Lafayette Street. He is a man of intelligence and stability and is much respected by those who know him.

On October 16, 1851, Mr. McMillen was married to Elizabeth Stoops, who was born in Ireland, and attended public school after she came to the United States. Four children blessed their union, namely: Mary Jane (Mrs. Hendricks), of McDonough County; Henry; Elizabeth Ann, who died at the age of twenty-one years; and John Albert. Politically, Mr. McMillen is a Democrat. He has served as Highway Commissioner in Chalmers Township, and as Constable for fourteen years. In religious belief, he adheres to the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., being a member of Colchester Lodge.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 956, extracted 12 Sep 2019 by Norma Hass.